Kris Kringle: the gift exchange by another name

Where does the name Kris Kringle come from?

Most accounts link Kris Kringle to Christkindl, a German word meaning "Christ child". In parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the Christkind was traditionally the figure who brought presents to children at Christmas. When German-speaking immigrants settled in North America, the word is thought to have been gradually reshaped by English speakers into "Kris Kringle".

Over time the meaning drifted, and by the nineteenth century Kris Kringle was often used as just another name for Santa Claus. The exact path is hard to pin down, but the link to Christkindl is the explanation you will find most often.

Where people call it Kris Kringle

The game itself is the same everywhere: people draw names in secret and each buys a gift for the person they drew. Only the name varies. You are most likely to hear "Kris Kringle" in:

• Australia, especially in offices and extended families
• Ireland, where it is a common name for workplace and school exchanges
• New Zealand, alongside "Secret Santa"
• Parts of the United States, particularly in some families and regions with German heritage

Elsewhere you may hear Secret Santa, Secret Angel or simply "the name draw". If your group has members from different countries, it helps to mention both names in the invitation so nobody is confused.

How a Kris Kringle works

1. Gather your group. Family, friends, a sports team or a class all work well.
2. Set the details. Agree on a budget, for example €20, and pick the date when gifts will be exchanged.
3. Draw names. Each person secretly gets one name. Nobody draws themselves, and you can rule out pairs such as partners who already buy for each other.
4. Share hints. Everyone adds a few wishlist hints so their giver has a starting point.
5. Shop and wrap. Keep within the budget and label the gift with the recipient's name only.
6. Exchange. Hand out gifts on the day. Some groups reveal who gave what; others keep it a mystery forever.

Our free tool handles the draw for you in the browser. Each person gets a private reveal link you can send by email or chat, and you can add exclusions, wishlist hints, the budget, the exchange date and a short message to everyone. Start your Kris Kringle draw in a couple of minutes.

Popular variations

Tips for a smooth Kris Kringle

• Agree the budget before the draw. A clear amount avoids awkward gaps between a €5 gift and a €50 one.
• Use exclusions wisely. Couples, housemates or people who swapped last year can be kept apart. Exclusions work both ways, so neither person can draw the other.
• Write helpful hints. "I like tea, gardening and crime novels" is far more useful than "surprise me".
• Keep the daily gifts tiny. In a Kris Kringle week, small gestures matter more than spending. A handwritten note counts.
• Think about the planet. Wrapping in fabric or reused paper is easy and looks lovely. See our eco-friendly tips for more.
• Have a backup plan. If someone drops out, it is usually easiest to redo the draw rather than patch it by hand.