Some of you may be wondering what a white elephant gift exchange is or have some great white elephant gift exchange ideas of your own, but you might not know exactly how the gift exchange is played. A white elephant gift exchange is a popular game that is most often played at Christmas time amongst friends, family or at office parties.
How to Play
A white elephant gift exchange requires everyone participating to buy a small inexpensive gift to be exchanged with others. White elephant gift exchange ideas should be something that is humorous, unusual or whose value exceeds its true usefulness. Once you have decided and purchased your white elephant gift exchange gift it should be wrapped and discreetly placed by the tree so no one knows which one you brought.
Once everyone has arrived pieces of paper with either names of participants or numbers will be placed into a hat to determine whose turn it is. The first player will take their choice of wrapped gifts from the table and then open it. The next person will have the option of opening a new gift or stealing from player one.
If during the white elephant gift exchange a gift is stolen, the person who is stolen from can then repeat their turn. They can choose a new gift from the table which will end the round or they can steal. This process will keep going until a new gift is chosen from the table.
When stealing, a gift can only be stolen two to three times. You will want to set a clear limit on this beforehand. This will ensure that one gift doesn’t get passed around a billion times . . . of course, the game would be almost endless if this happened!
The white elephant gift exchange will end one of two ways – all of the names have been drawn from the hat or all of the gifts have been opened.
White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas
The best part about a white elephant gift exchange is the white elephant gift exchange ideas… I’ve seen so many jaw dropping and rolling on the floor laughing White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas that I would have trouble listing them all.
I’ve listed a few of my favorite White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas below, but would love to hear your favorite White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas!!
1) 
Vibrating Head Massager:
Weird never felt to so good!
2) 
Marshmallow Gun
They’ll be the coolest adult on the block!
3) 
Buy Christmas Day:
Wacky, fun and 100% Original. Who would have thought!
4) 
Toilet Mug:
Cheers!
5) 
Butt Station Desktop Set:
The funniest desk accessory out there!
6) 
Stupid Surprise Gift Box:
You’ll both be surprised!
7) 
Mooning Garden Gnome:
Add some personality to their garden
8 ) 
Inflatable Treasure Chest Cooler:
It’ll be a huge hit at their next tailgate party!
9) 
Candy from the 1950’s:
Sweet nostalgia!
10) 
Grow Snow:
Give them a white Christmas no matter where they are.
11) 
Dress a Snowman Kit:
Snow not included
12) 
Camo Reel Roaster:
Everyone will want one on the next camping trip!
13) 
Fun Slides Carpet Skates:
Where a living room can become a personal ice skating rink
14) 
Boot Christmas Stockings:
Talk about a country Christmas
15) 
Christmas Koozies:
The men will rejoice!
So those are a few of the white elephant gift exchange ideas I’ve seen over the years… What are some of your favorite white elephant gift exchange ideas?
What a fabulous idea for a game! Can’t believe i’m just reading this now! I’ll have to wait another year until next Christmas! Keep up the good work!
Its called a Chinese gift exchange. I like to buy traditional Chinese presents for these types of parties. Like a stuffed panda bear, chopsticks or well, just anything made in China!