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How to run a white elephant gift swap

The rules take a minute to read. The arguments about them take longer, so hosts can run the whole game from one phone and let it be the bad guy. If you still need a gift, the lists show what you can get before the party.

Host a game Read the rules Find a gift

How white elephant works

  1. Everyone brings one wrapped gift at the agreed budget (usually $20 to $25) and puts it in the pile.
  2. Draw numbers to set the order.
  3. Player 1 opens a gift. After that, each player can either open a new gift or steal one that's already been opened.
  4. If your gift is stolen, you go next: open a new one or steal a different gift. You can't take back the one that was just taken from you.
  5. A gift is frozen after its third steal, and whoever holds it then keeps it.
  6. After the last gift is opened, player 1 gets one final turn to swap with anyone. Then the game is over.
Your turn, in one pictureFlowchart. When your number is called you either open a gift from the pile, which ends your turn, or steal an opened gift that isn't frozen. If you steal, the person you stole from goes next and can open or steal, but not take back the gift you just took. The chain stops when someone opens a gift.Your turn, in one pictureYour number is calledOPENa gift from the pileSTEALan opened gift(if it isn't frozen)Your turn is over.Next number goes.The person youstole from goes nextThey open or steal too,but not the gift you just took.The chain stops when someone opens a gift.
Every turn comes down to two choices. Most of the drama is the second one. Save image

The full rules cover variations and the usual arguments.

Host a game

Draws the numbers, tracks who has what, and freezes a gift after its third steal. You can send the order to the group chat.

Party's this week?

Gifts you can pick up today at Target or Walmart, plus a few that ship in a day or two.

Funny gifts

Gag gifts that people still want to take home.

Shop by budget

$10Under $10 $20Under $20 $25Under $25 $50Under $50

Gifts that get stolen most

  1. Owala FreeSip 24 oz water bottle ~$28
  2. Heated throw blanket ~$40
  3. Stanley Quencher 30 oz tumbler ~$35
  4. Dash Mini Waffle Maker ~$10
  5. $10 in scratch-off lottery tickets ~$10
  6. Nicolas Cage sequin pillow ~$18

See all 47 gift ideas