As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Full details on our Affiliate Disclosure page.
A white elephant gift exchange is only as fun as the game you wrap around it. The classic steal version is great for twelve people and slow for thirty. Here are 10 white elephant games and variations, with the rules for each, how many players they suit and how long they take, so you can match the game to your party.
Dice and games for your gift exchange
Several of the games below use dice. These boxes double as a gift that people actually want to steal.
- For the Left Center Right exchange (game 4): LCR Left Center Right Dice Game: three dice and chips in a tin (about $9)
- A gift that gets stolen: Pass the Pigs: the pig-dice game that guests open and start playing on the spot (about $17)
- For the dice race (game 10): TENZI Dice Party Game: 40 dice in four colors, enough for a fast roll-off (about $20)
Before you pick a game: four house rules to set
Every version below works better when you announce these four things before the first gift is opened.
- Budget. One number, such as $20 or $25, so no one feels outspent.
- Steal limit. A gift is frozen after its third steal and stays with whoever holds it.
- No instant steal-backs. If your gift is stolen, you can't take the same gift straight back.
- The end. Say how the game ends: when the pile is empty, after two rounds or when a timer runs out.
White elephant games at a glance
| Game | Best group size | Time | Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Classic steal | 8–20 | 45–60 min | Numbered slips |
| 2. Dice white elephant | 6–15 | 30–45 min | One die |
| 3. Left-right story | 8–30 | 15–20 min | A printed story |
| 4. Left Center Right exchange | 6–12 | 20–30 min | LCR dice and chips |
| 5. Card-draw order | 10–40 | 30–45 min | Two decks of cards |
| 6. Yankee Swap with a final swap | 8–20 | 45–60 min | Numbered slips |
| 7. Rock paper scissors steals | 8–25 | 30–40 min | Nothing |
| 8. Trivia to steal | 8–20 | 40–60 min | Trivia questions |
| 9. Musical gifts | 10–30 | 15–20 min | A playlist |
| 10. Oven-mitt unwrap race | 6–12 | 20–30 min | Mitts, dice, tape |
1. Classic steal white elephant
This is the version most people know. Guests draw numbers; player 1 opens a gift; each player after that either opens a new gift or steals an opened one. A player who loses a gift opens a new one or steals a different one. Player 1 usually gets a final chance to steal at the end.
It's the most strategic version and the one with the most laughs, but it slows down past about 20 people. Our white elephant rules guide covers this version step by step.
2. Dice white elephant
Players take turns rolling one six-sided die, and each number triggers an action: open a gift, swap, steal or pass left or right. Play for a set number of rounds or a timer, and when it ends everyone keeps what they're holding. Use the roll map in our white elephant dice game rules and announce it before the first roll.
Use one die, not two. Two dice add up to 2 through 12, so a 1–6 roll map stops working.
3. Left-right story pass
Everyone sits in a circle holding one wrapped gift. The host reads a short holiday story in which the words "left" and "right" appear often. Each time the reader says "left," everyone passes their gift one person to the left; on "right," one person to the right. When the story ends, everyone opens the gift in their hands.
It's the best choice for big groups or offices, because there's no stealing and it's over in 15 minutes. Write your own story and add a few extra "lefts" near the end to keep people guessing.
4. Left Center Right gift exchange
This version uses LCR dice to decide who picks first. Give everyone three chips and play a normal game of Left Center Right: on your turn, roll one die for each chip you hold, up to three. Each L passes a chip to the left, each C puts a chip in the center and each R passes a chip to the right; a dot means you keep that chip. The last player holding chips wins and opens or picks the first gift. From there, play the classic steal rules, going around the circle to the winner's left.
It suits groups of 6 to 12 and gives everyone a reason to cheer before a single gift is opened.
5. Card-draw order
Deal one playing card to each guest from deck A. The host shuffles deck B and flips one card at a time. Whoever holds the matching card takes a turn: open a new gift or steal. Because turn order is random, nobody knows when they're up, which keeps a large room paying attention.
6. Yankee Swap with a final swap
Yankee Swap plays like the classic steal game with one change: when every gift is open, player 1 gets one final swap with anyone in the room, and the game ends there. Some groups call this version Dirty Santa or Thieving Secret Santa; the rules are the same, so just announce the final-swap rule clearly.
7. Rock paper scissors steals
Steals aren't automatic here. To take an opened gift, you challenge its holder to one round of rock paper scissors. Win and you take the gift; lose and you must open a new one. It cuts down on hurt feelings, because the person who lost a gift lost a fair fight.
8. Trivia to steal
Before each turn, the host reads a trivia question. Answer correctly and you may steal; answer wrong and you must open a new gift. Holiday trivia works well; our Christmas movie trivia questions are ready to read aloud.
9. Musical gifts
Guests stand in a circle and pass wrapped gifts around while music plays. When the host stops the music, everyone opens whatever they're holding. For a twist, play three rounds and allow one swap with a neighbor after each stop.
10. Oven-mitt unwrap race
Wrap one gift in several layers of paper and tape. Players sit in a circle with two dice and a pair of oven mitts. Pass the dice around; whoever rolls doubles puts on the mitts and starts unwrapping while the dice keep moving. The next person to roll doubles takes over. Whoever tears off the final layer keeps the gift. A box of TENZI gives you enough dice for two circles at once.
How to choose a white elephant game
- Under 10 people: classic steal, dice white elephant or the Left Center Right exchange.
- 10 to 20 people: Yankee Swap, rock paper scissors steals or trivia to steal.
- Offices and 20+ people: left-right story or musical gifts, which finish in 20 minutes.
- Mixed ages: left-right story and musical gifts, because there's no stealing from children.
Gift ideas that suit these games
The best white elephant gifts are ones people fight over. Small party games are a safe bet, because they're gender-neutral and the room can play them right away. Browse our funny white elephant gifts or our white elephant gifts under $25 for more.
White elephant games FAQ
What is the most fun white elephant game?
For groups of 8 to 20, the classic steal game with a three-steal limit is the most fun. For bigger groups, the left-right story is quicker and keeps everyone involved.
How do you make white elephant faster?
Set a timer, freeze gifts after two steals instead of three, or switch to the left-right story or musical gifts.
What's the difference between white elephant and Yankee Swap?
They're almost the same game. Yankee Swap usually adds a final swap for player 1 once every gift is open.
