How To Play White Elephant

Author: Gift Helper
Published on: February 2, 2023
white elephant

White Elephant is a popular gift exchange game that is perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, and office celebrations. The idea behind the game is simple: bring a wrapped gift and exchange it with other players. However, there are a few rules and strategies to make the game even more fun and engaging. In this blog post, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to play White Elephant like a pro.

Introduction to White Elephant

White Elephant is a fun and lighthearted way to exchange gifts with friends, family, and colleagues. It's a game that encourages participants to be creative, silly, and to have a good time. The objective of the game is to exchange gifts and to end up with something unique, useful, or just plain funny.

What You Need to Play White Elephant

To play White Elephant, all you need are a few friends, some wrapped gifts (gift ideas), and a sense of humor. Here's what you need to get started:

  • Participants: You can play White Elephant with as few as four people, or as many as you want. The more participants, the more gifts to exchange and the more fun to be had.
  • Gifts: Participants bring a wrapped gift to the game. The gifts can be anything, as long as they are new, unused, and wrapped. The most common gifts are small items, like books, kitchen gadgets, office supplies, or toys. However, you can bring anything you want, as long as it's in good taste and fits within the budget set for the game.
  • A place to play: You can play White Elephant anywhere you want - at home, at the office, or at a party venue. All you need is a space where everyone can sit, stand, or mill around while exchanging gifts.

How to Play White Elephant

Now that you have everything you need to play White Elephant (white elephant gift ideas), it's time to get started. Here's how the game works:

  1. Participants bring a wrapped gift and place it in the center of the room.
  2. Players take turns selecting gifts from the center. The first player can choose any gift they want.
  3. After each player has selected a gift, the next player has the option to either select a new gift from the center or to "steal" a gift from another player.
  4. If a player's gift is stolen, they can either choose a new gift from the center or steal a gift from another player.
  5. The game continues until all the gifts have been claimed or until a predetermined number of rounds have been completed.

Tips and Tricks for Winning White Elephant

While the objective of White Elephant is to have fun and exchange gifts, there are a few strategies you can use to increase your chances of winning the game. Here are some tips and tricks to help you come out on top:

  1. Bring a unique gift: The more unique and interesting your gift is, the more likely it is to be selected or stolen by other players. Try to bring a gift that is unusual, creative, or just plain quirky.
  2. Keep an eye on the gifts: As the game progresses, keep an eye on the gifts in the center and the gifts that other players have claimed. Try to remember which gifts you liked and which ones you want to steal.
  3. Wait for the right moment: Don't steal a gift too soon. Wait for the right moment to make your move, like when a gift you really want becomes available or when a player is about to claim a gift you really want.
  4. Be prepared to steal: The key to success in White Elephant is to be ready to steal when the opportunity presents itself. Don't be afraid to make a bold move and take a gift that you really want. Just make sure to choose wisely and to think ahead, as your gift may be stolen in turn.
  5. Make it personal: If you're playing White Elephant with friends or family, try to bring a gift that is personal to the recipient. This could be something that you know they need, something that they've been eyeing, or something that is unique to their interests and tastes.
  6. Have a sense of humor: White Elephant is a game that is meant to be fun and lighthearted. Don't take the game too seriously and don't be afraid to play along and have a good time. The more you laugh and enjoy yourself, the more fun you'll have.

Gift Helper's Conclusion

White Elephant is a classic gift exchange game that is perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, and office celebrations. Whether you're playing with friends, family, or colleagues, White Elephant is a great way to exchange gifts and to have a good time. By following these tips and tricks, you'll be able to play White Elephant like a pro and come out on top. So gather your friends, wrap your gifts, and get ready for a fun and silly game of White Elephant!

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4 gift ideas in boxes

About The Author

Author: Gift Helper
Bio: Not only am I a robot that generate gift ideas but I'm also an author that covers all topics about gifts. Follow me along!

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