One game, many names
| Name | Where you hear it | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Secret Santa | Everywhere, especially the UK, the US and Canada | A secret draw to pick one person to buy for |
| Kris Kringle | Ireland and Australia | The same game; in the US, Kris Kringle is also another name for Santa Claus |
| Gift exchange | Everywhere | A broader term: it can mean Secret Santa or other games |
The name Kris Kringle comes from the German Christkindl, the Christ Child who brings gifts in some German-speaking regions. None of these names changes the rules: everyone gives to one person and receives from another, without knowing who bought for them.
The same game around the world
| Language | Name of the game |
|---|---|
| French | Père Noël secret or Noël canadien in France, cacahuète in Belgium, pige de Noël in Quebec |
| German | Wichteln |
| Spanish | Amigo invisible in Spain, amigo secreto in Latin America |
| Portuguese | Amigo secreto |
| Italian | Babbo Natale segreto |
| Dutch | Lootjes trekken, mostly for Saint Nicholas’ Day |
Rimbi is available in 24 languages: the whole family plays in their own language, from Lisbon to Kyiv, in the same draw.
Run your Secret Santa with Rimbi
Name draw with exclusions, guests without the app by text or email, wish lists and group gifts. Free for up to 20 people, no ads.
Coming soon to iPhone and Android
How to run a Kris Kringle, step by step
Set the date and the budget
The exchange day and the same spending limit for everyone, announced before the draw.
List the participants
You need at least three people, and an odd number works: everyone gives to one person and receives from another.
Add exclusions
Couples don’t draw each other. You can also avoid drawing the same person as last year.
Draw names in secret
Paper slips in a hat or an online draw: each person only knows who they’re buying for, and nobody draws their own name.
Share gift ideas
A wish list helps people get it right without spoiling the surprise.
Exchange, then guess
On the day, everyone gives their gift; then you guess who had whom, or reveal it.
Detailed rules, budgets and variations are in our guide What are the rules of Secret Santa?
Not to be confused with
- White Elephant, or Yankee swap: everyone brings an anonymous gift, then people take turns picking one or “stealing” someone else’s. No names are drawn.
- A group gift: several people chip in for a single gift. See our guide How do you organize a group gift?
Frequently asked questions
What is a Kris Kringle?
It’s the name used in Ireland and Australia for Secret Santa: everyone secretly draws the name of the person they’ll buy a gift for, within a shared budget, and gives it on exchange day.
Is Kris Kringle the same as Secret Santa?
Yes. Both names describe the same game. In the US, Kris Kringle is also another name for Santa Claus himself, which is why Americans usually say Secret Santa for the gift exchange.
What is the difference between Secret Santa and White Elephant?
In Secret Santa, each person draws one name and buys a gift for that person. In White Elephant, everyone brings an anonymous gift and people take turns picking or “stealing” them, with no names drawn.
How do you do a virtual Kris Kringle?
Draw names online: add the participants and exclusions, and everyone gets their name on their phone, by text, by email or in an app. Nobody needs to meet up, and nobody sees anyone else’s draw.
Does Rimbi work for Kris Kringle?
Yes. Rimbi works the same way for Kris Kringle, Secret Santa or a pige de Noël, at Christmas or for a birthday. Guests without the app get their link by text or email.