Adult Christmas Gift Game Ideas for Parties

Adult Christmas gift game ideas bring a playful and often humorous twist to the tradition of exchanging presents. These games are designed to keep the atmosphere lively, encourage laughter, and make gift-giving more interactive and unpredictable. A classic example is the “White Elephant” or “Yankee Swap,” where participants bring wrapped gifts and take turns selecting or stealing presents from others—resulting in hilarious rivalries and surprises. The “Secret Santa” game adds a thoughtful element, as each participant is secretly assigned a person to buy a gift for, revealing their identity only at the end.

For a more strategic twist, the “Left-Right Game” uses a narrated story filled with the words “left” and “right,” prompting players to pass gifts around in those directions until the story ends. Other creative variations include “Gift Auction,” where guests use fake money to bid on mystery presents, or “The Dice Game,” where rolling specific numbers determines whether you can unwrap, steal, or swap gifts. These games not only make adults feel like kids again but also turn a simple gift exchange into an unforgettable part of the Christmas celebration.

Adult Christmas Gift Game Ideas

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Credit: @craftgrooms

Description:
A hilarious and unpredictable gift swap game where everyone brings a wrapped present, and players “steal” gifts from one another. The fun comes from surprise gifts and playful strategy. Perfect for large groups.

How to Play:

• Each participant brings a wrapped gift of a predetermined price range.
• Place all gifts in a central pile.
• Draw numbers to decide the order of play.
• Player 1 chooses and unwraps a gift.
• Player 2 can either steal Player 1’s gift or open a new one.
• Continue until everyone has had a turn.
• A gift can only be stolen 3 times before it’s “frozen.”
• The game ends when all gifts are opened.

Secret Santa with a Twist

Credit: @zoomtv

Description:
A classic Secret Santa is made mischievous with surprise challenges or funny clues before the big reveal. Ideal for friends or coworkers who love surprises.

How to Play:

• Assign everyone a recipient anonymously using a random name draw.

• Each person buys a thoughtful or funny gift.

• Before gifting, each participant must give 3 clues about their recipient or the gift.

• Recipients guess who their Secret Santa might be.

• After everyone guesses, reveal the true givers.

• Add a twist: losers of the guessing round must perform a silly Christmas dare or sing a carol.

• This keeps laughter and suspense high throughout the exchange.

Christmas Sock Exchange

Credit: @icecreamforlearning

Description:
Everyone brings a small gift hidden inside a festive Christmas sock. It’s cozy, fun, and perfect for themed parties or pajama nights.

How to Play:

• Ask each player to fill a Christmas sock with small gifts.

• Label socks with numbers.

• Players draw numbers to pick a sock.

• Optionally, allow gift “stealing” after unwrapping.

• Reveal all gifts and see who ends up with the funniest or coziest socks.

• End with a “Best Sock Stuffing” award to boost the fun and creativity factor.

Christmas Dice Exchange

Credit: Leap of Faith Crafting

Description:
A fast-paced gift game where dice decide your fate—swap, unwrap, or steal! Great for groups that love a mix of luck and laughter.

How to Play:

• Each player brings one wrapped gift.

• Everyone sits in a circle with their gift in front of them.

• Roll two dice to determine the action (e.g., 2 = steal, 4 = swap, 6 = unwrap).

• Continue for several rounds until all gifts are opened.

• Players keep the gifts they have at the end of the final round.

• The randomness of dice ensures fun chaos and unpredictable swaps.

Pass the Parcel (Christmas Edition)

Credit: @clubpilatesashmore

Description:
A holiday spin on the classic childhood game where players unwrap layers of gifts to Christmas music—perfect for nostalgia and excitement.

How to Play:

• Wrap a small gift in multiple layers of paper.
• Between each layer, insert a small trinket or note.
• Sit everyone in a circle and play festive music.
• Pass the parcel around until the music stops.
• Whoever holds it unwraps one layer.
• Continue until the final gift is revealed.
• Optionally, add fun challenges or trivia inside each layer for more interaction.

Gift Auction Game

Credit: @jadelynnbrooke

Description:
Turn your Christmas exchange into an auction! Players bid on mystery gifts using fake money or candy canes as currency.

How to Play:

• Each participant brings a wrapped mystery gift.

• Distribute fake money or tokens equally among players.

• Present each gift one by one without revealing its contents.

• Players bid on gifts using their tokens.

• The highest bidder wins the gift and unwraps it immediately.

• Continue until all gifts are auctioned off.

• Optional twist: allow “buybacks” or random re-auctions to stir up laughter and friendly competition.

Guess the Gift

Credit: @White Elephant Rules

Description:
Test your deduction skills by shaking, sniffing, and guessing what’s inside each wrapped present. Ideal for curious and competitive adults.

How to Play:

• Everyone brings a wrapped gift and places it in the pile.

• Each player chooses one but cannot open it.

• They can inspect, shake, or ask one yes/no question about it.

• Each player writes down their guess.

• After everyone guesses, unwrap the gifts to reveal the truth.

• The most accurate guesser wins a bonus prize or bragging rights.

Christmas Drinking Gift Game

Credit: @spiritedla

A lively and laughter-filled adult game combining gift exchange with holiday-themed drinking rules. Great for festive nights with friends.

How to Play:

• Everyone brings one wrapped gift.

• Set fun rules like “Take a sip if your gift gets stolen” or “Drink if you unwrap something naughty.”

• Play using the White Elephant method.

• Each round, add new drink-based twists (e.g., everyone toasts if a Santa gift appears).

• Continue until all gifts are opened.

• Keep the vibe lighthearted—fun, not messy!

Holiday Trivia Gift Grab

Credit: @playpartyplan

Description:
Mix Christmas trivia with gift selection! Knowledge earns first pick at mystery presents. Fun and competitive for trivia lovers.

How to Play:

• Prepare 20+ Christmas-themed trivia questions.

• Place all gifts in the center.

• Ask questions one by one; whoever answers correctly picks or steals a gift.

• Continue until all gifts are gone.

• Bonus: include “challenge cards” that can swap or steal gifts unexpectedly.

• The combination of smarts and luck keeps everyone engaged and laughing.

Left-Right Christmas Story

Credit@Play.Party.Plan

Description:
A storytelling gift game where players pass presents left or right according to the story cues. Great for laughter and group energy.

How to Play:

• Everyone sits in a circle holding a wrapped gift.

• Read a funny Christmas story that includes the words “left” and “right” frequently.

• Every time one of those words is said, everyone passes their gift in that direction.

• Continue until the story ends.

• Each person keeps the gift they’re holding.

• Simple, fun, and filled with chaos as gifts keep switching hands!