ROLL THE DIE, PASS THE GIFTS
Gift exchange dice game: rules for your party.
In a dice gift exchange, the die decides where the presents go. Everyone brings one wrapped gift and leaves with one at the end. Here is a complete suggested version you can use at your party.
There are many house rules for dice exchanges. Our version first distributes the packages, then uses a timed swapping round, followed by unwrapping together. It does not require an online recipient draw.
What to prepare
- One wrapped gift per person, with no recipient name.
- One standard six-sided die and a timer.
- A table or circle where everyone can easily pass gifts.
- An agreement on gift types, budget and fragile items.
For a quirky exchange, choose clean, usable things you already own. Avoid dangerous or broken items. At an office party, choose gifts the group can enjoy without embarrassing any individual.
Phase 1: Give everyone a package
Place all the gifts in the middle. Take turns rolling clockwise. If you roll a 1 or 6 and have no gift yet, choose a package. Players who already have a gift sit out for the rest of this phase. Keep every package wrapped.
Once everyone has a gift, start the swapping round. For a shorter party, distribute the wrapped packages randomly at the start and go straight to phase 2.
Phase 2: The dice rules for swapping
Set a timer, for example for ten minutes, and continue taking turns. Each number triggers the action below. After every action, everyone still has exactly one gift.
- 1: Swap your gift with any player you choose.
- 2: Everyone passes their gift one place to the left at the same time.
- 3: Everyone passes their gift one place to the right at the same time.
- 4: Swap your gift with the person on your left.
- 5: Swap your gift with the person on your right.
- 6: Keep your gift; the next player rolls.
“Left” and “right” are always from the seated player’s perspective. Explain this before starting. This version only swaps gifts: nobody collects several packages and nobody is left without one.
Phase 3: Stop the timer and unwrap together
When the timer rings, finish only the action that has already been rolled. Each gift then stays with its current holder. Take turns unwrapping. Anyone who wants to can tell the story behind the gift they brought.
This gives the game a clear ending. If you want to allow voluntary swaps afterwards, agree on that beforehand and require both players to consent.
A short rule sheet to share
Everyone brings one wrapped gift with no name. First, everyone gets a package: roll 1 or 6 to take one if you have none. Then swap for ten minutes: 1 = swap with anyone, 2 = everyone passes left, 3 = everyone passes right, 4 = swap with your left neighbour, 5 = swap with your right neighbour, 6 = keep. When the timer rings, finish the current action, then unwrap.
When is a secret name draw a better fit?
If you want to prepare a personal gift or send packages, drawing names in advance is a better fit. Everyone then knows who their gift is for. My Dirty Santa supports that secret assignment; you play the dice game above yourselves at the table.
How to draw Secret Santa names online →