Christmas Eve Gift Exchange Game

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Dec 3

When you grow up in a volatile house, holidays can be stressful. And even though you get out, that dread can follow you around. That’s why I work so hard to create new traditions and games for my family. The tumor/cancer scare may have been the instigator to do something about it, but the joy that it brought my family has spurred me to continue to bring fun and excitement into the holidays.

Cue my next game.

The first year, I bought silly items around town, all under $5. We played a white elephant game where people could choose a present from the middle or choose to steal. My family is nice and there are only 6 of us, so it was fast and boring.

The next year, I had the kids each buy $5 or under gifts. Even though they knew which gifts to avoid (their own), it was slow.

Last year I bought all of the gifts from the Dollar Tree (everything costs $1.25 each). Instead of a white elephant game, I made up a new one. It made the game last longer and everyone had a blast. A new tradition is born!

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME:

Buy (or have people bring) a present for each person there +1 (you will need a minimum of one extra present (or wrapped decoy [see number 8]). For example, if there are 7 people playing, have at least 8 wrapped presents.
Bring out the wrapped gifts and let everyone choose. This doesn’t matter because they will most likely not end up with the same present in the end. The extra present(s) goes in the very middle.
Everyone sits in a circle and place a number in front of them. We will have 7 people this year, so I printed out (or you can use scrap paper) numbers 1-7.
Place the action cards in the middle, face down. You can have a pile, or fan them out. It doesn’t matter, as long as they are face down.*
It really doesn’t matter who goes first. Either start with number one or the youngest/oldest person.
The first person picks a card from the middle and does the action. Depending on the card, one person or multiple people will do the action.
Go around the circle at least once, or twice if you don’t have a lot of people playing. This year, with our group of 7, we will go around twice.
In the end, open up the gifts.** This year, instead of actually wrapping the gifts, I am going to wrap the numbers 1-7. In the end, my family will be able to pick which silly gift they want from my travels this year. But they will pick based on which number they unwrap in the end.

*Action cards:

Either type these out on the computer and print out, or hand write them on individual cards or pieces of paper

Switch two gifts of your choosing
Switch three gifts of your choosing
Switch your gift with someone (not the middle)
Swap gifts with one from the middle (or, “the one in the middle” if there is only one)
Steal the gift from the person on your right
Steal the gift from the person on your left
Choose an even-numbered gift
Choose an odd-numbered gift
Your two neighbors swap gifts
Your right neighbor swaps gifts with one from the middle (or, “the one in the middle”)
Your left neighbor swaps gifts with one from the middle (or, “the one in the middle”)
Swap gifts with your right neighbor’s right neighbor
Swap gifts with your left neighbor’s left neighbor
Your right neighbor and their right neighbor swap gifts
Your left neighbor and their left neighbor swap gifts
All gifts rotate clockwise
All gifts rotate counterclockwise
All even numbered gifts rotate clockwise
All even numbered gifts rotate counterclockwise
All odd numbered gifts rotate clockwise
All odd numbered gifts rotate counterclockwise
Choose any gift you want, from someone else or the middle (I made 3 of these cards to sprinkle in for more fun!)

**Ideas for gifts:

As I mentioned before, I have gone to the Dollar Tree, but I also look for deals in other stores. I personally try to keep it under $5 each. It’s about the fun, not the gift.
Don’t be afraid to look at thrift stores!
Socks
Candy (if you don’t have food allergies, different candy bars are an excellent idea!)
Mugs
Useful things like soap or loofahs
Gift cards (even small ones) from different stores
Stickers
Hair accessories like clips, bands or combs
This year I bought little silly knickknacks from gas stations while travelling. They are ridiculous, but I know my family will love them. The bonus is that I spent the money months ago.