Why a card game wins the gift exchange
- Works for anyone: coworker, boss, cousin or the friend-of-a-friend you just met.
- It gets stolen: games are one of the most “stolen” gifts because people can picture using them.
- You can play it on the spot: open it at the office party and play a round with the group.
- Gender neutral and age neutral, which is what you need when you do not know who will pick it.
- Small and easy to wrap, no breakables.
How Schnitzel™ plays in 60 seconds
Everyone gets 4 face-down cards and peeks at 2 of them. On your turn you draw a card or take the top of the discard pile and swap it into your row, or throw it away. The goal is the lowest total, so you want to get rid of the 9s and 10-point action cards and keep the -5s and 0s.
Discarded action cards can be used straight away: Peek at your own card, Spy on everyone else, Swap blind with an opponent, Attack someone with an extra card, or Overwrite your whole hand with theirs. When you think you are lowest, yell “SCHNITZEL!” and everyone gets one last turn. Unless someone plays a Nope.
And there is the X: one card worth 666 points that ends the game the moment it shows up.
Perfect for these exchanges
1. Office Secret Santa for coworkers
A generic Secret Santa gift that is not a mug or a candle. It is also a lunch-break game: one round takes about 8 minutes.
2. White elephant with friends
The 666-point X card and the Nope card make it naturally chaotic, which fits the spirit of a white elephant swap.
3. Family gift swap
One gift that the whole family ends up using over the holidays, from age 7 to grandparents.
4. Yankee swap or Dirty Santa
Same rules, same advantage: a game is something everyone wants to steal and nobody is embarrassed to keep.
Gift exchange tips
- Check the spending limit at checkout: shipping is added at checkout, so compare the total with your group’s budget.
- Write “open me first, we are playing this now” on the tag and you have the party game sorted.
- Bring a pen and paper for scores if you play several rounds.
Be the person who brought the gift everyone wants to steal.
Get Schnitzel™FAQ
Is Schnitzel a good Secret Santa gift for coworkers?
Yes. It is neutral, small, works for any age from 7, and can be played at the office party or during a lunch break.
Can we play it at the party right after opening it?
Yes. Setup takes under a minute and the rules can be explained during the first round. 2 to 8 people can play.
Is it a drinking game or adult-only?
No. It is family friendly, so it is safe for any workplace or family exchange. Groups are free to add their own house rules.
How do I order in time for my gift exchange?
Order from the official shop at playschnitzel.com. Delivery options are shown at checkout; in December allow extra time for shipping.
