Rules · 2026

Dirty Santa rules

Dirty Santa is the Southern name for white elephant. Everyone brings a wrapped gift, draws a number, and on their turn opens a new gift or steals one. A lot of Dirty Santa parties play with dice instead, so that version is below too, for groups that want chance to take the blame.

Classic Dirty Santa (the standard game)

  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, whatever your region calls the game. Save image

The full white elephant rules cover the edge cases, and the free game host can keep track for you.

Dirty Santa dice game

The dice version moves faster, which helps with big groups.

  1. Round one, get a gift. Pass the dice around the circle. If you roll a 6 (or doubles, with two dice), take a gift from the pile. Keep going until every gift has been taken.
  2. Open everything. Everyone unwraps the gift they're holding.
  3. Round two, timed stealing. Set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes. Keep passing the dice. Roll a 6 and you can steal any gift; roll a 1 and you must swap gifts with the person on your left. Other rolls, pass.
  4. When the timer goes off, whatever you're holding is yours.

Groups change the dice rules a lot (some use 1 = steal, or add "swap right" on a 2). Agree before you start, or the dice will get blamed for everything.

FAQ

Is Dirty Santa the same as white elephant?

Yes. Dirty Santa is the name most people in the South (and especially Texas) use for the same steal-based gift swap. Many Dirty Santa groups add a dice variation, described on this page.

How many times can you steal in Dirty Santa?

Usually three. After the third steal the gift is frozen (or "dead"). Some groups allow only two.

What do you need for the dice version?

One or two six-sided dice and a timer. Phones work for both.