Christmas isn’t just about piling up presents under the tree—it’s about making those gifts a blast to give! This year, why not add a twist to your holiday gathering with some fun gift exchange games that’ll have everyone laughing, scheming, and sharing stories long after the eggnog’s gone? We’ve listed eight of the most playful and unique Christmas gift exchange games to turn your Christmas gathering into a gift-giving adventure.
How to make a gift exchange game fun?
Here are six ways to make a gift exchange game a blast that everyone will be talking about for Christmases to come:
- Set a silly theme: Forget the usual “Secret Santa” vibes—go with something that’ll get people laughing before they even wrap their gift. Think “Things You’d Never Buy Yourself” or “Retro Finds from Your Closet.” When everyone’s in on the joke, the fun kicks in right from the start.
- Make ‘em earn it: Add a challenge for each gift. Before they can open it, the person has to tell an embarrassing holiday story, do a quick dance, or guess what’s inside. A little friendly competition (and a few laughs) make the unwrapping an event in itself!
- Spice things up with steals: If you’re doing a swap game like White Elephant, make a rule where every gift has to be “stolen” at least once. Nothing keeps the energy up like a little playful back-and-forth and the drama of seeing who’ll end up with the most-wanted gift!
- Throw in a wildcard gift: Mix in one ridiculously weird or funny item that no one saw coming—a rubber chicken, a tiny cactus, or a toy from the dollar store. This unexpected surprise keeps everyone on their toes, and it’s always fun to see who’ll end up with it!
- Add a riddle or mystery clue: Attach a cryptic hint or funny riddle to each gift so people can guess what’s inside before opening it. It adds a layer of intrigue, and it’s always amusing to see how wildly people’s guesses can miss the mark.
Gifts you can buy for a fun Christmas gift exchange game
For a Christmas gift exchange game, you want stuff that’s equal parts fun, unexpected, and guaranteed to get a chuckle (or a heated round of friendly gift-stealing). Here’s a list of crowd-pleasers to throw in the mix:
- Mini desk games
- Ridiculously cozy slippers
- Popcorn bucket with fancy seasonings
- Desk plant or mini succulent
- Funny coffee mugs
- Instant camera or mini photo printer
- Snack variety pack
- Crazy cool socks
- Mystery puzzle box
1. The “left, eight” game
In this game, gifts swap hands in a flurry as a story full of “lefts” and “rights” is read aloud. Each time the word “left” is mentioned, everyone passes their gift to the left; each “right” means a pass to the right. The story keeps everyone in suspense and often ends in chaotic hilarity as gifts zigzag unpredictably around the room.
What’s needed:
- One gift per participant
- A “left, right” story (easily found online or made up with a bit of imagination)
How to do the “left, eight” game:
- Sit in a circle, each holding a gift.
- Read the story, pausing each time you say “left” or “right.”
- At the end, each person keeps the gift they’re holding.
2. The dice game
This game turns the simple act of unwrapping into a wild event! Each person rolls dice to determine their next move—swap, steal, unwrap, or pass. With a few rolls, even the most prized gift could be whisked away or traded, and players are never quite sure what they’ll end up with.
What’s needed:
- Gifts wrapped several times (layered like a pass-the-parcel)
- One or two dice
How to do the dice game:
- Sit in a circle and start with one person rolling the dice.
- Each number on the dice corresponds to an action (e.g., “1” is swap, “2” is unwrap).
- Keep playing until all gifts are unwrapped.
3. Hot potato gift passing
This classic game brings some festive tension. A gift is passed around the circle to music; when the music stops, the person holding it unwraps one layer of wrapping paper. Play continues until the last layer is gone and the final person keeps the prize.
What’s needed:
- A gift wrapped in several layers
- Music player
How to do hot potato gift passing:
- Start the music and pass the gift around the circle.
- Stop the music randomly; whoever holds the gift unwraps a layer.
- Repeat until the gift is fully unwrapped.
4. Santa’s naughty or nice
Each player picks a card from the “Naughty” or “Nice” pile to decide their next move. Nice cards reward players with actions like “unwrap a layer,” while Naughty cards keep them on their toes with challenges like “steal from a neighbor.” It’s a delightful twist where players earn their gifts…or lose them!
What’s needed:
- Naughty and Nice action cards
- Wrapped gifts
How to do Santa’s naughty or nice:
- Arrange everyone in a circle with their wrapped gift.
- Each person draws a card and follows the action listed.
- Play until all gifts are opened.
5. The roll and steal game
A roll of the dice can turn the tables! Each number represents a specific action (like swap with a neighbor or keep your gift). It’s a game of luck and strategy as participants watch gifts change hands with each roll, adding an unpredictable thrill to the exchange.
What’s needed:
- One dice
- Wrapped gifts
How to do the roll and steal game:
- Sit in a circle with each person holding a gift.
- Take turns rolling the dice and follow the corresponding action.
- Keep going until everyone’s settled with a gift.
6. Gift auction
Players use “holiday bucks” to bid on mystery gifts, creating suspense and drama as they battle for prizes. The twist? They don’t know what’s inside! The auction element adds a strategic flair, with players going all-in or holding back to snag what they hope is the ultimate prize.
What’s needed:
- Wrapped gifts
- Fake currency (holiday bucks)
How to do gift auction :
- Distribute an equal amount of holiday bucks to each player.
- Start the auction, bidding on gifts without knowing what’s inside.
- Highest bidder wins each round until all gifts are claimed.
7. The scavenger hunt gift grab
Instead of exchanging gifts traditionally, turn it into a scavenger hunt. Clues lead participants from one gift spot to the next, with surprises hidden all around. It’s an adventure, and the thrill of the chase is half the fun!
What’s needed:
- Gifts hidden around the space
- Clues for each gift’s location
How to do the scavenger hunt gift grab:
- Hide gifts in various locations and place clues around.
- Give the first clue to start the hunt.
- Follow each clue to find all gifts—each person takes one as they discover it.
8. Musical gifts
It’s like musical chairs but with gifts! Everyone walks around a table of wrapped gifts to music, stopping when the music stops. Whatever fun Christmas gift is in front of them when the music halts, they take it, but there’s always a chance for a last-minute swap to keep the suspense alive.
What’s needed:
- A variety of wrapped gifts
- Music player
How to do musical gifts:
- Place all gifts in a circle.
- Start the music and have everyone walk around the gifts.
- When the music stops, each person grabs the nearest gift.
To finish off
Christmas gift exchange games are hands-down one of my favorite holiday traditions—there’s just something special about the thrill of surprise, a little friendly competition, and those unexpected moments of laughter. The best part? Watching everyone’s reactions as they steal, swap, or unwrap the most bizarre or coveted gifts in the room!
