Easiest Christmas Gift Exchange Game of War: Battle It Out For Gifts!

Who’s ready to turn a classic card game into holiday hilarity?

This War Christmas gift exchange adds a festive twist to the classic card game favorite. Instead of just battling it out for the highest card, you’ll be competing for wrapped surprises under the tree!

With every flip, the stakes get higher, the laughs get louder, and nobody knows which gifts they’ll end up with until the very last card is played. It’s simple, fast-paced, and guaranteed to bring out everyone’s playful side this holiday season.

Plus, it works at a large Christmas party or as a small family night activity. Play it your way!

Supplies You Need

All you need to play is:

• Playing cards (each player needs to have a suit of cards – spades, hearts, clubs, diamonds)
• Gifts (each player should bring a gift, but you might want extras. Just in case someone forgets)

Objective of the Game

The objective is to turn your basic holiday gift exchange into an easy and fun game!

What Makes This Game So Fun?

In this Christmas gift exchange, the person can’t automatically steal a gift from someone. They must challenge and win the Game of War first. It adds an element of surprise and excitement to the game.

How to Play the Christmas War Exchange Game

1. Each player receives a suit of cards. Have players sit in a circle with the wrapped gifts in the middle

2. Decide on the order you’ll go in. To decide, you can have the entire group compete in one large game of War.

3. Once you begin, the first person must unwrap a gift. But you can give them another turn at the very end as well.

4. On each person’s turn, they can choose to unwrap a gift from the middle or challenge another person in the group for their gift. They challenge by playing a game of War! The winner keeps the gift. If the gift is stolen, the person who lost the gift can unwrap a new gift or choose to challenge someone else.

To challenge another person: Both players shuffle their cards. On the count of three, the players put down their top card. The winner (highest card) wins the challenge. (Aces are the highest and 2s are the lowest.) If you tie, each player puts down three cards and then pulls one from the deck to put on top.

3. From there, play goes around the circle clockwise.

5. You can challenge for each gift up to 3 times. After that, the gift is “dead” – meaning that it remains with the person it’s with.

6. Play goes until everyone has had a turn, and the first person gets a second turn. (Since they had to open a gift on their first turn).

Variations to This Fun War Gift Exchange Game

• Each person starts with their own unwrapped gift: Have players each start with their own gift, and everyone can see what it is. Then, for every turn, each player can choose to keep their gift or challenge for another.

• Have each person bring a gift card instead of a gift. See more fun gift cards Christmas exchange games >>

More Unforgettable Christmas Ideas

Don’t miss these other great things to do!

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• Fascinating Christmas Trivia
• Easiest Elf on the Shelf Ideas
• Left Right Game for Christmas
• Fun Christmas Party Themes Everyone Will Love

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