How do you play the Christmas gift exchange game?
Everyone brings a wrapped gift and gets a number. The first person chooses a gift and unwraps it, the second person can steal that gift or choose another, and so on. I don't even have to write out exact details because you all know. It's the same game everyone plays at their holiday party every year.
What are the rules of a white elephant gift giving party?
Here are the basic rules:Each player brings one wrapped gift to contribute to a common pool. ... Players draw numbers to determine what order they will go in. ... Players sit in a circle or line where they can see the gift pile. ... The first player selects a gift from the pool and opens it.More items...
How do you make a white elephant fun game?
5 Ways to Add Sparkle to Your White Elephant PartyPick a gift theme. One excellent way to spice things up is to have people bring gifts that fit a particular theme. ... Employ different game rules. ... Hold an ugly sweater contest. ... Rent a karaoke machine. ... Break out the Christmas games.
How do you have a fun white elephant gift exchange?
Stick to a specific theme. Star Wars gifts only! ... Keep everything a secret until the end. ... Enforce a dress code. ... Make it a regifting extravaganza. ... Play a game of clue. ... Eat everything at the end. ... Combine it with secret Santa. ... Reward the master gifter.More items...•
How does white elephant Christmas gifts work?
White elephant is a gift exchange, so each person must bring one wrapped present to the Christmas party. Once everyone is assembled, have each person draw a number. The person with number "one" chooses a present to unwrap.
How much should a white elephant gift be?
ICYDK, White Elephant is a holiday game in which everyone brings a gift—usually with a designated price limit under $20 or $25.
How do you play Dirty Santa at Christmas?
With Dirty Santa gift exchange, each person has to buy only one gift, for not particular person unlike in Secret Santa and at the end of the exchange everyone ends up with a random gift they "won" during the exchange. Now, I said "won" but in reality the process involves a fierce swapping ans stealing from eachother.
What is a white elephant Christmas gift?
What is a White Elephant Gift Exchange? White Elephant is a gift exchange game that is very similar in style to Yankee Swap, although the emphasis is to “steal” gifts rather than swap them. Most often, this type of gift exchange takes place at a party with other participants in attendance.
What are some good white elephant themes?
15 Delightful Gift Exchange ThemesHand-Me-Downs. The rule is simple: Bring something you received as a gift in the past. ... Homemade Gifts Only. Another low-cost option. ... Keep It Local. Participants bring an item or gift card from a local business. ... Raise Your Glass. ... Recipe Kits. ... Ornaments. ... Dollar Store. ... For the Kitchen.More items...
How can I make my Christmas gift exchange more fun?
Play a word game. Try Finish the Carol or Word Guess; either works for a kid-friendly gift exchange. Finish the Carol: Sit in a circle and pass each gift around to the tune of a holiday song. Designate someone to stop the song mid-verse. The person who is holding the gift has to finish the line.
How many times can you still a gift in white elephant?
A gift can only be stolen three times throughout the entire game. Additionally, a single gift can only be stolen once during each round. Should the person choose to steal another, then this process will be repeated until everyone has opened or stolen have a gift. A person is only able to steal a gift once per round!
Do you put a card in a white elephant gift?
“White elephant” gift exchanges, sometimes called “Yankee Swaps,” or “Dirty Santa” games, are a fun way to spice up your typical “grab bag” or “Secret Santa” gift exchange ideas. And they're perfect for gift cards. Ask guests to bring a gift card of any denomination that they've held onto forever but haven't used.
How many times can you still a gift in white elephant?
A gift can only be stolen three times throughout the entire game. Additionally, a single gift can only be stolen once during each round. Should the person choose to steal another, then this process will be repeated until everyone has opened or stolen have a gift. A person is only able to steal a gift once per round!
How do you do a white elephant with a large group?
Next, the rules to the white elephant game are very simple so far as gift exchange games go. First, everyone coming to the party brings along a wrapped gift. The gift needn't be prepared with any particular recipient in mind. Second, all the gifts are placed in one area together.
What is the difference between white elephant and gift exchange?
The point of White Elephant is to buy something ridiculous, whereas Yankee Swap is essentially the same gift-exchange process but with more useful gifts. Everyone brings in something and each person draws a number.
Do you put your name on a white elephant present?
White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules A quick rule recap: Everybody needs to bring a wrapped gift worth no more than a specified amount. Make sure that the gifts are wrapped and don't have any names on them – secrecy is key! Numbers are drawn to determine who goes first and who follows next.
What is white elephant?
A White elephant gift exchange, which is also known as the Yankee Swap or Dirty Santa, is a well-known Christmas event where people compete to walk away with the most exquisite gift.
What are the rules of white elephant?
There are some rules that guide the game: Every player must bring a wrapped gift to contribute to the pool of gifts, based on what the game organizer requests.
How many players can play?
A minimum of four people can play the game to achieve competitiveness.
How to play the White Elephant game?
The White Elephant Game Rules 1 Send festive invites detailing the particulars of the party. 2 Bring a wrapped, anonymous gift to the shindig. 3 Draw numbers to determine who gets to unwrap a present when. 4 Sit in a circle and place the gifts in the center, preferably under a festive tree. 5 The person who drew #1 selects a gift from the pile, opens it, and holds it up for all to see. 6 The person who drew #2 decides whether to steal that gift or unwrap a mystery present from the pile. 7 The game continues in such a fashion, with each person getting the chance to steal someone’s gift or unwrap their own surprise. 8 When there are no more unwrapped gifts, the person who drew #1 gets one last turn. If they decide not to steal a gift, keeping the one they have, the game is over. If they do steal a gift, the game continues until someone decides to keep their gift, rather than steal.
What happens if you don't unwrap a gift in the game of chess?
When there are no more unwrapped gifts, the person who drew #1 gets one last turn. If they decide not to steal a gift, keeping the one they have, the game is over.
What is the point of a white elephant gift exchange?
Remember, the point of a White Elephant gift exchange is to have fun, not necessarily to end up with the best gift. Sure, it would be great to score that sweet screwdriver with the changeable heads but if you don’t, don’t sweat it.
What to bring to a white elephant?
Set a theme for the gift exchange: It could be puppies, vacations, or condiments; it doesn’t really matter! The original White Elephant requires that you bring an obscure object that you received as a gift but haven’t used, like maybe the hard-boiled egg slicer your grandmother gave you two Christmases ago. If you don’t want to end up with a bunch of junk though, have participants create online wish lists so that you know you’re bringing a gift that someone in the group will go crazy for, not unlike the abominable snowman who loved… well, nevermind.
How long do white elephant exchanges last?
Without a solid set of guidelines, White Elephant exchanges can easily last an eternity. Considering how much fun you’ll be having, you probably wouldn’t mind, but eventually you may want to get back to trimming the trees, decking the halls, and roasting a chestnut or two. Be sure to share these suggestions for how to play White Elephant with the whole group before you start the game so that nobody gets too naughty:
Can you combine Secret Santa and White Elephant?
Combine Secret Santa and White Elephant exchanges: This may sound crazy, but what if each participant bought a gift for an assigned person (as in a traditional Secret Santa gift exchange), but once everyone opened their gift, you had the chance to swap with others (as in a game of White Elephant). Mind-boggling, right? Using an online Secret Santa Generator will help with the organization so that you can save your brainpower for the game.
What is The White Elephant Game?
The White Elephant game is a party game often played around Christmas. In many ways, it is a more creative version of a Secret Santa. Under standard White Elephant game rules, everyone taking part should buy one gift.
How many times can you get a gift stolen in White Elephant?
Most White Elephant games will have a set limit on the number of times a gift can be stolen as well. In most cases, a gift can only be stolen twice.
Why is the elephant called the white elephant?
White Elephant’s name comes from the belief that the King of Siam gave white albino elephants to people who displeased him. With the hope that paying for the animal’s upkeep would bankrupt them over time. It’s believed the White Elephant game became popular around the early 1800s in social gatherings.
What is bar games 101?
Bar Games 101 is a website devoted to helping you learn about the best games to play with your friends. We review the games, research the rules, and uncover helpful tips and strategies.
Who picks a gift and unwraps it?
The first person to choose should pick a wrapped gift and unwrap it. The next person who goes to choose can either take a wrapped gift or steal the gift from the person who chose first. This pattern continues till everyone has taken a gift.
What Is The White Elephant game?
What You’Ll Need?
- Unlike many party games, you don’t need any equipment to play the White Elephant game. All you need to do is follow the rules set out and buy a gift for the exchange. Once you have the gift, you just need to wrap it up. When buying a gift, pay careful attention to the rules set out. If you’re playing White Elephant at work, you’ll want to make sure you don’t get anything too inappropriate…
The White Elephant Rules and Gameplay
- The Aim of The Game
The aim of the White Elephant game is a gift exchange with a twist! Everyone buys a gift, wraps them up, and then they’ll all be placed together. The first person takes a gift, and then the second person can opt to take a gift or steal the gift from the first person. On subsequent turns, the sam… - Setting Up
The White Elephant game is a popular Christmas game. But it can be played for any reason, sometimes just for fun! It can also be played between friends, family, and workmates. When setting up a game, make a list of everyone who is taking part. Then set a budget and decide whe…
The White Elephant Game – The Fun, Frantic, Party Game
- So, that’s everything you need to know about this fun party game! White Elephant is an excellent twist on the traditional Secret Santa formula. It’s a great game to play at home or with friends and work. While it is usually played around Christmas, it can be played at almost any time for any celebratory event.