Draw lots online
Run Secret Santa without paper slips
Add the names online and run the draw. Each person opens their own link instead of picking a folded slip of paper.
- Turn paper-style lots into personal links
- Avoid self-matches and saved exclusions
- Keep assignments out of the group chat
Paper slips
Paper lots are simple until secrecy and changes matter
Classic paper slips work when everyone is in one room and mistakes are easy to fix. They become harder when the group is remote, exclusions matter or each person should see only their own lot.
Wichtlify keeps the familiar idea of drawing a lot, but keeps each assignment personal. The organizer prepares the group, starts the secret draw and shares the right link with each participant.
Paper slips get tricky with
- Remote groups
- Exclusions
- Late changes
- Secret assignments
With Wichtlify
The digital lot is a personal link
After the draw, nobody needs to photograph a bowl, write private messages by hand or post an assignment list. Each person opens their own link and sees only who they are giving to.
If the lot draw is specifically for Secret Santa, prepare the Secret Santa generator setup with names, exclusions and personal links.
Wichtlify supports
- Add participants
- Save exclusions
- Run a secret draw
- Share personal links
Before drawing
Exclusions belong into the setup before the lots are drawn
With physical slips, people often notice a bad match only after the draw. Online, it is better to decide that in advance: who takes part, who should not draw whom and whether a valid assignment is still possible.
Typical exclusions include couples, household members or other combinations that should not be matched. To understand the assignment logic in detail, see how Wichtlify handles the draw.
Check first
- Complete participant list
- Saved exclusions
- Valid assignment possible
- Personal links after drawing
Open or private
Keep visible lot draws simple
If the group only needs a visible order, a public winner or a single random pick, a simple open draw is usually enough. Wichtlify is intended for the moment when the lot should stay personal and each person should open only their own link.
Gift budget, handover, humor limits and reveal expectations are still group decisions. Wichtlify handles the secret draw and personal links; the group decides how the exchange itself should feel.
Open draws are enough for
- Visible order
- Single public pick
- No exclusions
- Everyone may see the result
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is drawing lots online useful?
It is useful when paper slips would be awkward because the group is remote, exclusions matter or each person should receive only their own secret assignment.
Can Wichtlify replace paper slips?
Yes, when the paper slips were meant for a secret personal draw. Wichtlify replaces the physical slip with a personal link for each participant.
Can everyone see the drawn lots?
No. Wichtlify is built for secret assignments. Each participant opens their own link and sees only their own assignment.
Do all participants need an account?
The organizer needs an account to manage the group. Participants can open their personal link in the browser, while app users can sign in with Apple, Google or email.
What if I only need a visible order or public winner?
Wichtlify is not the best fit for visible orders, public winners or open random lists. A simple open draw is usually more direct for those cases.
Can I set exclusions before drawing lots?
Yes. Exclusions need to be saved before the draw and can be used when a valid assignment is still possible.
Prepare secret digital lots
Add the participants, save exclusions before drawing and share personal links instead of a public result list.
Prepare secret lots