White Elephant Rules
Looking to add a fun and slightly chaotic twist to your holiday gathering? At Playiro, we’ve broken down the White Elephant rules so everyone can enjoy the laughter, surprises, and strategic steals that make this game a holiday favorite. There are some strategies you can implement to beat your opponents.
Created by Adam D Fernsby
How to Play the White Elephant Game
Looking to add a fun and slightly chaotic twist to your holiday gathering? White Elephant is a hilarious gift exchange full of surprises, laughter, and strategic steals.
Setup & White Elephant Gift Rules
- Each participant brings a wrapped gift (within a pre-agreed budget).
- All gifts are placed in a central spot.
- Each player draws a number to determine the order of play.
- Gifts must stay wrapped and anonymous until chosen.
Tip: The best gifts are funny, quirky, or downright weird.
Game Flow – White Elephant Game Rules
- Player #1 picks and unwraps a gift.
- Player #2 can either steal that gift or pick a new wrapped one.
- If a gift is stolen, the player must immediately choose a new gift (but can’t steal back the one just taken).
- Turns continue until all players have gone.
- Each gift can only be stolen up to three times in total.
- Optional: At the end, Player #1 may get one final steal.
Variations: White Elephant Rules With a Twist
- Dice Rule → Use dice rolls to decide actions (steal, swap, skip).
- Secret Themes → Gifts limited to a theme (e.g., handmade, food, or gag gifts).
- Secret Santa Hybrid → Mix White Elephant with anonymous giving.
Strategies & Tips
There are some strategies you can implement to beat your opponents.
Basic Strategies
- Go later in the order for better options.
- Watch which gifts get stolen repeatedly – they’re hot items.
- Bring a gift that’s genuinely desirable to boost your chances later.
Advanced Strategies
- Play the long game → Grab gifts others will want to set up trades.
- Read reactions → Subtle smiles often hide the best prizes.
- Misdirect → Use playful commentary to influence attention.
Summary of White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules
- Everyone brings one wrapped gift of equal value.
- Players draw numbers for turn order.
- Pick or steal each turn.
- A gift can only be stolen three times.
- No instant stealing back.
White Elephant FAQ
What are white elephant gift rules around pricing?
Most groups agree on a price range beforehand which is often $10–$25. This is to keep things fair and fun.
What’s the difference between white elephant and secret santa?
In white elephant, you can steal gifts and there’s no assigned recipient. In Secret Santa, each person buys a gift for one specific person.
What are the official white elephant rules?
While there’s no single set of official white elephant game rules, most follow the basic format: wrapped gifts, stealing allowed, and a limit on how many times each gift can be stolen.
Can I play white elephant with a twist?
Yes! Many people add custom house rules, like the white elephant rules with a twist, where dice rolls or themes change up the gameplay.