Dirty Santa is a fun, high-spirited gift exchange with a bit of strategy and chaos. Here’s a clear, practical guide you can use right away. What you need
- Each participant brings one wrapped gift (anonymous). Decide a price range so gifts are comparable.
- A central place for all gifts.
- A deck or slips of paper to assign a turn order (numbers 1 through N).
Core rules
- Gather and place all wrapped gifts in the center. Each person draws a number to determine the order.
- The first player selects any unwrapped gift, opens it, and shows it to everyone.
- The next player can either take a new, unwrapped gift from the pile or steal the gift currently in the previous player’s possession.
- If a gift is stolen, the person who loses it must either pick another unwrapped gift or steal from someone else. They cannot immediately steal back the same gift.
- A gift can be stolen a limited number of times (common limits are 3 total). Once it reaches the limit, it’s “frozen” and cannot be stolen again.
- The game continues until all gifts are opened and all stealing has ended. Often the first player gets one final turn at the end to decide whether to steal or keep.
Variations and tips
- Freeze rule: Many groups freeze gifts after three total steals to keep the game from dragging on.
- Theft limits per person: Some groups limit how often an individual can steal, or ban stealing from the same person twice in a row.
- Gift quality balance: If you want to reduce dramatic brawling, set a clear price range and emphasize “fun” gifts over high-value items.
- Endgame tweak: Allow the first player one extra steal at the very end if they haven’t yet had a final chance to improve their gift.
Gift ideas and etiquette
- Mix of gag gifts and desirable items keeps the game lively.
- Wrap all gifts creatively to maintain anonymity and surprise.
- Keep a lighthearted tone; if a gift is repeatedly targeted, consider implementing a “freeze” after three steals to preserve enjoyment for the rest.
Printable rule variants (quick options)
- Standard: Gift can be stolen up to 3 times; players take turns opening or stealing; final turn for the first player.
- Freeze-only: Gifts become unavailable for stealing after three total steals; last opened gifts stay with their holder.
What to decide before you play
- Number of steals allowed per gift (commonly 3).
- Whether the first player gets a final steal at the end.
- Whether there’s a minimum or maximum gift value to maintain balance.
If you want, I can tailor a version for your group size, preferred tone (raucous vs. cozy), and a printable set of rules you can hand out at the party.
