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.
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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
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Roll a 6 to Swap
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Roll to Steal (each number has a rule)
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Odd = Steal, Even = Keep
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Roll and Move Ornaments Clockwise
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Dice + Action Combo (steal, swap, unwrap)
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Ornament Dice Tree (roll, pick from “branches”)
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Numbered Ornaments Game
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Pick a Number = Pick an Ornament
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Numbered Gift Cards Inside Ornaments
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Number Scramble Draw (like bingo balls)
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📖 Story-Based Games
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Left-Right Story Game
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Pass the Ornament: Santa Story Edition
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Ornament Mystery Story Game
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Holiday Mad Lib Swap
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Elf Adventure Story Game (pass on keywords)
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Pass on “Ho Ho Ho” Story
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The Great Reindeer Race Story Game
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Snowman Story Swap Game
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Nutcracker Ornament Shuffle
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Christmas Carol Story Game
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🪑 Musical & Timed Games
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Musical Ornaments (like musical chairs)
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Ornament Hot Potato (pass to music)
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Freeze Dance Ornament Grab
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Timer Swap Game (every 30 seconds, rotate!)
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Carol Countdown (swap every song change)
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Spin-the-Playlist Swap
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DJ Calls a Move (Swap! Steal! Switch!)
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Christmas Bell Sound = Action Game
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Ornament Clock Game (12 swaps)
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Dance-Off for First Pick
🎄 Themed Ornament Picks
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Color-Based Picks (pick by wrapping paper)
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Pick by Ribbon Color
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Size-Based Choosing Game
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Ornament Shape Matching (match & trade)
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Find Your Twin (2 same wrapping = exchange)
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Animal-Themed Ornament Match
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Name That Theme Swap
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Color-Only Swap Game (red only, etc.)
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Mini Tree Color Pick Game
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Star/Angel/Bell Symbol Match
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🎁 Traditional & White Elephant Style
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Classic Numbered Exchange
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Steal or Reveal Game
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Unwrap or Take Game
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Limit 2 Steals per Ornament
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Last Person Steal Round
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First Person Gets Final Swap Chance
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3-Strikes and You Keep It Rule
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Guess the Ornament Game (open or pass)
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Wrap It Oddly Game (weird boxes!)
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“Open or Orna-steal” Twist
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😄 Action/Challenge-Based Games
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Tell a Holiday Joke to Pick
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Answer Trivia to Pick or Steal
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Sing a Carol to Earn a Swap
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Share a Holiday Memory
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Holiday Charades = Pick an Ornament
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Truth or Treat (holiday version)
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Ornament Challenge Cards (draw & do)
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“Naughty or Nice” Question Game
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Holiday Would-You-Rather Swap
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Complete a Mini Puzzle First
👀 Mystery & Hidden Elements
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Mystery Bag Exchange
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Wrapped in 5 Layers (unwrap on turns)
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Pass the Present Wrap Game
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Hidden Tag Switch Game
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Ornament Nesting (ornament inside boxes)
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Pick from a Stocking
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Tree Garland Clue Game
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Mystery Tree Branch Pick
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Who’s the Elf? (secret swappers)
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Pick the Wrong Box Game
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🧩 Group & Team Games
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Ornament Relay Race
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Puzzle Match to Open
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Team Trivia for Team Pick
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Team Snowball Fight (paper toss)
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Holiday Pictionary for a Prize
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Family Tree Match-Up
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Name That Carol Group Game
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Ornament Tower Building Challenge
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Candy Cane Ring Toss to Win Picks
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Teams Build an Ornament & Exchange
📸 Photo & Social Games
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Take a Selfie With the Ornament You Want
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Guess Who Brought It (photo wall)
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Instagram Ornament Exchange Game
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Post + Hashtag + Win Game
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Selfie Scavenger Hunt Exchange
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Secret Ornament Voting Contest
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Photo Booth = Pick a Prize
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Mystery Donor Photo Clues Game
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Social Share for Swap Pass
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Match the Ornament to the Photo
🧦 Sock, Stocking & Bag Variations
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Stocking Swap Game
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Draw from Santa’s Sack
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Elf Boot Ornament Game
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Snowman Sock Pull
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Holiday Bag Swap Line
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Hanging Gift Bags from Mantle
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Giant Mitten Ornament Grab
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Ugly Sweater Pocket Pick
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Ornaments Inside Holiday Hats
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Santa Sack Steal Round
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🎉 Bonus & Unique Ornament Games
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Ugly Ornament Contest
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Guess the Price of the Ornament
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Make & Swap (DIY station)
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Secret Santa Ornament Reveal
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“What’s Your Ornament Name?” Game
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Ornament Auction (with fake money)
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Holiday Bingo for Ornaments
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Ornament Scavenger Hunt
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Ornament Cookie Prize Exchange
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Write a Note Inside Ornament Game
How To play
🎲 1. Roll a 6 to Swap
How to Play (Step-by-Step):
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Each player starts with one wrapped ornament.
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Take turns rolling a single die.
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If a player rolls a 6, they MUST swap their ornament with someone else.
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If they roll any other number, they keep their ornament for now.
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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):
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Set rules for each number on a die. Example:
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1 = Steal from anyone
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2 = Swap with anyone
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3 = Pick a new unopened ornament
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4 = Pass your ornament left
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5 = Pass your ornament right
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6 = Unwrap your ornament
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Players take turns rolling and follow the action based on the number rolled.
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Continue until all ornaments are unwrapped or for a set number of rounds.
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✅ Tip: Print out the number-action chart for everyone to see easily!
🎲 3. Odd = Steal, Even = Keep
How to Play (Step-by-Step):
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Every player starts with a wrapped ornament.
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Players take turns rolling a die.
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If they roll an odd number (1, 3, 5), they can steal someone else’s ornament.
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If they roll an even number (2, 4, 6), they keep what they currently have.
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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):
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Everyone sits in a circle holding their wrapped ornament.
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Roll one die.
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Whatever number is rolled = number of seats you pass your ornament to the right (clockwise).
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Keep rolling and passing for a few rounds.
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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!
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🎲 5. Dice + Action Combo (Steal, Swap, Unwrap)
How to Play (Step-by-Step):
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Assign actions to die rolls like:
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1 = Unwrap your ornament (if not already)
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2 = Swap with someone
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3 = Steal an ornament (even unwrapped!)
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4 = Pass your ornament to the left
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5 = Pass your ornament to the right
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6 = Open a new ornament (if extra ones are available)
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Each player rolls and does the matching action.
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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):
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Hang ornaments on a large tree or display branches.
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Assign areas of the tree a number (1–6).
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Roll the die — the number you roll tells you which “branch” you pick your ornament from.
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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):
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Number each ornament (use tags or stickers).
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Players randomly draw a number from a hat.
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They then find and pick the ornament with the matching number.
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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):
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Write numbers on slips of paper and place them in a bowl.
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Each player draws a slip of paper.
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Numbers correspond to wrapped ornaments sitting on a prize table.
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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):
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Hide small gift cards inside some of the ornaments.
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Number the outside of each ornament.
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Players draw a number or roll a die to pick an ornament.
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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):
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Place numbered balls (or slips of paper) into a large bag or bucket.
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One by one, draw numbers randomly.
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As each number is called, the player with that number gets to pick or steal an ornament.
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Keep drawing until all players have a final ornament.
✅ Tip: Add bonus rounds like “wild card” draws where someone can swap freely!
Hi, I’m Maggie Culp, the founder of PartyVibesFun.com, based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, United States! With a passion for creating unforgettable celebrations, I specialize in turning any event into a fun and vibrant experience. From birthday parties to themed gatherings, I’m here to help you bring your party ideas to life with ease and excitement. Whether you’re looking for unique games, creative themes, or party planning tips, I’m dedicated to making sure every moment of your event is filled with joy. Let’s create memories together and make your next party the talk of the town!
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