How to Play the Pass the Gift Game
The pass the gift game is a party exchange where wrapped presents move around a circle until a signal stops them. The person holding a gift at that moment keeps it. The signal can be music, a dice roll or cue words in a story or poem.
Tap a few interests for each person (photo optional) → we draw names and hand every Santa gift picks they're more likely to love.
Start the draw →What You Need
- One wrapped gift per player, or one prize per round if you play with a single gift.
- A circle of seats, or floor space where everyone can pass items left and right.
- For the music version: a phone or speaker and a playlist you can pause.
- For the dice version: one or two dice.
- For the poem version: a printed copy of the poem or story below.
- Optional: a small table in the middle of the circle to hold gifts between rounds.
Keep gifts similar in value so nobody feels shortchanged. Label each gift with a number if you plan to hand them out in order, and ask players to hold gifts on their laps, not above their heads, so nothing gets dropped.
Version 1: Pass the Gift With Music
- Everyone sits in a circle and holds one wrapped gift.
- Start the music and have players pass their gift to the right on each beat.
- Pause the music at random. Whoever holds a gift when the music stops keeps it and leaves the circle, or stays in and sits out the next round with the gift on their lap.
- Restart the music and repeat until one player is left holding a gift, or until every gift has been claimed.
If you have more players than gifts, put the extra gifts in the middle and let players who are out choose one at the end. Change direction each time you restart the music to keep people paying attention.
Version 2: Pass the Gift With Dice
- Players sit in a circle and pass one gift to the right while a single die is passed to the left.
- Each player rolls the die when it reaches them. A roll of 6 means the roller takes the gift from the person holding it, then that person rolls next.
- Play for a set time, such as ten minutes, and let whoever holds the gift when time ends keep it.
For a faster game, use two dice and treat 6 or doubles as a steal. For a calmer game with young children, use one die and treat any even number as a pass to the left and any odd number as a pass to the right, with no stealing.
Version 3: The Story or Poem With LEFT and RIGHT Cues
In this version, players pass gifts on every cue word. Choose one direction for LEFT and the other for RIGHT, and read slowly enough that people can react. Read the piece twice if the circle is large, or read it once and let the last holders keep their gifts. Here is a short original poem you can use:
The Gift That Traveled The parcel sat left of the punch bowl, waiting, While right by the door stood a guest who was late. It went to the left when the clock started chiming, Then right to the aunt with the second slice of cake. It slipped to the left past the dog and the tinsel, And right to the cousin who laughed at the bow. A left turn, a right turn, a wobble, a giggle, The left side was winning, the right side was slow. Then right went the parcel, and left came the ending, So right held the gift when the last line was read. Pass left, pass right, there is no pretending: The gift stays with whoever is right where it led.
For a story version, write four or five short paragraphs about the party and insert LEFT and RIGHT in bold about twenty times. Longer pieces with clustered cues near the end make the final moments livelier.
Tap a few interests for each person (photo optional) → we draw names and hand every Santa gift picks they're more likely to love.
Start the draw →Variations for Kids, Offices and Family
| Setting | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Young kids | Use small toys or candy, pass on every cue, and avoid eliminations so no one sits out sad. |
| Mixed ages | Pair younger children with an adult who helps them pass on cue. |
| Office party | Use the dice version at a meeting table, cap play at ten minutes, and keep gifts under a set value. |
| Large family | Split into two circles of eight to ten people so the passing stays quick. |
| Single big gift | Pass one wrapped prize and let the holder at the end open it in front of everyone. |
Tips for a Smooth Game
- Write the direction rule on a card: "LEFT means pass this way, RIGHT means pass that way."
- Hold gifts on laps and pass hand to hand, never by tossing.
- Read or pause the music at uneven intervals so players cannot guess the stop.
- Keep a spare wrapped gift in case a guest arrives late.
- Agree on a gift value range before the party so the exchange feels fair.
- If a gift is heavy or fragile, place it in the middle and let players swap seats instead.
Whichever version you choose, run one practice round with an empty box. People learn the cues faster by doing than by listening, and the real round starts clean.
Add a Secret Santa to the night
Playing at a family or office party? Draw names for your group beforehand so each person brings a gift for one name, then use the pass game for a bonus prize.
More guides
Gift exchange games \xB7 Left right Christmas game \xB7 White elephant rules \xB7 How to play
Questions
What is the pass the gift game?
It is a party game where wrapped gifts move around a circle as music plays, dice roll or cue words are read, and whoever holds a gift when the signal stops keeps it.
How do you play pass the gift with music?
Players hold a gift and pass it to the right while music plays. When the music pauses, the holders keep their gifts or step out, and play continues until the gifts are claimed.
What do LEFT and RIGHT mean in the poem version?
Before reading, the group agrees which direction each word means. Every time the reader says LEFT or RIGHT, players pass their gift one seat that way.
Can you play with only one gift?
Yes. Use a single wrapped prize and pass it around the circle. The person holding it when the music, dice or poem ends opens it in front of the group.
How many rounds should you play?
Stop when every gift is claimed or when about ten to fifteen minutes have passed. Short rounds keep attention high, especially with children.
Tap a few interests for each person (photo optional) → we draw names and hand every Santa gift picks they're more likely to love.
Start the draw →Updated October 28, 2026