A Secret Santa exchange should make gift shopping more enjoyable, not turn it into a guessing contest. A short questionnaire can reveal what each person likes, what they already own and which gifts they would genuinely use
You do not need to ask all 50 questions below. Choose 10 to 12 or more questions that fit your group, or copy the ready-to-use questionnaire in this guide as you wish. Once you have the answers, visit Giftshire’s personalized Christmas gifts to match names, photographs and interests with a gift made for the recipient.
How Many Questions Should a Secret Santa Questionnaire Have?
10 to 12 questions are enough. That gives the shopper several useful clues without making the participant complete a long survey.
Use fewer questions for a casual office exchange or a group that already knows one another well. A good answer can prevent an unsuitable gift just as easily as it can suggest the right one.
You can find ready-to-use example at the end of the page.
Favorite-Things Questions
These questions establish the basics. Choose the ones that suit your group instead of asking every participant all ten.
1. What are your three favorite colors?
2. What color do you rarely wear or use?
3. What is your favorite season?
4. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
5. Do you have a favorite animal or pet?
6. What is your favorite place you have visited?
7. What kind of music do you enjoy?
8. What is a movie, series or book you can revisit anytime?
9. What is your favorite way to spend a quiet evening?
10. Which photograph or memory always makes you smile?
Hobbies and Free-Time Questions
Hobby questions are useful when group members do not know one another well. Focus on activities the person already enjoys rather than a hobby they may feel obligated to begin.
11. What are three hobbies you currently enjoy?
12. What would you do with a completely free Saturday?
13. Do you enjoy making, collecting, displaying or using things?
14. Is there a hobby you want to spend more time on next year?
15. Do you collect anything?
16. Do you enjoy cooking, baking or trying new recipes?
17. Do you enjoy decorating your home or workspace?
18. Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?
19. What topic could you happily talk about for an hour?
20. Is there something related to your hobby that you use all the time?
Food, Snacks and Everyday Treats
Food questions should always allow participants to mention allergies, dietary needs and dislikes. Do not treat a blank answer as permission to guess.
21. What is your favorite sweet snack?
22. What is your favorite savory snack?
23. Do you prefer coffee, tea, cocoa or another everyday drink?
24. What flavors do you usually choose?
25. What flavors or ingredients do you avoid?
26. Do you prefer homemade treats, packaged favorites or a gift card for something fresh?
27. What is your favorite local café, bakery or restaurant?
28. Do you enjoy trying new snacks, or do you prefer familiar favorites?
29. Is there a seasonal treat you look forward to every year?
30. Do you have any food allergies, dietary restrictions or scent sensitivities?
Practical Gift and Personal-Style Questions
These questions help shoppers choose something the recipient can use while avoiding the feeling of a shopping order form.
31. Do you prefer practical, sentimental or funny gifts?
32. Would you rather receive one main gift or several small surprises?
33. Do you enjoy gifts personalized with a name, initials, photograph or message?
34. What is one item you use almost every day?
35. Is there something small you have been meaning to replace?
36. What colors or style describe your home or workspace?
37. Do you prefer items for your home, desk, bag or daily routine?
38. Would you use a mug, tumbler or water bottle more often?
39. Do you like candles or scented home products?
40. Is there anything you definitely do not want to receive?
Fun This-or-That Questions
This-or-that questions are quick to complete and work well for office Secret Santa forms. They should support the more informative questions rather than replace them entirely.
41. Coffee or tea?
42. Sweet or savory?
43. Cozy night in or day out?
44. Books or movies?
45. Minimal or colorful?
46. Practical or sentimental?
47. Funny or heartfelt?
48. Handmade or store-bought?
49. One gift or several small gifts?
50. A complete surprise or one item from a wishlist?
Secret Santa Questions for Coworkers
For a workplace exchange, keep the form brief and appropriate. The ready-to-use 12-question version works well, but these eight questions are usually enough for an office:
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What are your favorite colors?
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What snacks or treats do you enjoy?
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What everyday drink do you prefer?
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What do you enjoy doing outside work?
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Do you prefer practical, funny or sentimental gifts?
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Would you use something for your desk, home or daily commute?
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Is there anything you would prefer not to receive?
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Do you have any allergies, dietary needs or scent sensitivities?
Avoid questions about age, relationships, religion, health, finances or other personal information that is not necessary for the exchange.
How to Turn the Answers Into Gift Ideas
Look for two or three answers that point in the same direction. A favorite color alone is not a complete idea, but a favorite color combined with “daily coffee” and “practical gifts” creates a much clearer path.
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Secret Santa Questionnaire FAQ
What should be included in a Secret Santa questionnaire?
Include favorite colors, hobbies, snacks, everyday drinks, gift preferences, items the recipient would use and things they do not want. Add an optional question about allergies, dietary restrictions and scent sensitivities.
How many questions should I put on a Secret Santa form?
Approximately 10 to 12 questions work for most groups. A shorter form is easier to complete, while a larger question library lets the organizer choose options suitable for friends, family or coworkers.
What are good Secret Santa questions for coworkers?
Ask about hobbies, colors, snacks, drinks, desk or commute items and whether the person prefers practical, funny or sentimental gifts. Avoid personal questions unrelated to choosing an appropriate present.
Should a Secret Santa questionnaire ask for a wishlist?
A wishlist can be optional. Some participants enjoy giving exact ideas, while others prefer a surprise. Asking for one broad suggestion or several categories preserves more flexibility.
What are some fun this-or-that Secret Santa questions?
Useful choices include coffee or tea, sweet or savory, books or movies, practical or sentimental, minimal or colorful, and one gift or several small surprises.
Can I use this as a printable Secret Santa questionnaire?
Yes. Copy the 12-question form into a document and leave enough space beneath each question for handwritten answers. Include the exchange budget, submission deadline and gift-exchange date in a separate organizer section.
How do you choose a Secret Santa gift from the answers?
Combine multiple clues instead of shopping from one answer. Match an interest with a preferred style and a practical detail; for example, coffee, a favorite color and a preference for useful gifts.
Ready-to-Use Secret Santa Questionnaire
Copy these 12 questions into an email, shared document, printed form or group message. Participants should be allowed to skip any question they do not want to answer.
My Secret Santa Favorites
Name or exchange nickname: ______________________________
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What are three of your favorite colors?
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What are three hobbies or activities you enjoy?
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What is your favorite snack or sweet treat?
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What warm or cold drink do you enjoy most?
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Which stores, restaurants or local places do you enjoy?
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Do you prefer practical, funny or sentimental gifts?
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Is there a small item you use often and would enjoy replacing or upgrading?
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Do you collect anything or follow a particular theme?
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Would you enjoy something personalized with your name, initials, photograph or a short message?
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Is there anything you would prefer not to receive?
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Do you have any food allergies, scent sensitivities or other restrictions your Secret Santa should know about?
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What is one gift idea that would make shopping easier while still leaving room for a surprise?
