Ensemble Stars Secret Santa 2026
an annual art & writing fandom exchange
hosted by ensquare events
coming again soon!it's going to be Christmas soon, Keito...2026 Signups — 10/11
in:
About
Ensemble Stars Secret Santa is a fandom event focused on the anonymous creation of EnStars fanwork as gifts to others in the community.Though the event is Tumblr-centric, you do not need a Tumblr account to participate, but Discord is needed as communication will be organized through the same server as last year. You can join via discord.gg/JcWRZtZbFZ.Each participant will be assigned a secret EnSanta, someone who will make a gift for them. EnSanta identities are not revealed until posting period (see schedule).Each participant will also be an EnSanta themselves, being assigned to a person to create a gift for. Don't worry if you don't know what to make; pairing assignments come with a wishlist (see how it works).Although mods cannot participate in the exchange, they may choose random EnSantas to make simple pieces for them throughout the creation process, dubbed stocking stuffers. There'll be a prompt list for general participants to create stocking stuffers too!
2026 Mods
| Techa (he/any) | @tenshi-agerasia | head/org/graphics/socmed |
| TBD |
2025 Mods
| Techa (he/any) | @tenshi-agerasia | head/org/graphics/socmed |
| Eclipse (they/them) | @seishun-emergency | writing/beta |
| Vanilla (she/he/they) | @amarettosis | art/intern |
Selkie is busy, but you'll still see him around!
2024 Mods
| Techa (he/any) | @tenshi-agerasia | head/organization |
| Sora (he/they) | @notaozora | graphics/art |
| Selkie (mirror prns) | @pyroselkie | writing/beta |
How It Works
Every participant is an EnSanta; you are expected to make one piece for your recipient, but you are certainly allowed to create more!When filling out the signup form, participants are asked about what characters/units/pairings/etc. they'd like to receive content of. This acts as a wishlist, and upon receiving pairing assignments, EnSantas will have access to whatever their recipient entered in the form.Similarly, participants are asked also about what characters/units/pairings/etc. they'd not want to make content of. EnSantas will not be paired with someone asking for content of a character they dislike.EnSantas will have about six weeks to create something, with a few flexible check-ins throughout this period, just to ensure that they're working on a piece (so everyone will receive something).Created work can be incomplete (i.e. a sketch or a first chapter) as long as it's part of a bigger collective piece (e.g. a comic or a multi-chapter fic).EnSantas may reveal their gifts on Christmas Day if they choose to, but the posting period will only begin on the 26th; we don't want this event taking away from vacation or time with your family!During the posting period, EnSantas may reach out to their recipients and ask for social media handles to tag them in posts. EnSantas should also tag the event Tumblr so that their post can be reblogged and archived there.Ensquare Events also has Instagram, Twitter, and Bluesky (and TikTok, for some reason). Tag @ensquare_events to have your post shared on the account!
Guidelines
Participants are encouraged to chat in the event Discord server, but conversations are to be kept civil and appropriate. Swearing, in both the server and in created works, is fine.All work should be SFW—think AO3's Teens and Up rating. Similarly, please avoid potentially triggering topics in your piece. If you are unsure if something you want to create breaks this rule, feel free to contact a mod.If you have any gift ideas that deviate from typical art/writing, ask a mod if it's okay! We love seeing creativity but would like to ensure that gifts are equal.The use of generative AI is strictly forbidden in this event.We understand that situations can come up in real life. If you have to drop out of the event, please let mods know immediately so that a pinch hitter can take your place.In the instance of dropping out with a WIP, please let mods know if you're okay with a pinch hitter continuing your unfinished work or if you'd prefer them creating a new piece entirely.Although mods are not included in the original pairing, they may become an EnSanta if needed (e.g. in the instance of a pinch hitter shortage).Mods reserve the right to remove participants who violate event guidelines at any time and potentially prevent them from joining future events.Mods are here to help you! If you are having any particular difficulties, reach out to us and we will do our best to find a solution for you.
Schedule
The following schedule has been updated for 2026.All dates begin in the morning and end at 11:59 PM EST. Extensions are flexible and will be given upon request for check-ins, but please make sure that your piece is ready by the posting period.Signups:
Sunday, 10/11 – Sunday, 11/01Pairings Assigned:
Sunday, 11/08 (afternoon)Creation Period:
Monday, 11/09 – Tuesday, 12/22Sketch/Concept Due:
Saturday, 11/14Check-In #1 (25% Progress):
Monday, 11/24Check-In #2 (50% Progress):
Monday, 11/30Final Check-In #3 (Complete):
Tuesday, 12/22EnSanta Reveals:
begins Friday, 12/25
(00:00 AM your time zone)Posting Period:
Saturday, 12/26 – Thursday, 12/31
Summer Santa 2026
We might be doing a smaller exchange this summer!