Kris Kringle generator: draw names online for free

Kris Kringle comes from Christkindl, the Christ Child gift-bringer of Austrian Christmas tradition. "Kris Kringle" and "Chris Kindle" are both English-speaking versions of that name.

As the name for a gift exchange, it means exactly what Secret Santa means: names are drawn, each person is assigned someone to buy for, and the giver stays anonymous, at least until the exchange.

It's a common name in Australia, Canada and the Philippines, used alongside Secret Santa. In Ireland you'll often hear Kris Kindle. The way the draw works is the same everywhere, so pick the name your group uses, whether that's the office, the family or a group of friends from school.

Only in name. Some groups keep the giver secret for good, and others reveal everyone when the gifts are exchanged, but that's a house rule rather than a difference between the two.

White elephant is the one that's genuinely different. It has no draw: everyone brings a wrapped gift to a shared pile and players take turns to unwrap or steal.

The rules are the same as Secret Santa's, and most groups settle them before the draw.

• Everyone buys one gift, for the person they drew.
• Keep your Kris Kringle to yourself until the exchange.
• Stick to the agreed budget.
• Label the gift with the recipient's name, not yours.

That's a house rule, and GiftMyCrew leaves it to you: the draw never reveals who had whom. Some groups guess their giver as each gift is opened, some have givers own up at the end, and some never tell. Agree on it before the draw so nobody spoils it for everyone else.

Yes. For work, post the link in your team channel and set a budget everyone can see. For family, block couples so they don't draw each other and consider a separate draw for the kids. Either way, nobody has to hand over an email address, and each person can add up to 30 gift ideas for their Kris Kringle.