[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":547},["ShallowReactive",2],{"post-how-many-people-for-secret-santa-en":3,"related-posts-how-many-people-for-secret-santa-en":365,"related-categories-how-many-people-for-secret-santa-en":387,"mdc-8i2n2z-key":400,"mdc-5aywsj-key":412,"mdc-5upsis-key":421,"mdc-gb13ap-key":430,"mdc-ahpu84-key":439,"mdc--r0hwo8-key":448,"mdc--4xtds1-key":457,"mdc--tpgxln-key":466,"mdc--5k2xt8-key":475,"mdc-p622sl-key":484,"mdc-xqatwj-key":493,"mdc--f7rutf-key":502,"mdc--t3ub8a-key":511,"mdc-natdj3-key":520,"mdc-vveu6k-key":529,"mdc--24tz8h-key":538},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"authorImageUrl":7,"authorUrl":8,"body":9,"categorySlug":333,"categoryText":334,"dateModified":335,"datePublished":335,"description":336,"extension":337,"faqs":338,"image":354,"imageAlt":355,"language":356,"meta":357,"navigation":358,"path":359,"seo":360,"sitemap":361,"stem":362,"summary":363,"__hash__":364},"blog\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-many-people-for-secret-santa.md","How Many People Do You Need for Secret Santa?","Bruma","\u002Fimages\u002Fauthors\u002Fbruma.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fbrumaombra.com",{"type":10,"value":11,"toc":309},"minimark",[12,17,21,30,33,38,46,51,54,58,61,64,66,70,73,76,84,86,90,93,97,105,109,112,116,124,128,133,135,139,146,150,153,155,159,162,165,173,186,188,192,195,204,208,211,215,223,227,230,233,237,245,247,251,254,258,269,275,281,283,287,294,298,306],[13,14],"blog-table",{":headers":15,":rows":16},"[\"Group size\",\"What to expect\",\"Main thing to watch\"]","[[\"2\",\"Not a real Secret Santa\",\"Each of you buys for the other\"],[\"3\",\"Works, but thin\",\"You can work out your Santa\"],[\"4 to 5\",\"Works, with little room\",\"Exclusions shrink the draw fast\"],[\"6 to 15\",\"The sweet spot\",\"Very little: dropouts are easy to absorb\"],[\"16 to 30\",\"Works in one draw\",\"Collecting emails takes longer\"],[\"31 or more\",\"Split into several draws\",\"Pick fair group sizes\"]]",[18,19,20],"p",{},"A Secret Santa for three friends and one for 41 coworkers are very different projects, and both organizers want the same thing: to know whether the number works. The answer has three parts: how few you can get away with, how many one draw can handle, and what size is actually fun. Each gets a straight answer below, backed by a count of the possible draws in small groups.",[18,22,23,24,29],{},"Headcount is one decision inside a bigger plan. ",[25,26,28],"nuxt-link-locale",{"to":27},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-organize-the-perfect-secret-santa","How to organize a Secret Santa, step by step"," puts the rest in order.",[31,32],"hr",{},[34,35,37],"h2",{"id":36},"what-is-the-minimum-number-of-people-for-secret-santa","What is the minimum number of people for Secret Santa?",[18,39,40,41,45],{},"The minimum is ",[42,43,44],"strong",{},"three people",". With two, nobody can draw themselves, so each person would buy for the other and both would know exactly who their Santa is. Amazing Secret Santa needs at least 3 participants to run a draw, and it also avoids mutual pairs (if A draws B, B doesn't draw A), which rules out two people entirely.",[47,48,50],"h3",{"id":49},"can-you-do-secret-santa-with-2-people","Can you do Secret Santa with 2 people?",[18,52,53],{},"Not really: each of you would just buy for the other. Agree on a budget and surprise each other, or recruit a third person (a friend, a sibling, a neighbor) just for the exchange. One extra name turns an open swap into a real Secret Santa.",[47,55,57],{"id":56},"can-you-do-secret-santa-with-3-people","Can you do Secret Santa with 3 people?",[18,59,60],{},"Yes, with one catch: you can work out your Santa by elimination. Three people have only two possible draws: Alice buys for Ben, Ben for Chloe and Chloe for Alice, or the same loop in reverse. If you're Alice buying for Ben, Ben can't be buying for you, so he's buying for Chloe, which makes Chloe your Santa.",[18,62,63],{},"More generally, your Santa could be anyone except you and your recipient: one suspect in a group of 3, four in a group of 6. You still don't know what's in the box, and for plenty of small friend groups that's the whole point.",[31,65],{},[34,67,69],{"id":68},"does-secret-santa-work-with-an-odd-number-of-people","Does Secret Santa work with an odd number of people?",[18,71,72],{},"Yes. Five, seven or twenty-three players work just as well as six, eight or twenty-four, because Secret Santa isn't built from pairs. Everyone gives exactly one gift and receives exactly one, and that's all the draw needs.",[18,74,75],{},"Picture an arrow from each person to whoever they're buying for: one arrow out, one arrow in. The arrows can chain into one big loop (Alice to Ben to Chloe to Dana and back to Alice) or into several smaller ones, so with six people you might get two loops of three.",[18,77,78,79,83],{},"The odd-number worry comes from picturing one-on-one swaps. What you should watch is mutual pairs: a hat draw can accidentally produce one (Alice draws Ben and Ben draws Alice), and those two are suddenly in a private swap that gives the game away the moment they compare notes. Amazing Secret Santa avoids them for you. If you're drawing by hand, ",[25,80,82],{"to":81},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-draw-names-for-secret-santa-online","how to draw names for Secret Santa"," shows how to keep a hat draw fair.",[31,85],{},[34,87,89],{"id":88},"secret-santa-with-3-4-or-5-people-what-changes-in-a-small-group","Secret Santa with 3, 4 or 5 people: what changes in a small group",[18,91,92],{},"A small group works fine, but every constraint costs more: with fewer possible draws, each exclusion or dropout removes a bigger share of what's left. The table counts every valid arrangement under the two rules Amazing Secret Santa follows (nobody draws themselves, nobody gets a mutual pair).",[13,94],{":headers":95,":rows":96},"[\"Group size\",\"Possible draws\",\"Possible Santas for you\"]","[[\"2\",\"0\",\"None\"],[\"3\",\"2\",\"1\"],[\"4\",\"6\",\"2\"],[\"5\",\"24\",\"3\"],[\"6\",\"160\",\"4\"],[\"8\",\"8,988\",\"6\"],[\"10\",\"809,856\",\"8\"]]",[18,98,99,100,104],{},"These are counts of arrangements, not odds. With three people there are only two valid draws, so a couple can't be kept apart in both directions: add a fourth person. ",[25,101,103],{"to":102},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-exclusions","How many exclusions a group can carry"," has the full counts.",[47,106,108],{"id":107},"secret-santa-with-4-or-5-people","Secret Santa with 4 or 5 people",[18,110,111],{},"Four people can keep a couple apart, but barely: so few draws survive that learning your own recipient can give away the whole loop. Five is where a small group starts to feel comfortable, because a couple still leaves plenty of draws and your Santa could be any of three people.",[47,113,115],{"id":114},"what-happens-if-someone-drops-out-of-a-small-group","What happens if someone drops out of a small group?",[18,117,118,119,123],{},"In a group of 3, a redraw is impossible, because two people can't make a valid draw. Instead you can close the gap by hand (say Alice buys for Ben, Ben for Chloe and Chloe for Alice: if Ben drops out, Alice and Chloe simply buy for each other) or, if nobody has shopped yet, invite a fourth person and draw again. A group of 4 that loses someone is still a valid draw, just a thin one: three people allow only two arrangements. ",[25,120,122],{"to":121},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsomeone-dropped-out-of-secret-santa","What to do when someone drops out of Secret Santa"," has the exact steps for before and after shopping.",[47,125,127],{"id":126},"keeping-a-small-exchange-exciting","Keeping a small exchange exciting",[129,130],"blog-list",{":items":131,"variant":132},"[\"Skip the guessing game and open gifts at the same moment: everyone hands their present to their recipient at once.\",\"Pick a theme, such as handmade, books or something from a local shop. With only one gift to buy, you can afford to be thoughtful.\",\"Stretch the surprise over several days: a few small anonymous treats leading up to the exchange, with the main gift on the day.\"]","circle",[31,134],{},[34,136,138],{"id":137},"what-is-the-best-group-size-for-secret-santa","What is the best group size for Secret Santa?",[18,140,141,142,145],{},"For most exchanges the sweet spot is ",[42,143,144],{},"6 to 15 people",": large enough that guessing your Santa is a real game, small enough that everyone knows at least a little about their match.",[129,147],{":items":148,"variant":149},"[\"Enough suspects: from six players up, your Santa could be any of at least four people.\",\"Room for exclusions: a couple or a manager and a direct report can be kept apart without starving the draw.\",\"One table: everyone can open a gift while the others watch.\",\"Forgiving: a dropout or a late yes at 10 people is a nuisance. At 3 it's a crisis.\"]","checkmark",[18,151,152],{},"These are rules of thumb, not walls. A close family of 22 can feel warmer than a team of 8 who barely talk. If you're free to choose, though, aim for the middle.",[31,154],{},[34,156,158],{"id":157},"how-do-you-run-secret-santa-for-16-to-30-people","How do you run Secret Santa for 16 to 30 people?",[18,160,161],{},"Run a large group as one draw. Amazing Secret Santa handles up to 30 participants at a time, and one draw keeps the exchange a single event. What changes isn't the draw, it's the work around it.",[129,163],{":items":164,"variant":132},"[\"Collect names and emails privately, not in the group chat, and set a cut-off date for joining.\",\"Make every name unique, such as “Anna B.” and “Anna R.” (up to 50 characters, capitals don't count as different).\",\"Double-check emails. The site flags mistyped domains like gmial.com and shows failed sends, but not spam, so ask people to confirm.\",\"Expect near-strangers. The anonymous chat helps with sizes and allergies but sends no notifications, so remind everyone to check it.\"]",[18,166,167,168,172],{},"At work, a big group also puts managers and direct reports in one draw. ",[25,169,171],{"to":170},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhr-guide-to-running-secret-santa-at-work","The HR guide to Secret Santa at work"," covers keeping participation voluntary and using exclusions to keep reporting lines apart.",[18,174,175,176,180,181,185],{},"When the list is ready, ",[25,177,179],{"to":178},"\u002F","draw names online for free",". Your list is kept in your browser while you work, so a refresh won't wipe out 30 entries. First time? ",[25,182,184],{"to":183},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-amazing-secret-santa-works","A screen-by-screen walkthrough of Amazing Secret Santa"," shows each step.",[31,187],{},[34,189,191],{"id":190},"what-if-you-have-more-than-30-people","What if you have more than 30 people?",[18,193,194],{},"Split everyone into smaller groups and run one draw for each. Amazing Secret Santa supports up to 30 participants per draw, so each group draws among itself while everyone still meets at one shared exchange day.",[18,196,197],{},[198,199],"img",{"alt":200,"height":201,"src":202,"width":203},"Festive party hall from above, with small groups at separate round tables swapping gifts, garlands and a tall tree behind",667,"\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fthumbnails\u002Flarge-group-secret-santa.jpg",1000,[13,205],{":headers":206,":rows":207},"[\"Total people\",\"Number of draws\",\"People per draw\"]","[[\"31\",\"2\",\"15 or 16\"],[\"47\",\"3\",\"15 or 16\"],[\"60\",\"3\",\"20\"],[\"100\",\"5\",\"20\"],[\"150\",\"8\",\"18 or 19\"]]",[18,209,210],{},"Leaving room under 30 is deliberate: a group of exactly 30 has no space for the colleague who says yes on the last day. And with 31 people you can't keep one draw, so split it 16 and 15 rather than 30 and 1, since a draw needs at least 3 people.",[47,212,214],{"id":213},"split-by-team-family-branch-or-location","Split by team, family branch or location",[18,216,217,218,222],{},"The simplest split follows the groups people already belong to: a team, a branch of a big family, a floor or an office. People tend to know a little about their match, and a manager and their reports can land in different draws. For big families, ",[25,219,221],{"to":220},"\u002Fblog\u002Ffamily-secret-santa","family Secret Santa"," shows how to treat kids and adults separately.",[47,224,226],{"id":225},"mix-the-groups-on-purpose","Mix the groups on purpose",[18,228,229],{},"If the point of the party is for different departments to meet, deal people into draws that cross team lines. Sort your list by team or department first, then count off down it (1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4) and give each number its own draw, so every team's members spread across the draws. An alphabetical list won't do this, because it ignores teams.",[18,231,232],{},"The tradeoff: you'll be buying for someone you may never have spoken to, so keep the budget moderate, lean on the anonymous chat, and tick exclusions if a manager and a direct report share a draw.",[47,234,236],{"id":235},"running-several-draws","Running several draws",[18,238,239,240,244],{},"Run them one after another; if you go too fast, the site asks you to wait a minute. Each draw has its own event details, but if the groups meet at one party, use the same budget in every draw so gifts match. If splitting sounds like too much admin, ",[25,241,243],{"to":242},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-vs-white-elephant","a White Elephant gift swap"," needs no name draw, only a random turn order, but it drags past about 20 players, so a crowd that size would still need tables.",[31,246],{},[34,248,250],{"id":249},"how-does-group-size-change-the-budget-timeline-and-exchange-day","How does group size change the budget, timeline and exchange day?",[18,252,253],{},"Size barely changes the draw, but it changes what surrounds it.",[13,255],{":headers":256,":rows":257},"[\"Group size\",\"Budget\",\"Timeline (weeks before)\",\"Exchange day\"]","[[\"3 to 5\",\"Usual range for your group\",\"Announce 3, draw 2\",\"Open gifts together\"],[\"6 to 15\",\"Usual range for your group\",\"Announce 3 to 4, draw 2 to 3\",\"Take turns, 2 to 3 minutes a gift\"],[\"16 to 30\",\"Mid-range is safest with near-strangers\",\"Announce 4, draw 3\",\"Rounds by table or team\"],[\"31 and up\",\"Same in every draw\",\"Announce 4, draw 3\",\"One event, a table per group\"]]",[18,259,260,263,264,268],{},[42,261,262],{},"Budget."," The relationship sets the amount, not the headcount: typically $15-$25 for coworkers and $20-$50 for friends, per ",[25,265,267],{"to":266},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-budget-rules-whats-reasonable","the Secret Santa budget guide",". Size only changes how much you know about your match, and the less you know, the safer a mid-range gift is.",[18,270,271,274],{},[42,272,273],{},"Timeline."," Bigger groups should start early, because collecting 25 emails takes longer than collecting 4. If gifts must be shipped, draw 3 to 4 weeks ahead. The app sends no reminders, so nudge the group yourself a week before.",[18,276,277,280],{},[42,278,279],{},"Exchange day."," Plan two to three minutes per gift, which is 30 to 45 minutes for 15 people, an hour to an hour and a half for 30. Too long for a lunch break? Split into rounds. For big groups, a gift table helps: Santas drop off gifts labeled with the recipient's name only, and a helper hands them out.",[31,282],{},[34,284,286],{"id":285},"putting-it-together-pick-your-size-then-draw","Putting it together: pick your size, then draw",[18,288,289,290,293],{},"Count your group, adjust it if you need to, and let ",[25,291,292],{"to":178},"Amazing Secret Santa"," take care of the draw itself.",[129,295],{":items":296,"variant":297},"[\"Count who is definitely in. Under 3, skip the draw. With 3 or 4, invite one or two extra people if you can, so a dropout still leaves a comfortable group.\",\"Over 30? Split by team, family branch or across teams on purpose, with roughly 15 to 20 people per draw.\",\"Agree on a budget, an exchange date and a cut-off, then collect names and emails privately, with every name unique.\",\"Tick exclusions for couples and housemates in both directions, and take any warning seriously.\",\"Add the budget, date and a short message to the event details, then send. Each person gets a private email, and you can play too, since the pairs never appear on your screen.\"]","numbered",[18,299,300,301,305],{},"The rules post includes ",[25,302,304],{"to":303},"\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-rules","a ready-to-paste rules message for the group chat"," that covers the budget, the gift deadline and the no-show plan.",[18,307,308],{},"If your list is still growing, set a cut-off date and put it in the invitation: it is the cheapest way to avoid a redraw when someone says yes after the emails have gone out.",{"title":310,"searchDepth":311,"depth":311,"links":312},"",2,[313,318,319,324,325,326,331,332],{"id":36,"depth":311,"text":37,"children":314},[315,317],{"id":49,"depth":316,"text":50},3,{"id":56,"depth":316,"text":57},{"id":68,"depth":311,"text":69},{"id":88,"depth":311,"text":89,"children":320},[321,322,323],{"id":107,"depth":316,"text":108},{"id":114,"depth":316,"text":115},{"id":126,"depth":316,"text":127},{"id":137,"depth":311,"text":138},{"id":157,"depth":311,"text":158},{"id":190,"depth":311,"text":191,"children":327},[328,329,330],{"id":213,"depth":316,"text":214},{"id":225,"depth":316,"text":226},{"id":235,"depth":316,"text":236},{"id":249,"depth":311,"text":250},{"id":285,"depth":311,"text":286},"rules","Rules","2026-10-15T10:00:00Z","You need at least 3 people for Secret Santa, and odd numbers work fine. See what changes at 3, 6, 15 or 30 players, and how to split bigger groups.","md",[339,342,345,348,351],{"question":340,"answer":341},"What can two people do instead of a Secret Santa draw?","Treat it as an open swap. Set a spending cap, add a twist such as gifts that must fit in a coat pocket, and trade a few hints beforehand so each gift still feels chosen. A third friend turns it back into a real draw.",{"question":343,"answer":344},"Does the organizer count toward the minimum of three?","Yes, if the organizer plays. Add yourself to the list with your own name and email, like everyone else, and you count as one of the three. Because the pairs are never shown on screen, you can take part without knowing who drew whom. If you only organize, you need three other people on the list.",{"question":346,"answer":347},"Can Secret Santa work for 50 people or more?","Yes, as several draws under one roof. Amazing Secret Santa handles up to 30 people per draw, so 50 people become three draws of 16 or 17. Give every draw the same budget and hold one shared exchange, so gifts feel evenly matched whichever group you were drawn into.",{"question":349,"answer":350},"What if only a few people at work want to join?","Run the draw for whoever says yes, as long as you have at least three names. A small, willing group makes a better exchange than a big reluctant one, and nobody should feel pushed in. If fewer than three agree, skip the draw and bring a shared treat for the team instead.",{"question":352,"answer":353},"When should you close sign-ups before the draw?","Pick a cut-off a day or two before the draw, or a few days before for a big group, and put it in the invitation. The draw itself happens 2 to 3 weeks before the exchange (3 to 4 if gifts must be shipped). A late yes after the draw costs a new draw or a favor from two people.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fthumbnails\u002Fsmall-group-secret-santa.jpg","Three friends at a small café table swap wrapped gifts, with hot chocolates and a slice of chocolate cake in front of a window of Christmas lights.","en",{},true,"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-many-people-for-secret-santa",{"title":5,"description":336},{"loc":359},"blog\u002Fhow-many-people-for-secret-santa","You need at least 3 people for a Secret Santa draw. With two, each person would buy for the one who buys for them, so nothing stays secret. Odd numbers work fine, because everyone gives one gift and gets one, and groups of 6 to 15 are the sweet spot. Amazing Secret Santa draws for up to 30 people; beyond that, split into several draws.","ugbU5I01WDOcH4cO8iLW4FwjDnAztN6u5EwFf-AkmXM",[366,370,375,381],{"title":367,"description":368,"image":369,"categoryText":334,"path":266},"Secret Santa Budget: How Much to Spend (Work, Friends, Family)","Secret Santa budget by group: $15-$25 at work, $20-$50 for friends, $25-$50 for family. Learn how to pick your number and what counts toward it.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fthumbnails\u002Fsecret-santa-budget.jpg",{"title":371,"description":372,"image":373,"categoryText":334,"path":374},"Secret Santa Questionnaire: 40 Questions (Free Template)","A free Secret Santa questionnaire: 10 questions for most groups, 40 to pick from, plus a wish list guide and how to share it without spoiling the surprise.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fthumbnails\u002Fsecret-santa-questionnaire.jpg","\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-questionnaire",{"title":376,"description":377,"image":378,"categoryText":379,"path":380},"Secret Santa on WhatsApp: Run the Draw Without Anyone Peeking","Run Secret Santa on WhatsApp: plan in the group, draw names by email so nobody sees the pairs, keep hints out of the chat. Steps and templates.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fthumbnails\u002Fsecret-santa-group-chat.jpg","Guide","\u002Fblog\u002Fsecret-santa-on-whatsapp",{"title":382,"description":383,"image":384,"categoryText":385,"path":386},"Secret Santa Themes: 10 Fun Ideas for Work, Friends and Family","Ten Secret Santa themes with the rule, a typical budget and the group each suits best, plus how to choose and announce one for work, friends or family.","\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fthumbnails\u002Fsecret-santa-themes.jpg","Themes","\u002Fblog\u002F10-fun-secret-santa-themes-to-spice-up-your-party",[388,393,396],{"name":389,"slug":390,"count":391,"image":392},"Gift Ideas","gift-ideas",14,"\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fthumbnails\u002Fgifts-under-25.jpg",{"name":385,"slug":394,"count":395,"image":384},"themes",6,{"name":379,"slug":397,"count":398,"image":399},"guide",11,"\u002Fimages\u002Fblog\u002Fthumbnails\u002Fclassroom-secret-santa.jpg",{"data":401,"body":402},{},{"type":403,"children":404},"root",[405],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":407,"children":408},"element",{},[409],{"type":410,"value":411},"text","Skip the guessing game and open gifts at the same moment: everyone hands their present to their recipient at once.",{"data":413,"body":414},{},{"type":403,"children":415},[416],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":417,"children":418},{},[419],{"type":410,"value":420},"Pick a theme, such as handmade, books or something from a local shop. With only one gift to buy, you can afford to be thoughtful.",{"data":422,"body":423},{},{"type":403,"children":424},[425],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":426,"children":427},{},[428],{"type":410,"value":429},"Stretch the surprise over several days: a few small anonymous treats leading up to the exchange, with the main gift on the day.",{"data":431,"body":432},{},{"type":403,"children":433},[434],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":435,"children":436},{},[437],{"type":410,"value":438},"Enough suspects: from six players up, your Santa could be any of at least four people.",{"data":440,"body":441},{},{"type":403,"children":442},[443],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":444,"children":445},{},[446],{"type":410,"value":447},"Room for exclusions: a couple or a manager and a direct report can be kept apart without starving the draw.",{"data":449,"body":450},{},{"type":403,"children":451},[452],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":453,"children":454},{},[455],{"type":410,"value":456},"One table: everyone can open a gift while the others watch.",{"data":458,"body":459},{},{"type":403,"children":460},[461],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":462,"children":463},{},[464],{"type":410,"value":465},"Forgiving: a dropout or a late yes at 10 people is a nuisance. At 3 it's a crisis.",{"data":467,"body":468},{},{"type":403,"children":469},[470],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":471,"children":472},{},[473],{"type":410,"value":474},"Collect names and emails privately, not in the group chat, and set a cut-off date for joining.",{"data":476,"body":477},{},{"type":403,"children":478},[479],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":480,"children":481},{},[482],{"type":410,"value":483},"Make every name unique, such as “Anna B.” and “Anna R.” (up to 50 characters, capitals don't count as different).",{"data":485,"body":486},{},{"type":403,"children":487},[488],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":489,"children":490},{},[491],{"type":410,"value":492},"Double-check emails. The site flags mistyped domains like gmial.com and shows failed sends, but not spam, so ask people to confirm.",{"data":494,"body":495},{},{"type":403,"children":496},[497],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":498,"children":499},{},[500],{"type":410,"value":501},"Expect near-strangers. The anonymous chat helps with sizes and allergies but sends no notifications, so remind everyone to check it.",{"data":503,"body":504},{},{"type":403,"children":505},[506],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":507,"children":508},{},[509],{"type":410,"value":510},"Count who is definitely in. Under 3, skip the draw. With 3 or 4, invite one or two extra people if you can, so a dropout still leaves a comfortable group.",{"data":512,"body":513},{},{"type":403,"children":514},[515],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":516,"children":517},{},[518],{"type":410,"value":519},"Over 30? Split by team, family branch or across teams on purpose, with roughly 15 to 20 people per draw.",{"data":521,"body":522},{},{"type":403,"children":523},[524],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":525,"children":526},{},[527],{"type":410,"value":528},"Agree on a budget, an exchange date and a cut-off, then collect names and emails privately, with every name unique.",{"data":530,"body":531},{},{"type":403,"children":532},[533],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":534,"children":535},{},[536],{"type":410,"value":537},"Tick exclusions for couples and housemates in both directions, and take any warning seriously.",{"data":539,"body":540},{},{"type":403,"children":541},[542],{"type":406,"tag":18,"props":543,"children":544},{},[545],{"type":410,"value":546},"Add the budget, date and a short message to the event details, then send. Each person gets a private email, and you can play too, since the pairs never appear on your screen.",1793786894887]