Every year there's someone on the Christmas list you're stuck on. The dad who "doesn't need anything". The in-laws. The teenager. This guide sorts gift ideas by who you're buying for and what you want to spend, so you can get the list done and get back to summer.
The short answer: the gift that works for most people is one the whole group can use on Christmas Day. Our party game Kiwi Code is $39.95 for one game, or $79.90 for a 4-pack, which is $19.98 per game. There's an edition for kids from 8, one for adults, one for music fans and one that's strictly 18+.
Quick picks
Find the person on your list, then the game that suits them.
- Mum and dad: Original (16+) or Everything Kiwi (16+).
- Whānau with young kids: Family, made for ages 8 and up.
- In-laws and the wider whānau: the 4-pack, one for each household.
- Mates and whoever's hosting: Original, or Naughty (18+) for adults only.
- Teenagers: Family if they're under 16, Original from 16.
- Music fans: Music (16+).
- Someone who has everything: the Complete Set, all five editions.
- Work Secret Santa: see our Secret Santa gifts under $20.
Why give a game?
Christmas in New Zealand is long lunches, late light and a lot of people in one place, whether that's the deck, the bach or Nana's lounge. A game gets opened and played while everyone's still there, instead of going straight into the cupboard.
Kiwi Code plays with 2 to 20+ people, takes about 30 minutes, and there's nothing to set up. No board, no batteries. Grab a card, start the timer and go.
How it works: the reader says a "coded" phrase out loud, like "Cheese haul eighty", and keeps repeating the whole phrase until it clicks. Everyone else can see the real answer. The reader is the last to realise they've just said "She's a lady!"
Each game comes with a timer, 120 coded phrases and 120 answers. Play one-on-one or in teams, so it works for two people at the bach or twenty at a family Christmas.
Ideas by person
For mum and dad
Parents are the hardest people to buy for because they say they're fine. What they usually want is everyone at the table, laughing at the same thing. Original is the all-rounder for adults. Everything Kiwi is the edition built around all things New Zealand. Both are 16+.
For whānau and in-laws
One present for a whole household beats trying to guess what each person wants. With kids under 16 in the house, go for Family. It's made for ages 8 and up, so the kids and grandparents can play together. Doing the rounds of several houses between Christmas and New Year? The 4-pack covers four of them in one order.
For mates and the host
Heading to a Christmas do, a barbecue or a few nights away with friends? Bring something that gets the group going. Kiwi Code handles a crowd and needs no setup. Original suits most groups. If your mates like their humour a bit rude, Naughty is for 18+ only.
For teenagers
A game is one of the few presents you get to share with a teenager. Go by age: Family (8+) for younger teens and Original (16+) once they're 16. Naughty is 18+, so leave it out for anyone younger.
For music fans
In Music (16+), the answers are songs and artists. Good for the one who's always in charge of the speaker, or who knows every word in the car.
For adults-only humour
Naughty is for ages 18 and up. Save it for adult mates, a stag or hen do, or a late night once the kids are in bed. Not one for the family table or the work do.
For Kiwis overseas and visitors
Everything Kiwi makes a good present for a Kiwi living in Australia or the UK, or for an overseas visitor spending Christmas here. We ship within New Zealand only, so order to an NZ address and hand it over while they're home, or pop it in their suitcase.
For Secret Santa
Got a $20 limit at work? A 4-pack works out at $19.98 per game. Our Secret Santa gift guide has more ideas under $20.
Shop the 4-pack: 4 Christmas presents for $79.90 →
Ideas by budget
All prices are in New Zealand dollars, straight from our shop.
- About $20 each: the 4-pack is $79.90 for four games, or $19.98 per game. Handy for Secret Santa, teachers and the neighbours.
- About $40: a single Kiwi Code is $39.95. Choose the edition that suits the person.
- About $80: the 4-pack at $79.90 is four games for the price of two: one each of Original, Everything Kiwi, Family and Naughty. It's over $60, so standard shipping is free.
- About $170: the Complete Kiwi Code Set is all five editions for $169.95, which is $33.99 a game. It's the only bundle that includes Music.
Rather choose your own four? Add any four games from the Kiwi Code page and Buy 2 Get 2 Free applies in the cart. Buying for families with kids? Swap Naughty for a second Family or for Music.
Get the Complete Set: all 5 editions for $169.95 →
How to choose
- Check the youngest player. Family is from 8. Original, Everything Kiwi and Music are 16+. Naughty is 18+.
- Picture where it'll be played. Family Christmas or a work do: skip Naughty. A night with adult mates: Naughty is the cheeky pick.
- Count the houses, not the people. One household needs one game. Three or four households on your list, get the 4-pack.
- Match what they're into. Music for music fans. Everything Kiwi for anyone proud of where they're from.
- Group size doesn't matter much. It plays with 2 to 20+, from a couple at home to the whole extended whānau.
Order in time for Christmas
- Same-day dispatch: orders placed before 2 PM NZT ship the same business day. After 2 PM, or on a weekend or public holiday, they go the next business day. We ship within New Zealand only, from Auckland.
- Free shipping over $60: standard shipping is $7.95, or free on orders over $60, with an estimated 1 to 4 business days nationwide. The 4-pack and the Complete Set both qualify. See our shipping policy.
- Afterpay: available at checkout, alongside Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay and major cards.
- 100-day returns: if they already have it, an unopened game (plastic still on, in its original packaging) can come back within 100 days, including the 4-pack. Gift cards, and 4-pack orders that also used a discount code, can't be returned. Email support@kiwigames.co.nz to start a return. See our refund policy.
Order-by dates for free shipping before Christmas: these are our recommended cut-offs, before 2:00 PM NZ time. They're based on our couriers' Christmas cut-offs and aren't a guarantee.
- Auckland and the North Island: Friday 18 December
- South Island: Thursday 17 December
- Rural addresses: Tuesday 15 December
- Chatham Islands (all options): Thursday 10 December
Ordering after these dates can still arrive in time, but we can't guarantee it. Express options are on our shipping policy. Buying gifts for a whole team? See wholesale and B2B enquiries.
Christmas gift FAQ
What's a good Christmas gift for the whole family in NZ?
Something everyone can do together on the day. Kiwi Code Family is made for ages 8 and up, plays with 2 to 20+ people and takes about 30 minutes.
Is a card game a good Christmas present for adults?
Yes, as long as it gets played. Original, Everything Kiwi and Music are 16+. Naughty is 18+ for adults-only groups.
Which edition is best for kids?
Family, made for ages 8 and up. The other editions are 16+ or 18+.
What's in the 4-pack?
One each of Original, Everything Kiwi, Family and Naughty, for $79.90. You can also choose any four editions on the Kiwi Code page and the same deal applies in the cart.
What if they already have it?
Unopened games can be returned within 100 days, including the 4-pack. Gift cards, and 4-pack orders that also used a discount code, can't be returned.
Do you ship overseas?
No. We ship within New Zealand only. For a Kiwi overseas, order to an NZ address and give it to them in person.
Will it arrive before Christmas?
For free shipping, order before 2:00 PM NZ time on Friday 18 December for Auckland and the North Island, Thursday 17 December for the South Island, Tuesday 15 December for rural addresses, and Thursday 10 December for the Chatham Islands.
List sorted?
Pick the person, pick the edition, and you've got a present that gets played on Christmas Day instead of put away. Got a few people left on the list? One 4-pack covers four of them.