Questions that produce buyable answers
The questions that work are concrete and bounded. A hot drink order, a favourite shop, a size, a colour to avoid, something you would never buy yourself, something you are running low on. The questions that fail are open: hobbies, interests, what do you like. Those get one word answers that help nobody.
The default set is six: drink order, a shop you like, something small you always run out of, a thing you collect or would like more of, anything you cannot eat or use, and one thing you definitely do not want. That last question saves more gifts than any of the others.
Keep it to one side of paper
Twelve questions is the maximum worth asking. Past that, people stop writing properly and you get blanks, which is worse than a shorter form answered fully. If you need more detail for an expensive exchange, use the wish list sheet alongside this one rather than extending it.
The sheet has a name field at the top and a fold line at the bottom. Fold before you hand it over if you want to collect them without reading everyone's answers on the way past.
Allergies, restrictions and the office version
One question covers things you cannot eat, drink or use, which quietly handles allergies, alcohol and scent sensitivities without anybody having to explain themselves to the group. For a workplace, that question should stay in. It is the difference between a thoughtful gift and one that goes in a bin.
Collecting and handing out
Collect every form before you run the draw. Hand out the names and the matching forms together, in a sealed envelope if the group is the sort to peer over shoulders. Keep a photo of each form, because at least one person will lose theirs and ask you what their person wrote.
Questions
- What questions should a Secret Santa questionnaire ask?
- Concrete, bounded ones: a hot drink order, a favourite shop, something they always run out of, a size, something they cannot eat or use, and one thing they definitely do not want. Open questions about hobbies get one word answers.
- How many questions is too many?
- More than twelve. Past that people stop answering properly and you get blank lines, which is less useful than six questions answered fully.
- Should I ask about allergies?
- Yes, but phrase it as anything you cannot eat, drink or use. That covers allergies, alcohol and scent sensitivities without asking anyone to explain a medical reason to the group.
- Is the questionnaire free to print?
- Yes. Print one per person at no cost, with no account and no watermark. It fits a single side of A4 or US Letter.