White Elephant Rules And Numbers
A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a fun way to celebrate with family and friends! These White Elephant Rules And Numbers will help keep your gift exchange organized so you can spend less time explaining the rules and more time stealing gifts.
Unlike the Dirty Santa Gift Exchange, White Elephant gifts are generally more humorous than useful or gifts that are more likely to get a laugh than become someone’s new favorite thing.
The term White Elephant is used to describe a possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of. The term is said to come from the King of Siam, who gifted rare albino elephants to courtiers who had displeased him, so that they might be ruined by the animals’ upkeep costs.
White Elephant Rules And Numbers
Many partygoers don’t know the difference between a White Elephant and Dirty Santa gift exchange. Clarify what White Elephant gifts are so your guests won’t be the brunt of jokes when they bring a ‘real’ gift. Choose a dollar amount and let your guests know their White Elephant Gift should be valued under that amount.
Rules For White Elephant
1. Place wrapped gifts in the center of the room.
When entering, have your guests place their gifts just inside the door to keep the gifts anonymous.
2. Have each guest draw a number.
It’s easy to scribble numbers on paper and pass them out, but if you want something extra special, check out our printables (found below)!
3. Number one chooses a gift, unwraps it, and puts it on display for all to see.
Gifts must stay in view at all times and remain in their original packaging, if applicable. No eating the fruitcake!
4. Gifts must stay in view at all times and remain in original packaging, if applicable.
5. Each subsequent number has two options; steal a gift or choose an unopened gift.
6. If your gift is stolen, you may steal from another or choose an unopened gift. You may NOT steal the gift back in the same turn.
They may NOT steal the same gift that was just stolen from them until the next round.
7. Gifts can be stolen up to three times. A gift is frozen with the fourth owner.
8. If number one has the same gift they started with, they may trade with any unfrozen gift.
Let the stealing begin!
There are many variations to the White Elephant Gift Exchange rules. Just be sure you all are in agreement before you get the party started because no one wants smiles to turn upside down.
Print off a few White Elephant Rules and leave them scattered throughout the room so when that persnickety guest questions your motives, it’s all in fine print!
I’m wishing you a loud and boisterous White Elephant Gift Exchange full of laughter, fun, and useless, crazy gifts!
White Elephant Printable Rules and Numbers
Keep your gift exchange organized with this printable White Elephant Game Pack! It includes printable rules, number cards, first steal and second steal cards, and frozen cards so everyone knows how the game works and where each gift stands.
The number cards make it easy to determine the order of play, while the steal and frozen cards help you keep track of gifts as the stealing happens!
White Elephant Gift Ideas
If you’re hosting or attending a White Elephant Gift Exchange with a $10 gift limit, check out these $10 White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas, or for a variety of price options, you’re sure to find something perfect on this White Elephant Gift Ideas list.
I’m wishing you a loud and boisterous White Elephant Gift Exchange full of laughter, fun, and useless, crazy gifts!
Frequently Asked Questions
Hi! I’m Bridget!
I create printables and DIYs to help you get organized and celebrate special occasions! My mission is to inspire you to get creative and find joy in every day!
