If you fancy mixing up your Secret Santa gifts this year you could try playing a White Elephant gift exchange.
A white elephant gift exchange is a fun and entertaining way to add some excitement to your holiday celebrations.
In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to play a white elephant gift exchange, including step-by-step instructions, gift ideas, tips for making the game more fun, and a variety of twists and variations on the rules for different group sizes or settings.
A white elephant gift exchange is a fun and entertaining way to add some excitement to your holiday celebrations, and can be customized to fit your group size and setting.
To play the game, participants take turns choosing or stealing wrapped gifts from one another, with the goal of having fun and sharing laughs with friends or family.
By following the step-by-step instructions, gift ideas, and tips for making the game more fun, you can ensure that your white elephant gift exchange is a memorable and enjoyable experience for all participants.
What is a White Elephant Gift Exchange?
A white elephant gift exchange, also known as a Yankee Swap, Dirty Santa, or Chinese Gift Exchange, is a game in which participants bring wrapped gifts and take turns choosing and unwrapping them.
The catch is that the gifts are often humorous, impractical, or of low value, and the goal is to have fun and share laughs with friends or family.
The rules can vary depending on the group size and setting, but generally involve stealing gifts from one another, choosing new gifts from a pile, and exchanging gifts in humorous and creative ways.
How to Play a White Elephant Gift Exchange: Step-by-Step Instructions
- Set the rules: Before the game starts, establish the rules for gift value, number of gifts per person, and any restrictions on stealing gifts. The rules should be fair and clear for all participants, and should be agreed upon before the game begins.
- Choose a gift: Participants take turns choosing a wrapped gift from the pile or stealing a gift from another participant. The order can be determined randomly or by a predetermined method, such as drawing numbers or playing a game.
- Unwrap the gift: The person who chooses or steals a gift gets to unwrap it and show it to the group. They can also describe the gift or provide some humorous commentary.
- Choose or steal another gift: The next person in line can either choose a wrapped gift from the pile or steal a gift from someone who has already unwrapped a gift. If a gift is stolen, the person who had it can either choose a new gift or steal from someone else.
- Set a gift stealing limit: To keep the game from becoming too chaotic, it’s a good idea to set a limit on how many times a gift can be stolen. This can vary depending on the group size and the length of the game, but a common limit is three steals per gift. Once a gift has been stolen three times, it is “locked” and the person who currently holds it gets to keep it.
- Add a “trash” gift: To add some extra excitement to the game, consider including a “trash” gift – a gift that no one wants and that everyone will try to avoid. The person who ends up with the trash gift may have to perform a silly task or forfeit their next turn.
- Award a prize for the best gift: To add some friendly competition to the game, consider awarding a prize for the best gift. This could be a prize for the funniest gift, the most creative gift, or the most unique gift. The prize can be anything from a small token of appreciation to a more substantial gift.
- Keep playing: The game continues until all the gifts have been unwrapped or until the group decides to end the game. The final gift may be stolen up to three times to add some extra excitement.
- Make the game accessible: To ensure that everyone can participate in the game, make sure that the rules and guidelines are clear and accessible to all. This may include providing a written copy of the rules, using large font sizes or clear language, and allowing for variations or accommodations for those with disabilities or special needs.
Gift Ideas for a White Elephant Gift Exchange:
The gifts for a white elephant gift exchange can be anything from funny or quirky items to practical gifts with a humorous twist. The key is to choose something that will elicit a laugh or a smile from the other participants. Here are some popular gift ideas to get you started:
- A funny or personalized coffee mug
- A quirky board game or puzzle
- A set of silly or funky socks
- A novelty hat or costume accessory
- A “useless” gadget or gizmo
- A jar of homemade hot sauce or pickles
Tips for Choosing the Right Gift:
To choose the perfect gift for a white elephant gift exchange, consider the group dynamic, the theme or rules of the game, and the personalities of the participants. Some additional tips to keep in mind include:
- Avoid gifts that are too personal or potentially offensive
- Consider adding a personal touch, such as a handwritten note or a homemade item
- Think outside the box and choose something unique or unexpected
- Have fun with your gift choice!
Twists and Variations on the Rules:
To add some extra excitement and variety to your white elephant gift exchange, consider trying some of these twists and variations on the rules:
- Yankee Swap: Similar to a white elephant gift exchange, but with the added twist that participants can choose to steal a gift from someone who has already unwrapped a gift. The gifts are often of higher value than in a white elephant gift exchange.
- Dirty Santa: A variation of the game in which gifts are typically more adult-oriented or risqué in nature. This version of the game is not suitable for all audiences, so be sure to set the rules and guidelines accordingly.
- Secret Santa: A gift exchange in which participants draw names to determine the person they will be buying a gift for, rather than choosing from a pile of wrapped gifts. This version of the game is often more focused on meaningful gifts, rather than humorous or quirky items.
- Left-Right-Center: A variation in which participants pass gifts to the left or right depending on the roll of a dice.
- Three Wise Men: A variation in which participants are assigned a role (e.g. wise man, shepherd, or angel) and must trade gifts accordingly.
Incorporating Food and Drink:
To add some extra fun and festivity to your white elephant gift exchange, consider incorporating food and drink into the game. Some ideas to try include:
- Serving festive treats or beverages, such as holiday-themed cocktails or hot cocoa
- Including food-related gifts in the exchange, such as gourmet snacks or cooking gadgets
- Encouraging participants to bring a dish to share or hosting a potluck dinner
Getting Children Involved:
To make your white elephant gift exchange family-friendly, consider involving children in the game. Some tips to keep in mind include:
- Setting up a separate gift exchange with age-appropriate gifts
- Allowing children to choose and wrap their own gifts
- Encouraging children to participate in the game by helping to steal gifts or choose new ones
Handling Conflicts:
In the unlikely event that conflicts or disagreements arise during the game, here are some tips to help resolve them:
- Set clear rules and guidelines at the outset to minimize confusion or misunderstandings
- Encourage open communication and a respectful, lighthearted atmosphere
- Emphasize the fun and social nature of the game, and remind participants that it’s all in good fun.
Optional White Elephant Rules
Obviously the game could go on forever so you might need a few rules in place to stop that from happening. You could:
- Limit the number of turns per person.
- Limit the number of times each gift can be stolen.
- Limit the number of times each player can be stolen from.
Like any secret Santa game you will need to set a budget, but you can also have a lot of fun assigning a theme. This could be literally anything from silly hats to condiments to gifts you have been given but never used. Or you could combine a white elephant with traditional secret Santa and get each person to buy for someone specifically so you can be pretty sure there’ll be a gift in the pile each person will like.
Another fun alternative is to not unwrap your gifts till the end of the game. So people still steal and exchange gifts but no-one knows what’s in each package.
FAQs on White Elephant Gift Exchange
What is a white elephant gift exchange?
A white elephant gift exchange is a holiday party game in which participants bring wrapped gifts and take turns choosing and unwrapping them. The catch is that the gifts are often humorous, impractical, or of low value, and the goal is to have fun and share laughs with friends or family.
What is a White Elephant
A White Elephant is something that is useless or troublesome, expensive to maintain or hard to get rid of. The term comes from the fact that the King of Siam would give the gift of an albino elephant to those who had displeased him. Though beautiful the animals were of no use and cost astronomical amounts to keep.
Nowadays a white elephant gift is one where the practicality or usefulness of the gift is definitely second to the silliness.
How do I participate in a white elephant gift exchange?
To participate in a white elephant gift exchange, you will typically need to bring a wrapped gift within a specified price range. You can often find gift exchange rules and instructions online or from the party host. Once you arrive at the party, you will take turns choosing a gift and unwrapping it.
What kind of gifts should I bring to a white elephant gift exchange?
The gifts for a white elephant gift exchange can be anything from funny or quirky items to practical gifts with a humorous twist. Some popular gift ideas include gag gifts, practical joke items, homemade treats, quirky household items, or anything else that would be entertaining to exchange. Keep in mind that the gifts are meant to be lighthearted and humorous, so try to choose something that will elicit a laugh or a smile from the other participants.
How do I decide who goes first in a white elephant gift exchange?
The order in which participants take turns choosing gifts can be determined in a number of ways, depending on the rules of the gift exchange. Some common methods include drawing names from a hat, rolling dice, or playing a game to determine the order. Once the order is established, participants will take turns choosing and unwrapping gifts.
What happens if I don’t like the gift I choose in a white elephant gift exchange?
In a white elephant gift exchange, the goal is to have fun and share laughs with friends or family, so try not to take it too seriously if you don’t like the gift you choose. You can always trade with someone else or steal a gift from another participant if the rules allow. Just remember to have a good time and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
