The Deck of Cards Gift Exchange Game

Every gift exchange plays out differently due to its unique combination of people, gifts, and luck. Still, for those who have done their share of swapping over the years, the standard rules might start to feel a little… stale. That’s where it pays for you, the host, to have an ace up your sleeve.

With a tweak here and there, you can add an extra dimension to your holiday gift swap that will make it all the more memorable. I’ve gone over popular variations using dice and Rock-Paper-Scissors. Now let’s talk about the Deck of Cards gift exchange game.

Note that this type gift swap uses a standard set of playing cards with aces, kings, and all that good stuff. Another option is to use a set of custom cards that you print out. If you’re interested in that type of gift swap, check out my take on the Grinch gift exchange game. Otherwise, read on!

How to Play

Here’s what you will need:

A standard set of playing cards
A reference guide/cheat sheet (see printable below)
A wrapped gift for each player (usually supplied by the players themselves, with a price limit communicated in advance).

1. Have everyone sit in a circle holding a gift.

If the gifts are already sitting in a pile, just have each player grab a gift. If players supplied the gifts, another option is to have everyone hold their own present at the start of the game and then pass, say, four spaces to the right.

2. Determine who goes first.

That could be the youngest or oldest player, or the one with a birthday closest to Christmas.

3. The first player opens their gift, then draws a card and does what the cheat sheet says.

This could be an individual instruction (ex. trade with anyone of your choice), or an instruction for the whole group (ex. everyone pass one space to the right).

4. The game proceeds clockwise around the circle until everyone has had a turn. Then, if players supplied the gifts, check to see if anyone is holding their own.

If no one is holding their own gift, the game ends and players keep the presents they’re holding. Any unopened presents should be opened at this time. Otherwise, see the next step.

5. Going clockwise again, each player holding their own present gets another turn and follows the special “overtime” rules.

When each of these players has had a turn, the game ends. Again, players open any unopened presents.

The Cards

Here are the rules to follow for each card. But first a few notes on swapping:

Each player opens the gift they’re holding before drawing a card and revealing it.
Whenever a player swaps for an unopened present, they immediately open that present.
Unopened presents are NOT opened when passed (i.e. when the instructions tell everyone to pass in a particular direction). If by chance any presents are still unopened at the end of the game, they are opened at that time.

Ace	You may swap with anyone of your choice. Then you may exit the game and keep the present you’re holding.
King	Everyone passes one space to the left or right (your choice).
Queen	If red, you may swap with someone wearing red or someone sitting on your right. If black, you may swap with someone wearing black or someone sitting on your left.
Jack	Draw three cards and pick one of them. Follow the instructions for that card.
Joker	Everyone passes one, two, or three spaces to the left (your choice).
Numbered Hearts	Swap with the person on your right.
Numbered Spades	Swap with the person on your left.
Numbered Diamonds	Everyone passes one space to the right.
Numbered Clubs	Everyone passes one space to the left.

Overtime Rules

Here are the “overtime” rules, which are only needed if one or more players wind up with their own presents. Those players would then each take a turn and follow these simplified directions.

Note: Wondering why separate rules are needed? In a nutshell, it’s to strip out the “everyone pass” instructions, which could result in other players winding up with their own presents. We don’t want the game to go on forever!

Face Card	Swap with anyone of your choice.
Red Card	Swap with the person on your right.
Black Card	Swap with the person on your left.

Printable

Finally, here’s the printable cheat sheet to keep on hand for the gift exchange. Click here or on the preview image below to view/download. Note that this printable is for personal, non-commercial use only.