What questions should be on a Secret Santa questionnaire?

Include favorites (color, snack, drink, scent), hobbies, sizes if clothing is allowed, allergies, and things to avoid. A final open question, like one small thing they'd love to receive, gives the Santa a clear gift idea.

When should you send the Secret Santa questionnaire?

Send it when you announce the exchange, or right after the draw, and ask for answers within a few days. That leaves everyone two to three weeks to shop once they know what their recipient likes.

How many questions should a Secret Santa questionnaire have?

Ten questions are enough for most groups, especially at work. Families and close friends can use a longer version with 20 to 40 questions, but keep every question optional so nobody feels it's homework.

What if someone doesn't fill out the Secret Santa questionnaire?

Their Santa can ask a few questions directly through an anonymous chat, look for clues in shared interests, or pick a safe gift like quality snacks, a cozy item or a gift card if the group allows it.

Secret Santa Questionnaire: 40 Questions (Free Template)

Q: What is a Secret Santa questionnaire?

A Secret Santa questionnaire is a short list of questions each participant answers about their tastes, like favorite snacks, hobbies, colors and things they don't want. The answers are shared with their Secret Santa, so every gift fits the person who receives it.

TL;DR: A Secret Santa questionnaire is a short list of questions about each person's favorites, hobbies, sizes and dislikes. Everyone fills it in before shopping, so every Santa knows what their recipient actually likes. Below you'll find a free template with 40 questions, a short 10-question version for the office, and tips on when and how to share it. Then draw names online and start shopping.

The hardest part of Secret Santa isn't the budget or the draw. It's standing in a shop, holding two gifts, and having no idea which one your recipient would prefer. That's especially true at work, where you might draw someone you've only met in meetings.

A questionnaire solves that problem. Each participant answers a few simple questions, and their answers reach the person buying for them. The result is fewer generic gifts, fewer regifts, and more real smiles on exchange day.

This guide gives you a ready-to-copy template, explains which questions matter most, and shows how to share the answers without spoiling the surprise.

What Is a Secret Santa Questionnaire?

A Secret Santa questionnaire is a list of questions that each participant answers about their tastes before the gift exchange. The answers help their Secret Santa choose a gift that fits the person, not just the budget.

It usually covers favorite things, hobbies, sizes and allergies, plus a few things the person would rather not receive. Some groups call it a Secret Santa form, a wishlist survey or a "get to know you" sheet. The idea is the same.

The questionnaire doesn't replace the surprise. It narrows the options, but the Santa still picks the gift. Your recipient might say they love tea and the color green, but they won't know if they'll get a green mug, a tea sampler or a book about tea.

The Short Version: 10 Essential Questions

If you only use ten questions, use these. They cover what a Santa needs most: tastes, hobbies and the things to avoid. This version works well for offices, large groups and anyone who hates filling in forms.

1
What's your favorite color?
2
What's your favorite snack or treat?
3
Coffee, tea, hot chocolate or none?
4
What do you do in your free time?
5
What's a small thing that always makes your day better?
6
Do you prefer practical gifts or fun gifts?
7
Do you have any allergies or dietary restrictions?
8
Is there anything you really don't want to receive?
9
Do you collect anything?
10
Name one small thing you'd love to get, within the budget.

The last question is the most useful one on the list. It gives the Santa a safe fallback, while the other answers leave room for a personal surprise.

The Full Template: 40 Secret Santa Questions

For families, friends and small teams who know each other, a longer questionnaire leads to more personal gifts. Keep every question optional, so people can skip the ones they don't want to answer.

Favorites

1
What's your favorite color?
2
What's your favorite snack, candy or chocolate?
3
What's your favorite drink: coffee, tea, hot chocolate, something else?
4
What's your favorite scent: fresh, sweet, woody, floral, none?
5
What's your favorite season?
6
What's your favorite book, author or genre?
7
What's your favorite movie or series?
8
What's your favorite type of music or artist?
9
What's your favorite cuisine or restaurant?
10
What's your favorite animal?

Hobbies and Interests

1
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
2
Do you have a hobby you'd like to start or get better at?
3
Do you play any sports or work out?
4
Do you like cooking or baking?
5
Do you enjoy board games, puzzles or video games?
6
Do you have plants or a garden?
7
Do you have pets? What kind?
8
Do you like traveling? Where would you like to go next?
9
Are you into crafts, art or DIY?
10
Do you collect anything?

Style and Practical Details

1
Do you prefer practical gifts, fun gifts or something in between?
2
Is your style more classic, cozy, sporty or quirky?
3
What size are you for socks, gloves or a sweater, if clothing is allowed?
4
Do you wear jewelry or accessories?
5
What's your go-to item at your desk or in your bag?
6
Is there something you use every day that could use an upgrade?
7
Do you prefer experiences or physical gifts?
8
Would you be happy with a gift card? If so, for which shop?
9
Do you like personalized items with your name or initials?
10
Do you prefer handmade or store-bought gifts?

Things to Avoid

1
Do you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions?
2
Are you sensitive to any scents or materials?
3
Do you drink alcohol?
4
Is there anything you already have too much of, like mugs or candles?
5
Is there anything you really don't want to receive?
6
Do you have limited space, so smaller gifts are better?
7
Are there any colors or styles you dislike?
8
Anything else your Secret Santa should know?

Two Fun Bonus Questions

1
If you could have any small luxury for one day, what would it be?
2
Name one small thing you'd love to get, within the budget.

That's 40 questions in total. Copy the ones that fit your group and delete the rest. A family might keep all of them, while a new team might use only the favorites and the things to avoid.

Which Questions Lead to the Best Gifts?

Not all answers are equally useful. The best questions point to a category of gift without naming the exact item, so the Santa has direction and the recipient still gets a surprise.

Question	What it tells the Santa	Gift it can lead to
Favorite drink	Their daily ritual	Specialty tea, coffee beans, a good mug
Free time	What they love doing	A small tool or accessory for that hobby
Small thing that makes your day	What brings them joy	A treat or comfort item
Something to upgrade	A real, practical need	A better version of an everyday item
Things to avoid	What would disappoint them	Nothing: it saves you from a bad gift
One small wish	A clear fallback	Exactly that, or something close to it

Once you know your recipient's tastes, our lists of Secret Santa gifts for women, Secret Santa gifts for men and the best gifts under $25 will help you turn their answers into a gift.

There are two simple ways to use a questionnaire. Pick the one that fits how much your group already talks to each other.

Option 1: everyone answers up front. The organizer shares the questions when announcing the exchange, for example in the group chat or by email. Each person posts or sends their answers, and every Santa reads the answers of the person they drew. This is quick, but everyone sees everyone's answers.

Option 2: Santas ask privately. After the draw, each Santa asks their recipient the questions directly. With Amazing Secret Santa, every participant gets a private anonymous chat with their match, so you can ask questions without revealing who you are. This keeps the mystery intact, because the recipient never knows who's asking.

Whichever option you choose, follow three simple rules:

Send it early: Share the questions when you announce the exchange, so answers arrive before shopping starts.
Set a short deadline: Three to five days is enough. After that, Santas shop with whatever they have.
Keep it optional: Nobody should feel forced to share personal details, especially at work.

Setting up the whole exchange? Our guide on how to organize the perfect Secret Santa covers the full timeline, and our complete Secret Santa rules explain how to keep the draw fair and secret.

Questionnaire Tips for the Office

At work, a questionnaire is even more useful, because you may draw someone you barely know. But office questionnaires need a lighter touch than family ones.

Use the short 10-question version, not the full template
Skip questions about clothing sizes, alcohol and anything personal
Always include allergies and dietary restrictions
Remind everyone of the budget next to the last question
Let people answer with a simple “surprise me” if they prefer

If your recipient skipped the questionnaire, don't panic. Our list of gifts for coworkers you don't know well has ideas that work for almost anyone, and our HR guide to Secret Santa at work covers inclusivity and communication.

Get Your Group Ready

A good questionnaire turns a guessing game into a thoughtful gift, without spoiling the surprise. Copy the short or full template, share it when you announce the exchange, and give everyone a few days to answer.

Then set your Secret Santa budget and draw names for free. Everyone receives their match by email, along with a private anonymous chat to ask any question the questionnaire didn't cover.

Happy Gifting!