# Secret Santa Idea Infographics This Chart Traces the Origins of the Gift Giving Tradition By Jonathon Brown | Published 2012-12-12 | Special Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/secret-santa-ideas References: [coolinfographics](http://www.coolinfographics.com/blog/2012/12/11/the-ultimate-guide-to-secret-santa.html) It can be tough figuring out what to buy that co-worker you barely speak to for Christmas, but these secret Santa ideas can help. Secret Santa is a tradition carried out in workplaces and sometimes in big families where there are too many people to buy presents for. The idea is everyone puts their name in a box and whoever you pick out of the box, you [buy a gift](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holiday-gift-centre) for. Everyone picks a name and therefore everyone buys one present and receives one present. This alleviates the pressure, both fiscally and creatively, of buying dozens of presents. According to this secret Santa ideas infographic, the original Secret Santa might have been an American philanthropist Larry Dean Stewart who used to give out $100 bills to strangers around the holidays as a way of [giving back](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cocacolas-christmas-kindness). They say he gave out 1.6 million dollars over a 26 year period. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 70% | Activity: 61% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Special](https://www.trendhunter.com/special) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Alternative Gift Exchange:** The tradition of Secret Santa has evolved into alternative gift exchanges that alleviate the pressure of buying multiple presents. - **Personalized Gift Giving:** People are increasingly seeking unique and thoughtful gifts for their Secret Santa recipients, leading to a rise in personalized gift giving. - **Digital Secret Santa:** Online platforms and apps are enabling the organization of Secret Santa exchanges, making it more convenient and accessible to participate. ### Where This Applies - **E-commerce:** Online retailers can capitalize on the trend of personalized gift giving by providing a wide range of customizable and unique gift options. - **Event Planning:** Event planning companies can offer services to organize and manage alternative gift exchange events, providing a stress-free experience for participants. - **Technology:** Tech companies can develop innovative platforms and apps that facilitate digital Secret Santa exchanges, enhancing the overall user experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Beer-Branded Cash Giveaways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/molson-coors-santa.md) - [AI-Powered Digital Gifting Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magical-moments.md) - [Interactive Gift Tags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-gift-tag.md) - [Group Planning Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/migos.md) - [Holiday Tradition Exchanges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweetness-swap.md) - [Christmas Eve Cookie Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cookies-for-santa-cookie-kit.md) - [Charitable Holiday Retail Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retail-program.md) - [Coal-Shaped Candies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/itsugar-merry-frickn-christmas-box.md) - [Charitable Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/24-good-deeds.md)