Get ready for holiday fun! Get five different ideas for a fun gift exchange game for your Christmas party this year. Fun games from White Elephant to Secret Santa ideas (and other gift exchanges) that bring laughs, surprises, and joy to your gathering.
Whenever you do a gift exchange where people bring gifts not intended for a specific person, it is fun to have a game to go with the gift exchange. Here are some gift exchange games for you to try this Christmas.
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Numbered Gift Exchange
This is my favorite way to do a gift exchange, but it really only works if you have people willing to steal gifts from each other.
You all sit in a circle and put the gifts in the center of the circle. You write out a number for each person on a slip of paper and put it into a bowl. People draw numbers.
Number one goes first. He picks a gift and unwraps it. Everyone needs to be able to see what the gift is.
Number two goes next. Number two can either steal the gift number one got or choose a new gift from the center.
A gift can only be stolen 2-3 times and then it is safe (decide on a number before the game starts).
At the end, number one gets to go again. So if you had ten people, after number ten went, number one would then get to either stick with what he has or steal any gift that is still eligible to be stolen.
If number one’s gift is stolen by number two, then number one chooses a new gift from the center.
Why it’s great: Great for groups that are comfortable with each other so they are willing to steal.
Number Swap Variation
If you want to play this game but force some action, Here is how to mix it up. Instead of simply choosing gifts by number, each number comes with a special rule. For example:
- #1 gets to open any gift
- #4 must swap with someone wearing Christmas socks
- #9 trades with the person across from them
You can customize the rules to fit your group. It adds a lighthearted twist to the traditional numbered exchange.
Why it’s great: Adds a fun twist to the basic numbered game.
Never Have I Ever Gift Exchange
Before your guests arrive, write down a list of “never have I ever” statements. “Never have I ever shopped on Christmas Eve” for example.
Everyone sits in a circle with the gift they brought in front of them. One at a time, each person draws a “never have I ever” statement. Go around the circle reading the statements.
There are many ways you could play this out. You could have everyone who has done the item get up and move clockwise to the next open seat. You could also have the person reading the statement trade with one other person. I prefer multiple people moving to help mix up who gets what gift.
The gift stays in the same spot and the people move. At the end, you all open the gift in front of you.
Why it’s great: This is a fun way for guests to get to know each other.
>>>Read: Over 40 Perfect White Elephant Gift Ideas
Christmas Carol Gift Exchange
Everyone sits in a circle. Take one gift from the gift pile. Start a Christmas Carol and pass the gift. Once the music stops, the person holding the gift names the next word in the song. If she is correct, she keeps the gift and steps out of the circle.
You then continue with the next song.
You can have it so the person who names the next word correctly can keep the gift they have or trade with someone else if desired.
Why it’s great: High energy and great for kids or mixed-age groups.
Right and Left Story Gift Exchange
With this activity, everyone sits in a circle. You read a story that has been created for this game. Every time you say the word “right”, people pass their gift to the right. Every time you say the word “left”, people pass their gift to the left. At the end of the story, you keep the gift you have.
There are a lot of stories out on the internet. If you do a google search for “gift exchange game right left story” you will get many options come up.
Why it’s great: Zero prep (besides the story), and works for all ages.
Roll the Dice Gift Swap
Place all gifts in the center and have everyone sit in a circle. Players take turns rolling a die, and each number corresponds to an action—steal a gift, swap with someone on your right, trade with someone wearing red, or choose an unopened gift. You can make the rules as tame or silly as you want. This one is fast-paced and full of surprises.
Example prompts:
- 1 = Steal any gift
- 2 = Swap with the person on your right
- 3 = Swap with the person on your left
- 4 = Everyone passes their gift to the right
- 5 = Freeze (skip your turn)
- 6 = Pick any unopened gift
Why it’s great: Fast-paced and super funny with groups.
Conclusion
These four games are all great options to make your white elephant gift exchange or simple gift exchange fun at your Christmas party this year.
Related Christmas Posts
- How To Help Baby Sleep at a Holiday Party
- Over 60 White Elephant Gift Ideas People Will Want
- Cute Family Christmas Card Ideas
- The Best Christmas Treats to Make With Kids
- Christmas Activities for Kids
- Family Christmas Traditions: 17 Fun Traditions Children Will Love
This post first appeared on this blog in December 2019
