White Elephant Rules

The seven steps

1. 1. Set a price and a steal limit

   Tell everyone the spending limit, how many steals a gift can take, and whether player 1 gets a final swap.

2. 2. Bring one wrapped gift

   Each turn brings one gift. A couple on one line brings one gift together.

3. 3. Draw who goes first

   Use the randomizer so the order is fair and easy to share.

4. 4. The first player opens a gift

   #1 chooses any wrapped gift and opens it. That gift can be stolen later, until it freezes.

5. 5. Each next player opens or steals

   They may open a new gift or take an unfrozen open gift. A stolen-from player does the same.

6. 6. Freeze a gift at the limit

   After the steal limit, that gift stays. Set it where everyone can see it.

7. 7. Close with the last turn

   The last player takes a gift. If you allowed it, player 1 then makes one final swap.

Steals and a frozen gift

Two steals is the calm default. Three steals gives the table more chances to chase one gift. When a gift hits the limit, it is frozen and stays with that person. No-limit games run long once the group is bigger than a couch.

The final swap

After the last pick, player 1 may trade once for any gift that is not frozen. Skip this if you want the game to end on the last number. Print the choice so it is not a surprise argument.

Variations

Dice: roll, and a six steals while anything else opens a new gift. Large groups: steal limit of two, and keep turns to a minute. Left-right story: read a short tale and pass a gift when you hear those words, then come back to the numbered order for the opens. Kids: one steal, no final swap, and a low price limit.

FAQ