Q&A for How to Organize a White Elephant Gift Exchange

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Question

Should I put who the gift is from on a white elephant gift?

Community Answer

No, it's more fun if you don't know who the gift is from until the game ends.

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Question

How many times do you go around? One time, then the last person/first person gets a 2nd turn?

Epic Tien

Community Answer

It depends on how the host sets up the rules, but if the rules say that the person unwraps the gifts when they get them, then the first person is the only one that does not know what the other gifts are. To make it balanced, the first person gets a second turn at the end, and the game is over.

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Question

Is 40 people too many people to have a white elephant?

Community Answer

No.

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Question

Can I get my own gift back?

Community Answer

It depends on the rules you set up ahead of time. Many groups decide to make this against the rules, but it is totally up to you.

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Question

Are the gifts unwrapped so everybody knows what they are switching for?

Community Answer

No, the reason for a white elephant exchange is that they don't know what they're switching for, so their present can either be bad or good.

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Question

We do this every year, but we seem to have an issue with the first player being able to steal a gift that is considered frozen. Can the first player steal a gift that is frozen?

Heather Kenyon-Haff

Top Answerer

If this is a consistent problem, just institute a rule that this cannot be done. And add, perhaps, the first person can make an exchange at the end.

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Question

How do I handle having a huge variation in ages of participants?

Community Answer

Mark what kind of gift it is on the outside of the package, i.e., "kid's gift," "adult gift," "male gift," etc.

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Question

What if I'm jealous of someone else's gift?

Heather Kenyon-Haff

Top Answerer

You can always talk to the person after the game and make a trade. Or try to figure out where the original person got the gift so you can buy one. Not everyone gets an awesome gift in this game, and that's a reality.

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Question

Do I need dice to play White Elephant?

Community Answer

No, there are no dice involved. Just follow the instructions in the article.

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Question

Why is it called a "white elephant" gift exchange?

Epic Tien

Community Answer

It is based on the legend of the King of Siam giving rare albino elephants to courtiers that displeased him. It was an honor to have an albino elephant, but it was very costly to take care of one; the king hoped that the courtiers would go bankrupt.

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Question

What are the best tips for conducting the exchange of gifts when I already know who my gift is going to?

Heather Kenyon-Haff

Top Answerer

That does not happen in a "White Elephant" or "Yankee Swap". In this game, you do not know who the eventual recipient will be.

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Question

Is the gift opened before deciding whether to keep or trade it?

Community Answer

It depends on how the host sets up the rules. They could stay wrapped until the end, so the person with the gift won't know if it's good or bad, or it can be opened right away, and if it is a good gift, lots of stealing will happen.

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Question

Isn't there a story you read out loud that brings up numbers for the gifts?

Community Answer

No, there aren't any stories, but you can certainly make up something of your own.

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Question

Is it necessary to wrap the white elephant gift more than once/multiple layers?

Community Answer

It isn't required, but it is funny and they will probably get frustrated while unwrapping it.

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Question

Where are places that I can host this game?

Community Answer

Anywhere. Living room, office, backyard, restaurant, etc. You just need space for the gifts and seating (though some people could stand if they didn't mind).

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