Ornament Exchange Game Ideas for Parties

Ornament Exchange Game Ideas are a festive and cheerful way to bring people together during the holiday season, whether at a party, a workplace event, or even a family gathering. The classic version is a simple “White Elephant” style exchange where everyone brings a wrapped ornament, draws a number, and takes turns either choosing a new package or stealing a previously opened ornament. For a playful twist, you could try an “Ornament Dice Game,” where rolling certain numbers lets you swap, steal, or unwrap an ornament.

Another fun idea is the “Left-Right Ornament Story,” where participants pass their ornaments left or right every time the words “left” or “right” are mentioned in a funny holiday story. You could also set up a “Musical Ornaments” game, similar to musical chairs: pass the ornaments around while music plays, and when it stops, whoever is holding an ornament keeps it. These games add a layer of surprise, laughter, and light-hearted competition, making the ornament exchange feel more like a full experience rather than just a gift swap.

Ornament Exchange Game Ideas

Here’s a festive and creative list of 100+ Ornament Exchange Game Ideas, perfect for holiday parties, office gatherings, classrooms, or family get-togethers. These ideas go beyond just swapping — they turn the ornament exchange into a fun and memorable event!

🎲 Dice & Number Games

1. Roll a 6 to Swap

2. Roll to Steal (each number has a rule)

3. Odd = Steal, Even = Keep

4. Roll and Move Ornaments Clockwise

5. Dice + Action Combo (steal, swap, unwrap)

6. Ornament Dice Tree (roll, pick from “branches”)

7. Numbered Ornaments Game

8. Pick a Number = Pick an Ornament

9. Numbered Gift Cards Inside Ornaments

10. Number Scramble Draw (like bingo balls)

📖 Story-Based Games

11. Left-Right Story Game

12. Pass the Ornament: Santa Story Edition

13. Ornament Mystery Story Game

14. Holiday Mad Lib Swap

15. Elf Adventure Story Game (pass on keywords)

16. Pass on “Ho Ho Ho” Story

17. The Great Reindeer Race Story Game

18. Snowman Story Swap Game

19. Nutcracker Ornament Shuffle

20. Christmas Carol Story Game

🪑 Musical & Timed Games

21. Musical Ornaments (like musical chairs)

22. Ornament Hot Potato (pass to music)

23. Freeze Dance Ornament Grab

24. Timer Swap Game (every 30 seconds, rotate!)

25. Carol Countdown (swap every song change)

26. Spin-the-Playlist Swap

27. DJ Calls a Move (Swap! Steal! Switch!)

28. Christmas Bell Sound = Action Game

29. Ornament Clock Game (12 swaps)

30. Dance-Off for First Pick

🎄 Themed Ornament Picks

31. Color-Based Picks (pick by wrapping paper)

32. Pick by Ribbon Color

33. Size-Based Choosing Game

34. Ornament Shape Matching (match & trade)

35. Find Your Twin (2 same wrapping = exchange)

36. Animal-Themed Ornament Match

37. Name That Theme Swap

38. Color-Only Swap Game (red only, etc.)

39. Mini Tree Color Pick Game

40. Star/Angel/Bell Symbol Match

🎁 Traditional & White Elephant Style

41. Classic Numbered Exchange

42. Steal or Reveal Game

43. Unwrap or Take Game

44. Limit 2 Steals per Ornament

45. Last Person Steal Round

46. First Person Gets Final Swap Chance

47. 3-Strikes and You Keep It Rule

48. Guess the Ornament Game (open or pass)

49. Wrap It Oddly Game (weird boxes!)

50. “Open or Orna-steal” Twist

😄 Action/Challenge-Based Games

51. Tell a Holiday Joke to Pick

52. Answer Trivia to Pick or Steal

53. Sing a Carol to Earn a Swap

54. Share a Holiday Memory

55. Holiday Charades = Pick an Ornament

56. Truth or Treat (holiday version)

57. Ornament Challenge Cards (draw & do)

58. “Naughty or Nice” Question Game

59. Holiday Would-You-Rather Swap

60. Complete a Mini Puzzle First

👀 Mystery & Hidden Elements

61. Mystery Bag Exchange

62. Wrapped in 5 Layers (unwrap on turns)

63. Pass the Present Wrap Game

64. Hidden Tag Switch Game

65. Ornament Nesting (ornament inside boxes)

66. Pick from a Stocking

67. Tree Garland Clue Game

68. Mystery Tree Branch Pick

69. Who’s the Elf? (secret swappers)

70. Pick the Wrong Box Game

🧩 Group & Team Games

71. Ornament Relay Race

72. Puzzle Match to Open

73. Team Trivia for Team Pick

74. Team Snowball Fight (paper toss)

75. Holiday Pictionary for a Prize

76. Family Tree Match-Up

77. Name That Carol Group Game

78. Ornament Tower Building Challenge

79. Candy Cane Ring Toss to Win Picks

80. Teams Build an Ornament & Exchange

📸 Photo & Social Games

81. Take a Selfie With the Ornament You Want

82. Guess Who Brought It (photo wall)

83. Instagram Ornament Exchange Game

84. Post + Hashtag + Win Game

85. Selfie Scavenger Hunt Exchange

86. Secret Ornament Voting Contest

87. Photo Booth = Pick a Prize

88. Mystery Donor Photo Clues Game

89. Social Share for Swap Pass

90. Match the Ornament to the Photo

🧦 Sock, Stocking & Bag Variations

91. Stocking Swap Game

92. Draw from Santa’s Sack

93. Elf Boot Ornament Game

94. Snowman Sock Pull

95. Holiday Bag Swap Line

96. Hanging Gift Bags from Mantle

97. Giant Mitten Ornament Grab

98. Ugly Sweater Pocket Pick

99. Ornaments Inside Holiday Hats

100. Santa Sack Steal Round

🎉 Bonus & Unique Ornament Games

101. Ugly Ornament Contest

102. Guess the Price of the Ornament

103. Make & Swap (DIY station)

104. Secret Santa Ornament Reveal

105. “What’s Your Ornament Name?” Game

106. Ornament Auction (with fake money)

107. Holiday Bingo for Ornaments

108. Ornament Scavenger Hunt

109. Ornament Cookie Prize Exchange

110. Write a Note Inside Ornament Game

How To play

🎲 1. Roll a 6 to Swap

How to Play (Step-by-Step):

1. Each player starts with one wrapped ornament.

2. Take turns rolling a single die.

3. If a player rolls a 6, they MUST swap their ornament with someone else.

4. If they roll any other number, they keep their ornament for now.

5. After everyone has rolled once (or twice if you want it longer), the game ends, and everyone opens their final ornament!

✅ Tip: Make it faster by saying 5 or 6 = swap!

🎲 2. Roll to Steal (Each Number Has a Rule)

How to Play (Step-by-Step):

1. Set rules for each number on a die. Example:

   • 1 = Steal from anyone

   • 2 = Swap with anyone

   • 3 = Pick a new unopened ornament

   • 4 = Pass your ornament left

   • 5 = Pass your ornament right

   • 6 = Unwrap your ornament

2. Players take turns rolling and follow the action based on the number rolled.

3. Continue until all ornaments are unwrapped or for a set number of rounds.

✅ Tip: Print out the number-action chart for everyone to see easily!

🎲 3. Odd = Steal, Even = Keep

How to Play (Step-by-Step):

1. Every player starts with a wrapped ornament.

2. Players take turns rolling a die.

3. If they roll an odd number (1, 3, 5), they can steal someone else’s ornament.

4. If they roll an even number (2, 4, 6), they keep what they currently have.

5. After a few full rounds, everyone opens their final ornament!

✅ Tip: You can allow only 2 steals maximum per ornament to keep things fair.

🎲 4. Roll and Move Ornaments Clockwise

How to Play (Step-by-Step):

1. Everyone sits in a circle holding their wrapped ornament.

2. Roll one die.

3. Whatever number is rolled = number of seats you pass your ornament to the right (clockwise).

4. Keep rolling and passing for a few rounds.

5. When you call “Stop!” — everyone keeps the ornament they’re holding and unwraps it!

✅ Tip: Roll several times or let different people roll to mix things up more!

🎲 5. Dice + Action Combo (Steal, Swap, Unwrap)

How to Play (Step-by-Step):

1. Assign actions to die rolls like:

   • 1 = Unwrap your ornament (if not already)

   • 2 = Swap with someone

   • 3 = Steal an ornament (even unwrapped!)

   • 4 = Pass your ornament to the left

   • 5 = Pass your ornament to the right

   • 6 = Open a new ornament (if extra ones are available)

2. Each player rolls and does the matching action.

3. Play until everyone has an ornament and all are unwrapped!

✅ Tip: Keep a few extra wrapped ornaments in case someone needs to “open a new one.”

🎲 6. Ornament Dice Tree (Roll, Pick from “Branches”)

How to Play (Step-by-Step):

1. Hang ornaments on a large tree or display branches.

2. Assign areas of the tree a number (1–6).

3. Roll the die — the number you roll tells you which “branch” you pick your ornament from.

4. You then either keep or swap your ornament depending on additional house rules (optional).

✅ Tip: Make the upper branches the “best” prizes for extra excitement!

🎲 7. Numbered Ornaments Game

How to Play (Step-by-Step):

1. Number each ornament (use tags or stickers).

2. Players randomly draw a number from a hat.

3. They then find and pick the ornament with the matching number.

4. Everyone opens their ornaments at the same time (or you can allow trades after opening).

✅ Tip: Hide some extra “special” ornaments with bonus prizes attached to certain numbers!

🎲 8. Pick a Number = Pick an Ornament

How to Play (Step-by-Step):

1. Write numbers on slips of paper and place them in a bowl.

2. Each player draws a slip of paper.

3. Numbers correspond to wrapped ornaments sitting on a prize table.

4. Players grab the ornament matching their number.

✅ Tip: Mix up the prize values — some big, some funny, some cute!

🎲 9. Numbered Gift Cards Inside Ornaments

How to Play (Step-by-Step):

1. Hide small gift cards inside some of the ornaments.

2. Number the outside of each ornament.

3. Players draw a number or roll a die to pick an ornament.

4. They open the ornament — some will have regular ornaments, and some have bonus gift cards inside!

✅ Tip: Mix $5 and $10 gift cards, or mystery coupons like “extra candy” or “holiday hug”!

🎲 10. Number Scramble Draw (like Bingo Balls)

How to Play (Step-by-Step):

1. Place numbered balls (or slips of paper) into a large bag or bucket.

2. One by one, draw numbers randomly.

3. As each number is called, the player with that number gets to pick or steal an ornament.

4. Keep drawing until all players have a final ornament.

✅ Tip: Add bonus rounds like “wild card” draws where someone can swap freely!