The Holiday Game!

Last Thursday I told you I am going the play a game with some friends on Christmas Eve. Here is the game we are going to play.

This is nice alternative way to celebrate Christmas (Sinterklaas or any other gift giving holiday).

What you’ll need:

• Everyone who is going to play the game needs to bring three (one thing they want to give away*/one thing they would want to get themselves/and one hideous object) wrapped gifts. Before hand you decide (together) the amount you are going to spend (5 or 10 euro/pound/dollar is a nice amount per gift).
• A die/dice
• A clock/timer
• Chance-cards (optional!. – you can find two files at the bottom of this post. If you are going to use these, you will also need some paper, a printer and scissors)
• Fun friends/relatives.
• Time!

When people enter the room, they place their gifts on a pile (or in a big basket) in the centre of the room. Gifts stay wrapped until round 3
Now gather around, take a seat and let the game begin!

Round 1
Set the timer for 30 minutes or keep an eye on the clock
Ask the youngest person to roll the die to start the game (the game is played clockwise)
The eyes on the die will tell you what to do next. When your result is:

Lucky you, you may roll the die again.


Give the die to the person on your right (the game will be played counter clockwise now. When someone throws a 4, the game will be played clockwise again)

Lucky you, you don’t have to do a thing


Give the die to the person sitting two seats on the left of you


Return one gift to the pile, if you don’t have any gifts you don’t have to do a thing


Hooray, you may take a gift from the pile


When the time is up, it’s time for a little break. Get some snacks or drinks, change the music, go to the bathroom or just relax! (don’t forget to enjoy yourself)

Round 2
Set the timer for 30 minutes or keep an eye on the clock
The game starts with the person who’s turn it was.
Remember: the gifts stay wrapped
Again, the number on the die will tell you what to do next. When your result is:

Lucky you, you may roll the die again.


Give the die to the person on your right (the game will be played counter clockwise now. When someone throws a 4, the game will be played clockwise again)

Give the die to the person sitting two seats on the left of you


Exchange a gift with one of the other players


Nick a gift from one of the other players


Hooray, you may get a gift from the pile. When all the presents are gone you must take a chance cards.

When the time is up, it’s time for a little break. Get some snacks or drinks, change the music, go to the bathroom, have a laugh or just relax!

Round 3
Set the timer for 30 minutes or keep an eye on the clock.
Now everyone gets up and moves to the seat on his left (or move the gifts one place to the left) and now it’s time…..TIME to unwrap the gifts!! When everyone has unwrapped the gifts the game continues (you can still lose gifts)….so here we go again:

Lucky you, you may roll the die again


Give the die to the person on your right (the game will be played counter clockwise now. When someone throws a 4, the game will be played clockwise again)

Give the die to the person sitting two seats on the left of you


Exchange a gift with one of the other players


Nick a gift from one of the other players


Hooray, you may take a gift from the pile. When all the presents are gone you must take a chance cards

The game ends when the time is up! When the buzzer rings you are stuck with the gifts right in front of you. If you are really unlucky this can also mean no gifts at all, but hey…..at least you had fun :) If everyone is displeased with the gifts, you can trade gifts, auction gifts or play another round. Remember: It’s all about fun, it’s not about the presents!

* this can also be something that was given to you once.

Chance cards 1
Chance cards 2