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Better to give then to receive…. but we can help make receiving holly jolly fun, too! Pass a present and secret Santa are just a few ways to make your holiday gift exchange special. For a family gathering on Christmas eve or an office party with friends and co-workers, gift exchanges will never be the same.
The Yankee Swap Gift Exchange rule set is a very common gift exchange method. There is no “stealing” involved like in the White Elephant Exchange, but instead gifts are “swapped” with other players. It is a great way to exchange gifts when a large group is involved without buying gifts for a ton of people. It is also much more fun then just handing out gifts.
It is a simple game of selecting a gift, unwrapping it, and choosing to keep or swap that gift with another players.
The Yankee Swap Gift Exchange rule set is a very common gift exchange method. There is no “stealing” involved like in the White Elephant Exchange, but instead gifts are “swapped” with other players.
Choose a gift price limit and theme of the gifts (if any) you want to have and inform all the participants. Make sure the players know they should wrap their gifts, but leave off any gift tags. Set up an area for your guests to put their gifts for the exchange, if you have a Christmas tree up, under the tree is a very festive spot.
Count how many people you have in the exchange and be sure they have all remembered to bring a gift. On slips of paper write numbers 1 – #Guests and place them in a bowl or bag (So if you have 20 people exchanging you would write the numbers 1 – 20 on 20 slips of paper). Have each player pull a number from the bowl and that is there “gift order”.
Now is time for the “gifting”. The person who drew #1 from the bowl goes first. It is a simple game of selecting a gift, unwrapping it, and choosing to keep or swap that gift with another player.
TURN 1: Person #1 takes a gift from the pile. They then upwrap the gift and show the rest of the group what they received. Their turn ends.
TURN 2: It is now #2’s turn. Person #2 now takes a gift from the gift pile and opens their gift for all to see. They now can choose to keep their unwrapped present, at which point their turn ends, or swap their gift with person #1. If they swap, person #2 would take person #1’s unwrapped gift, and person #1 would receive person #2’s gift. Now it is #3’s turn.
TURN 3: Person #3 continues the game by taking a gift from the pile, unwrapping it and then choosing to keep or swap their gift with Person #1 or Person #2.
This continues as each player, in order, gets to select a gift from the pile, open it and choose whether to keep it or swap it for any other presents someone has already opened. If you use “safe gift” rules, a gift can only be swapped 3 times and then it is “safe”, meaning it can not be swapped again and it is the current holders gift to keep. When choosing to swap players can only choose gift that are not currently “safe”.
Opening of gifts and swapping takes place until all the presents have been chosen. Finally, the person who picked first gets to choose to swap from all the now opened gifts(excluding any “safe gifts”) or keep what he/she has already received. In the end, the gift you are holding is the gift you take home.
A gift can not be swapped more than 3 times. After a gift is “swapped” 3 times it is considered “safe”. Make sure to make the swapping rules are clear before begining as things can get a bit crazy.
Example:
1. Mary takes a gift from the pile.
2. Jen swaps the gift from Mary – 1 Swap
3. Rosie swaps the gift from Jen – 2 Swaps
4. Justin swaps the gift from Rosie – 3 Swaps
The gift is now “Safe” and it is Justin’s to keep.
*Most people use 3 times swapped for a gift to be safe. You can increase this or not have “safe gifts” it’s up to you and your group.
This is a variation of the “Greedy Santa Gift Exchange Dice Game” we have listed, but everyone gets a gift.
Take all the exchange gifts and place them in a pile in the center of the room.
Have the participants sit in a circle, then hand out a one pair of dice (if you have a large group you can use two or three pairs to speed things up). Each person will roll the dice once per turn, trying to get a pair. If they roll a pair the person takes a gift from the pile (don’t open it!) and then passes the dice to the next person, they are now done rolling. If they do NOT roll a pair they do nothing and just pass the dice. This continues around and around the group, skipping those who have already rolled a pair, until everyone has 1 gift and all the presents are taken.
After all the gifts are gone from the pile everyone should open their gifts and shows the rest of the group. Now comes the fun!
Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and everyone starts rolling the dice again just as before, only this time when someone gets a pair they get to trade their gift with any of the other players.
When the time is up it is the end of the game and everyone gets to keep the presents they have.
There are a couple rules you can choose to add to this game.
The Double Sixes Rule: If you roll a double six during the trading phase of the game the player can trade with anyone they choose AND that gift is now “safe” and their’s too keep.
Safe Gift Rule: If a gift is traded 3 times it is considered “safe” and can not be traded for again. Basically it is the third trader’s gift to keep.
This is a variation of the “Greedy Santa Gift Exchange Dice Game” we have listed, but everyone gets a gift.
Take all the exchange gifts and place them in a pile in the center of the room.
Have the participants sit in a circle, then hand out a one pair of dice (if you have a large group you can use two or three pairs to speed things up). Each person will roll the dice once per turn, trying to get a pair. If they roll a pair the person takes a gift from the pile (don’t open it!) and then passes the dice to the next person, they are now done rolling. If they do NOT roll a pair they do nothing and just pass the dice. This continues around and around the group, skipping those who have already rolled a pair, until everyone has 1 gift and all the presents are taken.
After all the gifts are gone from the pile everyone should open their gifts and shows the rest of the group. Now comes the fun!
Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and everyone starts rolling the dice again just as before, only this time when someone gets a pair they get to trade their gift with any of the other players.
When the time is up it is the end of the game and everyone gets to keep the presents they have.
There are a couple rules you can choose to add to this game.
The Double Sixes Rule: If you roll a double six during the trading phase of the game the player can trade with anyone they choose AND that gift is now “safe” and their’s too keep.
Safe Gift Rule: If a gift is traded 3 times it is considered “safe” and can not be traded for again. Basically it is the third trader’s gift to keep.
This is a variation of the “Dice Before Christmas” Gift Exchange Game” we have listed, but includes “Greedy” rules which makes it a bit more crazy.
Take all the gift exchange gifts and place them in a pile in the center of the room.
Have the participants sit in a circle, then hand out a one pair of dice (if you have a large group you can use two or three pairs to speed things up). Each person will roll the dice once per turn, trying to get a pair. If they roll a pair the person takes a gift from the pile (don’t open it!) and then passes the dice to the next person. If they do NOT roll a pair they do nothing and just pass the dice. This continues around and around the group until all the presents are taken. Now the greedy part comes in because a player can take as many presents as pairs they’ve rolled. So at this point some people will have a bunch of gifts, others many have no gifts.
After all the gifts are gone from the pile everyone should open their gifts and shows the rest of the group. Now comes the fun!
Set a timer 10-15 minutes and start everyone rolling the dice again just as before, only this time when someone gets a pair they get to “steal” a gift from one of the other players.
When the time is up it is the end of the game and everyone gets to keep the presents they have. This means some people could have a ton of gifts, others could have none (told you it was greedy).
This works very well with the “Dollar Store Santa Gift Exchange” because the gifts only cost a dollar to play so not getting a gift back is not so bad. Also a good one to play with the “Christmas Spirits” exchange since everyone can share their drink gifts at the party and everyone wins anyways.
You can also have a few inexpensive “boobie prize” presents for anyone who does not get a gift so they do not feel left out.
This is really a gift exchange made for a certain type of crowd, but if your group takes to this type of competition it can be a very fun and crazy exchange to have. Just make sure everyone is aware of the “Greedy” rules ahead of time so they can make a choice to participate or not.
This is a variation of the “Dice Before Christmas” Gift Exchange Game” we have listed, but includes “Greedy” rules which makes it a bit more crazy.
This is really a gift exchange made for a certain type of crowd, but if your group takes to this type of competition it can be a very fun and crazy exchange to have. Just make sure everyone is aware of the “Greedy” rules ahead of time so they can make a choice to participate or not.
Take all the gift exchange gifts and place them in a pile in the center of the room.
Have the participants sit in a circle, then hand out a one pair of dice (if you have a large group you can use two or three pairs to speed things up). Each person will roll the dice once per turn, trying to get a pair. If they roll a pair the person takes a gift from the pile (don’t open it!) and then passes the dice to the next person. If they do NOT roll a pair they do nothing and just pass the dice. This continues around and around the group until all the presents are taken. Now the greedy part comes in because a player can take as many presents as pairs they’ve rolled. So at this point some people will have a bunch of gifts, others may have no gifts.
After all the gifts are gone from the pile everyone should open their gifts and shows the rest of the group. Now comes the fun!
Set a timer 10-15 minutes and start everyone rolling the dice again just as before, only this time when someone gets a pair they get to “steal” a gift from one of the other players.
When the time is up it is the end of the game and everyone gets to keep the presents they have. This means some people could have a ton of gifts, others could have none (told you it was greedy).
This works very well with the “Dollar Store Santa Gift Exchange” because the gifts only cost a dollar so not getting a gift back is not so bad. Also a good one to play with the “Christmas Spirits” exchange since everyone can share their drink gifts at the party and everyone wins anyways.
You can have a few inexpensive “boobie prize” presents for anyone who does not get a gift so they do not feel left out.
The White Elephant Gift Exchange rule set is one of the most common gift exchange methods used. It is similar to the Yankee Gift Exchange, but the focus is on selecting and “stealing” gifts rather than “swapping” them.
It’s a fun way to exchange gifts at an Office party, as well as with a larger family.
The White Elephant Gift Exchange rule set is one of the most common gift exchange methods used. It is similar to the Yankee Gift Exchange, but the focus is on selecting and “stealing” gifts rather than “swapping”.
Choose a gift price limit and theme of the gifts (if any) you want to have and inform all the participants. Make sure the players know they should wrap their gifts, but leave off any gift tags. Set up an area for your guests to put their gifts for the exchange, if you have a Christmas tree up, under the tree is a very festive spot.
Count how many people you have in the exchange and be sure they have all remembered to bring a gift. On slips of paper write numbers 1 – #Guests and place them in a bowl or bag (So if you have 20 people exchanging you would write the numbers 1 – 20 on 20 slips of paper). Have each player pull a number from the bowl and that is there “gift order”.
Now is time for the “gifting”. The person who drew #1 from the bowl goes first.
TURN 1: Person #1 takes a gift from the pile. They then upwrap the gift and show the rest of the group what they received. Their turn ends.
TURN 2: It is now #2’s turn. Person #2 can do either A or B:
Choice A – Choose an unwrapped present from the pile. They must unwrap it and show the group like #1 did. Their turn ends, now it is #3’s turn.
Choice B – Steal the gift from person #1. Person #2 would take person #1’s unwrapped gift, and person #1 must take a wrapped gift from the pile and open that one. Now it is #3’s turn.
TURN 3: Person #3 continues the game choosing to steal or take a new gift:
Choice A – They can choose an unwrapped present from the pile and open it. Now it is the next person’s turn.
Choice B – They can steal the gift from person #1 or #2. If they steal from either person the person who it was stolen from (giftless now) can either steal any other gift from another player or they can take a wrapped gift from the pile. If they choose to steal they can NOT take the gift one that was just stolen from them or any “safe gifts” (a gift that has been stolen 3 times is considered “Safe” and can not be stolen again – see below). Also, if they steal a present the person stolen from then get to choose to either take or steal a gift.
Note: When a gift is stolen the person it was stolen from always has the choice to take another wrapped gift from the pile or stealing from another player (following the stealing rules, of course). If they choose to steal the person it was stolen from gets to choose, this coninutes until a wrapped gift is selected and the turn ends.
This continues until the last person has gone.
The last person gets to choose to steal or take the last gift from the pile.
– If they choose the last gift in the pile the game ends and everyone keeps their gifts.
– If they choose to steal a gift, then the gift stealing continues until someone chooses to take the last gift in the pile. When the last gift is chosen the game ends.
1. If your gift is stolen you can choose to steal someone elses gift or take a gift from the pile.
2. A person who “steals” a gift can not “steal back” the gift that was stolen from them on that same turn.
3. A gift can not be stolen more than 3 times. After a gift is “stolen” 3 times it is considered “safe”.
Example:
1. Mary takes a gift from the pile.
2. Jen takes the gift from Mary – 1 Steal
3. Rosie takes the gift from Jen – 2 Steals
4. Justin takes the gift from Rosie – 3 Steals
The gift is now “Safe” and is Justin’s to keep.
4. You can not steal a “safe gift”. Whomever is holding the safe gift it’s their’s to keep.
5. Make sure to make the stealing rules clear before begining as things can get a bit crazy.
*Most people use 3 times stolen for a gift to be safe. You can increase this or not have “safe gifts” it’s up to you and your group.
Get a copy of any “left/right poem” that you would like to read (see below to grab one). Print out one copy of the left/right poem of your choice and have your group sit in a circle holding the gifts they brought for the exchange.
Read the poem to the players and when you say LEFT each person passes their gift to the person on their left; when you say RIGHT, the players pass the gifts to the right. When the story is finished the gift the guest is holding is their’s to keep.
You can read this at any speed, but the faster you read it the funnier and more crazy it becomes, so judge for yourself the way you want the game to go.
We have a couple versions in our printable games section; RIGHT family Christmas Poem or LEFT/RIGHT Night Before Christmas Poem. Grab one you like and enjoy.
A left/right poem is one of the easiest ways to do a holiday gift exchange since there is no “stealing” or “grabbing” confusion to deal with.
Get a copy of any “left/right poem” that you would like to read (see below). Print out one copy of the left/right poem of your choice and have your group sit in a circle holding the gifts they brought for the exchange.
Read the poem to the players and when you say LEFT each person passes their gift to the person on their left; when you say RIGHT, the players pass the gifts to the right. When the story is finished the gift the guest is holding is their’s to keep.
You can read this at any speed, but the faster you read it the funnier and more crazy it becomes, so judge for yourself the way you want the game to go.
We have a couple versions in our printable games section; RIGHT family Christmas Poem or LEFT/RIGHT Night Before Christmas Poem. Grab one you like and enjoy.
During Christmas there are a ton of beverages that bring holiday cheer, from mulled wine to spiked eggnog. So why not spread the cheer and have each guest bring their favorite alcoholic beverage as a gift.
Guests can bring in anything from a six pack of fancy beer to a nice red wine, or even peppermint schnapps or a simple flavored liquor. After the exchange urge your guests to share their presents and get into the “Spirits of Christmas” together!
This is for an adults only exchange, so make sure everyone is over 21 when you set it up so no one is left out.
Holiday cheer sometimes is spiked, so why not enjoy the holidays with an exchange of spirits.
During Christmas there are a ton of beverages that bring holiday cheer, from mulled wine to spiked eggnog. So why not spread the cheer and have each guest bring their favorite alcoholic beverage as a gift.
Guests can bring in anything from a six pack of fancy beer to a nice red wine, or even peppermint schnapps or a simple flavored liquor. After the exchange urge your guests to share their presents and get into the “Spirits of Christmas” together!
This is for an adults only exchange, so make sure everyone is over 21 when you set it up so no one is left out.
This is a great exchange for just after the holidays. Have each person bring in a gift they received and didn’t want and “re-gift” it. Nothing used or broken. You will be surprised how many unwanted gifts will find a happy owner with this exchange. For those who really don’t have a gift to regift just put a small price limit on the gift and allow them to buy one, but you might be amazed at the amount of people who have gifts in their closets.
Just make sure no one at the party is the original gift giver of a “re-gifted” gift or someone’s feeling might get hurt.
Almost everyone has a closet with a few gifts they received and never used, that weird kitchen gadget or the vase Grandma “knew you would love.” Now is your chance to pass them off and clean out those closets!
This is a great exchange for just after the holidays. Have each person bring in a gift they received and didn’t want and “re-gift” it. Nothing used or broken. You will be surprised how many unwanted gifts will find a happy owner with this exchange. For those who really don’t have a gift to regift just put a small price limit on the gift and allow them to buy one, but you might be amazed at the amount of people who have gifts in their closets.
Just make sure no one at the party is the original gift giver of a “re-gifted” gift or someone’s feeling might get hurt.
If you ever walked into Walmart the week before Christmas you know how many options this exchange has! Have each guest bring a tacky (funny, sickly cute, crazy…) Christmas sweater in as a gift. Make sure to let people know they should buy an average size so most people can fit them. If you know there is a larger person in the group you may want to buy a larger size as your sweater and make sure they receive that one so no one is left in the cold.
Have your guests draw names or just randomly hand the gifts out to the guests. Now this is the best part… Have each guest open the sweater and try it on. You will be on the floor laughing at some of these crazy sweaters.
When everyone has their sweater on take a group photo! It will be a funny and memorable party with a great photo souvenir for all your guests to enjoy.
This is a classic gift exchange that meant more for a laugh then a real present, but it is one you will certainly remember.
If you ever walked into Walmart the week before Christmas you know how many options this exchange has! Have each guest bring a tacky (funny, sickly cute, crazy…) Christmas sweater in as a gift. Make sure to let people know they should buy an average size so most people can fit them. If you know there is a larger person in the group you may want to buy a larger size as your sweater and make sure they receive that one so no one is left in the cold.
Have your guests draw names or just randomly hand the gifts out to the guests. Now this is the best part… Have each guest open the sweater and try it on. You will be on the floor laughing at some of these crazy sweaters.
When everyone has their sweater on take a group photo! It will be a funny and memorable party with a great photo souvenir for all your guests to enjoy.
This one is very simple. The maximum price is just a dollar, so tell everyone hit the local dollar store to find a fun gift. You will be very surprised how creative people can be with a dollar!
Have all the guests bring their gifts and either put them all in a pile and have everyone grab one, or if you have a smaller group have people, pull names from a hat and the person they pull gets their present.
If you are having a gift exchange with people you don’t know very well this is a great option. Also great for groups of kids since they can shop for a buck and not be left out.
Christmas isn’t about the amount you spend, but on the thought that you put in it… and you better have a lot of thought with just a $1!
This one is very simple. The maximum price is just a dollar, so tell everyone hit the local dollar store to find a fun gift. You will be very surprised how creative people can be with a dollar!
Have all the guests bring their gifts and either put them all in a pile and have everyone grab one, or if you have a smaller group have people, pull names from a hat and the person they pull gets their present.
If you are having a gift exchange with people you don’t know very well this is a great option. Also great for groups of kids since they can shop for a buck and not be left out.
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