White Elephant Christmas Gift Exchange Game for Large or Small Families and Friends:

People are getting revved up for Christmas already, and most families are on a tight budget so I thought I would share this fun family get together game with you.  Not only is it fun, but it cuts down on the temptation to overspend and simplifies who is going to get what for who.

We used to try to keep up with every single family member on that one special time of the year, Christmas.  But with the kids having kids of their own now, and the nieces and nephews adding spouses and children to the picture, it just got to be such a tremendous burden on the finances that we quit.  For the first couple years we pulled names out of a bucket, and bought just for that one person, well that was just boring, not to mention, all the phone calls that went back and forth to find out about a family member we didn't know enough about to be able to choose a gift they would like, so two years ago my sister in law asked us at Thanksgiving to try something new.  It is a game that they play at church every year, and she swore it was fun....so a new tradition was started, and I have to admit as skeptical as I was of this White Elephant game...she was right, it is an absolute riot.

The Way to Play:

Each person that is going to attend the family Christmas party must bring one wrapped gift, with a value to be determined beforehand.  We have a ten dollar limit on what we spend on each gift.

When you arrive at the party, you simply put the wrapped gift, with no name tag, in the middle of the floor with the rest of the gifts.

As soon as Christmas Eve dinner is over, we draw numbers, one through thirty, or sometimes more depending on how many of the kids come from out of town. 

The person that drew number one will go first.  They will go to the heap of gifts and choose one.  They unwrap it so that all can see, and goo and gaa over it.

Now the fun starts.  Person with ticket number two has the option of stealing the unwrapped gift, or taking a fresh one from the heap.  If they steal number ones gift, then number one must unwrap another one.

Number 3 has the option of getting one from the heap, or stealing an unwrapped gift too.  It gets really interesting when people all want to steal the same gift.

It keeps going around the room, with the next ticket number holder either taking a new gift or stealing.  Each time your gift is stolen, you must take a new one, or you can steal one from a different person if you choose, and this one too, may be stolen by one of the next people.

The Rule Is:

If there is something that you are wanting, and you are able to get it in your possession twice, either by unwrapping it or stealing it back.  It is yours, and out of circulation.  The rest of the ticket numbers must respect that rule, or it would go on forever and ever.  If you initially steal an item, and then someone steals it from you, you will have to wait until you can get that second steal in to make it yours.  It doesn't always work out that way, but that is what makes the game so fun.  I got stuck with some terrible ugly toe socks one year, and couldn't get anyone to steal them from me so I could go back to get something else, lol  Thats just the way it goes sometimes.

When you have 30 people playing, this game goes on for well over two hours.  Two hours of solid laughter, and good wholesome fun. 

Each ticket number holder either opens a gift from the heap, or steals an unwrapped gift that is in circulation.  The person that gets a gift stolen from them holds the game up further by stealing a different one, or unwrapping a new one.  It keeps going forward and then in reverse, you have to pay attention to what number is being served, so you don't get missed.  The game ends when all numbers have gotten their gift.

YOU CANNOT immediately steal back a gift that was just stolen from you.  You must be patient for that second time it is in your possession to be able to remove it from circulation.

Obviously the low and middle numbers are the best.  The people that choose last will have slimmer pickings as many of the gifts will be out of circulation already, but there is always new surprise gifts still in the heap right up to the end, so no one will be disappointed.

The children ages 2 to 10, play their own game, and the same rules apply.  We usually have a couple high ticket number adults get them settled down in the dining room, with their gifts, and keep them entertained for a bit, and then we send low ticket number adults to continue the game with the kids.  It has always worked out perfectly, and the kids are way more well behaved than the adults, lol.  They are absolutely intrigued with this game.  We have a five dollar maximum on the kids, and believe me if you are creative, that is more than plenty.  We cheat a bit with the kids too.  They always get a special ornament, and a small yummy bag.

When it comes to the kids, we leave it up to the parents and the kids to decide who wants to play in each room.  My nephew was eight last year, and he played with the adults, and really got into it, he was going wild to try to steal a little fishing box with lures from his uncle.  I think he ended up with a travel blanket and was thrilled.  So if the kids want to play with the adults, just buy an adult gift, instead of a child gift for the game.

Gift Ideas:

Coffee cups, canned peanut sets, decorative candles, character towels or blankets, car wash sets, Christmas decorations, knick knacks, lotion and soap gift sets, books, dvds, etc.  The more creative and interesting the gift is the more fun the game is.

The Game isn't as confusing as it sounds.  Once you get past the third or fourth person, you will be well tuned to how the game works, and you will be lurking and watching everything that is being opened and waiting for your turn to either open or steal.  It really is tons of fun, and I can't even begin to tell you how much happier we all are that we don't have to save or pay for months just to enjoy Christmas with our loved ones.  Last year, being our second year of playing, the adults were getting up from the dinner table saying lets go, lets open gifts, and behaving so hilariously, that even the little ones thought we were all nuts.  Oh one last thing, we have our extended family festivities on Christmas Eve, or you may choose whatever day works for you and your family.  This game can be played with any size family, and its also a great game to play at work.

I hope some of you will try the game.  Its one of those games that after you play it one time, you will definitely be hooked, and will be looking forward to it every single year. 

God Bless and Merry Christmas you all !!!