The short version: names only, deleted after the party

Privacy Policy

Last updated November 13, 2026

TheGiftHat has no accounts and no passwords. We store the first names you type in, any wishlist people choose to write, and whether each gift link has been opened. Everything is deleted automatically about 60 days after your exchange date.

Who we are

TheGiftHat (thegifthat.com) runs free gift-exchange draws and party tools. Questions about privacy: hello@thegifthat.com.

What we store when you create a draw

• Event details: the event name, budget and exchange date you enter.
• Participant names: exactly as typed. We suggest first names or nicknames; please don’t enter full names, emails or phone numbers.
• The draw: who gives to whom. It is only ever shown to each giver for their own pairing. The organizer cannot see it.
• Opened status: the time each private link was first opened, so the organizer knows who still needs a reminder.
• Wishlists: whatever a participant writes in their own wishlist, and the interest tags they pick. It is shown only to the person who drew them.
• Private links: each link contains a long random code. Anyone who has a link can open it, so share it only with the right person.

We do not ask for, and do not want, email addresses, phone numbers, birthdays or addresses.

Sending links

When you tap WhatsApp, Text, Email or Share, your own device opens that app with a pre-written message. The message is sent by you, from your account. TheGiftHat never sends messages and never sees your contacts.

How long we keep it

Each event expires 60 days after its exchange date (or 60 days after creation if there is no date). Expired events can no longer be opened and are then deleted. Re-drawing an event replaces all pairings and links immediately.

Storage on your device

We use your browser’s local storage for essential things only: your sound on/off choice, an unfinished draw form, which links you marked as sent, and your cookie choice. This never leaves your device.

Analytics and advertising

To keep TheGiftHat free, we may show ads (for example Google AdSense) and use privacy-friendly analytics. Where the law requires it (EU, UK), these load only after you click “Accept all” in the cookie banner. You can change your choice at any time with “Cookie settings” in the footer. Ads are never shown during the gift-opening animation.

Affiliate links

Gift suggestions may link to retailers such as Amazon. If you buy something after clicking, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The retailer, not us, handles your purchase and its data. See our affiliate disclosure.

Service providers

The site and its database run on Cloudflare (hosting, security and storage). Cloudflare processes technical data such as IP addresses to deliver and protect the site.

Your choices

• Organizers can re-draw at any time, which replaces every link.
• Participants can clear their wishlist by editing it.
• To have an event deleted early, email us its organizer link and we will remove it.

Residents of the EU/UK and some US states (such as California) have rights to access and delete personal data. Because we don’t identify people beyond a typed name, the fastest route is the organizer link above; you can also email us.

Children

TheGiftHat is designed for families and groups to use together. Organizers under 13 should use it with a parent or guardian. We don’t knowingly collect personal information from children beyond a first name typed by an organizer.

Changes

If we change this policy we’ll update the date above. Significant changes will be noted on the home page.