Christmas
White Elephant
Also called Yankee Swap, Dirty Santa, Steal the Gift
Everyone brings a wrapped gift; on your turn you open a new one or steal someone else's.
- people
- 6–30
- time
- 40 min
- energy
- Medium
- materials
- Needs prep
Kids-safeHR-safeChurch-safe
Before you start
Announce the price cap two weeks ahead. Put all gifts in the middle of the circle and have each player draw a number.
- 1Player 1 opens any gift from the pile.
- 2Each next player either opens a new gift or steals an opened gift from someone.
- 3A player who is stolen from may open a new gift or steal a different one — never steal straight back.
- 4A gift is frozen after its third steal. When the pile is empty, player 1 may make one final swap.
What to say3
- 1“Number one — open any gift you like!”
- 2“Number seven… open, or STEAL?”
- 3“That gift has been stolen three times — it's frozen! Congratulations, it's yours!”
Host tips3
- Set the gag-gift rule in the invitation. At an office party one suggestive joke gift will undo the whole game; ask for things a person would actually use.
- It runs long: roughly two minutes per player. With more than 20 people, use the fast-round rules or split into two circles.
- Bring one or two spare gifts. Someone always forgets theirs, and without a spare they sit out while everyone else plays.
Variants2
Theme cap
All gifts must fit a theme: under-200-peso finds, something red, a book.
Fast round
Gifts freeze after two steals and each turn has a 30-second timer. Use for groups over 20.
Safety2
- Food gifts must be sealed and labelled — someone may have a nut allergy.
- If kids play, ban alcohol gifts and warn parents that a stolen toy can mean tears.
Good for
Occasions
ChristmasTeam buildingReunion
Venues
Indoor, smallIndoor, largeOfficeChurch hall