Gift exchanges — whether among friends, family, co-workers, or even "frenemies"— are meant to be fun, but they can also bring on a fair share of holiday stress. The logistics of picking names, shopping for the perfect gift, and keeping everything on track can easily become overwhelming.
That's exactly what inspired Peter Imburg to create Elfster, a free online Secret Santa organizer. Over 20 years ago, Imburg found himself frustrated by the time-consuming coordination of gift exchanges with his family. He found the perfect solution: a platform that removes the hassle.
Simplifying The Process, One Click At A Time
Elfster takes care of everything: creating pairings, collecting wish lists, offering gift suggestions at various price points, and sending timely reminders. All of these features are designed to ease the organizer's burden and make gift exchanges run smoothly.
Imburg believes that having a clear, organized approach makes everything work more easily. "The organizer is like the hero. They make it all happen," adding that Elfster is "to make it a lot easier for the organizer to do that with a minimal amount of effort," he says.
For those still stuck on what to buy, Elfster's team of "gift gurus" provides suggestions for practical gifts that are sure to please. From water bottles and blankets to massage guns and home essentials like food storage containers and charging stations, Elfster's "Top Trending Gift Ideas for 2024" list is packed with options.
Finding The Right Gift Made Easy
Cameron Rogers, a New Jersey-based social media content creator and podcast host on wellness and motherhood, knows firsthand the stress that can come with picking the perfect Secret Santa gift.
"Having to give generic gifts to people I'm not necessarily close with is extremely difficult," she said. "I can pick a good gift for my husband or my kids or my mom, but for people who I don't know the ins and outs of their lives, I think it's hard to pick something that you know they're actually going to enjoy."
Rogers recently shared a Guide to Secret Santa gifts under $50, acknowledging how tricky it can be to choose something that fits both the budget and the recipient's taste. Her go-to suggestions include practical gifts like kitchen gadgets, home items, or winter gear, as well as personalized options like monogrammed gifts.
And while gift cards may no longer enjoy the most glamorous reputation, Rogers says they're a reliable, no-fail option. "I don't want to give someone something solely to check a box," she explained. "I want them to enjoy it, instead of being like, 'What do I do with this now?'"
Secret Santa: A Stress-Free Alternative
For some, Secret Santa is a stress reliever rather than a stress inducer. These exchanges often replace the need for buying individual gifts for every person in a group, reducing both financial and mental burden.
Nicole Troiano from Cranston, Rhode Island, sees Secret Santa as a fun way to handle large group gift-giving, even if it means a bit of extra detective work to figure out what your recipient might want.
"It's fun to do it that way and think about something that would be good for that person," she said. "And then, when they open it, they're like, 'Oh my God!'"
By the weekend after Thanksgiving, Troiano had already purchased and wrapped her gift for this year's exchange — a cutting board, two bottles of wine dressed in ugly sweaters, and gourmet chocolates. For her, Secret Santa is all about spreading joy with minimal stress.
So this holiday season, whether you are the organizer or the recipient, a little thoughtful planning might just be the key to turning Secret Santa into a holiday highlight rather than a hassle.
