The customs behind the gifts: how office swaps run, what each anniversary year stands for and how holidays from Hanukkah to Eid handle gift giving.
Holidays and traditions
The best gift exchange games depend on your group. For large groups, try white elephant or a number swap. For families, try pass the parcel or a left-right story. For friends, try dice games or a theme swap. For remote teams, run a virtual steal. This guide covers 12 games with simple rules.
Holidays and traditions
Do you give gifts on Hanukkah? It depends on the family, and no single rule covers all eight nights. Gifts are a newer custom than gelt (coins). Families give a small gift each night, gelt, one shared gift, or charity. Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown Friday, December 4, and ends at nightfall Saturday, December 12.
Holidays and traditions
The core Secret Santa rules are simple: everyone draws one name, buys one gift within an agreed budget, and keeps their identity secret until a set reveal date. Decide the spending limit, the deadline and any theme before names are drawn, and make joining optional at work. This guide covers work, family and online versions.
Holidays and traditions
White elephant rules in short: everyone brings one wrapped gift, players draw numbers, and on each turn you either open a new gift or steal an opened one. Agree on a steal limit and a price cap before you start. Common twists include dice rolls, freezing gifts after a set number of steals and group story rounds.
Mom, dad, partners, grandparents, kids, teens and coworkers
Christmas, Hanukkah, Valentine's Day, anniversaries and gift swaps
Last-minute, hosts, hard-to-shop-for people and gift styles
Cooks, book lovers, gamers and tech fans
Small gifts under $10, $25 and $50