Example list
Which game should we play?
- Office, 10 to 30 peopleWhite Elephant
- Family that wants real giftsSecret Santa
- Friends who like chaosDice game
- Remote teamSecret Santa
- Small group of 4 to 6Left-Right
How to choose the right gift exchange
Start with what your group wants from the exchange. If people want to go home with something they'll actually use, choose a game where each person buys for one specific person, like Secret Santa. If they want a laugh, choose a stealing game like White Elephant, where half the fun is watching a colleague fight over a waffle maker.
Think about group size, too. Stealing games drag on with more than about 25 people unless you limit the steals, while Left-Right works better in a small circle where everyone can hear the story. Secret Santa handles any size, since the buying happens beforehand and the opening can take as long or as short as you like.
Then set a budget, and put it in the invitation. A shared limit keeps things fair and stops anyone feeling awkward. Most offices choose something modest, and families can go a bit higher. Finally, plan for the people who can't be there: Secret Santa works remotely with no changes, and White Elephant works over a video call if everyone has their gift ready.
Set up any exchange in 3 steps
- 1
Pick a game and budget
Share them in the invite, along with the date, so nobody has to ask twice.
- 2
Draw names or numbers
Use the free generators here instead of slips of paper.
- 3
Share an idea list
A shared GishFy list helps people choose, and stops two people bringing the same thing.
The best gift exchange games
Each one needs only a pile of wrapped gifts, or a little planning beforehand. House rules are encouraged.
White Elephant
The classic office game: open a gift or steal one. Best for 6 to 30 people.
- Everyone brings one wrapped gift
- Draw numbers for the turn order
- On your turn, open a new gift or steal one
- Limit each gift to three steals
- Number 1 gets a last steal at the end
Secret Santa
Everyone buys for one person and keeps it secret. Works for any group size.
- Draw names ahead of time
- Agree on a budget and a date
- Each person buys one gift for their match
- Gifts are opened together
- Reveal yourself, or keep the mystery
Dirty Santa
The Southern US name for White Elephant, usually played with a bit more mischief.
- Rules are the same as White Elephant
- Often allows funny or joke gifts
- Some groups let gifts be stolen unlimited times
- Agree on a steal limit if time matters
Yankee Swap
New England's name for the game, often with gifts people actually want.
- Draw numbers and open gifts in turn
- The next player can swap with any opened gift
- Number 1 can swap at the very end
- Usually a sensible budget, not joke gifts
The dice game
Fast, loud and great for a group that doesn't want to wait for turns.
- Sit in a circle with a pile of gifts
- Pass two dice around quickly
- Roll doubles and take a gift from the pile
- Once the pile is gone, set a timer
- Now doubles lets you steal until time runs out
Left-Right story game
Perfect for a small group and a good reader. Takes about five minutes.
- Everyone holds a wrapped gift
- Someone reads a story full of "left" and "right"
- Pass your gift in that direction each time
- Keep whatever you hold when the story ends
Pollyanna and Kris Kringle
Regional names for a name-drawing exchange, used in Pennsylvania, Ireland and Australia, among other places.
- Rules match Secret Santa
- Draw names, usually within a family
- One gift per person within a budget
- Great for big families
Book or theme exchange
Simple and well suited to adults who don't need more stuff.
- Everyone brings a wrapped favorite book
- Or pick a theme: mugs, ornaments, local treats
- Draw numbers and choose in turn
- Add a note on why you picked it
Ornament exchange
A gentler version of the stealing game that leaves everybody with a keepsake.
- Everyone brings one wrapped ornament
- Draw numbers and pick in turn
- Allow one or two steals at most
- Take home something for the tree
How to keep your exchange fun and fair
Say the budget twice
Put it in the invitation and in the reminder. It's the most common thing people forget, and the main cause of awkward moments.
Keep stealing games short
Allow about two minutes per person and limit steals to three per gift. For very large groups, split into a few tables.
Have a backup gift
Someone always forgets. Keep a spare wrapped gift or two so nobody sits out, especially at the office.
Make joining optional
At work, not everyone celebrates or wants to spend money. Ask people to opt in and don't single out anyone who doesn't.
Share ideas in advance
A shared idea list helps people who are stuck and stops two players bringing the same thing.
Frequently asked questions
Still unsure? These are the questions we hear most.
What's the difference between White Elephant and Secret Santa?
In Secret Santa you draw one name and buy a gift for that person, so gifts are chosen for someone. In White Elephant everyone brings a generic gift, and players take turns to open or steal one, so it's more of a party game.
What's the best gift exchange for a big group?
Secret Santa, because the buying happens beforehand and the opening doesn't need to follow turns. If you want a White Elephant-style game with a big group, split into tables of 10 to 15.
What's the best gift exchange for a small group?
The Left-Right story game and the dice game both work well with 4 to 10 people, and both are quick and easy to run.
How do you play the Christmas dice game?
Sit in a circle with wrapped gifts in the middle and pass two dice. Roll doubles to take a gift. Once all the gifts are taken, set a timer, and during that time rolling doubles lets you steal. You keep whatever you hold when it ends.
How do you do a gift exchange remotely?
Secret Santa is the easiest: draw names online, ship gifts directly, and open them together on a call. For White Elephant, post the turn order ahead of time and have everyone ready to open or steal on camera.
How much should a gift exchange cost?
There's no set amount. Workplaces often keep it modest so everyone can join in comfortably, and families and friends may go higher. The important thing is one clear budget everybody follows.
Get a shared idea list going
Give your group one place for gift ideas, so everybody has a starting point and nobody brings the same thing.