Secret Santa Generator Spreadsheet Google Sheets Excel, Gift Exchange Name Picker with Wishlist and Budget Tracker, White Elephant Swap

SECRET SANTA GENERATOR SPREADSHEET FOR GOOGLE SHEETS AND EXCEL

A fair, repeatable Secret Santa / gift exchange generator. Add everyone once, pick a Draw number, and the pairs are set — nobody draws their own name, and the same number always gives the same result. Room for 30 participants per exchange.

📊 WHAT IT DOES

✓ Participants: one row per person — name, Don't pair with (optional, for a couple), Gave to last year (optional), and a wishlist.
✓ Draw: a fair shuffle built from your Draw number, not a random pick.
✓ Draw: the same number always gives the same pairs, and changing it gives you a brand new, equally fair shuffle.
✓ Draw: flags a pairing issue if someone drew a couple's match or last year's match, checked both directions.
✓ Messages: a ready-to-copy "you're buying for..." text for every giver, with their budget, wishlist and the date.
✓ Tracker: Giving and Receiving fill in automatically from Draw; mark Bought?, Wrapped? and Given?, and track what you spent against your budget.
✓ Reuse it every year: update who's in, and type a new Draw number for a fresh shuffle.

📂 WHAT'S INSIDE: 5 TABS AND 0 CHARTS

✓ Start here: exchange name, budget per gift, exchange date, exchange type, and the Draw number
✓ Participants: the only typing you do — names, exclusions, last year's match, wishlists
✓ Draw: who's giving to whom, with their wishlist attached, and a conflict flag
✓ Messages: one private, ready-to-copy message per person
✓ Tracker: bought / wrapped / given and what you've spent

📝 HOW IT WORKS

1. Open the PDF and click the link to make your own copy in Google Sheets. Or open the Excel file.
2. On Participants, add everyone's name and wishlist. Add Don't pair with for couples and Gave to last year if you want this year different from last.
3. On Start here, set your budget and type a Draw number — any whole number.
4. Open Draw. All clear means you're set. A flagged pairing means: try a different Draw number and check again.
5. Copy each person's line from Messages, and follow along on Tracker as gifts get bought.

📥 WHAT YOU GET

✓ Google Sheets version (the link is in the PDF)
✓ Excel version (.xlsx) — works in any recent version, no special functions required
✓ A filled example to look around, and a blank copy for your own exchange
✓ A PDF guide with screenshots, the links and the first steps
✓ A video guide for this planner (the link is in the PDF)

💻 GOOD TO KNOW

✓ Works with a free Google account. No app, no ads, no subscription.
✓ The draw is a formula, not a random number generator — nobody ever draws their own name, and it stays the same until you change the Draw number.
✓ Don't pair with and Gave to last year are both optional, and both checked even if only one person in a pair fills them in — but type the name exactly as it appears on Participants.
✓ Type only in the lighter input cells. Formulas are protected: Google Sheets warns you before you change one, and Excel keeps them locked.
✓ Best on a computer for setup. The Google Sheets app works for a quick check on your phone.
✓ The Excel version may look slightly different from the photos (fonts, colors). The photos show Google Sheets. Links between tabs work in Google Sheets.
✓ English only. Not made for Apple Numbers.
✓ Free updates for life.

This is a digital download. Nothing will be shipped. Because it is a digital file, it can't be returned, but if anything is unclear, message me and I will help you set it up.