Christmas Dice Gift Exchange Game: Rules
Roll dice to swap, steal or keep wrapped gifts in a fast Christmas exchange. Learn the setup, easy rules and fun variations for families and office parties.
What You Need
The dice gift exchange is a fast, lucky way to swap presents. You roll two dice, follow a rule for each number and keep whatever you hold when time is up.
How to Set Up
- Ask each guest to bring one wrapped gift with the same value.
- Put all gifts in a pile or on a table.
- Sit in a circle. Give the dice to the first player.
- Set a timer for 10 minutes.
How to Play
- On your turn, roll both dice.
- Follow the rule for your roll:
- Total of 7: Take a new gift from the pile.
- Doubles: Swap your gift with anyone you pick.
- Total of 2 or 12: Steal a gift from any player.
- Total of 3: Pass your gift to the player on your left.
- Total of 11: Everyone passes their gift to the right.
- Any other roll: Nothing happens. Pass the dice.
- Gifts stay wrapped until the timer ends.
- When the timer ends, everyone opens the gift they hold.
Scoring and Winning
There are no points. The best gift is the one you like, so everyone wins in their own way. If you want a prize, vote for the best gift at the end.
Tips for a Fun Game
- Write the dice rules on a poster so everyone can see them.
- Keep the time short, or the game will feel long.
- Set a cap of three steals for any one gift.
- Use gifts with fun wrapping so players guess what is inside.
Variations
- Little kids: Use one die. Roll a six to take a gift and a one to swap.
- Teams: Two teams roll in turns and the team with more gifts at the end wins a bonus.
- Adults: Add a rule that a roll of 5 means “tell a funny Christmas story or lose a turn.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play the Christmas dice gift exchange?
Place all gifts in the middle. Players take turns rolling two dice. Each roll has a rule, such as take a gift, swap gifts or pass a gift. When the timer ends, you keep what you hold.
How is the dice game different from White Elephant?
White Elephant uses a set order. In the dice game, luck decides every move, so it is faster and more chaotic.
What gifts work for a dice exchange?
Use gifts of the same price, such as $10. Wrapped candy, mugs, socks and small tools all work.
