Secret Santa: in my opinion, it's one of the greatest parts of the Christmas season. Everything from the mystery to the gift-giving to the gift-getting makes Secret Santa so fun! But, more goes in to it than meets the eye-- most people think: you pick a name and get them a gift. True...but in between is where the magic happens.

So, whether you're in the midst of a Secret Santa yourself, or if you've never done one before, here is an inside scoop on what goes down and where the magic really comes from:

1. You form a group.

Choose your group of 'gifters' wisely-- if they're not going to have fun with it, they're not secret-santa material.

2. You set a price limit.

This helps at avoiding an uncomfortable situation. You don't want to get someone a scarf when they got you a toaster oven. Set a limit, and stick to it.

3. You draw names.

Make it a secret... that is the whole point, right? And don't let anyone pull the "no no no, let me pick again" card. Pick one and keep it (as long as it isn't yourself).

4. You make sure no one is looking when they draw a name.

Because there's always one.

5. You set a gift-giving date.

Talk with your group and plan on a gift-swapping day that works for everyone! It won't be as fun if not everyone can make it.

6. You refrain from telling your BFFs who you have.

I know it's hard... but try your best to keep who you have a secret.

7. You think of what gift to get your person.

*...thinking...*

8. You freak out because you don't know what gift to get your person and don't think you can do it.

The last thing you want to do is get your person a lame gift. So, when you can't think of something for your person immediately, you might freak out. But, fear not: you'll think of something.

9. You finally find your person the perfect gift.

See, I told you! You just bought your person the most awesome gift ever. You always had it in ya, I knew it (and so did you).

10. You anxiously await gift-giving day.

Especially when the gift you're giving is awesome, you can not wait for gift-giving day.

11. You wake up on the morning of gift-giving day.

Gift-giving day... AKA: game day

12. You meet to exchange gifts.

Everyone gather round and act like you're as excited as I am!

13. You reveal who you had.

This might be my favorite part. You get to hear all the Oh my God!'s, and you get to see all the people who try to act surprised but really aren't (yea, cheaters... don't think we don't notice).

14. You open your gift.

"Oh my God, Jackie!! You shouldn't have. You are so sweet!!"

15. Your person opens the gift you gave them.

They love it, and you love the fact that they love it.

16. You realize that the gifts aren't what make Secret Santa special, it's the people you do Secret Santa with that make Secret Santa special.

And this is the true magic.

"Things don't matter, people do."