White Elephant

What it is

White Elephant is a Christmas gift-exchange game in which players take turns choosing wrapped gifts or stealing gifts that have already been opened. Because a popular gift can move from person to person, the exchange becomes part strategy, part luck and part entertainment.

It works especially well for groups of adults, older family members and coworkers because the game is social without requiring anyone to perform. The key to a good round is agreeing on a gift budget and a few simple stealing rules before the exchange begins.

Setting up

Ask every player to bring one wrapped gift that fits the agreed budget and any theme the group has chosen. Place all of the gifts together where everyone can see them, then determine a random turn order — numbered slips work, or open this page and it will draw one. Before starting, agree on how many times a gift may be stolen and whether a player whose gift is stolen may immediately steal another gift or must choose an unopened one.

How to play

1. Place all wrapped gifts together and determine a random turn order.
2. The first player chooses one wrapped gift, opens it and shows it to the group.
3. On each following turn, the player may either choose and open an unopened gift or steal a previously opened gift from another player.
4. If a player has their gift stolen, they immediately take another legal action according to the rules agreed before the game.
5. Continue until every player has a gift and all wrapped gifts have been opened.
6. Apply the agreed stealing limit so the same gift cannot move indefinitely.
7. When the final legal action is complete, everyone keeps the gift they are holding.

Rules

• Every player should contribute one wrapped gift within the agreed budget or theme.
• A player may hold only one gift at a time.
• Agree before starting how many times the same gift may be stolen; two or three steals works well.
• A gift that reaches the stealing limit is frozen and may not be stolen again.
• Do not allow an immediate steal-back from the player who just took your gift unless the group explicitly agrees to that rule before starting.
• Keep gifts appropriate for the group, particularly at workplace exchanges.

Variations

• Themed Exchange: Require gifts to follow a theme such as useful gifts, funny gifts, food, ornaments or items under a specific price.
• No-Steal-Back Rule: A player whose gift is stolen may choose any other legal gift except the one that was just taken from them.
• Three-Steal Limit: Freeze a gift permanently after it has been stolen three times.
• Final Turn for Player One: After everyone else has played, allow the first player one final opportunity to keep their gift or make one legal steal.