White Elephant Gift Exchange: Rules and Tips

White Elephant, also called Dirty Santa, is a gift swap where you can open a new gift or steal one from someone else. It works best for groups of six or more at a family, friend or work party.

How to Set Up

1. Ask each guest to bring one wrapped gift. Remind them of the price limit.
2. Put all the gifts in a pile or on a table where nobody can peek inside.
3. Write a number on each slip of paper, one number per player. Fold the slips and put them in a bowl.
4. Have each player draw a slip. That number is their turn order.
5. Pick a spot where everyone can see the gifts being opened.

How to Play

1. Player number 1 picks any wrapped gift and opens it for all to see.
2. Player number 2 can either steal that gift or pick a new one from the pile.
3. If a gift is stolen, the person who lost it picks a new wrapped gift or steals a different one. They cannot take back the gift that was just taken from them right away.
4. Keep going in number order. Each gift can only be stolen three times. After the third steal, it is locked and stays put.
5. When the last player has had a turn, player number 1 gets one bonus turn. They may swap with anyone, unless that gift is locked.
6. The game ends when that bonus turn is done. Everyone keeps what they hold.

Scoring and Winning

There are no points. Everyone wins by going home with a gift and a few good laughs. If you want a prize, vote for the funniest gift or the most wanted gift at the end.

Tips for a Fun Game

• Say the steal limit out loud before the first gift is opened.
• Pick a theme, such as “something for the kitchen” or “something useful for winter”.
• Keep a list of who holds what so it is easy to follow.
• Funny and useful gifts get stolen most. Plain boxes of socks do not.
• Let shy players go later in the order. They get to see how the game works first.

Variations

• Regift Round: Bring something from your own home that you have never used. Wrap it nicely.
• Theme Swap: Everyone brings a gift that fits one idea, such as snacks, mugs or books.
• Little Kids Version: Use small toys under $5. Let kids hold up a gift, then swap with a neighbor, with no stealing rules to learn.