5 Fun White Elephant Rules To Print And Play

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The thrill of a White Elephant gift exchange - the excitement of not knowing what quirky, humorous, or possibly useless gift you'll end up with. To add an extra layer of fun to this already entertaining holiday tradition, we've come up with 5 fun White Elephant rules to print and play. Whether you're hosting a party, attending an office gathering, or participating in a family reunion, these rules are sure to bring laughter and joy to your gift exchange.

The beauty of White Elephant lies in its unpredictability, and with these rules, you'll create an experience that's both memorable and hilarious. Before we dive into the rules, let's take a brief look at the history of White Elephant and its origins.

Understanding White Elephant Gift Exchange

The concept of White Elephant gift exchange is believed to have originated in Southeast Asia, where the king of Siam (now Thailand) would give rare and sacred white elephants as gifts to courtiers who displeased him. The gift was both a blessing and a curse, as the recipient was expected to care for the elephant, which was extremely expensive and time-consuming.

In modern times, White Elephant gift exchange has evolved into a lighthearted and entertaining activity, where participants bring wrapped, often humorous or quirky gifts, and engage in a series of rules to determine who gets to keep which gift.

5 Fun White Elephant Rules to Print and Play

Without further ado, here are 5 fun White Elephant rules to print and play:

Rule 1: The Classic Stealing Rule

• Participants draw numbers to determine the order in which they get to choose gifts.
• The first player selects a wrapped gift and opens it.
• The next player can either choose a new, unopened gift or "steal" a gift that has already been opened.
• A gift can only be stolen a maximum of three times before it's "frozen" and can't be stolen again.

Rule 2: The Speed Round

• Set a timer for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Participants take turns choosing gifts, but with a twist - they have to open the gift and make a decision within the allotted time frame.
• If a player fails to make a decision within the time limit, they're out of the game.

Rule 3: The Gift Card Twist

• Participants bring a wrapped gift and a gift card of a set amount (e.g., $10 or $20).
• When a player opens a gift, they can choose to keep the gift or swap it with the gift card.
• If a player chooses to swap, the gift card becomes the new gift, and the original gift is put back into the pool.

Rule 4: The Team Play Rule

• Divide participants into teams of two or three.
• Each team takes turns choosing gifts, and team members can discuss and decide together which gift to choose.
• Teams can also strategize and work together to steal gifts from other teams.

Rule 5: The Themed Gift Rule

• Set a theme for the gift exchange (e.g., gag gifts, books, or wine).
• Participants bring gifts that fit within the theme.
• When a player opens a gift, they have to justify why the gift fits within the theme. If they can't justify it, they're out of the game.

Get Ready for a Hilarious White Elephant Gift Exchange

With these 5 fun White Elephant rules to print and play, you'll be well on your way to hosting a hilarious and memorable gift exchange. Whether you're playing with friends, family, or coworkers, these rules are sure to bring laughter and excitement to your gathering.

Ready to Share the Fun?

We'd love to hear about your White Elephant gift exchange experiences! Share your favorite memories, rules, and gift ideas in the comments below. Don't forget to share this article with your friends and family to get them excited for the holiday season.