A white elephant gift exchange, yankee swap or Dirty Santa is a party game where amusing and impractical gifts are exchanged during festivities The goal of a white elephant gift exchange is to entertain party-goers rather than to gain a genuinely valuable or highly sought-after item.
How do you play elephant gift exchange?
Bring a wrapped, anonymous gift to the shindig. Draw numbers to determine who gets to unwrap a present when. Sit in a circle and place the gifts in the center, preferably under a festive tree. The person who drew #1 selects a gift from the pile, opens it, and holds it up for all to see.
How does a white elephant exchange work?
White elephant is a gift exchange, so each person must bring one wrapped present to the Christmas party. Once everyone is assembled, have each person draw a number. The person with number “one” chooses a present to unwrap.
What is another name for White Elephant gift exchange?
A White Elephant gift exchange is also known as a Yankee swap or a Dirty Santa gift exchange It’s a party game where amusing and impractical gifts are exchanged. The goal of a White Elephant gift exchange is to entertain participants rather than to gain something valuable or highly sought-after.
What are elephant gifts?
- Mini Desk Vacuum Cleaner
- Indoor Electric Stainless Steel S’mores Maker
- Avocado Toast Glass Ornament
- Mini Bowling Set Table Top Bowling Game
- Carole Towne Animatronic Lighted
- Collapsible Silicone Travel Mug.
Can you steal your gift back in white elephant?
A gift can only be “stolen” once during a turn If a gift is taken from someone during one round, she cannot take it back during that same round. She can, however, take it back in a later round if she is in a position to select a gift. A gift cannot be immediately stolen back from the player who just stole it.
What’s the difference between Secret Santa and white elephant?
Secret Santa is when members of a group receive random assignments to give a gift to. In some cases players make a small list of ideas for what to get them. The identity of the gift giver remains anonymous until the receiver opens the gift. White Elephant has players put an unmarked wrapped gift in a designated area.
How do you play the pink elephant game?
You start by asking “How many pink elephants are in this room?” The participants guess until you reveal that the correct answer, which is 8. Then you ask again, “Now how many pink elephants are there?” They guess until you reveal the answer is 7.
How do you always get what you want in a white elephant?
- Combine Utility and Humor: White Elephant is about having fun so some element of humor is encouraged
- Focus on the Packaging: People always say “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover,” but in this game you don’t have much choice
- Give the Gift of Life: .
- Don’t Undervalue Gift Cards:
Why is it called white elephant gift exchange?
The origins of the phrase come from Siam (modern-day Thailand). White or very pale elephants were so highly prized that when one was discovered, it immediately became the possession of the King Such was the reverence held for the animal in Siam that it appeared on the nation’s flag until 1917.
How many times can you steal a gift in white elephant?
A present can only be stolen once per turn , which means players who have a gift stolen from them have to wait to get it back. After three swaps, the turn automatically comes to an end (otherwise things could drag on for a long time).
Is White Elephant politically correct?
Regardless of race, religion, or personal politics, giving junk to your coworkers is as politically correct as you can get …and then some. As such, White Elephant Gift Exchanges are considered the norm around the office watercooler.
What’s the difference between a Yankee Swap and a white elephant?
The point of White Elephant is to buy something ridiculous, whereas Yankee Swap is essentially the same gift-exchange process but with more useful gifts Everyone brings in something and each person draws a number.
Why is it called a Yankee Swap?
U.S. foreign trade expanded during the 19th century, and “Yankees” ― a word which could refer to Americans, New Englanders or those from the East Coast or Northeast, in different contexts ― allegedly had a reputation as constant traders looking to make a swap.
How does Dirty Santa work?
Whoever drew #1 selects a gift from the mysterious pile of gifts, opens it, and reveals what it is to everyone Whoever drew #2 can either select a gift from the pile or choose to steal #1’s gift (this is where the dirty in “Dirty Santa” comes in). If #1’s gift is stolen, they must choose a new gift.
What do you get as a white elephant gift?
- Snoop Dog Cookbook.
- Breakfast Sandwich Maker.
- Smell My Nuts Candle.
- Light Saber Chopsticks.
- Hot Dog Toaster.
- Cocktail Cubes.
- Bluetooth Speaker.
- Pizza Socks.
Why is it called a Chinese gift exchange?
The term most likely derives from a twist on “chance auction,” with the word Chinese supplied to convey secrecy and intrigue The Chinese auction that’s the Dirty Santa gift exchange clone requires game participants to contribute wrapped prizes aka gifts into a pool.
How do you do white elephant gift exchange online?
- Create an exchange and invite your participants.
- Have all participants submit their gift before the exchange starts: simply link to a product online and add a photo.
- On the day of the exchange, start a video chat using your favorite platform and let the party begin!
What are white elephant projects?
A “white elephant project” is a phrase used when referring to expensive endeavours which fail to live up to expectation.
What do the white elephants symbolize?
The white elephant—which was more often than not stricken with albinism, and thus more a ruddy-pink color—was, and remains to this day, a symbol of success To possess a white elephant connoted political power, wealth and prosperity, great wisdom, and the love of one’s people.
Is it best to go first or last in white elephant?
There are lots of variations on these rules, such as capping the number of times a gift can be stolen or letting the person who went first take another turn at the end. As you might already have figured out, the best way to win is to go last , you can pick almost any gift you want!.
How does a Yankee swap work?
The “Swap” in Yankee Swap After the first person opens a gift, the next person has the option to either a) open a new gift from the remaining pile of choices or b) take the already opened gift from the first player.
What is a Pollyanna gift exchange?
What is a Pollyanna gift exchange? The word “Pollyanna” literally is defined as a person who is extremely cheerful and optimistic. It is a customary and fun gift exchange between people without knowing the identity of the person providing the gift.
Is white elephant gag gifts?
A White Elephant party is not a party without at least three ugly sweaters. This is where it all began folks. This is bound to be one of the most popular gifts of the game. The gag is— the box is completely empty.
What is elephant in the room means?
Definition of elephant in the room : an obvious major problem or issue that people avoid discussing or acknowledging.
What can I buy as a Christmas gift exchange?
Snack boxes, gift baskets with food items, candies and other snacks and treats make thoughtful presents for a workplace Secret Santa. Try to find out as much as you can about your recipient’s preferences and favorite snack items to choose delicious and unique items for your gift exchange.
How do you exchange ornaments?
In this simple ornament exchange game, participants bring unwrapped ornaments and hang them on a Christmas tree as they arrive (a miniature tree that can fit on a tabletop is often best). People then take turns picking the ornament they would like from the tree.
How do you do a Chinese gift exchange?
Prepare a set of numbered slips, folded and put in a bowl or hat; when you are ready to start everyone takes a number. The person who drew number 1 takes a gift from the pile, opens the gift and sits down with the gift in plain sight, generally on her lap. Then “2” then takes a gift, either from the pile or from 1.
How do you win white elephant?
Let’s be clear, winning white elephant is not about getting the best gift, its about giving the best gift. You win by bringing the gift that gets stolen so many times , it goes out of play and the final recipient grins gleefully while several people shoot them looks of mock violence.
How do you play the gift exchange game?
- Roll a 1 – they switch gifts with the person on their right.
- Roll a 2 – they switch gifts with the person on their left.
- Roll a 3 or a 4 – Switch gifts with anyone in the circle AND unwrap the gift if it’s not already unwrapped.
- Roll a 5 or a 6 – Unwrap your gift.
What do you bring to a white elephant party?
- 1 Toilet Night Light. Amazon
- 2 Shower Steamers. Amazon
- 3 100 Movies Scratch Off Poster. Uncommon Goods
- 4 Touchscreen Driving Gloves. Trendoux
- 5 Agate Coasters. Anthropologie
- 6 Exfoliating Foot Mask. Amazon
- 7 Mini Terrariums DIY Kit
- 8 Avocado Hugger (Set of 2)
What can you bring through the green door?
Here it is: any word that is spelled with a double letter can go through the green glass doors, but any word that isn’t spelled with a double letter can’t (get the title of the game now?).
What is the answer to the animals going to the river riddle?
It is important to note that the elephants are not going to the river. The answer to this is: 1 rabbit + 3 monkeys + 6 parrots = 10 animals are going towards the river. However, It is also important to note that the question asks for how many ‘animals’.
How do you play the Black Magic game?
The trick.. After a number of different objects, Spy 2 will then say a black coloured object Example “is it the black bottle?”. Spy 1 will reply “no” however now knows the next object will be the correct answer. Spy 2 will then ask the object the players chose “is it the blue chair?”.
Sources
https://trulyexperiences.com/blog/white-elephant-gift-exchange/
https://www.elfster.com/content/how-to-play-a-white-elephant-gift-exchange-game/
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/white-elephant-ideas/
https://www.drawnames.com/white-elephant-gift-exchange
https://www.whiteelephantrules.com/