Christmas traditions: The present game (Pakkeleg)
At some point over the festive period in Denmark someone will arrange to play a ‘Pakkeleg’ – literally ‘the present game’. This brings out the best – and worst – in people. It’s a really fun thing to do at a Christmas party, both with adults and kids.
Here’s how you do it:
Each player brings 2-3 small value wrapped presents and places them in the middle of the table. These presents can be absolutely anything – random is good and oddly shaped even better. A butter knife, nail clippers. Hair brush. Chocolate. A packet of biscuits. Anything.
Round 1: Players take turns in rolling a dice and when you roll a 6, you choose a present from the middle. You continue doing this until all gifts have been taken from the middle of the table.
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Round 2: Set a time limit (usually 10-15 minutes or so). The game continues the same way as before, except when you roll a 6, you have to steal a present from someone else. You have the set time to roll as many 6’s as you can and grab as many presents from the others as possible.
When the timer rings, you open your presents.
Each house has their own set of made up rules and amendments. In some homes, especially with smaller kids, you cannot ‘steal’ the last present from someone, for example. In some houses, there are more presents to begin with and the game can go on for longer. The host can also provide all the presents if the game takes place at a bigger event.
Present ideas: Places like Tiger and poundshop are great for those £1 gifts. The more random the presents, the better, really – from a pair of socks to a bar of chocolate or a mug saying ‘I love London’, a shower cap or crayons. Anything goes.
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Enjoy.
