Gift exchanges
How does white elephant work?
Everyone brings one wrapped gift. On your turn you open a new gift or steal one that is already open. A gift can only be stolen a few times, and the last person to go gets the final say.
The rules, step by step
- Agree on a price limit before the party, and tell everyone. $20 to $30 is common.
- Each guest brings one wrapped gift. Wrap it so nobody can tell what it is.
- Put all gifts in one pile and have everyone draw a number. That sets the order.
- Player one opens any gift and shows it to the group.
- From player two on, you either open a new gift or steal an open one from someone who has already gone.
- When your gift is stolen, you open a new gift or steal a different one. You cannot take back the gift that was just stolen from you.
- Set a steal limit, usually two or three per gift. After that, the gift is locked with its owner for the rest of the game.
- Player one goes again at the end and may swap with anyone. Then the game is over and everyone keeps what they hold.
White elephant or Secret Santa?
- White elephant: everyone brings one gift for the pile and gifts get stolen. It is a game, so funny and useful gifts do best.
- Secret Santa: each person is given one name and buys for that person only. Nothing is stolen, so a more thoughtful gift fits.
- Yankee swap and dirty Santa: other names for the same steal-style game as white elephant.
White elephant questions
How does white elephant work?
Everyone brings one wrapped gift. Players draw numbers, then take turns opening a gift or stealing an open one. Each gift can be stolen a set number of times, usually two or three, and the first player gets a final swap at the end.
How much should a white elephant gift cost?
Most groups set a limit of $20 to $30. Agree on the number before the party so everyone brings something of similar value.
What is the difference between white elephant and Secret Santa?
In white elephant, everyone brings one gift for a shared pile and gifts get stolen. In Secret Santa, each person buys for one assigned name and nothing is stolen.
How many people do you need for white elephant?
Six or more makes it fun, because there are enough gifts to steal from. It works for small and large groups, and a time limit per turn keeps a big group moving.
What is a good white elephant gift?
Something useful or funny that most people would want: a candle, good tea, warm socks, a small game or a silly mug. Skip anything that depends on size or taste.
Can you play white elephant over video chat?
Yes. Each person sends one gift to the host or to a shared address, or everyone describes a gift on a list and players pick from it. Ship early. We recommend ordering by December 10.
