Creative gift exchange games
I remember the gymnasium buzzing with excitement, Jingle Bells echoing through the speakers, and my eyes glued to the white chocolate swan circling in the cakewalk. It was the annual Red Stocking Carnival at school, a holiday charity event, and winning that swan seemed like the ultimate prize.
gift exchange game creative ideas
Childhood joy is like a cakewalk, and your gift exchange can capture that spirit too. Image courtesy Pixabay user 1103997
To my utter surprise, I actually won! It was my first taste of victory, and that chocolate swan reigned supreme on our kitchen counter. Of course, reality, or rather, kitchen temperature, set in. Melting chocolate swan necessitated a swift butchering and distribution to neighbors and friends. Turns out, even for a kid with a sweet tooth, a life-sized chocolate swan is a bit much!
The memory of winning that edible swan still brings a smile to my face. Now, at my own holiday gatherings, I often incorporate a cakewalk-style gift exchange, tweaking the theme, prizes, and music to keep it fresh and engaging for my guests.
As adults, the sheer magic of birthdays, holidays, and celebrations can sometimes fade under the weight of planning and responsibilities. But injecting unexpected fun, like a creative gift exchange game, is the perfect way to reignite that childlike wonder in your guests.
So, ditch the predictable gift exchange routine! Instead, explore these game ideas, from Victorian Cobwebs to Mad Libs, and transform your gifting into a memorable tradition.
Gift Exchange Idea #1: The Victorian Cobweb Social
My dad, usually unflappable, found himself hilariously trapped. Colorful ribbons snared him to the banister, the victim of a Victorian Cobweb Social gone wild. A whirlwind of kids had created a chaotic web of ribbons throughout the living room in this unique gift exchange variation.
Eventually, he was freed, just in time for the present reveal. To my surprise, the seemingly stuffy Victorian Cobweb Social, suggested by my aunt for a joint birthday party with my cousin, was far more entertaining than simply unwrapping presents after cake.
ribbon gift exchange game
Brighten your gift exchange with colorful ribbons. Image courtesy Etsy seller thinkcurious
This gift exchange idea works best for smaller groups. Here’s how to play:
- Organize Your Gift Exchange: Start by setting up a gift exchange using an online platform to manage participants and wish lists. Ask your guests to bring their chosen gift for their assigned recipient, along with a unique spool of ribbon.
- Gift Disguise (Optional): For extra laughs, encourage guests to wrap their gifts in funny or misleading prank wrapping.
- Create the Cobweb: Have everyone place their wrapped gifts in a central area. Each guest then takes their ribbon and begins weaving it around the room, tangling it around furniture and other objects to create a complex and confusing “cobweb.”
- Reveal Recipients: Once the cobweb is complete, have everyone reveal their assigned gift recipient.
- Untangling Fun: Each person receives the end of the ribbon they brought and must follow it through the cobweb to find their gift at the other end!
Turn up the music and prepare for laughter! You’ll be amazed at how much fun adults can have getting tangled up in ribbons. Keep scissors handy, just in case you need to liberate anyone from the furniture! This is a fantastic gift exchange idea to get everyone moving and interacting.
Gift Exchange Idea #2: Mad Libs Left-Right Game
“He judges you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re loud, he knows if you’ve been naughty or green, so be happy for goodness sake!” My mom belted out our customized Christmas Mad Libs lyrics, barely containing her giggles as she mangled “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
a mad libs inspired gift exchange variation
Mad Libs inject humor into your gift exchange. Image courtesy Etsy seller PinkPixelPress
For larger groups, Mad Libs is a guaranteed laugh riot. Even the most sophisticated guests can’t help but crack up at sentences about purple chickens in blenders or whistling dogs named Jennifer. Combining Mad Libs with the classic Left-Right gift exchange game is a recipe for fun. Even guests who are just meeting will feel like old friends by the end of it. This gift exchange idea is perfect for breaking the ice.
The Left-Right game is simple: take a story or song and randomly insert the words “right” and “left.” For example, “Happy Birthday” becomes “Happy Birthday to LEFT, Happy Birthday to RIGHT, Happy RIGHT LEFT LEFT RIGHT LEFT, Happy Birthday LEFT RIGHT.”
Have everyone stand in a circle holding their gift. As you read the story or sing the song, each time you say “right” or “left,” they pass their gift in that direction. The gift they hold at the end of the story is theirs to keep.
To amplify the fun, use a Mad Libs sheet instead of a song. Incorporate “right” and “left” into the blanks. Before starting the game, ask guests for suggestions to fill in the Mad Libs. Reading the completed, often nonsensical, Mad Lib aloud while giving gift-passing directions creates hilarious chaos. This gift exchange idea guarantees laughter and unexpected combinations of gifts and recipients.
Gift Exchange Idea #3: Fido Fetch for Pet Lovers
a creative puppy gift exchange game
Creative gift exchanges mean fun presents for furry friends too. Image courtesy Etsy seller KiarasCompany
Growing up, our dogs, Jake, Norman, and Maggie, were always major gift recipients at Christmas. We couldn’t resist buying them oversized bones, squeaky toys, and bulk tennis balls.
This year, include your canine companions in the celebration with a dog-friendly gift exchange.
- Pup and Present Prep: Ask each guest to bring their dog and a dog-appropriate gift to the party.
- Number Assignment: Assign each dog-human pair a number. Have them write their number on their gift and on a tennis ball.
- Fetch Frenzy: Go outside with all the dogs. On the count of three, throw the numbered tennis balls in different directions across the yard.
- Present Reward: Let the dogs fetch the balls. Match the number on the retrieved ball to the corresponding numbered present and award it to the lucky pup! Watching dogs enjoy their new toys is just as fun as seeing kids open presents. This gift exchange idea is a tail-wagging good time for everyone, especially the four-legged guests.
Gift Exchange Idea #4: The Cakewalk Gift Card Game
Sprinkle on the fun. Image courtesy Unsplash user Brooke Lark
Who can resist a beautiful dessert? Especially one adorned with sprinkles, buttercream roses, crushed candy, or perhaps even a life-sized white chocolate swan (yes, I’m still thinking about it!). But I know one way to make sweet treats even more enticing… hide a gift card inside!
This creative gift exchange idea is perfect for small to medium-sized groups. Ask each guest to buy a gift card within a set price limit and create the most extravagant holiday dessert they can imagine. The secret? The gift card is hidden inside the dessert (wrapped in plastic wrap, of course), making each treat a double surprise. Then, let the games begin!
Create a playlist with as many songs as there are guests. Have everyone stand in a circle. Starting with one dessert per song, pass the desserts around the circle as the music plays. When the music stops, whoever is holding the dessert wins it, gift card and all! They can then sit out while the remaining players continue until everyone has a prize.
wrap up a party with a gift exchange game
Creative games are the perfect party finale. Image courtesy Etsy seller WhenitRainsPaper
It’s hilarious to watch adults scramble for the desserts they want, or strategically slow down to avoid passing a treat to someone else. Just play on an easy-to-clean surface – things might get a little messy! This gift exchange idea is a sweet and exciting way to end a party.
I cherish traditions, from Christmas morning cinnamon rolls to my Thanksgiving scented candles. But sometimes, shaking things up is exactly what’s needed. These unique and creative gift exchange variations can breathe new life into your holiday gatherings.
While reminiscing is wonderful, celebrations, even made-up holidays, are about creating new memories with loved ones. Whether it’s frantically passing a chocolate cake with a Starbucks gift card inside or watching your dog excitedly rip open a package containing a giant bone, these games are so much fun, you’ll be eager to try new things every holiday season.
Looking for the perfect gift to bring? Explore Elfster’s Gift Guides For Her and For Him to find inspiration. Share your gift exchange fun with us on Elfster’s Facebook page, on Twitter @Elfster, and on Instagram @Elfster.
