How to play Secret Santa and white elephant
Two gift exchange games cover almost every group. Secret Santa: each person secretly buys for one name. White elephant (Yankee swap): everyone brings one gift, then opens and steals in turn. Here are the rules for both.
Tap a few interests for each person (photo optional) → we draw names and hand every Santa gift picks they're more likely to love.
Start the draw →How to play Secret Santa
- Collect names. Everyone who wants to join, 3 to 100 people.
- Set a budget and a date. $20 to $30 is common.
- Draw names. Draw names here: each person gets a private link that shows only who they buy for. Add exclusions so couples do not draw each other.
- Add wishlists. Each person can write a wishlist on their link, and their Santa reads it there.
- Exchange gifts. Swap at the party, then guess (or reveal) who your Santa was.
Full guide: how to play Secret Santa · Secret Santa rules.
Tap a few interests for each person (photo optional) → we draw names and hand every Santa gift picks they're more likely to love.
Start the draw →White elephant gift exchange rules
- Everyone brings one wrapped gift inside the budget, and puts it in the pile.
- Draw numbers to set the turn order.
- Player 1 opens a gift from the pile.
- Each next player either opens a new gift or steals one that is already open.
- A player who loses a gift opens a new one or steals another, but cannot steal straight back.
- Steal limit: a gift is frozen after its third steal.
- Last turn: player 1 may swap with any open gift, then the game ends.
Yankee swap is the New England name for the same game; some groups skip the final swap for player 1. More detail and gift ideas: white elephant and Yankee swap rules · white elephant gift ideas.
Which game should your group play?
| Secret Santa | White elephant | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Families, teams, friends who know each other | Parties of 8+, mixed groups |
| Gift | Chosen for one person | Works for anyone |
| Setup | Name draw beforehand | Numbers on the night |
| Remote groups | Works well with shipped gifts | Harder |
Need other formats? See gift exchange games and Kris Kringle.
Planning a gathering first? Friendsgiving ideas · neighbor gifts · teacher gifts
Comparing draw tools? Compare generators · Elfster alternative · DrawNames alternative · Elfster vs DrawNames
Questions
How do you play Secret Santa?
Collect names, set a budget, draw names so each person secretly gets one recipient, then exchange gifts on the agreed date and guess who your Santa was.
What are the rules of a white elephant gift exchange?
Everyone brings one wrapped gift, players draw numbers, and in turn each player opens a new gift or steals an opened one. A gift freezes after three steals, and player 1 may swap at the end.
How do you play white elephant with a small group?
With fewer than 6 people, allow only one steal per gift so the game does not drag, or play Secret Santa instead.
What is a Yankee swap?
Another name for a white elephant gift exchange: open or steal gifts in turn, with a limit on steals.
Can a white elephant gift be stolen back right away?
Under the usual rules, no. You must wait at least one turn before stealing back the gift you just lost.
Tap a few interests for each person (photo optional) → we draw names and hand every Santa gift picks they're more likely to love.
Start the draw →Updated October 28, 2026