“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other” –Bill Vaughan
November is almost over, and you know what that means—drumroll—it’s officially Christmas Season! Tis the season to be jolly, to deck the halls, and to kick off the merriest time of the year.
And, let’s be honest, what’s Christmas without a little gift-giving? Sure, you might pick a random name from a jar, and boom—you’re the lucky gift-giver for someone, with all the suspense of keeping your secret identity hidden until the big reveal. But is that really all there is to it?
Oh no, my friends. We’re just getting started!
This year, why not take the holiday spirit to the next level? Think less “just another sweater” and more “thoughtful, funny, or maybe even mystical gift exchange”—because who says you can’t sprinkle a little mischief into your merry-making?
Picture this: a gift exchange with a twist! Get creative with your wrapping, throw in some riddles, or maybe even deliver your gift in the most unexpected way. Who’s the mysterious Santa behind the mask? Will they figure it out before they open the gift? It’s a challenge, a game, and an adventure all wrapped into one.
So, don’t just settle for the same old gift exchange—let’s make gift-exchanging a memorable experience by adding a little extra fun and creativity to the tradition. With a bit of imagination, the process of giving and receiving gifts can be just as exciting as the presents themselves.
WHITE ELEPHANT
White Elephant is a hilarious and often chaotic holiday party game where participants exchange wrapped gifts in a playful and strategic way. The goal is simple: you never know what you’ll get, and there’s a lot of stealing involved.
What you need is a wrapped gift; each participant brings one gift (the more quirky or funny, the better!). Make sure the gift you bought is universal—meaning anyone wants the gift or suitable to anyone. For instance, the gift can’t be a T-shirt because everyone has different sizes. What if the shirt ended up with the one who can’t wear it?
How to Play:
- Set Up: Everyone gathers in a circle around a pile of wrapped gifts.
- The First Player’s Turn: The first player (based on the number drawn) selects a gift from the pile, unwraps it, and shows it to the group.
- The Next Player’s Choice: The second player can either:
- Steal the gift the first player opened, OR
- Pick a new gift from the pile and unwrap it.
- If Your Gift is Stolen: If someone steals your gift, you can either:
- Pick a new gift from the pile, OR
- Steal from someone else who hasn’t had their gift stolen yet.
- Continue the Game: The game continues with players taking turns to either steal or choose a new gift. You can set a limit on how many times a gift can be stolen (e.g., if a gift is stolen twice, it stays with its final owner).
- The Final Round: Once all the gifts have been opened, the game ends, and everyone walks away with a gift (either stolen or newly picked).
WISHLIST
Ready to spice up your gift-giving game? This isn’t your typical Secret Santa—this time, everyone is in the dark. That means you won’t know who you’re buying for, and you won’t know who’s buying for you. It’s a mystery wrapped in a riddle, and it’s here to make holiday gifting a whole lot more exciting.
Gift-giving can be tough—especially when you’re shopping for people you don’t know well, like colleagues. But don’t panic! Wishlist can save the day.
Instructions:
- Create Your Wishlist: Each participant makes a list of a few things they’d absolutely love to receive. But here’s the catch—your list goes under a secret code name. That way, no one knows whose list is whose. Let the mystery begin!
- Mix it Up: After everyone’s submitted their lists, toss them all into a jar. Mix it up good—this is where the fun begins.
- Draw Your Secret Receiver: Pick a random list from the jar. Now you’re on the hook for finding the perfect gift for that person (don’t worry, they’ve already told you exactly what they want!).
This way, everyone gets something they actually want—and you can skip the gift-giving stress! The element of mystery will keep everyone on edge, eagerly awaiting the big reveal. Who’s your secret Santa? And who are you secretly gifting? The suspense will eat you alive… in the best possible way.
CHRISTMAS CAROL HOT POTATO
Get ready to jingle all the way into a hilarious holiday tradition with Christmas Carol Hot Potato! It’s a merry mix of gift exchange, Christmas cheer, and musical madness
In this game, wrapped gifts are passed around while jolly Christmas tunes fill the air. But here’s the twist — when the music suddenly stops, whoever is holding the gift gets to keep it! No sneaky swapping, no “oh, I wanted that one” complaints — just pure holiday fun as you try to outsmart your friends and family.
How to Play
- Set the Stage:
- Lay out all your wrapped gifts in one place where everyone can see them. Gather your crew in a circle, ready to put their festive faces on.
- Start the Music:
- Queue up the Christmas playlist (nothing too slow — we’re talking upbeat carols here, people!). Make sure the volume’s just right — loud enough to get everyone in the holiday spirit, but not so loud it drowns out the laughter.
- Pass the Gift:
- Now, the fun begins! Start passing the first gift around the circle. The goal? Keep it moving to the rhythm of the music. You can pass it fast, slow, or get a little cheeky and try to mess with your friends’ timing. Keep ‘em guessing!
- Stop the Music (Uh-oh!):
- At random intervals (because who doesn’t love a little suspense?), pause the music! BAM! When the music cuts, the person holding the gift is stuck with it. No more passing, no more stealing — they get to keep it, and the crowd goes wild!
- Repeat Until All Gifts Are Claimed:
- Continue playing round after round until all the gifts have been handed out. You might end up with the one you wanted… or the one you didn’t see coming. Either way, everyone wins when the holiday cheer is in full swing!
BOOK SWAP (Only Applies to Book Lovers)
For that group of friends who are so addicted to books they can’t leave the house without one tucked under their arm, it’s time to unlock the mystery of a bookish soirée like no other. This Christmas, shake up your gift-giving routine and host a Mystery Book Exchange? A book swap is a fun way for book lovers to share books and discover new authors and genres.
Picture this: beautifully wrapped books, cryptic clues, and the thrill of unwrapping a story you never saw coming. Plus, it’s a budget-friendly way to host a gift exchange without the stress of shopping! Now, go grab a book from your shelf you don’t need anymore, and give it to someone who needs it now. It’s okay if you haven’t read it, maybe someone else will love it. Who knows? You might walk away with a hidden gem you never would’ve picked yourself—and isn’t that the best part?
Rules:
- Wrap your book: No need for fancy wrapping paper—brown manila paper works just fine. After all, it’s the mystery that counts!
- Clue it up: Write a short clue on the package. Could be a vague hint about the book’s genre, a memorable quote, or a teaser about the plot.
- Number off: Everyone draws a number to determine the order of selection. When your turn comes, you get to choose a book from the pile. But…
- The Steal: You’re allowed to steal a book from someone who’s already picked one.
- The Three-Time Rule: A book can only be stolen three times. After that, it’s locked in, and the last person to steal it gets to keep it.
- The Grand Reveal: After everyone’s had their turn, it’s time to unwrap your book!
Now, take your pick. Which of these gift-exchanging ideas will bring the most fun to your holiday gathering? Grab your friends, family, and colleagues, and get ready to host the Christmas party everyone will be talking about long after the last gift is unwrapped!
