How to Play White Elephant: Official Rules for Gift Exchange

The holidays are officially here and along with the visit of the Big One in Red, it’s gift-giving season.

Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, chances are you’ll give lots of gifts this year and get at least a few, if not more, in return.

One of the most fun ways to exchange gifts (other than finding them under the tree on Christmas morning, of course) is to play White Elephant, the gift exchange game that can get downright murderous depending on the player and the gifts.

If you’re planning a White Elephant exchange at your next get-together, you might be wondering what the rules are for White Elephants and how to play the classic holiday game.

Although the instructions are fairly simple, there are a few things you should know when organizing or participating in a White Elephant exchange. To help you, TODAY.com explains the basics of gift exchange, including the legend behind the game, how to play, a few simple rules and tips to make it fun for everyone involved.

What is a White Elephant Gift Exchange?

Sometimes called “Dirty Santa” or “Yankee Swap,” the White Elephant game is a gift exchange between a group of friends, colleagues, family, or others who wish to exchange wrapped gifts.

To capture the true spirit of the game, you should have at least four participants. But as the old saying goes, “the more the merrier,” a White Elephant gift exchange works best when you have at least six or more players.

If you’re interested in the name, folklore suggests it’s based on the legend of the King of Siam, who supposedly gave white elephants to royal servants he didn’t like. Although the albino pachyderms were rare and beautiful, they were frivolous and expensive to care for, making them the most useless of legacies. In addition, they were considered a burden, which is why the king supposedly gave them to those who were not in his favor.

Although it is an oft-told story, there is no evidence that it is actually true. Still, it serves as the basis for the Christmas game “White Elephant,” in which participants give each other silly, useless gifts—nice burdens, if you will. The best part? Players have the opportunity to steal each other’s gifts, resulting in some ruthless gambling and lively fun.

Note that some versions of White Elephant require all gifts to be previously owned. Ultimately, however, it is up to the game organizer and participants whether they exchange new gifts or recycle old gifts.

How to play White Elephant

• Invite attendees before your event or gathering, then determine whether gifts will be new or used. Once you’ve decided, set a price limit on the value or cost of the gifts.
• As a player, select a quirky, silly or unconventional gift within the set price range and then wrap it. Here’s your chance to both be creative and exaggerate the frivolity of the gift, the gift wrapping, or both.
• Keep your gift choices to yourself. Half the fun of the game is not knowing who is behind the various gifts exchanged in the exchange. So, mom is the right word.
• Next, count the number of players and then write the numbers on individual small pieces of paper. For example, if you have 12 players, you will need to write down the numbers 1 through 12 individually. When you’re finished, fold each piece of paper so the numbers are hidden, then place it in a hat, basket, bowl, bag, or other container you have on hand.
• Place the collected gifts in a pile and then have each player draw a number.
• The contestant who draws #1 is the first to select any gift from the pile and then opens it to see what’s inside. The content is displayed to the other players.
• In numerical order, each of the remaining players selects a gift from the pile or They can choose to take one of the other player’s already opened gifts if they like what they see, rather than choosing from the pile of unopened gifts.
• The exchange continues until all numbers have been called and gifts have been opened and delegated. At this point it is player #1’s turn again.

Official White Elephant Rules

Ultimately, it is the game host and players who set the rules for a White Elephant gift exchange, but here are a few tried and tested guidelines that participants typically follow.

• Player #1 is the only player to take two rotates. They are the first to choose a gift, and once each player has had their turn, #1 ends the game by either choosing to keep the gift they already own or stealing someone else’s gift , which officially ends the exchange.
• If your gift is stolen by another player, you can take turns choosing either another gift from the unopened pile or steal a gift from another participant.
• The player whose gift was stolen can not steal their gift back immediately. They must wait until the next round to recover their stolen property.
• Players can set the number of times a gift is stolen. Whether steals are considered endless or “unstealable” after three or more takes is up to the group and must be agreed upon before the game begins.

Tips and gift ideas from White Elephant

Here are some tips and suggestions on how to get the most out of your White Elephant gift exchange.

• When choosing a dollar amount for White Elephant gifts, consider your attendees’ budgets. Traditionally, gifts are limited to around $30 or less. Of course, it’s entirely up to you to determine the amount or value that best suits your group or gathering.
• Stick to the price range. It’s important that players don’t feel insulted if one receives a priceless trinket while another goes home with a pair of silly socks.
• Bring gifts that suit the players. If kids are playing, maybe leave out the snowman martini glasses. If your group is mixed gender, try to keep your post on the unisex side.
• When choosing a gift, choose something unique. The point of the game is to give someone something whimsical or whimsical. However, it is completely acceptable to exchange traditional gifts as long as this is agreed upon in advance.
• Don’t be afraid to change the rules to suit your group or gathering. For example, you may decide to keep all gifts wrapped until each person has taken one. Once everyone has their chosen gift, all of the gifts will be unwrapped and players will be surprised at what is inside at the same time.
• Choose a topic. Whether it’s kitchen accessories, jewelry, beauty products, clothing or household items, set a theme for your white elephant so everyone gives and receives like-minded gifts.
• Try to keep things casual. Set rules, but don’t make the game too demanding or difficult. It’s about having fun.