The Newspaper Game

Today I share with you the craziest yet funnest game to play with a large group of people. It's called "The Newspaper Game." I learned it from my first boyfriend's family years and years ago; my family has played it many times, and we played it at my office Christmas party yesterday (which thankfully McDonald's didn't ruin). It's always a big hit.

The Newspaper Game
Works best for groups of 8 people or more. The only equipment needed is a pair of dice and a timer. Before the party, ask each guest to bring at least one item from their home that they don't mind parting with. It can be literally anything, and the crazier the better. The host should prepare at least 4-5 items in case someone forgets a "gift." All items should be wrapped in newspaper.

How to play:
To begin play, seat everyone around a table or in a circle on the floor. All the newspaper-wrapped gifts should be in the center. There are two rounds to the game. During the first round each player takes a turn rolling the dice. If a 7, 11 or doubles is rolled then the roller selects a gift from the center. This round continues until all the presents are gone.

The second round is a timed round. Set a timer for 15 minutes (20 minutes for a group larger than 12). Players continue to roll the dice, and a 7, 11 or doubles entitles you to steal a gift from someone else. When time runs out everyone opens their presents one at a time.

Why this is fun:
People usually don't understand how fun this game is until they actually play, but once they do they're hooked. What generally happens is that, during the first round, people begin to create images in their mind of what each gift could be. Often times the more creative, extraverted people in the group will shout out their ideas. This creates an attachment to specific packages, which makes for a fun round two.

Fast and furious rolling usually ensues as gifts are stolen and taken back, stolen and taken back. Then when the gifts are opened, be prepared to laugh until your belly hurts. To see what some people actually have in their homes is just too funny.

Some "gifts" that I've encountered over the years include a box of Pop Tarts (which during the game we came believe was a Furby), a heart-shaped telephone, an unfortunate looking generic Barbie doll, unidentified kitchen items, and so many more. During yesterday's game the best gift was a curling iron because it was given by a hyper-masculine bachelor, and the fact that he had a curling iron in his house sent all of us into hysterics.

One variation on the game could be to have the host provide all the gifts and lead your unsuspecting guests to believe that there are really nice things under the newspaper. Imagine their surprise when they open the package and see a Homer Simpson Chia Pet or something equally outrageous!

The Newspaper Game...it's a hoot!