(Snazzy Santa invitation; all other images courtesy of Pinterest: stacked gifts, polka dot wrapping, gift display, decorative gifts)
When it comes to holiday parties, everyone has their own special traditions and unique/silly games to entertain guests. Popular games include having a secret santa or a white elephant exchange. This post was inspired by one of our recent customer orders featuring a dirty santa game – which, at the time, we didn’t know too much about.
After some looking into, you can play the dirty santa game individually or as a couple. First, everyone brings a wrapped gift valued between $20-$30 or whatever is decided. Gift-wrapping is key: make sure the gift looks appealing so people will select it. A good gift is something people will enjoy: something fun and in good taste (the opposite of a white elephant exchange).
The basic rules are as follows:
1. The gifts start in the center of the room so people can select one.
2. Everyone playing selects a number to determine the order of who selects a gift first, second, and so on.
3. Person #1 picks a gift and opens it, making sure to show it to everyone playing.
4. Person #2 can either take person #1’s opened gift or select a new unopened gift from the center of the room.
5. If person #2 takes person #1’s gift, person #1 must then select a new unopened gift.
6. Next is person #3. This person can either take person #1 or 2’s opened gift or select a new unopened gift from the center of the room.
7. If person #3 takes person #2’s gift, person #2 must either take person #1’s opened gift or select a new unopened gift from the center of the room. Person #2 cannot directly take the gift back from person #3.
The game continues until all players have either taken an opened gift from someone or selected a gift from the center of the room. During the game, if a person takes the same gift back 3 times, then the gift becomes retired. A retired gift means this person gets possession of it and it can no longer be taken. Beware: until a gift becomes retired, although it may be in your possession, you may not end up with it at the end of the game.
After learning the rules, this is very similar to an ornament exchange we do at Invitation Consultants each year. Do you have any special or quirky holiday traditions?
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