White Elephant Gift Exchange

What is White Elephant?

White Elephant is a gift exchange built on surprise and a little friendly theft. Each guest brings one wrapped, unlabeled gift, the gifts go into a shared pile, and players take turns either opening a new gift or stealing one that someone else has already opened. Nobody is assigned a person to buy for, which is what separates it from Secret Santa.

The same game goes by other names depending on where you live: Yankee Swap and Dirty Santa follow the same pick-or-steal format. It works for offices, families, friend groups, classrooms and virtual parties, and the only real prep is agreeing on a price limit and a turn order.

White Elephant rules in 30 seconds

1. Everyone brings one wrapped gift under the agreed budget.
2. Draw numbers to set the turn order.
3. On your turn, open a new gift or steal an opened one.
4. A gift can be stolen three times, then it is frozen with its owner.
5. Player 1 gets one last chance to swap when everyone else has gone.

Want every detail, including variations and strategy? Read the full White Elephant rules.

Run your White Elephant online, free

Skip the paper slips and the arguments over who goes first. Our organizer handles the setup so you can focus on the party.

• Draw the turn order at random in one tap, no paper slips.
• Invite everyone with a single link, no app and no account to join.
• Set the budget and the date so nobody has to ask.
• Works for in-person parties and video calls.

Start your White Elephant free