Elf Gift Exchange Game

The Elf Gift Exchange Game is perfect for any Christmas Party where you plan to exchange gifts!

Unlike the Dirty Santa or White Elephant Gift Exchange Games, where participants decide whether to steal or choose a new gift, the Elf Gift Exchange Game takes the decision-making out of your guests’ hands with directions to trade or open a gift right on each numbered card for up to 24 guests.

Elf Gift Exchange Rules

1. Place wrapped gifts in the center of the room. (Each guest brings a gift worth a predetermined amount. I suggest $10 or $25.)
2. Have each person draw a card. Use only the number of cards as you have participants. (This game was designed to be played with 24 people or less.)
3. Start with the number one and go in sequential order, following the directions on each card.
4. Don’t get attached to any gift because you probably won’t keep it!

Elf Game Cards

Each game card directs game players to trade or open gifts. Here is the full list:

1. Choose the largest gift from the pile and open it.
2. Pick a gift from the pile, open it, and say, “The elves picked this one just for me!”
3. Choose a gift from the pile, open it, and say, “Christmas surprises are the best!”
4. Take #2’s gift and say, “The elves made me do it!” Then, hand them another gift from the pile to open.
5. Choose a gift from the pile and trade it with #3 while you proclaim, “A little Christmas mischief never hurt anyone!”
6. Choose a gift from the pile and trade it with #1’s gift as you say, “Special delivery from the North Pole!”
7. Sing a line from your favorite Christmas song while you choose a gift from the pile to open.
8. Choose a gift from the pile and trade it with #4 while you tell them, “Consider this a little elf mischief!”
9. Choose a gift from the pile and give it to #7. Then, take #7’s original gift and say, “The North Pole made me do it!”
10. Pick a gift from the pile, trade it with #5, and whisper, “Christmas secrets are the best kind.”
11. Choose a gift from the pile, trade it with #8, and say, “Looks like the elves are shaking things up!”
12. Say, “Time for a little Christmas magic!” Then, pick a gift from the pile and trade with #9.
13. Proclaim, “The elves have spoken!” Pick a gift from the pile and trade it with someone who has a dog.
14. Choose a gift from the pile and trade it with someone who has a gift and is wearing green.
15. Pick a gift from the pile, open it, and say, “Well, this is a Christmas surprise!”
16. Ask #13, “What’s your favorite Christmas color?” Then choose a gift from the pile and exchange it with someone wearing #13’s favorite color.
17. Say, “Welcome to the North Pole!” Choose a gift from the pile and trade it with #12.
18. Pick a gift from the pile, trade it with #15, and give everyone your biggest Christmas smile!
19. Choose a gift from the pile and trade it with someone who has a gift and their name starts with an E (or has an E in their name if no names start with E).
20.  Proclaim, “The North Pole is full of surprises!” Then, take a gift from the pile.
21. Choose a gift from the pile, open it, and say, “Mississippi” just because it’s fun to say!
22. Ask, “Who needs a little Christmas cheer?” Then, choose a gift from the pile and trade it with them.
23. Choose a gift from the pile, trade it with #20 and tell them, “That’s how the elves roll!”
24. Say, “Christmas mission accomplished!” Then take a gift from the pile and trade it with someone wearing red.

Buy The Elf Gift Exchange Game Here

Elf Gift Exchange Gift Ideas

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Gifts for an Elf Gift Exchange should be light-hearted, fun, and something people will be excited to open or trade for! Set a spending limit ahead of time so everyone knows the budget. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• You’ve Been Elfed Box, or You’ve Been Elfed Christmas Gift Idea full of Christmas magic.
• This Yarn Snowball – A Creative Way To Give Gift Cards is a super fun gift to unwrap and a clever way to give a gift card!
• Use these Printable Christmas Dough Gingerbread Man Tags and Bag Toppers to gift cash in a way that’s so festive that no one can complain you cheated by gifting cash.
• A game like SKYJO because all elves love to play games!
• If the limit is $25, check out this Christmas Gift Card Book. Buy five, $5 gift cards and create a book with five pages!
• Add a movie theater gift card to microwave popcorn with a Printable Christmas Popcorn Tag attached.

The best part is that there’s no need to find a specific kind of gift. Choose something fun, wrap it up, and let the elves decide where it ends up!

Frequently Asked Questions

More Gift Exchange Game Ideas

• If you’re looking for a more traditional gift exchange, these White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules and Printables are ready to help!
• When you want your guests to purchase useful gifts, these Dirty Santa Rules And Numbers are what you need!
• Looking for a gift exchange idea that’s different? Check out these Christmas Gift Exchange Games that are both familiar and not so familiar. There’s a wide variety to choose from to make your gift exchange unique and extra fun!

More Christmas Game Ideas

• A simple way to add a fun game that doesn’t take much time to play or effort to put together is this Guess How Many Christmas Party Game!
• Grab a prize, print this Name That Tradition Christmas Game, cut the cards, and play!
• This Who Said That Christmas Game is perfect for the movie watchers in the crowd!
• For a game that can be played as a group or in spare time, this Who Is Most Like An Elf Christmas Party Game is a fun and festive one.
• This popular Toilet Paper Snowman Game – Build A Human Snowman will have guests getting up and active to compete against other teams!