magicWhat is a text message Secret Santa?
A text message Secret Santa is a gift exchange where the draw happens online and each person gets their match by text instead of email. Magic Random draws the names, creates a private link for every participant, and gives you a Text button next to each name. Tap it, pick that person in your messages app, and send.
The texts come from your own phone, not from an unknown number, so they don't land in spam and people actually open them. It's free, and Magic Random never asks for or stores anyone's phone number.
How to run Secret Santa over text
- Add everyone's namesType the names or paste a list from your group chat. Add exclusions for couples or last year's pairs, plus a budget and exchange date if you like.
- Draw names and create linksPress “Draw names & create private links”. Each person gets one private link that shows only who they're buying for.
- Text each person their linkOn a phone, tap “Text next person” (or the Text button next to a name), choose that person in Messages, and send. Repeat until everyone has a tick. On a computer, use Text, WhatsApp, Email or Copy message.
- Announce it in the group chatPost one message to the whole group with the budget and date, and remind everyone not to share their link in the chat.
Secret Santa text message templates
Copy these into your group chat or private messages. Change the budget, date and names to match your group.
🎁 We're doing Secret Santa this year! Budget: $25. Gift exchange: Friday, December 19. I'll text each of you a private link in the next day or so. It shows only who you're buying for, and not even I can see the matches. Please don't share your link in this chat!
Hi Alex! You're in Office Secret Santa 2026. Open your private link to see who you're buying for (budget $25), exchange on 2026-12-19: https://magicrandom.com/secret-santa-generator/g/…
The generator writes this one for you with each person's real link. Shown here so you know what people will receive.
⏰ Secret Santa reminder: the gift exchange is one week away (Friday, December 19). Budget is $25. Lost your link? Message me privately and I'll resend it. Don't reply here with who you got!
🎄 It's Secret Santa day! Bring your wrapped gift to the party at 6pm. We'll open them together and everyone gets to guess who their Santa was.
Quick Secret Santa update: our group changed, so I've done a new draw. Please ignore your old link. I'm texting everyone a new one now, and it might be a different person this time.
Secret Santa in a WhatsApp group
WhatsApp groups are where most family and friend exchanges get organized, and they're also where secrets leak. The rule is simple: announce in the group, send links in private chats.
- After the draw, tap WhatsApp next to each name. WhatsApp opens with that person's message ready; pick their private chat, not the group.
- On a computer, the same button opens WhatsApp Web or the desktop app.
- Post only the announcement and reminders in the group. Never paste anyone's link there, because anyone who opens a link sees that match.
iPhone, Android and other apps
- iPhone (iMessage): Text opens Messages with the message filled in. Choose the contact and send.
- Android (Google Messages, Samsung Messages): works the same way with your default messages app.
- Mac and Windows: Text opens Messages on a Mac, or Phone Link on Windows if your phone is connected. Otherwise use Copy message.
- Messenger, Telegram, Instagram: use Copy message and paste it into a private chat.
- Office exchanges on Slack or Teams: copy each message into a direct message, not the team channel.
Keeping it secret in a group chat
- The organizer can't see the matches. Each link reveals one person's match, and you'd only see it by opening their link, so you can join in too.
- Send one person per message. Don't start a group text with the links in it.
- Remind people not to reply-all with who they got. The reminder template above says it for you.
- If a link gets shared by mistake, do a new draw and send new links. It takes a minute and keeps it fair.
Want the full guide to exclusions, wish lists and how the draw works? See the main Secret Santa generator. Planning party games too? Try the charades generator.
Frequently asked questions
Does it text everyone automatically?
No. You send each person their link from your own phone, using the Text button next to their name or “Text next person”. That keeps it free, means we never collect anyone's phone number, and the texts come from someone people know, so they don't get ignored as spam.
Do I need everyone's phone numbers?
Only in your own phone's contacts, as you would for any text. Magic Random never asks for phone numbers or email addresses.
Can I do it from a computer?
Yes. The Text button opens Messages on a Mac or Phone Link on Windows. You can also use WhatsApp (including WhatsApp Web), Email, or Copy message and paste it into any chat app.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. The Text button opens the built-in messages app on both, with the message and link already filled in. You just pick the contact and press send.
Can people in the group chat see other matches?
Not if you send links privately, one person per text. Each link shows only that person's match. Never post the links in the group chat itself; only post the general announcement there.
What if someone loses their link?
If you still have the results page open or saved the copied messages, just text their message again. For privacy Magic Random doesn't keep a list of links for the organizer, so if you've lost them too, do a new draw and send everyone new links.
Can I use WhatsApp, Messenger or Slack instead?
Yes. Use the WhatsApp button to send each person their link in a private chat, or Copy message and paste it into Messenger, Telegram, Slack, Teams or any other app.
Last updated 2026-10-30. Names, budget and wish lists are stored only to show each person their match, and are deleted 90 days after the exchange date.