Secret Santa or Wichteln? Let’s Talk Cross-Cultural Gift-Giving Traditions!

Ah, Secret Santa! Or, as we here in Germany call it, Wichteln.

This holiday game pops up in offices, friend groups and families around the world—but with a few unique twists depending on where you are.

Here’s how it goes:

✨ In the U.S. and UK — Secret Santa is all about mystery and surprise. You’re secretly assigned someone to buy a gift for, and the fun is all in the big reveal. The goal? Choose a gift your recipient will love—or find hilarious.

✨ In Germany — Wichteln has a few variations. Some follow traditional Secret Santa rules, while others add their own twist with Schrottwichteln (aka “junk Wichteln”), where you might end up with a quirky knickknack or the oddest item from someone’s cellar. 

(I used to do Schrottwichteln at a few companies I worked with just before Christmas. And let me tell you, those quirky gifts and funny stories that came with them made our English sessions even more memorable.)  

So, do you have any fun Secret Santa or Wichteln stories? I’d love to hear them.