Dice Gift Exchange – Roll, Swap, Unwrap

The Dice Game for Your Gift Exchange — on One Phone

Everyone brings one wrapped present, the presents go in the middle of the table, and a die decides who ends up with what. In Germany this is a Christmas classic called Würfelwichteln; elsewhere it is played as a dice version of White Elephant or Yankee Swap. You usually need a real die, a printed rule sheet and a kitchen timer that someone hides under a cushion.

This page replaces all three. Put one phone on the table: tap to roll, and the rule for the number appears in large type so everyone can read it. Round 2 ends with a hidden timer — nobody knows when it will ring, not even the host. The screen stays on while you play, and nothing is sent anywhere: your rules and the running game are only kept on this device.

How to Play

1. Set up. Pick a rule set (Classic, Steal or Two dice), change any rule you like, and enter the number of players — that is the number of presents in the middle. Choose how long round 2 may last, for example 8 to 15 minutes.
2. Round 1: hand out. Pass the phone around the table. Whoever rolls a “take” number (a 6 in the classic rules) takes a present from the middle. The page counts down the presents left; if someone takes one by mistake, correct the count with − and +.
3. Round 2: swap. When the middle is empty, start round 2. A random time within your range is picked and kept secret. Keep rolling: swap with your neighbours, pass everything left, steal from anyone — whatever the die says.
4. Time’s up. The phone beeps and vibrates. Whatever you are holding now is yours — unwrap!

The Three Rule Sets

Classic is the version most families know. Round 1: a 6 takes a present from the middle, anything else passes the die on. Round 2: 1 = swap with the person on your left, 2 = swap with the person on your right, 3 = everyone passes their presents to the left, 4 = everyone passes to the right, 5 = pick two people who swap, 6 = take a present from anyone.

Steal is faster and a bit meaner: in round 1 both 1 and 6 take from the middle, and in round 2 you give presents away, swap one with anyone, steal (5) or steal and roll again (6).

Two dice slows the game down for large groups: only doubles take a present (round 1) or steal one (round 2), and a sum of 7 sends everything one seat to the left. All other throws pass the dice on.

Every rule is a text field. Write your own house rules — “sing a line of a carol, then swap”, “the youngest chooses who swaps” — and they are saved in your browser for next year. In round 1 the 🎁 button next to each rule decides whether that throw takes a present from the middle. Prefer paper? “Print rule card” puts your current rules on one page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should the swapping round last?

A good rule of thumb is one to two minutes per player. With 8 people, 8 to 15 minutes works well; with 4 people, 5 to 8 minutes is plenty. The timer picks a random moment within your range, so set the range a little wider than you think — the surprise is part of the fun.

How many players do you need?

At least three, so that swapping left and right means something; the page allows 2 to 60. From about 12 players, use the Two dice rules or a shorter round 2 — otherwise everyone waits a long time for their turn.

Is the die fair?

Yes. Every throw uses your browser’s cryptographic random number generator (crypto.getRandomValues), and values that would favour some numbers are thrown away, so each side comes up with exactly the same chance. The short shaking animation is only for show; the result is decided once.

What happens if the screen turns off or the page reloads?

While you play, the page asks the phone to keep the screen on (supported by current Chrome, Safari and Firefox). If the page is reloaded anyway, it offers to continue the game: the presents count and the hidden timer pick up where they were. A running timer keeps counting while the phone is locked, and it rings as soon as you look again.

Can I see how much time is left?

Only if you want to: tick “Show the remaining time” before you start. By default the time stays secret. “Pause” stops the timer while someone fetches drinks.

Does it work without an internet connection?

Once the page has loaded, the game runs entirely in your browser and does not need the internet. Nothing about your game — rules, players, results — is sent to webutil.io or anyone else.

Who brings which present?

Nobody needs to know: in the dice game every present goes into the middle anonymously. If you would rather draw names so that each person buys for one specific person, use our Secret Santa generator instead — and if you are still looking for a date for the party, the scheduling poll helps.