There are so many ways you can make the game goofier, so put your Santa hat on and think like an elf! In the end, I made it my own by setting certain guidelines for the gifts. Last year I was tasked with planning my office White Elephant gift exchange party and was constantly dreaming up ways to make this out-of-the-box game even more unique. So, if you take Sally’s box of animal crackers, you’ve got to fork over your squeegee to her. As the game goes on, stealing gifts turns into swapping gifts, so everyone should have a gift at any given time. For example, if you took the first turn and your gift was stolen, you must unwrap a gift. Everyone who has had a turn must have a gift.Each gift can only be stolen once per turn.Each gift can only be stolen three times in the game. Gifts must meet the predetermined criteria (ie.Be sure to share these suggestions for how to play White Elephant with the whole group before you start the game so that nobody gets too naughty: Considering how much fun you’ll be having, you probably wouldn’t mind, but eventually you may want to get back to trimming the trees, decking the halls, and roasting a chestnut or two. Without a solid set of guidelines, White Elephant exchanges can easily last an eternity. How Do You Play White Elephant? The Elves’ Suggested Guidelines If they do steal a gift, the game continues until someone decides to keep their gift, rather than steal. If they decide not to steal a gift, keeping the one they have, the game is over. When there are no more unwrapped gifts, the person who drew #1 gets one last turn.The game continues in such a fashion, with each person getting the chance to steal someone’s gift or unwrap their own surprise.The person who drew #2 decides whether to steal that gift or unwrap a mystery present from the pile.The person who drew #1 selects a gift from the pile, opens it, and holds it up for all to see.Sit in a circle and place the gifts in the center, preferably under a festive tree.Draw numbers to determine who gets to unwrap a present when.Bring a wrapped, anonymous gift to the shindig.Send festive invites detailing the particulars of the party.Then, once everyone arrives, turn on some holiday tunes, pass around the Christmas cookies, and let the games begin! The White Elephant Game Rules Before the exchange, be sure to inform all of the participants of any White Elephant game rules and gift guidelines, like spending limit or themes, so everyone shows up with something at least bordering on appropriate. And that’s precisely why it’s so much fun!Īll you need is a group of people up for a funny and festive affair, unwrapping some gifts, and who have a heart two sizes too small (okay, just kidding about that last part). It’s the best of both worlds-the spirit of giving meets the spirit of taking. Sounds a little wild, right? It’s like being the Grinch and Cindy-Lou-Who at the same time. If you aren’t familiar with how to play White Elephant, imagine a run-of-the-mill gift exchange, except you’re allowed to steal the Batman coffee mug that Carl just unwrapped if you happen to fancy it more than picking your own mystery gift out from under the tree. And, hence, the White Elephant gift exchange we know and love today… where the practicality of the gifts is secondary to the silliness. Legend has it that these beasts, although beautiful, were not very useful-not to mention the astronomical upkeep. If you’re looking for ways to make your next family or office gift exchange more interactive, fun, and downright nonsensical, throw a White Elephant gift exchange! This variation on the traditional game of Secret Santa gets its name from the white elephants that were supposedly vindictively gifted by the King of Siam to anyone who tried to cross him. White Elephant Rules: How To Play a White Elephant Gift Exchange Game
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