The White Elephant game is a popular Christmas event where people vie to walk away with the best present; it is a “hidden gift exchange” game where the players will gather around a common area (like a table) with all of the wrapped gifts separated to the side in the “gift pool”. Each player will then take turns selecting a new gift from the pool or stealing an already opened gift from another player! The game itself is fairly simple, and every family has its own variation. Here’s our rule set for this year:
Each Player Will Bring One Wrapped Gift to the Game ($20 Minimum)
The gift can be anything with a minimum value of $20. Spend as much as you want, make it something exciting or useful!
Players to Draw Numbers to See Who Goes First (Double Random)
Each person will draw a number first; then a random coin flip will determine if the order is standard (1, 2, 3, 4) or reversed (4, 3, 2, 1)
You Don’t Want to Be First… Or Do You?
The first player will go and select any wrapped gift from the pool, unwrap it, and place it on the table in front of them This gift is theirs unless it is stolen from the next.
The first player is actually at the mercy of the following players because they do not get a choice to continue unless this first gift is stolen!
How the Game Plays Out
NOTE: Each “round” of the game starts with each new unwrapped gift.
The first player (in order) has no choice but to select a wrapped gift from the pool, unwrap it, and place it on the table in front of them. The next player (in order) has two options:
- STEAL: Player can choose to steal any already unwrapped gift that is on the table (provided it wasn’t just stolen from them or is locked out);
– If a gift is stolen, the player who’s gift was stolen from them becomes the next player. - OPEN A NEW GIFT: Player can go and select a wrapped gift, unwrap it, and place it on the table in front of them.
If a new gift is unwrapped, a new round has begun, and the next player will be the next in numerical order.
If a player’s gift is stolen, they immediately become the current player. Repeat the above until there are no more unwrapped gifts in the pool and everyone each has one unwrapped gift!
Rule #1. One Steal Per Round
A gift can be stolen only ONCE per round (a gift cannot be stolen again until another gift has been unwrapped). If all gifts have been stolen once, the next player must select a new wrapped gift to start a new round and keep the game from dragging on too long.
Rule #2. No “Steal Backs”
You cannot steal a gift that was just stolen from you in the same round. You can, however, attempt to steal it again after a new gift has been unwrapped (and a new round begins).
Rule #3. Three Steals and a Gift is Locked
Once a gift has been stolen 3 TIMES in total, it is locked to the last person who stole it (the third steal). This gift and this player are effectively out of the game.
Rule #4. No Box Checking!
A player cannot lift or shake any wrapped gifts in the pool, nor ask who gave the gift!
Rule #5. No Putbacks!
Once a player picks a gift up from the table, they cannot change their mind, they must open it!
Rule #6. No Teaming Up!
No teaming up/coordinating with other players to try to get a particular gift! It’s not fair to those playing individually.
Rule #7. After-game Trades Are Fine
Once the whole White Elephant game is over and each player has their own gift, it’s yours to do what you want. Trade it with someone else, gift it to someone else, do whatever you want!
