Secret Santa when you're far apart

Work backwards from the exchange date

• Choose the date people will open gifts (the exchange date).
• Set a shipping cut-off two to three weeks earlier for international parcels and one week earlier for domestic.
• Run the draw as soon as you have the group, ideally four to six weeks before the exchange.

Budgets with postage

Say plainly whether the budget includes shipping. "$30 including postage" avoids the person in the UK spending $50 to send a $20 present across the Atlantic. Mixed currencies? Pick one and put it in the message, or set the budget in the currency of most people.

Wishlists that ship

Ask everyone to add items they can actually receive where they live, with a link. Hollyhush lets each person add a short list, and your Secret Santa sees only yours. Anonymous questions are perfect for "does your building have a parcel locker?" and "what size?".

Reveal together

Set a reveal date and arrange a video call for the exchange date: everyone opens their gift on camera and guesses who sent it. If you'd rather not reveal giftees early, use "keep names hidden until a later date" so the draw stays a surprise until after the shipping deadline.

Customs and rules

• Check each country's rules on food, alcohol and electronics.
• Avoid anything perishable.
• Declare gifts honestly on customs forms.