‘Tis the season to celebrate National Start a Secret Santa Day! Run, run, Rudolph over to Elfster to easily organize your free Secret Santa extravaganza!
Last updated February 9, 2026 · by the
Holiday Calendar Team
Launched in 2024 by Elfster and officially registered with Holiday Calendar to encourage families, workplaces, and communities to kick off their holiday gift exchanges.
Ready to spread some festive cheer? November 25 is the official day to start planning for one of the most cherished holiday traditions: a Secret Santa gift exchange. Secret Santa, the beloved game of giving anonymous gifts, originated from the Scandinavian tradition of Juklapp, where presents were thrown inside an open door, followed by a quick getaway by the gift-giver.
Celebrate National Start Your Secret Santa Day with Elfster, the world’s #1 Secret Santa website and app. Elfster is free, fun, and easy, making it a snap to send invites, draw names, make personalized Wishlists, and dive into the magic of anonymous gift exchanges. So, whether you’re organizing a Secret Santa with family, friends, or coworkers–near or far–let the surprise, laughter, and spirit of generosity set the tone for the festive season!
Secret Santa can be traced back to the 18th century in Northern Europe, originating with Sweden's Julklapp tradition, or "Christmas knocking." First documented in 1741, Julklapp involved knocking on a neighbor's door, tossing a gift inside, and then running away to stay anonymous, often with a humorous message or rhyme. This playful ritual, blending surprise with goodwill, set the stage for the spirit of Secret Santa as we know it.
The modern American Secret Santa tradition began in 1979 when Kansas City philanthropist Larry Dean Stewart began anonymously gifting money to strangers in need, often in the form of $20, $50, or $100 bills. His selfless act of generosity laid the foundation for today's Secret Santa. Before his passing, he established the Society of Secret Santas, an organization dedicated to spreading anonymous gift-giving worldwide and encouraging generosity without expectation of recognition.
The next evolution of Secret Santa occurred in December 2000, when Elfster's founder, Peter Imburg, saw firsthand the challenges of organizing a family gift exchange. Watching his wife, Kelly, and her sister-in-law struggle to assign names manually, he realized that technology could simplify this process. In 2004, he launched Elfster, a free online website that allows people to easily send invitations, draw names, track Wishlists, and organize their Secret Santa exchanges. Today, Elfster connects over 33 million users across more than 50 countries, enabling seamless participation in Secret Santa worldwide.
In 2024, Elfster officially declared November 25 as National Start a Secret Santa Day, encouraging people to kick off their holiday gift exchanges early. The day celebrates the spirit of anonymous giving, bringing together family, friends, and communities through the joy of gift-giving.
TIMELINE
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EDITOR'S PICK
DECIDE
INTRODUCE
PLAN
RECONNECT
WHY THIS DAY MATTERS
Secret Santa has the power to connect people in a way few other traditions can. Whether it's among friends, family, coworkers, or even online communities, Secret Santa brings people together across the globe. It's a festive tradition that promotes bonding, cheerfulness, and caring amongst groups, adding warmth to the holiday season.
Secret Santa not only brings us joy through gifting, but it also adds an element of fun and mystery. Everyone enjoys the suspense and surprise of seeing who their Secret Santa is and what gift they have chosen for them. It's a tradition that makes the holiday season even more special.
Secret Santa encourages us to be creative and thoughtful when choosing gifts for others. With themes and wishlists, it can be a fun challenge to find the perfect gift that shows we've put thought into finding something our recipient will love. Plus, it's a great way to get to know the likes and dislikes of friends or colleagues better.
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