christmas gift exchange games

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Ah, the holidays—the time of year when homes are filled with laughter, festive tunes, and a whole lot of wrapping paper!

But let’s face it, we’ve all been there—sitting in a circle with our friends or family, awkwardly swapping presents while trying to avoid the dreaded re-gift from last year. 😅

What if I told you that your gift exchange doesn’t have to be predictable or dull? So, before you get stuck in the same old Secret Santa routine or pulling names from a hat, let’s shake things up with some fresh, fun, and totally hilarious Christmas gift exchange games that everyone will love.

Ready to bring the holly jolly fun to your festivities? Let’s get this party started!

1. White Elephant

Ready to Stir Up Some Holiday Mischief? 12 Christmas Gift Exchange Games That’ll Have Everyone Cracking Up

Who doesn’t love a cheeky surprise? The White Elephant game is an all-time favorite for good reason. Each player brings a wrapped gift and places it in a central pile. Participants draw numbers to determine their picking order.

Number one chooses a gift from the pile and unwraps it, revealing their treasure (or dud!). The twist? Subsequent players can either pick from the pile or steal a previously opened gift.

There’s nothing like the thrill of snagging a coveted prize right from your uncle’s hands—only to have it swiped moments later by your sister!

2. Left Right Story Game

Ever played a game where listening skills could make or break your victory? Gather everyone in a circle, each holding a wrapped gift. Start reading a story filled with the words “left” and “right.”

Every time you hear a direction, pass your gift accordingly. It’s always hilarious to see people scramble to keep up! By the end of the tale, whatever gift you’re holding is yours to keep.

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3. Hot Potato Gift Exchange

Ready to Stir Up Some Holiday Mischief? 12 Christmas Gift Exchange Games That’ll Have Everyone Cracking Up

Ready to turn up the heat? Play a festive version of hot potato but with gifts! Everyone sits in a circle as holiday music plays and gifts are passed around. When the music stops, the person holding the gift gets to keep it.

Now, you can either rule out the person who gets one gift so that everyone can win or just let the game play until all gifts get their owners. Yep, one person may or may not get 3 gifts as well!

This game always ends in laughter, especially when the music cuts off unexpectedly!

4. Dice Gift Swap

Everyone brings a wrapped gift and sits in a circle. On your turn, roll the dice—roll a six and start unwrapping a gift. But here’s the catch, you only have a limited time before the next person’s roll interrupts your unwrapping spree.

Oh yeah, they can continue rolling for a six until they get one to interrupt you. It’s a race against the clock that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats!

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5. Secret Santa Surprise

Ready to Stir Up Some Holiday Mischief? 12 Christmas Gift Exchange Games That’ll Have Everyone Cracking Up

Who doesn’t love a good ol’ Secret Santa? It’s all about thoughtful giving, wrapped in a veil of mystery! But here’s a twist—make it a themed Secret Santa. Imagine everyone trying to find a gift starting with the letter ‘P’ or something red and green.

The creativity will make your gathering one for the books!

6. Gift Auction

This might just be the ultimate test of strategy and luck! Everyone brings a gift, and you auction them off using fake currency or tokens. Will you spend all your “money” on that intriguing small package, or save it for a bigger, shinier box later on?

You can even choose to make the bucks through trivia questions, scavenger hunts, or mini-games, then let the bidding begin!

7. The Grinch Game

Ready to Stir Up Some Holiday Mischief? 12 Christmas Gift Exchange Games That’ll Have Everyone Cracking Up

Feeling a bit mischievous? The Grinch Game is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of playful trickery.

Participants draw numbers to determine the order of gift selection, but here’s the catch—some gifts come with a “Grinch” card that allows you to swap or steal gifts at any point. It’s all about strategy and timing!

Just picture the delight on your friend’s face when they think they’re about to open a spa day voucher, only to be handed a plastic frog!

8. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Why should the kids have all the fun? Organize a Christmas scavenger hunt that brings out the inner adventurer in everyone.

Create a list of holiday-themed items to find around the house or neighborhood, like a candy cane, a Santa hat, or a wreath. Add some riddles or clues for each item to make it even more challenging and entertaining.

This game is perfect for larger groups and gets everyone moving and laughing.

9. Gift Guessing Game

Ready to Stir Up Some Holiday Mischief? 12 Christmas Gift Exchange Games That’ll Have Everyone Cracking Up

Add an element of mystery to your gift exchange with the Gift Guessing Game. Each person brings a wrapped gift and writes three cryptic clues about it on the tag. Before opening the presents, everyone takes turns guessing what’s inside based on the hints.

This game is perfect for sparking conversations and sharing laughs as imaginative guesses fly around the room. One year, my cousin guessed “a stuffed iguana” for a box that contained a gourmet coffee set—because, as she put it, “iguanas and coffee are both green!”

It’s all in good fun, and the guesses are often more entertaining than the gifts themselves.

10. Christmas Bingo

Bingo but make it festive! Create bingo cards adorned with holiday-themed icons or phrases—think candy canes, reindeer, or “Ho, Ho, Ho!” Each time you achieve a Bingo, you choose a gift or steal one from a fellow player.

The first to get five in a row wins the pick of the litter!

  • Pro tip: mix up the icons with inside jokes for an extra layer of fun!

11. Candy Cane Hunt Exchange

Ready to Stir Up Some Holiday Mischief? 12 Christmas Gift Exchange Games That’ll Have Everyone Cracking Up

Picture this—a scavenger hunt but with a sweet twist! Hide numbered candy canes throughout your party space and watch the fun unfold. The hunt ends in two ways—either someone finds the last cane or the sugar rush from munching on a few kicks in!

The numbers determine the gift-picking order, so there’s a thrill in both the hunt and the discovery.

  • Pro tip? Add a few decoy “naughty” canes for some added giggles.

12. Santa’s Sack Mystery

Inject a bit of mystery into your gift-giving with Santa’s Sack! Wrap all the gifts in identical paper and toss them into Santa’s sack. Each person gets a chance to blindly pick a present. It’s always amusing to see what people end up with—and the look of surprise on their faces!

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