Draw names online
Draw names without revealing every result
Wichtlify draws one name for each person. The result is only shown through that person’s own link.
- Give each person a private assignment
- Avoid self-matches and saved exclusions
- Share personal links instead of a public list
First decision
Decide whether the name draw needs to stay private
A visible name draw is enough when everyone may see the result, for example a public order, one selected person or a shuffled list.
Wichtlify is for the other case: every participant should receive one name privately, without the whole group seeing who drew whom.
A visible draw is enough for
- Public order
- One random person
- Shared result list
- No private assignments
With Wichtlify
Give every person their own private assignment
The organizer creates the group, adds the people who take part and checks exclusions before drawing. Wichtlify prevents self-matches and uses the saved exclusions when a valid assignment is still possible.
After the draw, every participant opens a personal link and sees only their own result. If the name draw is specifically for a Secret Santa round, prepare the Secret Santa generator setup with gift rules and personal links.
Wichtlify supports
- Private draw results
- Self-match prevention
- Exclusions before drawing
- One link per person
Before drawing
Exclusions need to be clear before names are drawn
The useful work happens before the draw button: check who is taking part, which combinations should be blocked and whether the group can still be drawn with those rules.
Typical exclusions include couples, household members or other pairs that should not receive one another. For the detailed assignment logic, see how the Wichtlify draw works.
Check first
- Complete names
- Blocked combinations
- Valid draw possible
- Rules are clear
When it helps
Useful beyond a classic holiday gift exchange
Drawing names privately can help whenever people should be assigned to each other and the assignment should not be visible to the group.
That can be a small gift exchange, a club activity, a team event or a family round. When the whole setup should run online with rules, wishes and link sharing, prepare the full online Secret Santa flow.
Fits well for
- Gift exchanges
- Friend groups
- Family rounds
- Teams or clubs
Next steps
Choose the draw path that fits the group
Start with the name draw, then continue only where the group needs Secret Santa setup, paper-style lots, easier participation or clearer rules.
Online draw
Helps decide when a secret personal draw is needed and when a simple visible randomizer is enough.
Choose the draw method
Randomly assign people
For the general case where each person should secretly get another person.
Assign people secretly
Draw lots online
For groups that think in paper slips but need personal links instead of photos or a shared list.
Turn lots into personal links
Secret Santa generator
Use this when the name draw should become a Secret Santa round with gift rules and exclusions.
Prepare the Secret Santa drawDraw explained
Understand self-match prevention, exclusions and why every person receives only their own result.
Understand the drawSecret Santa without email
For organizers who want to add people by name and share personal links through an existing channel.
Plan easy participationFAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Wichtlify just to draw names?
Yes, when each person should receive a private assignment. For a visible order, a shared list or one public random pick, a simple open draw is usually more direct.
What is different from a public name draw?
In a public name draw, everyone can see the result. In Wichtlify, each participant opens a personal link and sees only their own assignment.
Can someone draw themselves?
No. Wichtlify prevents self-matches. The organizer can also save exclusions before the draw, as long as a valid assignment is still possible.
Can I exclude couples or household members?
Yes. Exclusions can be saved before the draw and are considered when Wichtlify creates the assignment.
Do participants need to install an app?
No. Participants can open their personal link in the browser. App users can also sign in with Apple, Google or email.
What if someone leaves after names were drawn?
In a normal round, the organizer needs to decide whether to draw again. Pro can help in special cases with Repair, which aims to change only the necessary assignments.
Draw names privately and share personal links
Use Wichtlify when each person should receive their own private assignment instead of a public list.
Prepare a private name draw