Use This Handy Secret Santa Questionnaire to Figure Out What to Get Your Surprise Person
Secret Santa gift exchanges are sometimes synonymous with gag gift swaps. And hey, when you're trying to find a Christmas gift for a randomly picked family member, friend, or coworker without knowing anything about what they like, sometimes it's easiest to opt for a cheap gift that's cute but not exactly tailored to their interests.
That's where this Secret Santa questionnaire comes in: As you organize your gift swap (which includes setting an exchange date and maximum budget), make sure all participants fill out the questions provided with their likes and dislikes.
Once you have everyone's answers, you can share them digitally via email or Google Docs so everyone has access to them without revealing who's picked whom. This is meant to help give participants some direction in finding a present that their person will actually like and use. After all, no one wants to see a gift they've given someone else being traded away for something else!
This Secret Santa questionnaire covers the basics of what to know about someone's tastes, interests, and style, helping all the participants succeed in their gift-giving mission. Here's to a Secret Santa exchange that results in everyone feeling like a kid on Christmas morning!
Secret Santa Questionnaire for Christmas 2023
1. What activities do you like to do in your free time?
Hone right in on their favorite hobbies and pastimes so you can get them a gift that speaks to the things they enjoy doing most in their off-hours.
2. Do you buy coffee or make it at home?
This one is particularly telling, as many people's mornings often revolve around caffeine consumption. The at-home crowd might enjoy a mug warmer, while the to-go folks would find a collapsible travel cup more useful.
3. What was the last book you read?
If they're a book lover, this will give you a sense of the type of lit they're into, whether it's romance, true crime, pop psychology, or none of the above!
4. What are your favorite (and least favorite) colors?
Keep the design lovers happy by giving them a Secret Santa gift that adheres to their preferred palette.
5. What's your go-to drink order?
This one is open to interpretation, and it'll tell you about their favorite flavor profiles. Cocktails, beer, coffee, tea, sparkling water: all libations apply here.
6. What's your favorite sport to watch?
Those with a favorite team will not be shy about sharing it with you!
7. What are your favorite games?
Gamers of all types can chime in on the card games, board games, and video games that they geek out over.
8. Do you prefer sweet or savory?
Consumable gifts are a great Secret Santa gift that can sometimes be enjoyed on the spot. This question ensures that you're giving them something that measures up to their tastes.
9. What are your favorite foods to make at home?
There's an infinite number of cooking gadgets out there — getting one that can actually make their meal prep easier helps ensure that it won't end up in the junk drawer.
10. Do you have any dietary preferences or restrictions?
Because you don't want any foodie gift you give them to go to waste!
11. What were the games and gadgets they were into as a kid?
Capitalize on their nostalgia with a clever, throwback-style gift.
12. What are your favorite (and least favorite) scents?
If you're opting to give them a scented candle or fragrance gift set, make sure it won't give them a headache upon the first sniff.
13. What's your favorite place you've ever traveled to?
Asking about their favorite destination can give you a sense of a good travel gift to give. Some love the mountains and snow, others like taking in cultural experiences in other cities, while others just want to use their OOO time on the beach.
14. What are your favorite TV shows?
If they like a popular show, finding merch from that sitcom or series makes finding a Secret Santa gift easy.
15. How do you spend time on a long car trip or plane ride?
Are they a puzzler, podcast listener, or book devourer? Or do they just sleep right through it?
16. Who's your most-played artist on Spotify?
You can tell a lot about a person by what their Spotify Wrapped says about them. If they don't use Spotify, they can share whichever artist they have on repeat right now.
17. Which emoji most describes you?
If your Secret Santa isn't someone whom you text with often, it can be helpful to know if they're a 😇 or a 👀.
18. What's your favorite season?
Their favorite season can help you decide between colors, scents, and design motifs.
19. Do you have any pets?
Pet parents are easy to buy for, as anything that reminds them of their furry friend is nearly guaranteed to be a hit.
20. What do you own too many of?
Don't leave this one off the list! If they already have all of the mugs, coasters, candles, or socks they need, this is where they can tell their Secret Santa not to buy them any more.
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