Plan the Ultimate White Elephant Party: Gift Ideas, Free Invitations, and Game Rules!

Hip2Save may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you via trusted partners and affiliate links in this post. Prices and availability are accurate as of time posted. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Christmas

From White Elephant gift ideas to the need-to-know rules, we’re breaking this fun game down for your next event!

Supplies for a white elephant party

Hosting a White Elephant Gift Exchange this Christmas?

Looking to lighten up the holiday season? A White Elephant Gift Exchange is the perfect game to host! If you don’t know, a White Elephant Gift Exchange is when each group member brings a funny/interesting wrapped present. It’s highly entertaining with lots of laughter as people exchange and steal gifts. And ultimately, everyone ends up a winner!

Today, we’re talking about tips, tricks, and game rules that you can use as a guide to this fun holiday tradition!

framed white elephant gift exchange rules

What are the White Elephant rules for the gift exchange?

You can print out our full list of the White Elephant Gift Exchange Game rules so it’s easily visible to everyone participating! Most notably, you’ll need to place limits on how many times your players can exchange and steal gifts so there is an ending to the game. WhiteElephantRules.com has a more detailed synopsis of this.

Consider putting an age restriction on this game. After reading the instructions, it’s up to you to decide if you think kids should participate. I made this mistake once and there were tears because some kids were too young to understand the concept of picking a present and then having it taken away. 😓

woman opening white elephant gifts

Tips for hosting the best White Elephant Party:

  • The exchange usually works best with at least 4-6 people but is even more fun with larger groups!
  • Decide on a dollar amount for gifts AHEAD of time so all gifts are roughly the same value and communicate this information on your invitation. Click HERE to print our free invitations!
  • Want to make your white elephant a specific type or themed gift exchange? Some examples would be only exchanging Christmas ornaments, kid’s toys, handmade crafts, or books! Some people even choose to only bring re-gifts or small items they may not use at home any longer which involves no spending at all.

a hand holding white elephant invitations

Hand placing a white elephant gift on a table

What are some White Elephant gift ideas for 2023?

In general, most White Elephant gifts are under $25. You could go with a funny or functional gift, it’s really up to you and the audience at the party. Usually, I find that the more interesting the gift, the more fun the game will be!

Don’t be afraid to get creative!

When it comes to the theme, some groups stick to White Elephant gift ideas that people would enjoy. For example, Hip2Save’s Sara prefers to gift lotto tickets and a bottle of wine and her aunt always gifts a waffle maker and waffle mix.

Other families like to do unusual or unexpected presents like Pickle-Flavored Candy Canes, Porta Potty Shot Glasses, or a loaf of bread with a gift card “sandwiched” between the slices.

And some groups like to do a mix of both!

How you play this gift exchange game is up to you! However you decide to play, it’s bound to be a fun and memorable time!

For more White Elephant gift ideas, see our suggestions below:

woman holding golden girls coloring book

Golden Girls Coloring Book $13.16 (regularly 15.99)

holiday cotton candy

beer belly fanny packs

A white elephant plush toy

A karaoke microphone given as a white elephant gift idea

yodeling pickle in packaging next to an ivy plant

Yodelling Pickle Musical Toy $12.99 (regularly $14.99)

zulay milk frother

Milk Frother $9.90 (regularly $19.99)

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas – Funny Gift Guide Prank Gift Boxes

A shower margarita machine gag gift box

Movie and Dinner Date Night Decider Dice Set which makes a great white elephant gift idea or stocking stuffer idea

Person holding up a set of Wild Game Snack Meat Sticks which make great christmas gift ideas for men

People Playing With Magnetic Poetry Tiles

Poetry Tiles Essentials Kit $19.99 (regularly $26.99)

The 2024 Dad Jokes Calendar which makes a funny white elephant gift idea

A RONXS electric lighter and candle

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas — that's what she said game

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas – you've got crabs game

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas – watch ya mouth game

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas – 50 shades of chicken cookbook

Fifty Shades of Chicken Parody Cookbook $11.92 (regularly 19.99)

pineapple slices

Pineapple Core Remover $12.98 (regularly $20.24)

A french fry holder for the car

A saucemoto dip clip for the car makes a unique white elephant party gift

Saucemoto Dip Clips For Car 2-Pack $8.99 (regularly $12.99)

donut socks

mini dash waffle maker

DASH Mini Waffle Maker As low as $9.95 (regularly $12.99)

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas – TriceraTACO holder

TriceraTACO Taco Holder $14.99 (regularly $19.99)

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas – Potty Putter Toilet Time Golf Game

Potty Putter Toilet Time Game $19.99 (regularly $24.99)

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas – public toilet survival kit

A Poo-Pourri Variety Pack which makes a funny white elephant gift or stocking stuffer

The 101 Pooping Puppies puzzle which makes a hilarious white elephant gift for 2023

a customer using lightsaber chopsticks to eat sushi

Lightsaber Chopsticks $10.97 (regularly $19.99)

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas – freds buff baby rattle dumbell

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas – Grow a boyfriend

Grow a Boyfriend or Girlfriend $5.30 – $5.97

Snoop Dog's Crook to Cook cookbook makes a great white elephant gift or funny christmas gift

A duck nightlight that lies on its side makes a unique gift for the nursery or a funny white elephant gift

Monster Pasta Servers

White Elephant Gifts, Gag Gifts, Funny Gift Ideas – Instant underpants

Need more ideas? Check out all the comments on our Facebook post for under $10 White Elephant gift ideas!


What food should I serve at this gift exchange? 

I host a White Elephant Christmas Ornament Exchange each year for my friends, and I try to incorporate some delicious holiday appetizers, drinks, and desserts for a fun evening!

bacon cheddar cheese ball

Try making these 5 Easy Mason Jar Gift Ideas!


About the writer:

Lina has a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Arizona University with 11 years of blogging and photography experience having work featured in Today.com, Martha Stewart, Country Living, Fox News, Buzzfeed, and HGTV.


Join The Discussion

Comments 2

  1. Lori

    So much fun! Thanks for the suggestions

  2. Lina

    You are so welcome! Enjoy!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

It's not your Grandma's coupon site!

Sign up for a Hip2Save account (it's free) to access all of the awesome features!

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot Password

Don't have an account? Register

Become a Hip2Save Insider

Don't Miss Out! Join our large community of insiders - it's totally free! Once you join, you'll be able to save & share your favorite deals, rate posts and recipes and add items to your HipList and Cookbook! What are ya waiting for?!



Already have an account? Login

Thank you for rating!

Would you also like to leave us a comment?