Until Dawn Secret Santa or UDSS/UDGE (Until Dawn Gift Exchange) is a series of virtual fandom gift exchanges that have been happening since 2017! Fans of Until Dawn are randomly assigned to each other to create fanworks as gifts.
Do the gifts HAVE to be Christmas related?
Absolutely not! Most aren't, to be honest, and I recommend checking with your gift recipient before making a Christmas-related gift. The term Secret Santa is just used to help give an understanding to what the event is.
What types of gifts can I create?
Currently gifts fall into two categories: fanfiction or fanart. Participants are welcome to do both OR pair them with other fanworks (edits, playlists, etc...) but this is not required. Edits and playlists MUST be paired with either fanfiction or fanart, however.
If you are interested in creating a different type of gift, please DM either this blog or @samgiddings so that we can discuss the option!
When can I sign up?
Sign ups are currently CLOSED.
Please stay tuned to see what everyone creates!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to send them in!
For anyone participating in the current gift exchange, please be sure to follow the guidelines below when posting your gifts.
You have all day of August 25, 2026 to post your gifts (12:01AM MT until 11:59PM MT)!
If you need an extension, please reach out ASAP (try, if possible, to avoid waiting until the day of the exchange to request an extension).
If you don't receive your gift by the end of the day, please reach out after August 25th.
General (applies to all):
Create a post on tumblr.
State the name of the individual your gift is for and be sure to TAG THEM.
Include whether you chose to work with the individualâs OTP, BROTP, or Favourite Character.
Use the specific guidelines for your gift (see below).
At the bottom of your post, be sure to TAG @untildawn-secretsanta. If you are unable to tag me (because tumblr does that sometimes), make sure you DM the post to me as I need to be able to find it.
Use the following hashtags: â#until dawnâ â#until dawn gift exchange 2026â â#udge2026â as well as the relevant character tags (ex. â#Matthew Taylorâ "#Emily Davis"). If you are unsure about a characterâs full name, let me know. You are welcome to add any other hashtags that you like, but those ones MUST be included.
PLEASE double check to ensure that your gift meets the requirements and follows the creation rules (I will include them below the cut on this post as a refresher).
Fanfiction:
If your gift is primarily written material, follow these steps while posting:
Complete the general guidelines.
Upload your gift to the fanfiction website of your choosing. If you are unable to upload to a fanfiction website, you may also use Google Docs which will allow you to use a shareable link, or you can post directly to tumblr. (If you use Google Docs, please make sure that your settings wonât allow someone else to come in and edit your work.)
DO NOT POST THE FULL WRITTEN PIECE ONTO TUMBLR WITHOUT A "READ MORE" CUT. I will not reblog long posts as they can be overwhelming! If you absolutely cannot upload anywhere else, you MUST use tumblrâs âRead Moreâ.
Create a quick (three to five sentences) teaser or choose a snippet of the story to post to tumblr.
Below the teaser/snippet, be sure to include a link to the full story. It would be after this point that you would add the âRead MoreâŠâ with the rest of the story, ONLY if you cannot upload elsewhere.
(Optional) If you have a cover, include that image on tumblr.
Fanart:
If your gift is fanart, follow these steps while posting:
Complete the general guidelines.
Upload your image(s) to tumblr.
In the caption, provide a quick explanation of the image (ex. âSince you listed your OTP as Jess and Emily, I drew them enjoying a day on the beachâ)
If you are planing to post from a blog URL that is different than the one you are participating under (using an art sideblog, for example), please let me know.
These guidelines are created to be a base for your post. You are welcome to add anything in addition to what was stated above, and you are always welcome to contact me should you require clarification on anything. Have fun creating!
Creation rules for a refresher below the cut:
CREATION RULES
(These are all rules that have been discussed in the Discord server, which all active participants agreed to keep up with when signing up for this exchange.)
Gifts are not to be posted (in part or in full) ANYWHERE public until the exchange date (August 25, 2025).
CONTENT WARNINGS:
If you are creating anything with gore/body horror, please anonymously double check with your gift recipient to make sure they're okay with that!
Anything NSFW shouldn't be taken further than what the game does. We all know Jess' iconic monologue outside of the guest cabin, and I'd say that's about as far as it should go dialogue-wise. In terms of fanart, you can ask with me if you're unsure. This has never really been an issue in previous years, so I'm not too worried about it. I don't want to censor things super harshly, so if you have any concerns/questions, just ask!
CREATION MINIMUMS:
Word count minimum is 2000 WORDS
Art is a little tricky to create a minimum for, but try to put at least 3 hours into your piece, and include a background of some sort (patterns are okay, we just want to avoid having just a white void). You want to present a finished drawing to your recipient! No sketches/super rough drawings, please.
NO USING GENERATIVE AI FOR GIFTS
OTHER:
Something I would like to touch on is the use of the W word. I think that if we are going to be celebrating Until Dawn, the least we could do is show respect by retiring the use of that word in our fanfic and fanart (many of you already mentioned this in your notes). Instead, I would like to recommend terms like monster/creature instead.
Also, please be careful to not whitewash Josh! Some photo references from the game can make him look pretty pale, so I recommend taking a look at photos of Rami Malek as well!
MODERATION STUFF: Tumblr is silly and sometimes doesn't give DM notifications, if I (@chris-hartley) do not reply within 24 hours, please poke me again -- or worst case scenario, message me on Discord! Thank you for your patience :)
âŒïžIF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING, LET IT BE THIS: IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO FINISH YOUR GIFT, LET ME KNOW ASAP!!! DON'T HIDE BECAUSE THEN I CAN'T CONTACT A BACK-UP AND YOUR GIFTEE MAY NOT GET A GIFTâŒïž
For those participating in the 2026 UDGE, please check your Tumblr DMs. You'll see one from me (@chris-hartley) giving you who you've drawn!
There will be a check-in in 6 weeks time (July 14th) to make sure you've started progressing on the gift -- whether that's brainstorming/starting/finishing!
REMINDER!!! The posting date is AUGUST 25, 2026! Plan accordingly :)
Another post has been made will all the posting info you need for this exchange!
Sign-Ups for the 2026 Until Dawn Gift Exchange are now OPEN!
If you are interested in signing up, please fill out this form!
(In case you missed it, the annual exchange has been moved to the game's anniversary for the foreseeable future, meaning that there WILL NOT be a winter exchange this year.)
As I mentioned, this is the only Until Dawn Gift Exchange happening this year! There will NOT be one in December. This annual event brings the fandom together to create fanart and fanfics as gifts for each other, and is a way to keep the tag alive and full of new things! There are no skill requirements as long as you are willing to put the effort in! đ«¶
Tomorrow (April 30, 2026) is the last day to sign up for the 2026 Until Dawn Gift Exchange! If you at all feel like joining, please fill out this form!
Sign-Ups for the 2026 Until Dawn Gift Exchange are now OPEN!
If you are interested in signing up, please fill out this form!
(In case you missed it, the annual exchange has been moved to the game's anniversary for the foreseeable future, meaning that there WILL NOT be a winter exchange this year.)
As I mentioned, this is the only Until Dawn Gift Exchange happening this year! There will NOT be one in December. This annual event brings the fandom together to create fanart and fanfics as gifts for each other, and is a way to keep the tag alive and full of new things! There are no skill requirements as long as you are willing to put the effort in! đ«¶
Sign-Ups for the 2026 Until Dawn Gift Exchange are now OPEN!
If you are interested in signing up, please fill out this form!
(In case you missed it, the annual exchange has been moved to the game's anniversary for the foreseeable future, meaning that there WILL NOT be a winter exchange this year.)
Howdy hey @crime-cryptid !! I'm your backup Secret Santa and I chose to make this Sam in a cutesy outdoorsy look since she was one of your favorite characters :)) I know its already March, but i hope you feel the holiday cheer đ
Sign-Ups for the 2026 Until Dawn Gift Exchange are now OPEN!
If you are interested in signing up, please fill out this form!
(In case you missed it, the annual exchange has been moved to the game's anniversary for the foreseeable future, meaning that there WILL NOT be a winter exchange this year.)
Sign-Ups for the 2026 Until Dawn Gift Exchange are now OPEN!
If you are interested in signing up, please fill out this form!
(In case you missed it, the annual exchange has been moved to the game's anniversary for the foreseeable future, meaning that there WILL NOT be a winter exchange this year.)
Sign-Ups for the 2026 Until Dawn Gift Exchange are now OPEN!
If you are interested in signing up, please fill out this form!
(In case you missed it, the annual exchange has been moved to the game's anniversary for the foreseeable future, meaning that there WILL NOT be a winter exchange this year.)
I invited my discord to join me in creating some Femslash works and thought if we wanted to get more things out there, I should invite tumblr as well! :P
i keep seeing other events I'd like to have done that are done in discords and released later or there's a few week/month events coming up where it's a prompt a day and I was like I need a list for socially awkward working adults.
With just about 3 months to go until the first anniversary, it's the perfect time to start celebrating!
đ What is a zine? đ
It's a collection of fanart, fanfiction, and potentially other fanworks (think recipes, crochet patterns, etc)! Ours will be focused on Lost Records: Bloom & Rage!
This zine will be digital ONLY and FREE, it is just a labour of love!
This zine will also be open to all participants aged 16+, no matter skill-level or experience. With that being said, pieces can and will be cut if they do not adhere to the guidelines.
đ What is expected of participants? đ
-All pieces must be original, completed, and focus solely on the characters/themes of the game.
-Pieces are NOT to be posted ahead of the final zine.
-Everyone will be asked to upload a 1"x1" avatar and signature.
-Pieces should be kept PG-13, NO NSFW content will be allowed.
-Artists: Pieces should be made to fit a A5 page and 300 dpi.
-Writers: Fanfiction should be approximately 1500-3000 words, but poetry can be shorter.
-Contributors can absolutely collaborate and work together!
đ What is the timeline? đ
Feb 8 - Check-in 1: ideas shared, but don't have to be committed to!
Mar 8 - Check-in 2: Sketch and draft WIPs must be shared, but no minimum amount must be completed!
Apr 5 - Final submissions are due by 11:59 PM PST! Extensions may be granted, please ask in advance!
Apr 15 - Completed zine posted!
Note: check-ins have soft guidelines but are mandatory. If you do not complete the check-ins, you will not get an extension on the final deadline.
If interested, please comment here and/or fill the interest check out!
The zine will be primarily run via Discord, but reminder posts are scheduled here and emails can easily be sent out!
Hello, @chris-hartley ! Merry Belated Christmas and a Haopy New Year! I wish I couldâve given you the full menagerie of art I shipped out previously, but I hope youâll enjoy what this Emergency Elf has to offer!
So I hope you donât mind me taking creative liberties but you said you like Chrashley, Climbing Chrash, and Matt x Ashley and I couldnât help but wonder⊠why not all the above?
My background source this time was SketchFab which offers free 3D models. I got silly with the locker graffiti but kinda wish I did more.
And⊠I will warn you Iâm not much of a fic writer, but I wanted to try and provide a little bit more for your gift. Please enjoy this silly Drabble featuring Stoner Ashley! Because I too swear by that.
In retrospect they really shouldâve started like this. It wouldâve made the popcorn and the crummy film itself a ton better.
âThat was uh⊠some pick, Josh.â Matt exhaled smoke through his nose, brows furrowed skeptically. Chris, sprawled out across Mattâs somehow longer-than-his legs chuffed as he plucked the blunt from Mattâs fingers.
âWell, the first red flag was Old Man Roberto Washingtino giving it his highest rating.â Josh rolled his eyes, barely waiting before snatching the blunt away from Chris.
âCâmon, Cochise. You know better than anyone not to hold it.â
Chris smiled lazily, almost deviously up at Josh, head in his lap with Ashleyâs head on his chest, hand nestled in her hair and occasionally brushing fingers with Matt. Ashley tilted her head up, eyes red and bleary. She swears itâs just the weed.
âIt actually⊠damages your lungs if anything. Let it out, dummy.â
Chris frowned, worriedly up at the other two fellas who simply nodded at him, Chris turning a shade paler as he released the plume of smoke from his mouth, only for Ashley in a surprise move to sit up and try to inhale it herself. Theyâd all been telling her to be more impulsive, and Chris looked as adorably stunned as she knew he would. It was almost perfect.
If only Josh hadnât had the same idea, at nearly the exact same moment, their heads bonking together so forcefully the taller men shared in the agony with a collective of hisses and oofs. It had sounded awful.
âBabe, you alright?â Chris winces as he backtracks from trying to rub the point of contact, sitting up to kiss around the area in an awkward attempt to provide comfort.
âJosh what the Hell?â Whinily, Ashley clings to her other two boyfriends (well, truth be told they were still in the âhow do we decide thisâ stage, and Matt was now a part of that process, and everything from darts to suggestions in a hat had come up but⊠ultimately theyâre just four geniuses milling about in Joshâs bed. With no clarity. Just the way Josh likes it; muddled and confusing.)
He snorts, trying to act as though the impact hadnât been as bad for him. âLoving the part where I donât get any kisses on my fucking booboo, Cochise.â
âBro. This was totally on you.â
âTraitor.â
âKnow what? Fuck it. We ball.â Matt leans over, planting a âsmekâ on Joshâs forehead, catching the surliest of them all by surprise. Lots of surprises going around today.
Matt blinked. Suddenly feeling three pairs of eyes just dwelling on him as though heâd just sprung the most divine of all epiphanies on them all.
âUh⊠should I not have, I mean⊠When Ash invited me I kinda figured this was it and we were going for it.â
Ashley, her reaction timing muted by her current state, pursed her like in thought. âI⊠I mean I donât freaking know. I totally never expected one boyfriend, and now Iâm shotgunning three. I am so not the one to ask!â
The Cheshire grinning bastard with his devious gleaming eyes snickered because of course heâd have more to say. âYeah? You sure about that? You know cause it seems like you had a plan when you went up to our football champ over there and bewitched him.â
Chris deliberated, but ultimately fell in line. Because once again, no duh. âAhh, youâve seduced us all with your sultry redhead wiles⊠just like your reverse harem animeâs.â
High or not, that finally brought back the sputtering defensive Ashley theyâd all grown accustomed to. âFirst of allâ never in my life would I ever! Ever everâAre you listening to me, Chris?âever watch that crap!â
Matt tilted his head. âI thought you and Hannah liked that one with the girl in the boyâs uniform?â
âOh? My god weâre getting so off track? Shut up?â
âRight, back to the Ashley Brown Dating Sim Secret Ending.â
Ashley snatched the blunt from Matt and inhaled deeply. Sheâd be needing a lot more at this rateâŠ
