White elephant rules

The standard rules

1. Everyone brings one wrapped gift within the agreed budget. Put them in a pile with no names on.
2. Players draw numbers. Player 1 goes first.
3. Player 1 chooses a wrapped gift and opens it for the group.
4. Each later player, in number order, either opens a new gift or steals an open gift from another player.
5. If your gift is stolen, you immediately take another turn: open a new gift or steal a different one. You can't take back the gift that was just stolen from you.
6. A gift can be stolen up to three times. After the third steal it is frozen and stays with its holder.
7. After the last player has gone, player 1 may swap with anyone. This is their reward for going first.

Choices to make before you start

• Budget: set a cap so gifts feel comparable. $20 to $30 suits most groups.
• Steal limit: three is classic. Use 1 or 2 for big groups (20+) to keep the game under an hour.
• Steal-back: do you allow it? Most groups ban the immediate steal-back so two players don't trade the same gift all night.
• Final swap: yes or no? It is optional but widely used.
• Wrapped identically? Using the same wrapping makes the opening a real surprise.

Popular variations

• Dice game: players roll dice and match numbers to pass or swap gifts. Faster, chaotic and great for kids.
• Reverse (or "pirate") white elephant: the pile starts open and players keep trading, then go through a final round.
• Themed: all gifts must be edible, handmade, or under $10.
• Regift friendly: bring something you've already got, as long as it is still lovely.

Use Hollyhush to run it

Hollyhush draws the turn order, enforces the steal limit and no-steal-back rules, and keeps a live board of who holds what. Put the TV link on a screen and drive it from your phone. You can print a rules card for the table too.