Party guests can play games to add some excitement to Christmas gift exchanging.
Christmas parties often involve guests exchanging gifts, with some unsure whether their gifts will go over well with the recipients. Party hosts can add some anonymity and levity to the mix by playing games that involve guests choosing wrapped gifts of their choice and possibly "stealing" gifts from other guests.
Dirty Dice Gift Grab Game
Guests takes turns rolling two dice, with anyone rolling a double taking a gift from the middle of the room (but not opening it). Guests continue rolling until all gifts are claimed; some guests may not have any gifts, while some may have multiple gifts. Whoever has a gift opens it, and the host then sets a timer for 15 minutes, with guests again taking turns trying to roll doubles. If a guest succeeds in rolling a double, he may take an unwrapped gift from anyone. After 15 minutes elapse, the game ends; the game may conclude with some guests leaving the party with multiple gifts, and some guests leaving with none. Another variation of the game involves all guests getting a gift. Guests do not roll again after rolling doubles and claiming a gift, but they potentially trade gifts in the latter part of the game.
Guess the Gift Game
Before the party, the host finds out which gifts guests will bring to the party and assigns a number to each. At the party, guests pile their numbered gifts together. One by one, the host takes gifts from the pile, and guests try to guess what the gifts are based on hints the host provides. The guest who correctly guesses the gift receives it. The game ends once each guest has inherited a gift.
Ho Ho Game
After deciding on a story to recite at the party, the host chooses as many keywords from the story as he has guests. After writing the words on pieces of paper, the host puts the gifts under the Christmas tree and puts the papers in a bowl. The host begins the story after all each guest has selected a piece of paper. Whenever a guest hears the host say her keyword, she says, "Ho Ho Ho," and chooses a gift. The game ends when the host has said every keyword and all guests have gifts.
Left/Right Game
The host makes up a Christmas story containing multiple instances of the words "right" and "left." Guests stand in a circle and hold the gifts they brought to the party. After the host starts the story, players listen for each instance of "right" or "left" and pass their gifts in the proper direction. Guests keep any gifts in their possession when the host finishes the story.
White Elephant Game
Guests sit or stand in a circle around gifts, with the host readying pieces of paper equal to the number of gifts. The host writes each number on the papers and puts the papers in a hat, letting guests draw a number. The player who picked "1" selects a gift and opens it, with the player who picked "2" having the option of "stealing" the first guest's unwrapped gift or taking a wrapped one. If the second player steals the first player's gift, then the first player chooses another unwrapped gift to open. The player who picked "3" then may "steal" either of the first two players' gifts or select a wrapped one.
Although players may steal gifts or open wrapped ones if other players steal their gifts, they may not instantly steal back gifts from the guest who just stole from them. Once players have collectively stolen a gift three times, the fourth "owner" gets to keep the gift. When a guest opens the last wrapped gift, the game ends.
Tags: game ends, gifts from, player picked, some guests, their gifts, unwrapped gift