White Elephant Guide: Rules, Ideas and Games

Start here: the rules

The core rules fit in a paragraph: players draw numbers, open a gift or steal an opened one, and a gift is locked after a set number of steals. Read the full version in white elephant rules and steal rules. Different names mean mostly the same game: see Yankee swap rules, Dirty Santa rules and the comparison with Secret Santa.

Run the game

Use the white elephant game night tool for turn order, steal limits and a screen for the TV.
Print the rules card for the table.
Set turn order with the number generator or the dice game.
Follow how to host a white elephant party for timing and setup.
Playing remotely? See virtual white elephant.

Run your whole game with turn order, a steal limit and a TV screen. Run a game night

Themes, wrapping and variations

A theme keeps gifts consistent and makes shopping easier. See white elephant themes and variations. For presentation, try gift wrapping ideas.

What to bring

Most groups set $20 to $30. Funny gifts are fine, useful gifts get stolen more. Browse funny white elephant gifts, useful gifts, or the budget lists for under $10 and under $20.

All guides in this section

Dirty Santa RulesDirty Santa rules explained: how to draw numbers, steal gifts, set steal limits and end the game. It is the sa…How to Host a White Elephant Party, Step by StepHost a white elephant party in 9 steps: invites, price range, numbers, the gift table and a game plan. Include…Reverse White ElephantReverse white elephant rules: everyone opens first, then steals in reverse order. See who goes when, variants …Virtual White ElephantHow to play virtual white elephant on video: turn order, shipped vs digital gifts, steal rules for video and w…White Elephant Dice GameWhite elephant dice game rules: roll a die, pass gifts left or right, and keep what you hold when the timer en…White Elephant Gift Wrapping IdeasWhite elephant gift wrapping ideas: how to disguise gifts, use bags and boxes, wrap cheaply and set label rule…White Elephant RulesClear white elephant rules: turn order, stealing, steal limits, the final swap and popular variations. Plus a …White Elephant Steal Rules and LimitsWhite elephant steal rules explained: how many steals, immediate steal-back, frozen gifts and the final swap, …White Elephant Themes16 white elephant themes, from snacks and books to funny gifts and under $10, with how to run each one and pri…White Elephant Variations12 white elephant variations, from the dice game and reverse swap to themed, blind and no-steal versions, with…White Elephant vs Secret Santa vs Yankee SwapWhite elephant, Secret Santa and Yankee swap compared in one table: how each works, group size, time, cost and…Yankee Swap RulesYankee swap rules in plain steps: number draw, opening and stealing, steal limits and the final swap. See how …

Frequently asked questions

What is white elephant?

A gift exchange where players take turns either opening a wrapped gift or stealing one that has already been opened.

Is white elephant the same as Yankee swap or Dirty Santa?

They are almost the same game with different names and small rule changes, mostly about steals.

How many people do you need?

Six to thirty is a good range.

How many times can a gift be stolen?

Most groups lock a gift after two or three steals.

The white elephant guide