Free Secret Santa Questionnaire: 20 Questions, a PDF, and Template You Can Send in Two Clicks
A Secret Santa questionnaire is a short form each participant fills out so their gifter has enough specific information to skip the guesswork. Most go unused.
The British Heart Foundation found that 32% of UK Secret Santa participants never use the gift they received, and a 2021 Mastercard survey found 79% won't admit it.
The fix is boring and unglamorous: ask the right 8 to 12 questions, get the answers in one place, hand them to the gifter.
This page gives you three ways to do that. Fifty questions you can copy, grouped by what they actually tell your gifter.
A printable PDF you can hand around the office. And an online template you can send via Slack, email, or WhatsApp in two clicks, so the responses land back in one shared spreadsheet instead of fifteen scattered DMs.
Why Use a Secret Santa Questionnaire?
A Secret Santa questionnaire helps people understand what others like and don't like. This makes it easier to pick out meaningful gifts. It ensures everyone receives something they appreciate, creating a better experience for all involved.
20 Secret Santa questionnaire questions, grouped by what they tell your gifter
What is your favorite color? This helps gift-givers choose items in a color the recipient loves.
Do you have any allergies? It's crucial to avoid any allergens, especially if you're considering food or scented products.
What are your hobbies? Knowing someone's hobbies can lead to personalized gifts, like knitting supplies for a knitter. For the creatively inclined, using platforms such as Mixbook offers a delightful way to capture and share memories with customized designs and themes.
Do you prefer sweet or savory snacks? This simple question helps narrow down snack options.
What is your favorite type of music? This can help if you're considering buying music-related gifts or memorabilia.
Do you have a favorite movie or TV show? Gifts related to their favorite shows or movies are always a hit.
Are you a coffee or tea person? This can guide you in choosing between coffee-related gifts or a variety of teas.
What is your favorite book or author? Perfect for choosing a book or literary-themed gift.
Do you have any favorite sports teams? Sports merchandise is a great gift for fans.
What is your favorite holiday? This can inspire themed gifts related to their favorite time of year.
Do you have any pets? Gifts for pets or pet-themed items can be a nice touch.
What is your favorite type of cuisine? This can help with choosing food-related gifts or even restaurant gift cards.
Are there any particular scents you love or hate? Important for choosing candles, lotions, or other scented products.
Do you collect anything? Knowing about any collections can lead to very special and appreciated gifts.
What is your clothing size (if you feel comfortable sharing)? Useful for clothing or accessory gifts, but make this optional.
What is one thing you always carry with you? This can inspire practical gifts that fit into their daily routine.
Do you have any dietary restrictions? Crucial for choosing food items, ensuring they are suitable.
What is your favorite way to relax? Gifts that help them relax, like bath products or a cozy blanket, are always appreciated.
Do you prefer experiences or physical gifts? Some people might prefer a ticket to an event or a class over a physical item.
Is there something specific you’re hoping to receive? This gives participants a direct hint and helps ensure everyone is happy with their gift.
How to share your Secret Santa questionnaire in five minutes (online or printed)
If you're going online (recommended for remote and hybrid teams)
- Open the Formester Secret Santa template at /templates/secret-santa-questionnaire-17483/. Click "Use template."
- Edit the questions you want, delete the ones you don't. Drag-and-drop builder, no setup. (drag-and-drop form builder)
- Set the form to anonymous if your team is sensitive, or named if you're matching gifters later. Turn on conditional logic if you want different questions for kids vs. adults in a family group.
- Hit "Share." Paste the link into Slack, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or an email thread. Responses land in one dashboard you can sort, filter, and export to a spreadsheet.
- When all responses are in, share each Santa their assigned person's answers privately. Done.
If you're going printed (recommended for in-office, family, or school gift exchanges)
- Download the printable PDF [insert link to PDF asset]. One file, multiple themed pages inside (standard, coworkers, adults, kids, family).
- Print as many copies as you have participants.
- Hand them out at the kickoff meeting, party, or class. Give people three days to return them.
- Collect the filled forms in a folder, photograph or scan each one, and hand each Santa their assigned person's sheet.
- Set a budget before the draw. The Express Employment / Harris Poll December 2025 survey put the typical US workplace Secret Santa budget at $15 to $30 per person; pick one number and stick to it.
Send it via Formester and skip the paper trail entirely
Formester is a free online form builder. If you don't want to chase printed forms, photograph them, and re-type the answers into a spreadsheet, use the Secret Santa template and skip all of it.
The form takes 90 seconds to set up, lives at a shareable link, accepts responses anonymously if you want, and stores everything in one dashboard you can sort by participant and export when you're done.
Why Use Formester?
- User-Friendly Interface: Formester's drag-and-drop interface allows you to create professional forms quickly without any technical skills.
- Customization: Customize your questionnaire with various fields and question types to get the exact information you need.
- Integrations: Formester seamlessly integrates with tools like Google Sheets, allowing you to collect and analyze responses effortlessly. This ensures you have all the data in one place and can easily share it with participants.
- Automations: Set up email notifications or integrate with other tools to automate tasks, saving you time and ensuring everyone is informed.
- Security: Ensure that all responses are securely collected and stored, maintaining participants' privacy.
Google Forms, printable PDF, or Formester template. Which one fits your Secret Santa?
The three workflows handle the same job differently. Anonymity, distribution, and downstream sorting are where they split.
| Dimension | Google Forms | Printable PDF | Formester template |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 15 minutes (start from blank) | Zero (download and print) | 90 seconds (open template, edit, share) |
| Anonymous responses | Manual workaround (don’t collect email) | Yes by default (no signature) | Yes, native toggle |
| Sharing route | Public link or restricted to Google Workspace | Hand in person | Link in Slack, Teams, WhatsApp, or email |
| Where responses land | Google Sheets | Paper folder | Dashboard, exportable to CSV |
| Editing the form later | Yes | Reprint everything | Yes, live edit |
| Conditional questions (kids vs adults) | Manual; messy | Print two versions | Built-in conditional logic |
| Branding | Workspace logo upload | Whatever you printed | Full branding kit |
A 12-person remote team uses the Formester template, gets responses in 24 hours, exports the CSV, and splits Santas in a single afternoon. A 30-person in-office team prints the bundled PDF, hands it out at the kickoff lunch, and collects them by Friday. A 6-person friend group uses Google Forms because someone already had it open.
How to Get Started with Formester
- Sign Up for Free: Visit Formester and sign up for a free account.
- Create Your Questionnaire: Use the drag-and-drop form builder to create your Secret Santa questionnaire. Add all the questions you need, customize the design, and set up any integrations you require.
- Distribute Your Form: Share the form link with your participants via email, social media, or any other platform.
- Collect and Manage Responses: Monitor the responses in real-time, organize the data, and share anonymized answers with the participants.
Secret Santa questionnaire FAQ
What is a Secret Santa questionnaire?
How many questions should a Secret Santa questionnaire have?
What budget should we set for a workplace Secret Santa?
How do I send a Secret Santa questionnaire to a remote team?
Can I print the Secret Santa questionnaire instead of sending it online?
Can I use Google Forms for a Secret Santa questionnaire?
Ready to simplify your Secret Santa gift exchange? Sign up for Formester today and create your first Secret Santa questionnaire in minutes. Enjoy the premium features for free and make this holiday season fun and stress-free for everyone involved!
A good Secret Santa questionnaire can make gift exchanges more fun for everyone by eliminating the guesswork. By asking the right questions, you ensure that each participant receives something they truly appreciate. Use these 20 questions to make your Secret Santa questionnaire perfect. Have a joyful holiday season with thoughtful gift-giving.
Remember, the key to a successful Secret Santa is in the details. The more you know about each other, the better the gifts will be. Happy gifting!
