White Elephant Rules
- 1
Everyone brings a gift. Agree on a budget beforehand ($20–$30 is common) and wrap it so no one knows what it is.
- 2
Draw numbers. Players draw numbers to determine the order of play.
- 3
First player picks from the pile. Unwrap and display the gift — everyone can see what it is.
- 4
Steal or pick. Each subsequent player can steal any opened gift or pick a new one from the pile.
- 5
Stolen gifts. The player whose gift was stolen must take a new gift from the pile (or steal from someone else, if allowed).
- 6
Freeze rule. After a gift is stolen 3 times, it's frozen and can't be stolen again.
- 7
Game ends. When all gifts have been opened and the last player has made their choice, the game is over.
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Use Elfster's free White Elephant organizer to run your exchange online or in person. Elfster handles invitations, wish lists, and even supports virtual gift card exchanges for remote teams.
For gift ideas, browse the curated White Elephant gifts guide on Elfster, including gifts under $25, gifts under $50, and funny White Elephant gift ideas.
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