Unique Free Taste The Rainbow Holiday Gift Exchange Game

Taste the rainbow, steal the gift!

If your gift exchange usually goes “open, smile, say thank you, repeat,” it’s time to shake things up.

In the Skittles Gift Exchange Game, each piece of candy decides who ends up with what. Every color comes with an action, so one little Skittle might send every gift to the right, make you swap with the person across from you, or let you steal the present you’ve been eyeing all night.

Nobody knows which gift they’re going home with until the last Skittle is drawn, and that’s what makes it so much fun.

It takes two minutes to set up, works for kids and adults, and the only supplies you need are wrapped gifts, a bag of Skittles, and the free printable below.

Supplies You Need

All you need to play is:

• One wrapped gift per player
• The free printable game sheet at the bottom of this post. Click the blue “download” button.
• One bag or box of Skittles

Objective of the Game

The goal is simple! Pick a Skittle without looking, follow the action, and watch the swapping, unwrapping, and excitement unfold.

The end result? Tons of laughter, and every player walks away with a gift!

How to Play the Christmas Skittles Gift Exchange Game

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Have each player bring a wrapped gift (set a price limit ahead of time).

2. Players sit in a circle, each holding their gift.

3. Place the printable game board in the center so everyone can see it clearly. Then, pour your Skittles into a bowl or cup.

6. The youngest player goes first. Then play continues clockwise.

7. On each turn, the player:

• Picks a Skittle out of the bowl without looking
• Follows the directions on the game sheet

8. Play continues with players swapping, stealing, and passing.

9. When the players pick out the color orange, they have the option to leave the game and keep their gift. The game ends when everyone but one person has left.

Beware! I had to keep my family from eating all the Skittles while playing! Haha!

Each Game Action

Here’s a little bit more about what’s on the printable:

Red – Everyone passes gifts to the right

Green – Everyone passes gifts to the left

Yellow – Open the gift you have (everyone sees it, but the player and gift are still in the game)

Purple – Swap with the person across from you

Orange – Swap with any player OR keep your gift, whether it’s opened or not, and leave the game. (This is the only color that allows you to leave the game)

What if you don’t want to use Skittles?

You certainly don’t have to! Here are some non-candy and non-food ideas that are great for big groups.

*Skittles come in five colors (red, orange, yellow, green, purple), so check that your substitute covers all five or adjust the action key to match.

• Pom poms: cheap, quiet, and sold in multicolor packs at any craft store.
• Pony beads: come in every color and are easy to pull one at a time.
• LEGO bricks: use same-size bricks so nobody can tell colors by feel.
• Buttons: a mixed craft pack works if you sort out matching sizes.
• Mini erasers: a fun pick for classrooms, and kids can keep them.
• Plastic counting chips or bingo chips: flat, uniform, and usually already in a teacher’s or game closet.
• Mini ornaments or jingle bells: a festive option for a Christmas exchange.
• Colored craft sticks: draw them from a cup with the colored ends down.
• Colored paper slips or cardstock squares: cut from construction paper and fold them, so it costs nothing.
• Crayons or markers: pull one from a bag without looking.

More Christmas Party Game Ideas

Keep the fun going with these:

• Christmas Family Feud
• Christmas Danger Word Family Game
• Christmas Finish the Lyrics
• Holiday Minute-to-Win-It Games
• Unique War Gift Exchange Game
• Best Christmas Party Games for Work

What’s Next?

Don’t miss the best newsletter around! Sign up to receive the best tips and resources for connection and routine. Start with the checklist and kid coupons below!