Dirty Santa
Dirty Santa is a family-friendly gift exchange game where participants steal gifts from each other in an attempt to end up with the best gift! Gifts for Dirty Santa are typically fun, new, unique, and in good taste. Unlike the White Elephant gift exchange, Dirty Santa gifts are usually items the recipients will want and use!
Commonly, it is the desire of Dirty Santa attendees to purchase the most wanted gift. The gift that is stolen so many times that it is frozen. After all, that’s what makes the Dirty Santa gift exchange so fun!
How To Play Dirty Santa
Before the party, set a gift budget and ask each guest to bring one wrapped gift. When it’s time to play, everyone draws a number to determine the order of play.
The person with number one chooses a gift frm the pile and opens it. The next person can either open a new gift of steal an already opened gift. Play continues in numerical order, with gifts changing hands as they’re stolen.
To keep the game moving, decide ahead of time how many times a gift can be stolen. We freeze a gift after it has been stolen three times, which means it stays with its fourth owner.
To make your Dirty Santa party easier, I’ve created Dirty Santa Rules And Numbers complete with rules, printable numbers, steal cards, and frozen cards.
What Is The Difference Between Dirty Santa And White Elephant?
Dirty Santa and White Elephant are both Christmas Gift Exchange Games that involve stealing gifts, but there are a few differences between the two. The biggest difference is the type of gifts you purchase for the gift exchange. Dirty Santa gifts are typically new, useful gifts people will actually want, while White Elephant gifts can be funny, impractical, and something you wouldn’t want to take home.
Wondering which game is right for your party? Check out my What Is The Difference Between White Elephant And Dirty Santa article to see what’s right for your group!
Dirty Santa Gift Ideas
The best Dirty Santa gifts are the ones everyone wants to steal! Choose something useful, fun, or unexpected that will be popular with a wide range of people. I’ve put together Dirty Santa gift ideas for different budgets and groups to make choosing a gift easier.
Dirty Santa Rules and Printable Numbers
These printable Dirty Santa game packs make a gift exchange much easier to host. They include rules, numbered cards to determine the order of play, steal cards, and frozen cards to help everyone keep track of what’s happening.
Choose your favorite design below!
Tips For Hosting A Dirty Santa Party
- Set the gift limit ahead of time. Let everyone know how much to spend so the gifts are comparable in price.
- Choose gifts people will actually want. Half the fun of Dirty Santa is watching a popular gift get stolen over and over.
- Explain the stealing rules before you start. Make sure everyone knows how many times a gift can be stolen and when it becomes frozen.
- Use numbers to determine the order of play. Drawing numbers keeps things simple and fair, especially with a large group.
- Keep the rules nearby. Having a printed copy of the rules nearby makes it easy to appease would-be rule breakers.
More Ideas For Gift Exchange Games
- If you’re looking for a way to gift Great Aunt Sallie’s vintage clock, a White Elephant gift exchange may be your best bet.
- White Elephant Rules and Printables will keep your party in line for your White Elephant Gift Exchange.
- Here are a few $10 White Elephant Gift Ideas when you don’t have something on hand you want to gift.
- Want to try something new and different? Check out these Christmas Gift Exchange Games that will have you thinking overtime about all the fun you can have!
Hi! I’m Bridget!
I create printables and DIYs to help you get organized and celebrate special occasions! My mission is to inspire you to get creative and find joy in every day!