1. Mystery drink countdown
Everyone brings a dozen of the same wrapped, numbered drink and swaps them. Then you open one per window through the season, rate it, and guess who brought it. It's the only game on this list that keeps going for weeks. Best for: friend groups with a group chat. Any size, any season: run it with 2 to 24+ people, for Christmas, a birthday, a wedding or no occasion at all, over two weeks or six months.
2. Secret Santa
Draw names; each person buys one gift for one person. Simple and budget-friendly. Best for: families and offices.
3. White Elephant / Yankee Swap
Everyone brings one wrapped gift. Players take turns opening a new gift or stealing someone else's. Best for: one big party night with lots of laughs.
4. Christmas wish list swap
Each person shares a short wish list, and gifts are bought from the lists. Try a drink version: everyone brings a drink from their own wish list to share with the group. Best for: people who want gifts they'll actually use.
5. Themed swaps
Set a theme — "local only", "under $10", "something from your hometown", "best hot sauce". Themes make shopping easier and the reveal more fun.
6. Advent calendar swap
Each person makes small gifts for one or more days, and everyone ends up with a full calendar. A drink countdown is the easiest version of this — the app does the scheduling.
How to pick the right game
- One night only? White Elephant.
- Lots of people, small budget? Secret Santa.
- Want it to last all season? Mystery drink countdown.
- Mixed ages or non-drinkers? Use a custom item like teas, snacks or hot sauces.
Whichever you pick, the drink countdown flexes to fit: any number of people, any occasion, and any time period from a two-week sprint to a six-month countdown.