I’m friends with a lot of artists and musicians. This isn’t due to any musical or artistic talent on my behalf—I can’t carry a tune to save my life and my drawings look like someone put a paintbrush in the mouth of a particularly hyper dog. Still, many of my friends are in the creative community.
So, when we have a Secret Santa party, we try to be cognizant that different people have different budgets. Some people have artist’s budgets; some people relate to people in commercials that cheerily exchange luxury SUVs. Most of us are somewhere in between.
No matter the reason, a lot of us prefer a Secret Santa on a budget. Money is tight around the holidays, as for some reason we still have to pay bills in December. So, a cost-effective Secret Santa game makes the season even brighter. If you want to host a Secret Santa on a budget, here are some of the top tips for making it happen.
Tips for Hosting Secret Santa on a Budget
If you or a friend has ever said, “Things are a little tight this year”—and, unless you’re one of those SUV-givers, you probably have—then you understand why Secret Santa on a budget is a good idea. Here’s how to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Set a Gift-Giving Price Limit
This is a good idea anytime you’re hosting a Secret Santa. You don’t want to be the person who brings a set of Le Creuset cookware and gets a bottle opener. You don’t want to be on the other end, either. So, saying a gift should be X dollars is the best way to keep everyone happy. This is especially crucial if you’re having a Secret Santa party at work. Everyone also has to buy gifts for friends and family, so keep the price limit reasonable.
Remember, there is no bad price. We’re probably going to have a $20 limit at our party this year—and there are a lot of $20 gifts people will love. It could be $25; it could be $50. As long as everyone is on the same page and feels comfortable, it’ll be great.
Find a Free Secret Santa Platform
There are a lot of ways to play Secret Santa, but finding a Secret Santa generator that offers a comprehensive game-playing platform makes it easy for everyone. Finding one that’s free makes it the easiest and most budget-friendly option.
What do I mean by a comprehensive platform? I mean one that selects your Secret Santa partners automatically, avoiding any confusion. It’s one where you can set up exclusion lists. It’s one where you can communicate anonymously to make sure you get the right gift. It’s one that makes it fun for everyone involved.
Remember that not everyone knows how to play Secret Santa, so be sure to let everyone know how to play. The only thing that costs is a few minutes.
Select Gifts on Budget
The hardest part about a budget Secret Santa isn’t buying gifts for other people; it’s deciding what to put on your list. You have to think of what you might want and check prices. If you accidentally only put things that cost more than the spending limit on your wish list, you put your Secret Santa in a potentially awkward situation. So, keep in mind some shopping tips that will help you stick to a budget.
For instance, some platforms have gift guides from all the top retailers that you can select directly from. You’ll want a gift guide that has a price filter as well so you can easily find gifts under, say, $25.
Of course, you don’t have to select only by price. You can also select by category. Say you’re looking for kitchen gear and you spot a S’mores maker for $20. You’ve got the rest of your winter, right there.
And the best part? Your Secret Santa can buy directly from your list with just a couple of clicks. This saves them time, and time, as we all know, is money.
Secret Santa is Always Budget Friendly
One of the best things about Secret Santa is that it’s one of the most budget-friendly way to exchange gifts. Instead of having to buy for everyone, people only need to shop for one person. Using a free Secret Santa generator is the best way to start the fun on a budget. It facilitates the game for everyone and helps them select and buy just the right gifts. You can have a whole sweet party, filled with laughter, love, and the cheerful rustle of unwrapping, without anyone having to spend more than $20.
Gift-giving isn’t inherently about spending. The point of it isn’t “here’s how much I paid,” but “here’s how much I care.” Cost doesn’t necessarily equal value. The time you spend with the people you love is the most valuable thing of all.
Want the free Secret Santa game that fits every budget? Elfster is here to help. Our free Secret Santa generator makes your gift exchange a breeze. You can shop for gifts online and start a Wish List. Don’t forget that you can now play on an iPhone app or Android app.
