The holiday season is all about bringing people together, spreading cheer, and creating lasting memories. One of the best ways to do this is by hosting a fun and interactive Christmas party that everyone will enjoy. If you’re looking to add an exciting twist to your holiday celebration, why not recreate the thrills of a classic TV game show with your own Christmas Let’s Make a Deal game?
Inspired by the famous game show where contestants can choose between prizes, mystery boxes, and even the risk of losing it all, the Christmas Let’s Make a Deal Game brings that same sense of risk and reward to your holiday party. Whether you’re planning a family gathering, an office Christmas party, or a casual get-together, this game is perfect for adding excitement and entertainment.
In this article, we’ll dive into how the Let’s Make a Deal Game works, how to set it up for your next party, and some fun variations you can try. From cash envelopes to gift cards and real presents, this game will keep your guests on their toes, wondering whether they should hold onto what they have or take a risk for something more exciting (or possibly less!). Let’s get into it!
How Let’s Make A Deal Works
The basic concept of the Let’s Make a Deal Game is simple but engaging: players are given a prize (usually cash or small gifts) at the start, and they have the chance to “trade” it for a mystery gift or additional cash during the game. The premise is inspired by the original TV show, where contestants face the possibility of winning big—or walking away with something much less valuable.
In the game, players have several opportunities to exchange their initial prize for something new, but with a twist. As the game progresses, the options become more uncertain: they may trade up for something better, or they could end up with a “zonk” (a dud prize). Ultimately, it’s all about making the right call at the right time.
While it sounds like a simple concept, the tension and excitement of deciding whether to keep your current prize or take a risk will keep everyone laughing and engaged throughout the game. The best part? The game is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s Christmas, a birthday party, or just a fun get-together with friends.
How to Set Up the Christmas Let’s Make a Deal Game
Setting up your Let’s Make a Deal game is easy and affordable. You can customize the game to fit the size of your guest list and the types of prizes you want to offer. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to prepare for the game:
Stage 1: Cash Envelopes
The first stage of the game involves giving players the chance to win cash, which they can choose to keep or trade for something else.
What You Need:
- A selection of envelopes
- Cash in various amounts (ranging from small denominations like $1 and $5 to larger amounts like $20, $50, or even $100)
How to Set It Up:
- Fill the envelopes with different amounts of cash. The key here is to make sure there’s a mix of low and high amounts to keep the game interesting. For example, you can have $5, $10, $20, and $50 envelopes, along with a few “zonk” envelopes that contain nothing or a very small amount, just to spice things up.
- Arrange the envelopes randomly and give them to the players. Each player gets one envelope at the start of the game. They can choose to keep their envelope or exchange it later in the game for something else.
- The envelopes are the initial prize, and players must decide if they want to keep their cash or exchange it for another mystery prize, which will be introduced in the second round of the game.
Stage 2: Gift Cards
In the second stage, the cash envelopes are traded for gift cards. These gift cards are not labeled with the amounts, so players will not know if they are getting a great deal or a dud.
What You Need:
- Gift cards to various stores, restaurants, and online retailers (you can buy a few inexpensive cards or go all out with high-value cards)
- A large poster board or corkboard to display the cards
- Double-sided tape to secure the cards to the board
How to Set It Up:
- Take a poster board and tape a variety of gift cards to it. You can have a mix of low-value cards ($5, $10) and high-value cards ($50, $100). You can also include a few wildcard options, like an “All Sales Final” gift card that could have a really low value (or be a complete dud!).
- Display the gift cards so that players can see which stores they’re for but not the amounts. The suspense comes from not knowing how much the card is worth until they make their choice.
- After everyone has received their cash envelope, you’ll introduce the gift card stage. Players can decide whether they want to trade their cash for one of the gift cards on the board. If they choose a gift card, they have to stick with it and cannot go back to their cash envelope.
Stage 3: Mystery Gifts
The final stage of the game is where the real fun happens: mystery gifts. These can be wrapped presents, additional cash envelopes, or other surprise items that players can trade their gift cards for.
What You Need:
- A selection of mystery gifts (these can range from practical items, like candles or small gadgets, to fun, novelty items, or even more gift cards)
- Optionally, you can include “zonk” gifts that are purposely silly or undesirable (e.g., a rubber chicken or a toy snake)
How to Set It Up:
- The mystery gifts should be kept hidden from view so that players can only guess what’s inside. You can wrap them in colorful gift wrap or place them in opaque bags to heighten the mystery.
- When players trade in their gift cards, they can choose to open a mystery gift or receive an additional cash envelope. Some mystery gifts will be amazing (like a $100 gift card to a popular store), while others may be less desirable (like a gag gift or a small cash amount).
- Players will continue making choices until all the mystery gifts are claimed, and they must stick with whatever they pick—no take-backs! The final prize can be an awesome item, a huge gift card, or a funny “zonk” prize to keep the fun going.
How to Play the Christmas Let’s Make a Deal Game
Once you’ve set everything up, it’s time to start the game. Here’s how to play:
- Round 1: Cash Envelopes
- Players choose their cash envelopes, and you start the game by revealing what’s inside. They can decide if they want to keep their envelope or trade it in for a mystery gift in the next round.
- Round 2: Gift Cards
- If players decide to trade their cash, they can choose from a variety of mystery gift cards on the board. They don’t know the value until they pick one, so the suspense is high. Once they choose a gift card, they can no longer go back to their cash envelope.
- Round 3: Mystery Gifts
- Players who choose to trade their gift cards for mystery gifts will open a gift or receive an additional cash prize. They must keep whatever they choose, and the game continues until all prizes have been claimed.
- The Zonk Factor
- For added fun, you can include a “zonk” element where some of the prizes are undesirable. These could be empty boxes, funny gag gifts, or other silly prizes that players will have to accept. The risk of getting a zonk adds a level of excitement to the game.
Tips for a Successful Game
- Mix the prizes: Make sure you have a good balance of high, medium, and low-value prizes to keep everyone guessing. You don’t want too many “zonks” or too many big-ticket items.
- Keep the suspense high: The element of surprise is what makes this game fun. Don’t reveal the prizes too early, and make sure the transitions between rounds are smooth.
- Encourage participation: The more involved your guests are, the more fun everyone will have. Give everyone a chance to make a decision and enjoy the process of trading and choosing.
Conclusion
The Christmas Let’s Make a Deal Game is the perfect way to add a unique twist to your holiday party. Whether you’re giving out cash, gift cards, or wrapped presents, this game brings excitement, suspense, and plenty of laughs to your Christmas celebration. It’s easy to set up, fun to play, and offers a great way to engage your guests while making memories they’ll never forget. So, get ready to make some deals, take some risks, and have a merry time this holiday season!
