gift-circle.py

#!/usr/bin/python

'''
Python-based gift exchange randomizer. 
Step through a list of people and, for each member of that list, 
select someone else to be a recipient of their gift. That recipient:
    
    A) Must not be themselves (no self-gifting)
    B) Must not already have been assigned as a recipient
    
'''
from collections import deque
import random

# Participants
people = ['John','Jamie','Avis','Jim','Amy','Scot']

random.shuffle(people)
receivers = deque(people)
receivers.rotate(len(receivers)-1)

for giver, receiver in zip(people, receivers):
    print '%s gives to %s' % (giver, receiver)
    print