This fun December dice gift game is the perfect way to exchange gifts with a big group for Christmas, a favorite things party, or really any time you want to exchange gifts! Rolling dice to determine what happens to the gifts takes away the pressure of choosing whether to pick a gift or steal a gift – you just do what the dice wants!
I love gift exchanges when they’re done right. Everyone bringing a gift and playing a traditional white elephant gift exchange where you just choose numbers and in order decide whether you’re going to pick a gift or steal – that gets old.
That’s why I’ve created brand new gift exchange games over the years to make the tradition of doing gift exchanges way more fun. Combine a fun gift exchange game like this dice gift game with one of these fun gift exchange themes for the ultimate Christmas party!
This December dice gift game is similar to our deck of cards gift exchange except instead of using playing cards, it uses two dice to determine what happens to the gifts! We also have a single dice gift exchange game that’s totally different but also fun if you’ve played this one and want to mix things up for next year!
Setup the dice gift game
You’ll need two six-sided dice and to print out the December dice game key to play. You can download it at the bottom of this post or if you’d rather now, you can always just write it out on your own!
In addition, everyone will need to bring a wrapped gift (or you can provide the gifts) that they put on a table when they arrive at the party. Here are some great white elephant gift ideas if you need an idea!
Tip!
No matter how many times you remind people to bring a wrapped gift, people are going to forget! Instead of not allowing them to play, have a handful of extra wrapped gifts available to add to the game for last-minute additions or people who just plain forgot their gift. I’ve been there and was grateful for hosts who still allowed me to play!
How to play december dice
This game is super easy to play! It’s as simple as rolling the dice and doing what the dice indicate!
1 – Have everyone sit in a circle or close enough to a circle so that it’s easy to pass the gifts to the left and right.
2 – Randomly hand out all of the wrapped gifts to people so that everyone has one, ideally not their own.
3 – Give the dice to one person in the circle and tell them to roll the dice and follow the instructions that correspond with the number they roll.
4 – Go around the circle allowing everyone to roll the dice once to complete the first round.
5 – Go around the circle a second time. If you want to, you can have people unwrap their gift before they roll so that all of the gifts are unwrapped for the second round of passing and stealing!
Dice Roll Explanations
- Freeze your gift – this means that you can choose to freeze your gift and leave the game with whatever you have! This is the best roll IF you like what you have!
- Switch with anyone – choose someone to switch gifts with and if their gift is not unwrapped, unwrap the gift after you switch.
- Swift with your right/left – switch your gift with the person on your right or left and if their gift is not unwrapped, unwrap the gift after you switch.
- Unwrap or roll again – unwrap your gift if your gift isn’t already unwrapped. If it is unwrapped, just roll again. Once all gifts are unwrapped, you can switch this one to a switch with anyone.
- Everyone pass their gift – everyone in the circle passes their gift to the left or right kind of like in a left right gift exchange. These are the dice rolls with the highest odds, so you’ll likely be passing all the gifts left and right often!
- Pick someone else to unwrap – pick someone else in the circle to unwrap their gift! This is a great way to get more gifts unwrapped so you can see what’s out there for the second round!
How to End the Gift Game
Before the game starts, determine how many times you’ll go around the circle depending on the number of people you have and how long you want the game to last.
If you’re playing with a larger group (15+), I recommend just going around twice. If you’re playing with a smaller number and want the game to take up more time, you can go around three times (or more if you really want – but it does get a little old!).
This type of gift exchange is great because it’s so random, you never know what will happen all the way until the final roll!
More Gift Exchange Games
Played this game already and looking for something new? Try out one of these fun gift gifts after this dice gift game!
- Grinch gift exchange – this fun take on a left right gift exchange incorporates the Grinch book and switching gifts!
- Gift exchange cards – choose a card to decide what happens in this silly gift exchange that’s perfect for taking the pressure off!
- Heads or tails gift exchange – flip a coin to see if you steal or pass!
- Mug exchange – everyone brings a mug filled with items for a fun gift game!
- 12 Days of Christmas game – a gift game that’s perfect for anyone who loves the 12 days of Christmas and a twist on a traditional gift game!
Download the dice gift game key
Enter your first name and email address in the form below to get the printable free download PDF. You will receive a link to download the PDF to your email within minutes. Print on card stock and you’re on your way.
If you’d prefer to not provide your email address, you can get a copy in my shop here.
If you do not see the form, click here to get to it.
If you do not see the email with the immediately after you fill out the form, make sure to check your promotions, spam, and junk folders!
The file will include:
- Instructions
- One-page PDF of the game key
- Four to a page of the game key (so you can have them out for everyone)
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