Why is Secret Santa called White Elephant?

This variation on the traditional game of Secret Santa gets its name from the white elephants

white elephants

A white elephant gift exchange, Yankee swap or Dirty Santa is a party game where amusing and impractical gifts are exchanged during festivities. The goal of a white elephant gift exchange is to entertain party-goers rather than to gain a genuinely valuable or highly sought-after item.

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White elephant gift exchange - Wikipedia

that were supposedly vindictively gifted by the King of Siam to anyone who tried to cross him. Legend has it that these beasts, although beautiful, were not very useful—not to mention the astronomical upkeep.

Why do they call it a white elephant?

The phrase is said to come from a perspective about the historic practice of the King of Siam (now Thailand) giving rare albino elephants to courtiers who had displeased him, so that they might be ruined by the animals' upkeep costs.

Is Secret Santa and white elephant the same thing?

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.

What does white elephant have to do with 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.

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.

Yankee Swap - The Office US

What is the difference between Dirty Santa and white elephant?

Whether you call it White Elephant or Dirty Santa, the game sticks to the same format. We're not sure where the name "Dirty Santa" originated, but it's meant to refer to game participants, the "Santas," stealing desirable gifts from each other.

What are the rules of a white elephant gift giving party?

What is considered a white elephant gift?

What is a white elephant gift exchange? It typically consists of a group of people who each bring one wrapped awesome/bad/campy/funny gift (that could go to anyone in the group) of similar value and place them into a single, anonymous pile.

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.

Do you put your name on white elephant gift?

Part of the fun is watching players try to conceal their “good” gifts or encourage players to take their “bad” gifts. Each gift should be attractively wrapped with no nametag.

Are white elephant gifts supposed to be anonymous?

The rules for a white elephant gift exchange are simple: Everyone brings a gift already wrapped. Gifts should all be valued at roughly the same amount, usually $20 or $25. The gifts are strictly anonymous -- no one should know which gift you brought.

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.

What is the politically correct name for Secret Santa?

"secret friend" is simple, non-religious, and fits the bill. Save this answer.

How do you play White Elephant Christmas game?

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 do Americans call Secret Santa?

Deriving from the Christian tradition, the ritual is known as Secret Santa in the United States and the United Kingdom; as Kris Kringel or Kris Kindle (Christkindl) in Ireland; as Wichteln, Secret Santa, Kris Kringle, Chris Kindle (Christkindl) or Engerl-Bengerl in parts of Austria; as Secret Santa or Kris Kringle in ...

What are 3 nicknames for Santa?

Surely, you've now figured out that this December visitor is known by many as Santa Claus; sometimes, he goes by St. Nick, St. Nicholas, Kris Kringle, and Santa.

What do African people call Santa?

Africa and Middle East

Of those countries in Africa and the Middle East that celebrate Christmas, Papá Noel is the most common name for Santa Claus. In South Africa Sinterklaas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus are also used.

Is a blanket a good white elephant gift?

It's OK to Be Boring: As long as the present is nice.

For example: A big, soft blanket is always appreciated, not matter what climate you live in. If you bring a fluffy blanket to a White Elephant party, it will get stolen the maximum allowed times.

How do I make white elephant more interesting?

Are gift cards OK for white elephant?

Sometimes a gift card to use on anything is the perfect gift to give someone, even for a white elephant party!

How much do you spend on white elephant gift?

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.

What do you wear to a white elephant Christmas party?

If you're calling it a White Elephant party, it might be fun to ask everyone to dress in white. If you're encouraging guests to bring whacky and tacky gifts, you might tell guests that there will be an Ugly Sweater contest on the agenda. If it's a Dirty Santa party, ask guests to wear their pajamas and robes.

How do you pass out white elephant gifts?

How many times can you steal a gift in white elephant?

Three steals and you're out – If you get stolen from three times, you're out of the game and you get to keep the present you're holding. No unwrapping gifts until the end of the game – This will add some mystery and a whole lot of laughter to the game. Add a theme – Add a theme to the White Elephant.

How to make white elephant gift funny?