This python-based script will automatically "pull from a hat" a recipient for every secret santa and send a notification email to each santa's inbox of who their gift recipient is.
It ensures that no one knows who their secret santa is... not even you! (That is, unless you really want to know).
- Python
- SMTP server used to automatically send emails
git clone https://github.com/jmarkowski/secret-santa.git
Make your desired modifications to the config.py configuration file.
In it, you must specify:
- The SMTP settings as specified by your SMTP host.
- An email template.
- The list of secret santas.
- Optionally a lookup of anyone who should not be someone elses santa.
$ ./secret-santa-mailer.py
This will read the configuration file and perform a "dry run" of the various
pairings between secret Santas and recipients. It will generate an output file
as specified by the secret_santa_record_file setting in config.py.
This record file is saved as secret-santa-record-file.txt by default.
This script relies on a simple SMTP method of sending emails, and the SMTP
settings in config.py will depend on your preferred service to use.
Various SMTP server options are available. A few popular options include:
- Sendinblue - Free 300 emails/day
- Mailjet - Free 200 emails/day
- SendGrid - Free 100 emails/day
- Amazon SES
Send a test email to confirm that the SMTP configuration is set up correctly:
$ ./secret-santa-mailer.py --send-test-email you@example.com
If it runs without any errors, then you're ready to send the secret Santa emails.
$ ./secret-santa-mailer.py --official
This will dispatch the emails and record what emails it sent to the file
specified by the secret_santa_record_file setting in config.py.
Don't look at the contents of this file, unless you want to know who everyone's secret Santa is.
It will sequentially send emails to everyone.
Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas!
- Add support for allowing a recipient to have a gift "wish list" that may be added in an email.