Back to the blog12 Funny Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas
For many of us, Christmas is synonymous with gifts. Ever since we were tiny we couldn’t wait to open our presents to see what Santa’s delivered. But even though we’re grown now, it doesn’t mean exchanging Christmas gifts should be any less fun. In this blog, we’ll give you some fun Christmas gift exchange ideas to add some extra festive excitement to your gathering with your friends and family.
7 Funny Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas
1. White Elephant Gift Exchange
First on our list of funny Christmas gift exchange ideas is The White Elephant gift exchange that’s guaranteed to add some laughs to your festive get-together.
How does it work?
Everyone brings a wrapped Christmas gift, often with a touch of humour. It could be anything from a rubber chicken to a quirky kitchen gadget or an oddly shaped piece of artwork. The fun begins when participants draw numbers to determine the order in which they’ll select their Christmas gifts.
As the Christmas gift exchange progresses, participants can choose to unwrap a new Christmas gift or “steal” an already unwrapped one from another player. The catch is that Christmas gifts can only be stolen a limited number of times, creating a dynamic where the most sought-after presents become coveted treasures, and the laughter never stops.
2. Secret Santa with a Twist
A Secret Santa Christmas gift exchange is one of the most iconic Christmas gift exchange traditions, but why not crank up the amusement factor? This year, introduce a twist that will leave your group in stitches. Instead of the usual gift-giving, set outlandish themes or quirky rules for your Secret Santa.
How does it work?
Everyone has to buy Christmas gifts that start with the same letter as the recipient’s name. Another option is to assign fictional scenarios as the basis for choosing Christmas gifts. Participants might need to buy something that would be useful to a wizard, a time traveller, or an alien.
3. The Regifting Relay
The Regifting Relay is a comical twist on the traditional Christmas gift exchange that will keep your guests entertained and engaged throughout your Christmas celebration. In this funny Christmas gift game, participants sit in a circle, and a pile of wrapped gifts is placed in the centre.
How does it work?
The fun begins when a timer is set, and participants start passing the gifts around the circle. However, there’s a catch: each person has a limited amount of time to decide whether to keep the gift they’re currently holding or “regift” it to the next person. The catch? The gifts are often wrapped in absurd or hilariously oversized packaging, making the decision even more entertaining.
As the timer ticks down, you’ll witness moments of panic, laughter, and strategy as participants try to secure the most coveted present. The thrill of the game and the unpredictability of each turn make The Regifting Relay a fantastic addition to your Christmas festivities.
4. Yankee Swap
Yankee Swap, also known as a White Elephant variation, takes the traditional Christmas gift exchange to a whole new level of excitement and merriment. The rules are simple but result in uproarious fun.
How does it work?
To begin, each participant brings a wrapped gift and places it in a central location. Players draw numbers to determine the order in which they’ll choose and open gifts. Here’s where the twist comes in: the first person selects a gift from the pile and opens it. The subsequent participants can either choose a new gift from the pile or “swap” for a gift someone else has already opened.
The catch is that gifts can only be “stolen” a limited number of times, which adds an element of strategy and suspense. The competition to secure the most desirable present can lead to laughter-inducing moments as participants vie for their favourite items.
5. Charity Shop Christmas Gift Challenge
If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful way to exchange gifts this Christmas, consider the Charity Shop Gift Challenge. This game combines giving back to charity and keeping costs low while still resulting in plenty of laughs.
How does it work?
In the charity shop Christmas gift challenge, you need everyone to visit their local charity shop with a set budget in mind. Their mission? Find the silliest, most unusual, or downright bizarre item they can within that budget. The goal is to bring back a Christmas gift that will leave everyone in stitches.
As everyone unveils their gifts, you’ll end with tons of random vintage items and nostalgic treasures. From mismatched socks to retro kitchen gadgets and obscure collectables, the Charity Shop Gift Challenge encourages creativity and guarantees an evening filled with laughter and surprises.
This lighthearted and budget-friendly approach to Christmas gift-giving is perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your Christmas fun.
6. DIY Ugly Christmas Jumper Exchange
Rocking Christmas jumpers have become an iconic Christmas tradition, but why stop at wearing them when you can exchange them as Christmas gifts? Host a DIY Ugly Christmas Jumper Exchange party and watch the hilarity unfold.
How does it work?
To get started, invite your friends or family around and make sure they take their jumpers and some arts and crafts supplies. Set the mood with classic Christmas tunes and snacks as everyone unleashes their creative genius to turn their jumpers into the most garish, gaudy, and gloriously ugly creations imaginable. Think pompoms, glitter, jingle bells, and googly eyes!
Once everyone has finished their masterpieces, it’s time for the grand unveiling. You can host an impromptu fashion where you reveal your DIY Christmas jumpers and exchange them as gifts. You can choose to decorate them with Christmas-themed puns, outrageous designs, or comically oversized decorations, a DIY Ugly Christmas Jumper Exchange is a surefire way to make your Christmas celebration memorable and side-splittingly funny.
7. Gifts of the Future
For a forward-thinking and hilarious twist on Christmas gift exchanges, consider “Gifts of the Future.” This unique Christmas gift exchange game challenges participants to imagine and exchange Christmas presents that people might use in the years to come.
How does it work?
Encourage your friends or family to let their imaginations run wild and select items that are whimsical, futuristic, and perhaps even a bit absurd. Think about inventions that haven’t been created yet but would make life more interesting, like a “self-peeling banana” or a “robotic pet sitter”. The more imaginative and far-fetched, the better.
8. Christmas Bingo Gift Exchange
Looking for a way to mix up your usual Christmas gift exchange with a bit of competitive fun? Why not host a Christmas Bingo Gift Exchange?
How does it work?
Create bingo cards with various quirky Christmas-related items or gift themes (e.g., something red, something that jingles, or something edible). As participants unwrap their gifts, everyone marks off items on their bingo cards. The first person to get a line (or even a full card!) wins a special prize.
This game not only keeps everyone engaged during the gift exchange but also adds an element of surprise and delight as people try to match their gifts to the bingo card criteria. Plus, it gives everyone a good laugh as some of the gift choices may be hilariously off-mark.
9. The Reverse Gift Exchange
This Christmas gift challenge idea will turn the usual gift exchange on its head! Instead of giving gifts to others, participants bring something they no longer need or use, such as an item from their closet, a book they’ve read a hundred times, or an outdated gadget. The twist? Everyone must “pitch” their item to the group as if it were the most exciting gift in the world. Think of it as a combination of a garage sale and a comedy improv show.
Participants will give hilarious “sales pitches” for their unwanted items, and then everyone votes on which one is the most desirable or comical. The best pitch wins! Not only will this be fun, but it’s also a great way to recycle items in a cheeky, festive way.
10. Christmas Charades Gift Exchange
If you love a good game of charades, why not turn it into a funny Christmas gift exchange?
How does it work?
In the Christmas Charades Gift Exchange, participants take turns acting out the name or theme of the Christmas present they’ve brought, without using any words. For example, if they brought a snow globe, they might mime shaking it. Everyone else has to guess what the gift is before they can unwrap it.
Once someone guesses correctly, they can reveal their Christmas gift. This twist not only adds an extra layer of fun to your Christmas gift exchange but also involves everyone in a fun and interactive way, with plenty of chances for hilarious misinterpretations and guesses.
11. Gift Wrap Relay Race
If you’re looking for a Christmas gift exchange idea that involves a bit of skill and a lot of laughter, the Gift Wrap Relay Race is a fantastic choice.
How does it work?
For this fun festive challenge, everyone will need to bring a Christmas gift of their own (or use a provided one) and then race against each other to wrap it as quickly and creatively as possible. The catch? No one can use standard wrapping paper—everyone must incorporate random, funny items into their wrapping, such as newspaper, foil, or even old maps.
The result is a series of quirky and often absurdly wrapped presents, which will get everyone laughing. You can add extra difficulty by assigning certain tasks to each round, such as wrapping with one hand or using an odd material like toilet paper. This competition will surely add fun and a touch of chaos to your festive festivities.
12. Christmas Scavenger Hunt Gift Exchange
Closing our list of the best Christmas gift exchange ideas for adults, is a classic Christmas scavenger hunt with a Christmas gift exchange.
How does it work?
In the Christmas Scavenger Hunt Gift Exchange, you hide small, inexpensive Christmas gifts around your home (this works especially well in homes with multiple rooms or a garden). Then, create a list of clues that lead participants from one gift to the next. Each clue should be playful and tied to the holiday season, such as “Find where the mistletoe hides” or “Look near the Christmas tree for a jolly surprise.”
As participants follow the clues and uncover their presents, they’ll also get a good workout and a heap of laughs along the way. This idea is especially great for larger gatherings, where a bit of movement and excitement can really get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
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