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White Elephant Rules - fun twist to a gift exchange
White Elephant Rules - fun twist to a gift exchange
Clara avatar
Written by Clara
Updated over 10 months ago

Looking to inject more excitement, laughter, and absurdity into your upcoming family or office gift exchange? Dive into the world of Spoil.Me White Elephant! This delightful twist on the classic Secret Santa tradition draws its inspiration from the legendary White Elephants gifted by the King of Siam – extravagant yet impractical, sparking a tradition where the joy of giving intertwines with the hilarity of stealing.

For those unacquainted with Spoil.Me White Elephant, envision a typical gift exchange with a mischievous twist: the freedom to snatch Carl's prized Batman coffee mug right from under his nose, should it catch your eye more than your own mystery gift. It's a blend of generosity and cheekiness, akin to channeling both the Grinch and Cindy-Lou-Who simultaneously. With Spoil.Me, giving meets taking, resulting in an uproariously entertaining affair where practicality takes a backseat to silliness.

All you need is a merry band of participants ready for a jovial celebration, a collection of festively wrapped gifts, and a sprinkle of holiday spirit. Before the exchange kicks off, ensure everyone is acquainted with the Spoil.Me rules and gift guidelines, such as spending limits or thematic suggestions, to ensure a seamless and enjoyable

experience for all. Then, gather around, cue the holiday tunes, pass around the treats, and let the merriment unfold!

White Elephant Rules:

  • Send out festive invitations outlining the event details.

  • Bring a wrapped, anonymous gift to the festivities.

  • Draw numbers to determine the order of gift selection.

  • Arrange yourselves in a circle and place the gifts in the center, preferably beneath a decorated tree.

  • The participant with the first number selects a gift from the pile, unwraps it, and displays it for all to see.

  • Subsequent participants can choose to either steal a previously opened gift or unwrap a mystery gift from the pile.

  • The game continues in this manner, with each person having the opportunity to steal or unwrap a gift.

  • Once all gifts are unwrapped, the participant who drew the first number gets a final turn. If they opt not to steal a gift, the game concludes. If they decide to steal, the game continues until someone chooses to keep their current gift instead of stealing another.

White Elephant Guidelines:

To prevent the exchange from lasting indefinitely, consider implementing these suggested guidelines:

  • Gifts must be wrapped and anonymous.

  • Gifts should adhere to predetermined criteria, such as price range or theme.

  • Each gift can only be stolen a maximum of three times throughout the game.

  • Each gift can only be stolen once per turn.

  • Every participant must have a gift after their turn, ensuring continuous swapping and gifting throughout the game.

Enhance the Fun with Variations:

For an extra special White Elephant experience, consider incorporating these creative variations:

  • Set a theme for the gift exchange, whether it's puppies, vacations, or unconventional items, to add an extra layer of excitement.

  • Keep all gifts wrapped until the end of the exchange to heighten the mystery and anticipation as participants discover their surprises together.

  • Appoint a commentator to provide humorous commentary throughout the exchange, adding another layer of entertainment to the proceedings.

  • Combine Secret Santa and White Elephant by assigning each participant a gift recipient beforehand, then allowing for gift swapping after the initial exchange.

Remember, the essence of White Elephant is the joy of shared laughter and camaraderie, regardless of the gifts exchanged. Whether you walk away with a coveted treasure or a hilarious trinket, the true gift lies in the unforgettable experience and festive spirit of the occasion.

Ready to embark on a memorable Spoil.Me White Elephant adventure? Let us guide you! Creating wishlists at Spoil Me is the easiest way to ensure the sender has full understanding of the recipients' wishes.

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