Ornament Exchange Ideas: How to Host a Swap and 6 Ornaments Everyone Wants

Quick answer: An ornament exchange works like a gift swap where every gift is a Christmas ornament: everyone brings one wrapped ornament within a set budget (usually $15 to $25), you draw numbers, and each person either opens a new gift or steals one already opened. The ornaments that get stolen most are the ones made for that exact group: the friends’ names on one design, the mahjong table on a tile ornament, the team on one sign, or something funny like a dumpling with a name on it.

Below is how to run the swap, three game variations, and six ornament ideas that work whether you are swapping with friends, coworkers or your weekly game night.

How an ornament exchange works

1. Set a budget. $15 to $25 keeps it fair and still buys a keepsake.

2. Everyone brings one wrapped ornament. Plain wrapping or matching bags keep the mystery.

3. Draw numbers. Number 1 opens a gift first.

4. Open or steal. Each next player opens a new gift or steals one already opened; the person who was robbed opens a new one or steals in turn.

5. Set a steal limit. An ornament is “frozen” after two or three steals, so the game ends.

Three ways to play

• Classic swap (white elephant style): the open-or-steal rules above. Best for groups of 8 to 20.

• Theme swap: everyone brings an ornament on one theme, such as food, travel or the group’s shared hobby. It makes the gifts easy to shop for.

• Keep-one-give-one: in a small group that knows each other well, each person orders the same personalized ornament for the whole table, so everyone goes home with a matching set.

1. For the friend group: “The Girls, Always Better Together”

The friends sit side by side in Christmas sweaters and reindeer ears under “The Girls, Always Better Together” and the year, with each name printed below, on a scalloped raised 3D acrylic ornament. Order one with the whole crew on it, and it is the one ornament nobody will let go of in a steal round.

Best for: a friends’ Christmas party where everyone knows everyone.

The Girls Always Better Together Name Ornament $19.99 $31.99 Personalize it

More ideas for friends: see our best friend Christmas ornaments.

2. For the mahjong table: four tiles, four names

Four cartoon mahjong tiles in a Santa hat, antlers, a beanie and a bow, each wearing one player’s name, under a string of Christmas lights with “Mahj Girls” and the year. It is a small glossy ceramic disc, about 3 inches, and a fixture of mahjong group swaps.

Best for: the weekly game night swap.

Mahj Girls Cartoon Tile Ornament, 4 Player Names $16.99 $30.99 Personalize it

Playing mahjong all year? See our mahjong Christmas ornaments.

3. For the office: the whole team on one sign

A wooden-look sign reads “Together we make a great team, never forget the difference that you make,” with a row of colorful little stockings hanging below, one per teammate, each with a name. It works as the manager’s gift to the team, or as the prize ornament in an office swap.

Best for: office parties and team lunches.

Together We Make a Great Team Name Ornament $16.99 $26.99 Personalize it

4. The funny one: a glitter dumpling in a steamer

A smiling glitter dumpling peeking out of a bamboo steamer, with a name on the steamer and the year on the lid. It is the gift that gets the biggest laugh when it is opened, and the one most likely to get stolen twice.

Best for: foodies, and any swap where funny wins.

Glitter Dumpling in Bamboo Steamer Name Ornament $16.99 $25.99 Personalize it

5. For a theme swap: the baker’s stand mixer

A stand mixer in cream and deep green with holly on the bowl and a name across the top, in raised 3D acrylic. In a food or hobby themed swap, it is the ornament the baker of the group will go straight for.

Best for: cookie-swap friends and home bakers.

Stand Mixer Name Ornament for Bakers $19.99 $27.00 Personalize it

6. For a travel theme: a vintage suitcase covered in stamps

A teal vintage suitcase with a name tag reading her name and Adventure, plus stamps from famous cities, printed on acrylic. It suits the friend who always plans the trip, and the swap doubles as a nod to the group’s next getaway.

Best for: travel buddies and girls’ trip crews.

Personalized Travel Suitcase Ornament $16.99$26.99 Personalize it

Tips for a smooth swap

• Personalize for the group, not one person. In a classic swap you do not know who will end up with your gift, so put the whole group, the team or the year on it.

• Order early. Personalized ornaments are made to order, so place them a few weeks before the party.

• Wrap alike. Same paper or bags so nobody can guess the best one by the box.

• Keep a spare. One extra ornament covers a last-minute guest.

Swapping with a newly married couple? See our first Christmas married ornament ideas.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good ornament for an ornament exchange?

One that fits the whole group: a design with everyone’s names, a theme everyone shares, or something funny that people will want to steal. Keep it within the budget, usually $15 to $25.

How do you play the ornament exchange game?

Everyone brings a wrapped ornament and draws a number. In order, each player opens a new ornament or steals one already opened. Limit each ornament to two or three steals so the game ends.

How much should you spend on an ornament exchange?

Most groups set $15 to $25. Agree on the number before anyone shops.

Can you personalize an ornament for a gift exchange?

Yes. Put the group’s names, the team or the year on it rather than one person’s name, so it suits whoever takes it home. Each piece is made to order, and shipping options and delivery dates are shown at checkout.

See all our personalized ornaments, plus gifts for friends and gifts for coworkers.