How does a white elephant work?

The White Elephant Game Rules

Bring a wrapped, anonymous gift to the shindig. Draw numbers to determine who gets to unwrap a present when. Sit in a circle and place the gifts in the center, preferably under a festive tree. The person who drew #1 selects a gift from the pile, opens it, and holds it up for all to see.

What are the rules of a White Elephant party?

How does the White Elephant work for Christmas?

White elephant is a gift exchange, so each person must bring one wrapped present to the Christmas party. Once everyone is assembled, have each person draw a number. The person with number "one" chooses a present to unwrap.

What are the rules of the elephant game?

How do you make a White Elephant more fun?

How to Play White Elephant at Christmas

What is the purpose of a White Elephant gift?

The story goes that the king would give a rare albino elephant to other rulers that he did not like. The guiding principle is that in a white elephant exchange you give a gift that is impractical or extravagant.

What are popular White Elephant gifts?

Is white elephant the same as Secret Santa?

Secret Santa involves the same kind of mystery as a white elephant exchange, but each person in the group is assigned and aware of a designated person they'll be gifting to. However, you're not allowed to reveal whose Secret Santa you are until it's time to open the gifts.

Is a white elephant gift new or used?

You can re-gift items that you have never used from around your house or you can have people bring homemade items instead of store-bought gifts. White elephant rules aren't set in stone, just make sure to inform the group of the theme and price target.

Who goes first in white elephant?

#1 goes first (surprise, surprise). Since no one has any gifts to steal yet, the first player unwraps any gift they want from the table. Each person then takes a turn (continuing in numerical order), choosing either to open a new gift, or steal a gift from someone who already opened theirs.

Are you supposed to put your name on a White Elephant gift?

White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules

Make sure that the gifts are wrapped and don't have any names on them – secrecy is key! Numbers are drawn to determine who goes first and who follows next. You can change this and use the spin the bottle technique to choose who goes next.

What happens if you get your own gift in White Elephant?

Yes, YOU can pick out your own gift from someone else's. But it would be rude to take back your own gift if it hasn't been picked from the pile.

Can you steal your gift back in White Elephant?

1 Steal per Turn

A gift can only be stolen once per turn, so if your gift is stolen, and you steal a gift from the next person, that person cannot steal the gift that was stolen from you. This shortens the game and limits the possibilities of you getting the same gift back.

What can I bring to a white elephant party?

Can you give alcohol as a white elephant gift?

Booze. If you're looking for a last-minute gift, a bottle or two of good alcohol is usually one of the most-coveted white elephant items. Think barrel-aged tequilas, a nitro milk stout or a rugged shiraz to complete the holidays.

How much should a white elephant gift be?

ICYDK, White Elephant is a holiday game in which everyone brings a gift—usually with a designated price limit under $20 or $25. One person starts the game by picking a present at random.

Do you wrap gifts for white elephant?

And speaking of, White Elephant is much more entertaining if you wrap your gift to keep people guessing. Everyone knows what a DVD looks like when it's wrapped.

Is white elephant gift funny?

A white elephant gift is a gag gig, something that's designed to be funny and not taken seriously. They're called funny gifts for a reason! If you're going to a white elephant gift exchange, the goal is to bring something that will make people laugh or will be something unique and funny.

Why is white elephant better than Secret Santa?

In Secret Santa, there's so much pressure to pick the “perfect” gift for one person, but everyone has different interests and needs, making it difficult to choose. However, for White Elephant, finding a gift for someone is no longer a hassle; a simple and functional gift works for anyone.

What can I buy for a white elephant game?

How do you always get what you want in a white elephant?

How does the white elephant game end?

After three swaps in a turn, the turn comes to end (otherwise the game could last forever). When everybody has had their turn, the first player can decide if they want to keep or swap the gift they are holding. If they decide to keep the gift they have, your White Elephant has finished.

How do you play white elephant step by step?

The White Elephant Game Rules

Bring a wrapped, anonymous gift to the shindig. Draw numbers to determine who gets to unwrap a present when. Sit in a circle and place the gifts in the center, preferably under a festive tree. The person who drew #1 selects a gift from the pile, opens it, and holds it up for all to see.

How do you play Dirty Santa at Christmas?

The Yankee Swap – Also known as Dirty Santa or White Elephant, this one brings out the Grinch in everyone. Each player brings a gift within a set price limit that every other player would enjoy. Participants take turns either selecting a gift or stealing one from a player who has already chosen one.

What is the secret Santa where you steal gifts?

Guests take turns to choose one to unwrap. Or they can choose to “steal” a gift already opened by someone else. The person losing their gift then gets the same choice: open a wrapped present or steal someone else's. It's a good alternative to buying a gift for everyone, and a great way to ruin friendships.