Christmas Gift giving Game Ideas for Parties

Christmas Gift giving Game Ideas – Gift-giving games add a layer of fun and suspense to traditional Christmas exchanges, making them memorable and entertaining. One classic is the White Elephant Game (also known as Dirty Santa), where everyone brings a wrapped, anonymous gift. Players draw numbers to choose gifts, with the option to “steal” previously opened items, often leading to hilarious and competitive moments.

Another crowd favorite is the Secret Santa game, where participants are randomly assigned someone to buy a gift for, keeping the giver’s identity a secret until the exchange. For a playful twist, try the Dice Gift Exchange Game – players roll a die and follow specific rules (like swap gifts, open one, or pass left/right). There’s also the Left-Right Story Game, where a story is read aloud and every time the word “left” or “right” is mentioned, players pass the gift in that direction. These games can be adapted for all age groups and budgets, making the gift exchange process more interactive, unpredictable, and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Christmas Gift giving Game Ideas

White Elephant Gift Exchange (a.k.a. Yankee Swap)

Credit @Harbour Breeze Home

Description:
A humorous gift exchange where players “steal” gifts from each other.

How to Play:

• Everyone brings a wrapped gift (set price limit).

• Draw numbers to determine order.

• Player 1 picks and unwraps a gift.

• Player 2 can unwrap a new gift or steal Player 1’s.

• If a gift is stolen, the person whose gift was taken picks another.

• Each gift can be stolen only 3 times.

• Game ends when all gifts are opened.

Secret Santa

Credit @Shari’s Berries

Description:
A classic anonymous gift-giving game among a group.

How to Play:

• Names are written and drawn randomly.

• Each person is assigned someone to secretly give a gift to.

• Set a budget and deadline for giving.

• Gifts are labeled with the recipient’s name, not the giver’s.

• Everyone guesses who their Secret Santa is after opening their gift.

• Optionally, reveal identities at the end.

Left-Right Story Game

Description:
Pass gifts around while a story full of “left” and “right” directions is read.

How to Play:

• Everyone sits in a circle holding a wrapped gift.

• A designated reader reads a pre-written story with many uses of “left” and “right.”

• Every time “left” or “right” is read, gifts are passed in that direction.

• At the end of the story, each person keeps the gift they’re holding.

• Funny and fast-paced!

Roll the Dice Gift Exchange

Credit @Sean Ross

Description:
A dice-based game where each roll determines a gift-related action.

How to Play:

• Sit in a circle with wrapped gifts in the center.

• Players take turns rolling two dice.

• Each number corresponds to an action:

  • 2: Steal a gift

  • 4: Swap gifts

  • 6: Open a gift

  • etc.

• Continue until all gifts are opened.

• Players keep the gift in front of them at the end.

Musical Gifts

Credit @Play.Party.Plan

Description:
Like musical chairs, but with gift passing.

How to Play:

• Everyone sits in a circle with a wrapped gift.

• Play Christmas music while gifts are passed.

• When the music stops, whoever is holding the gift keeps it.

• Repeat until all players have a gift.

• Can be played with one gift or multiple rotating rounds.

Christmas Gift Auction

Credit @Cube Self Storage Hong Kong

Description:
Players “bid” on gifts using fake money or points.

How to Play:

• Everyone gets an equal amount of fake money.

• Wrapped gifts are displayed for bidding.

• An auctioneer presents each gift with hints but no reveals.

• Players bid using their play money.

• Highest bidder wins the gift.

• This works best with a good mix of funny and serious gifts.

Christmas Trivia Gift Game

Credit @Homemade-Gifts-Made-Easy.com

Description:
Win gifts by answering holiday trivia questions.

How to Play:

• Prepare wrapped gifts and Christmas trivia questions.

• Players answer questions in turns.

• A correct answer earns the right to pick a gift.

• Others may steal by answering harder questions.

• Keep score or play until all gifts are distributed.

Gift Guessing Game

Credit @Giftster

Description:
Guess what’s inside before unwrapping.

How to Play:

• Everyone brings a mysterious, wrapped gift.

• Players take turns picking a gift and guessing what’s inside (one try).

• If correct, they keep it. If wrong, they must trade with someone else.

• Fun for oddly shaped or tricky gifts!

Gift Hunt (Scavenger Style)

Credit @Made With Happy

Description:
Gifts are hidden and players follow clues to find them.

How to Play:

• Hide wrapped gifts around the room or house.

• Create clues leading players to each location.

• Clues can be riddles, rhymes, or mini puzzles.

• Players follow a trail of clues, either in teams or individually.

• Whoever finds a gift keeps it.

• Ideal for kids or family gatherings!