What Is Pollyanna?
Pollyanna is Secret Santa with a regional name. In Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and parts of the Northeast US, "Secret Santa" is almost universally called "Pollyanna." The mechanic is identical: participants draw names, buy one gift anonymously for their match, and reveal at the party or gathering.
The name is thought to derive from Pollyanna Whittier, the fictional optimistic character from Eleanor Porter's 1913 novel — a fitting association for a tradition that emphasizes generosity and goodwill.
Pollyanna vs. Secret Santa: Any Difference?
In practice: none. The rules, setup, and experience are identical.
The differences are purely regional and linguistic. If you're organizing a Pollyanna for family members from different parts of the country, it helps to mention both names in your invitation so no one is confused. On Elfster, you can name your exchange "Pollyanna" — same platform, same draw algorithm, same experience.
How to Set Up a Pollyanna Exchange
Step 1 — Set the parameters: budget, date, any exclusions (no spouses gifting spouses, no parent/child pairs if those are separate).
Step 2 — Invite participants: Send invites by email or shareable Elfster link. Elfster handles this automatically.
Step 3 — Draw names: Elfster's algorithm assigns each participant a match privately. No one — including the organizer — sees the full list.
Step 4 — Let participants build wishlists: Giving people something to work from is the single biggest quality improvement to any Pollyanna. Elfster wishlists let participants add items from any store.
Step 5 — Buy and wrap: One gift, within the agreed budget.
Step 6 — Exchange and reveal: At the party, everyone opens gifts and Pollyanna identities are revealed.
Tips for Families
Families are the most common Pollyanna group. A few things that make family Pollyannas work better:
Set a single number for the budget — not a range. "Spend $30" works; "spend $25–50" doesn't, because everyone calibrates to the lower end and feels self-conscious if they spent at the higher end.
Use exclusions thoughtfully. No spouse-to-spouse pairing is the most common rule. Some families exclude parent-to-child assignments so parents can handle children's gifts separately.
Remind people that wishlists exist. Many family members — particularly older generations — don't know Elfster has a wishlist feature. A brief note in the launch message ("click here to add what you'd love") dramatically improves gift quality.
Pollyanna for Remote Families
Long-distance Pollyanna works exactly the same as in-person — the only difference is shipping. Set a firm cutoff date (gifts must be shipped by [DATE]) so everything arrives before the family video call. Use Elfster's "send shipping address" feature so participants can share addresses privately without awkward group messages.
Schedule a video call for the same day gifts are due to arrive — watching the family open packages on screen is a tradition worth keeping even when you can't be in the same room.
2026 Update: Popular Pollyanna Gift Picks This Season
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pollyanna?
Pollyanna is a gift exchange game popular in the Northeast US — particularly Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. It's identical to Secret Santa: participants draw names, buy one gift anonymously, and reveal at the party.
Is Pollyanna the same as Secret Santa?
Yes — they're the same concept. 'Pollyanna' is a regional name used primarily in the Northeast US. Rules, setup, and format are identical.
What's a good budget for Pollyanna?
Family Pollyanna exchanges typically use a $25–$50 budget. Office Pollyanna tends to run $15–$25. Set one specific number rather than a range.
How do you draw names for Pollyanna?
Traditionally names are drawn from a hat. For large families or remote participants, Elfster handles the draw automatically — everyone gets their assignment privately.
