The Grinch Gift Exchange Game: It's a Mean One

December brings a flurry of different gift exchange games, many of which have been around for years, such as White Elephant and Secret Santa. However, if the existing games don’t quite do it for you, there’s another option – make up your own. That’s what I’m doing today with a unique gift swap based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

As you might expect, this game is all about stealing presents from others. One player is cast in the role of the Grinch and can steal a gift at the end of each turn – that is, if the other players can’t stop them.

Like the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas gift exchange, this game uses custom cards that you can print from a file at the end of this article. In addition, each player will need to bring a wrapped present (be sure to spell this out in in the invite). It’s flexible on the number of players, but probably works best with medium-sized groups of 8-12 people. Read on for all the details.

Feature image for article on the Grinch gift exchange game

Rules

At its core, the Grinch gift exchange is a variation on White Elephant, with some extra sneakiness built in thanks to the custom cards that are dealt out to the players.

Here’s what you will need:

Grinch-themed playing cards (see printable below)
One wrapped present for each player

Here’s how the game plays out:

1. Players sit in the order they will go. Determine who will go first.

Players could sit in a circle or line of chairs. Regardless, the gift pile should be close and convenient for people to access.

2. Shuffle the Grinch-themed playing cards and deal one to each player. Players keep their cards secret until it’s time to play them.

Before shuffling, ensure the cards include The Grinch, Cindy Lou-Who, Max the Dog, and Three Sizes That Day. Add enough Who cards so there is a card for everyone.

Example of the Grinch card from the Grinch gift exchange game

3. The first player chooses a gift and opens it. At the end of the turn, whoever is the Grinch can steal that gift.

Whenever a present is stolen, the person stolen from either gets the present the stealing player was holding or – if they didn’t have a present – opens a new present from the pile. Whenever the Grinch steals a present, the stolen present is frozen (may not be stolen again) and the cards are shuffled and passed out again.

Note that the Grinch isn’t the only one with tricks up their sleeve. Other players may have cards that block players (including the Grinch) from stealing from them.

4. Following players can choose to steal a previously opened gift (provided it’s not frozen) or open a new one.

Unlike other versions of White Elephant, players who are stolen from cannot steal from anyone else.

Again, at the end of each turn, whoever is the Grinch may attempt to steal any present that was opened that turn.

5. The game proceeds until everyone has had a turn. Then the cards are shuffled and passed out again, and the first player gets one last chance to steal.

Of course, whoever is the Grinch at the end gets the actual last chance to steal.

The Cards

Unlike the Deck of Cards Gift Exchange, this game uses custom cards based on the story. Here are the cards with the various roles. Note that the ordinary Who cards don’t do anything and should be added as necessary so that the number of cards matches the number of players.

The Grinch – At the end of any turn, you may steal a present that was opened that turn. If you do, that present is frozen.

Cindy Lou Who – No one can steal from you!