What's the simplest way to pick a fair crafting group giveaway winner?

[Chloe90]

I’m trying to run a giveaway for my small crafting group, but I’m stuck on how to pick a winner fairly without using a complicated tool. I’ve seen people mention using a random name picker online, but I’m worried it might seem less transparent to the participants. How do you all usually handle the actual selection process to keep it simple and trustworthy?

[AbigailBM]

I keep it simple: everyone who enters gets a slip with their name, I drop them in a jar and draw one on camera. I read the name aloud and post the clip so people can see the exact moment.

[Andrew.M]

We do a numbers method: assign 1 to each entry, toss the slips in a bag, draw one, then post the slip with the number, the name, and the draw time.

[AlexanderHT]

I tried an online name picker once but it felt sketchy. So I filmed the whole process with the list visible, and asked a friend to watch and confirm, then posted the video plus the list.

[Penelope.R]

A small tweak that helps me: I close entries at a fixed time and publish the official rules in the same post. Keeps everyone on the same page and avoids last minute rush.

[Michael_M]

I once had someone complain because I drew after the deadline, so now I post the exact deadline and keep entries locked until then.

[Michael81]

Maybe the real issue isn't the draw method but whether the rules are clear and trusted by everyone; do you think the problem is actually transparency or something else?