White Elephant Rules for Gift-Giving Fun [Printables]

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the joy of giving and receiving gifts. One entertaining and silly way to celebrate the spirit of giving is by hosting a white elephant gift exchange. Of course, you'll need everyone to bring one white elephant gift in order for the games to start! In this blog, we'll unwrap the white elephant gift exchange rules, ensuring that your gathering is filled with laughter, surprises, and memorable moments.

Setting the Ground Rules

There are a few rules that pertain to all white elephant games. Of course, the most important rule is to have fun!

1. Everyone participating must bring one gift to exchange.
2. The white elephant gift is not supposed to be ordinary. That generally means no gift cards, nice clothes, or common home goods. The more unusual or garish, the better!
3. The present should be wrapped, bagged, or otherwise obstructed, so you can't tell what it is before opening it.
4. Stick to a budget. Common budgets for white elephant gift exchanges are $10, $25, and $50. Whatever your budget is, stay under it.

White Elephant Rules

We'll share the rules for several white elephant games below. Of course, you're welcome to create your own set of house rules or modify them to fit the needs of your players! You may also pick a gift theme if that's more your style. People may wish to exchange handmade goods, ridiculous t-shirts, or other more specific items. Don't forget to have fun!

You can refer to the images below or download and print these white elephant rule sheets using the link below each image.

1. Drawing Numbers

Draw a Number White Elephant Rules Printable

1. Determine your order by writing numbers onto slips of paper for each participant in your white elephant gift exchange. (If you have 10 people, for example, then write 1, 2, 3, up to 10.) Fold the slips of paper, put them in a bowl or hat, and have everyone draw one. Now sit or stand in a circle or around a table, in order from 1 to the final number.
2. Person 1 should pick a gift and open it.
3. The next person can either pick a gift and open it, or steal from someone with an already-opened gift.
4. Gifts can be stolen a maximum of 3 times, in which case they become "frozen" to their owner. If it makes it easier, have anyone with frozen gifts step away from the circle so everyone else knows their item is off-limits. (If playing with a smaller group, you may want to lower the maximum number of steals to 1 or 2.)
5. Once all the gifts are open and everyone has had a turn, go around the circle again. Everyone has one final chance to steal, except for "frozen" gifts.

2. Rolling Dice

Rolling Dice White Elephant Printable

1. Determine your starting order by rolling 2 (or more) 6-sided dice. If there are ties, keep rolling until the order is clear.
2. The first player rolls one 6-sided die and consults the following table:
   
   1. Steal a gift if you don't have one, or swap a gift if you already have one, wrapped or unwrapped.
   2. Everyone with a gift hands it to the left.
   3. Everyone with a gift hands it to the right.
   4. Unwrap your gift.
   5. Unwrap your gift.
   6. You can choose to keep your gift. It is now safe from stealing, swapping, or moving around the circle.
• The next player rolls, and so on.
• Once all the gifts are open and everyone has had a turn, anyone who hasn't chosen to keep their gift has one final chance to roll.

3. Drawing Cards

Drawing Cards White Elephant Rules Printable

1. Determine your starting order by drawing from a deck of cards.
2. The first player draws a card and follows these rules:
   • Face card (Jack, Queen, or King): take a gift and open it. If you already have a gift, you can choose to keep it. You are now safe from swapping, stealing, or moving gifts around the circle.
   • Joker or Ace: steal a gift if you don't have one, or swap with someone else if you do.
   • Numbered red card: pass all gifts to the left.
   • Numbered black card: pass all gifts to the right.
3. The next player takes a turn, and so on.
4. Once all the gifts are open and everyone has had a turn, you can choose to play a final lightning round with all the number cards taken out—only Face cards, Jokers, and Aces.

4. Musical Gifts

Musical Gifts White Elephant Rules Printable

1. Sit in a circle or around a table. Pass a Christmas prop around the circle while playing Christmas music.
2. Once the music stops, the person holding the prop should choose and unwrap one gift. If they already have a gift, they can swap with someone else or leave the circle and keep their gift.
3. Keep playing until everyone has a gift. Players may then choose to leave the circle if they haven't already.
4. If you still have willing players left, play a final round or two to give players additional chances to swap.

If you're excited to play but don't have a gift, be sure to check out all of our category of white elephant gifts and our guide to white elephant gift ideas!

The white elephant gift exchange is a festive and engaging way to celebrate the holiday season. By embracing the rules for white elephant games and encouraging a playful atmosphere, you'll create lasting memories and laughter that will make your gathering truly special. So, gather your friends and family, wrap those quirky gifts, and get ready for a white elephant gift exchange that will have everyone talking long after the festivities are over.