White Elephant Gift Exchange FAQ
This page answers the questions people ask most about White Elephant: how it works, what to bring and spend, how many times a gift can be stolen, how it differs from Secret Santa, what the other names mean, and how to play online.
On this page
The basics
The full step-by-step is on the rules page, and the printable sheet fits on one page. The answers below cover everything else people ask.
Names
White Elephant, Yankee Swap, Dirty Santa and Pollyanna are regional names for the same game. The name history page explains where “white elephant” comes from and lists the other names.
Gifts
Budgets, themes and ideas are in the gift ideas section. If you need a theme, see White Elephant themes.
Running the game
The free tools draw the order (number generator), count steals and freezes (steal tracker), and print your house rules (rules generator). For remote groups, the virtual game does it all on a video call.
Frequently asked questions
How does a White Elephant gift exchange work?
Everyone brings a wrapped gift and draws a number. Player 1 opens a gift; then each player opens a new gift or steals an opened one. Stolen-from players pick again. Gifts freeze after three steals, and player 1 gets a final swap.
What is a white elephant gift?
Originally a funny, impractical gift. Today it's whatever you bring to the exchange, ideally something several people would want.
How much should you spend on a White Elephant gift?
The host decides. $20–30 is most common; $10–25 at many offices.
How many times can a gift be stolen?
Usually three, after which it's frozen. Some groups use two.
Can you steal a gift back?
Not in the same turn. You can try on a later turn if it isn't frozen.
What's the difference between White Elephant and Secret Santa?
In Secret Santa, each person is secretly assigned one person to buy for. In White Elephant, gifts go into a shared pile and are opened or stolen in turns, so nobody knows who'll end up with what.
Is Yankee Swap the same as White Elephant?
Yes. Yankee Swap is the New England name. Many Yankee Swaps end with a single final swap.
Is Dirty Santa the same as White Elephant?
Yes. Dirty Santa is a Southern name for the same game, often played with more stealing.
What is a Pollyanna?
In parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Pollyanna means a gift exchange. Depending on who you ask, it's either Secret Santa or White Elephant.
Is 'Chinese gift exchange' the same thing?
It's an older American name for the same kind of swap. Many people find the name offensive, and 'gift swap' or 'White Elephant' are the usual alternatives.
How many people do you need?
At least four for a fun game; eight to twenty is ideal.
How long does it take?
About one to two minutes per player, plus steals. Twelve people usually takes 20–30 minutes.
Can kids play White Elephant?
Yes. Use a family-friendly theme, a low budget and a two-steal freeze, or play the left-right story game, which has no stealing.
What if someone hates their gift?
Private trades after the game are fine. Asking for gifts people would want also helps.
What if someone doesn't bring a gift?
The host should keep a spare or two. Otherwise that person plays last and takes what's left.
Should gifts be wrapped?
Yes. Wrapping hides what's inside, which is the point of the game. Boxes hide shapes best.
Can you play White Elephant online?
Yes. Players submit gifts in advance, play live on a video call, and ship gifts afterwards. Our virtual game handles all of it.
Who goes first in White Elephant?
Whoever draws number 1. Going first is a disadvantage, so player 1 usually gets a final swap at the end.
Can you open your own gift?
Usually yes. It isn't against the classic rules, though some groups ask you to pick a different one.
What's the best number to draw?
Usually the last number, since you see the most opened gifts before your turn.