White Elephant Gift Exchange
Bring a wrapped gift without knowing who will receive it. Take turns opening gifts or stealing ones that have already been opened. Everyone ends with one gift.
No account required · 3–100 players · one screen for the host
Saved game
More options
Return the gifts before continuing
New to the game? Try the walkthroughFour gifts, five steals—from the tree to the final turn.↓
This is a sample game. It won’t change your game or saved progress.
Four people, four gifts
Everyone brought one wrapped gift and placed it under the tree. No one knows who will get which gift yet.
Don’t put a recipient’s name on the gift. It should suit anyone in the group.
Gifts under the tree
Turn order is ready
Players take turns in this order. If someone’s gift is stolen, they pick again right away, out of turn.
Host guide: How a Turn Works
- A player chooses a gift at the table. Select “Open” or “Steal” next to their number.
- If a gift is stolen, its previous owner picks another one right away. They can’t immediately steal back the same gift.
- In this sequence, each gift can be stolen only once. When someone opens a new gift, normal turn order resumes.
- The game ends when the last gift is opened. The first player doesn’t get an extra turn.
What Else to Know Before You Play
Are White Elephant and Santa’s Steal the same game?
Yes. Here, both names refer to the same game. White Elephant is the common English name; “Santa’s Steal” describes the option to take someone else’s gift. House rules vary, so this tool follows the rules listed below.
Will everyone get a gift?
If everyone brings one gift, everyone ends with one. Anyone whose gift is stolen picks another right away. The game ends when the last wrapped gift is opened.
Can you steal a gift back?
Not right away. During a steal sequence, each gift can be stolen only once. The sequence ends when someone opens a new gift. On later turns, a previously stolen gift can be taken again if it hasn’t reached the overall limit. The screen shows which actions are available.
Could I end up with the gift I brought?
Yes. This version doesn’t track who brought each gift, so you could end up with the one you brought. The first player doesn’t get an extra turn after the last gift is opened.
What if the host records the wrong move?
Select “Undo turn.” The screen will show who should return which gifts. An unwrapped gift won’t be a surprise again, of course, so let everyone know.
Does everyone need to open the site?
No. The host needs just one device. Players choose and pass the real gifts at the gathering while the host records each move on screen. The game is saved in this browser, so you can resume after refreshing.