This guide will walk you through signing up and setting up your first Secret Santa exchange.
Signing In
Secret Santa uses Google authentication for a secure, hassle-free login experience.
- Visit the Secret Santa homepage
- Click Sign in with Google
- Select your Google account
- You'll be redirected to your dashboard
That's it! Your account is automatically created on first sign-in.
Your Dashboard
After signing in, you'll see your personalized dashboard with:
- Quick Actions - Create or join a group
- Upcoming Exchanges - Your next Secret Santa events
- Pending Draws - Groups waiting for the draw (if you're an admin)
Setting Up Your Profile
Before joining exchanges, take a moment to set up your profile:
- Click your avatar in the top-right corner
- Select Profile
- Add your interests (hobbies, favorite things, etc.)
- Write a brief bio about yourself
Your profile helps your Secret Santa find the perfect gift and enables better AI suggestions.
Two Ways to Participate
Option 1: Create a Group
If you're organizing the exchange:
- Click Create Group on your dashboard
- Fill in the group details (name, budget, date)
- Share the invite code with participants
- Run the draw when everyone has joined
Learn more about creating groups
Option 2: Join a Group
If someone invited you:
- Get the 8-character invite code from the organizer
- Click Join Group on your dashboard
- Enter the code and click Join
- Wait for the admin to run the draw
Learn more about joining groups
Next Steps
Once you've signed in, you're ready to: