Who is behind the draw
About Secret Noël
Secret Noël is a free online Secret Santa generator. It draws names for families, offices and groups of friends, from 3 to 5,000 people, in English or in French, on a phone or a computer.
It is brought to you by Ludo Genie, a site with more than 100 classic games you can play in your browser, based in Quebec.
Who offers Secret Noël?
Secret Noël is offered by Ludo Genie, a Quebec-based site that hosts more than 100 classic games playable right in a web browser. Secret Noël is its holiday project: the same idea of simple, friendly tools that work on any phone or computer, applied to the Christmas gift exchange.
You will find Ludo Genie mentioned at the bottom of the page, in case your group wants a game or two once the gifts are open.
Why does Secret Noël exist?
Because drawing names from a hat is lovely until it is not. Someone pulls their own name, two spouses draw each other, a cousin lives too far away to be at the table, and the person who organized everything ends up knowing every match or sitting out.
Secret Noël started from a simple goal: a draw that is fair, truly secret, easy for grandparents and quick for a busy office, in both English and French. The French version, Pige de Noël, uses the Quebec word for a name draw; the English version keeps a little French in its name.
SantaI have been running gift logistics for a very long time. Between us, I approve of anything that keeps the secret.
What principles guide Secret Noël?
The details are on our privacy page, in plain language.
- Free: creating a group, the draw, invitations, wish lists, anonymous messages, reminders and printable cards cost nothing, with no credit card to enter
- No account: nobody creates an account or a password, not the organizer and not the participants
- Secret for everyone: the server draws at random and even the organizer never sees who drew whom, so the organizer can play too
- Deleted after the holidays: data is erased automatically 30 days after the exchange date, or 120 days after creation if there is no date, and the organizer can delete everything at any time
- Bilingual: English and French, so a mixed group can each use their own language
- For everyone: works in any browser, with printable cards and a one-phone hat mode for people without email
- Respectful: no tracking cookies, and nothing is sold
How is Secret Noël free?
Secret Noël is brought to you by Ludo Genie. Every part of it is free to use, for every group, whatever its size: the draw, invitations by email, link, QR code or printable card, wish lists, anonymous messages, reminders and the Santa assistant. There is no credit card to enter and no account to create.
Who are the characters in the app?
Granny Turbo, Ti-Guy, Sasquatch, Kayla, Dennis, The Purist, The Rocket and Santa form a small cast of characters who guide you discreetly, with a joke here and there. A built-in Santa assistant answers questions and can help with your wish list, write a secret message or nudge the group, always after you confirm. Soft Christmas music is available too, and entirely optional.
SasquatchYes, I am real. No, I will not be in the group photo.
How can I contact you?
For questions about privacy or your data, write to privacy@ludogenie.com. For questions about using the app, the Santa assistant inside the app can usually answer right away, and our Secret Santa FAQ covers the most common ones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Secret Noël the same service as Pige de Noël?
Yes. Pige de Noël, at pigedenoel.com, is the French version of the same app, with the same features.
Where is Secret Noël based?
Secret Noël is offered by Ludo Genie, which is based in Quebec, Canada.
Do I need to install an app?
No. Secret Noël runs in your web browser on a phone or a computer, so there is nothing to download or install.