White Elephant FAQ
Everything you need to know about White Elephant Online, virtual gift exchanges, and hosting a holiday game for your team.
What is White Elephant Online?
White Elephant Online is a virtual platform that lets teams, families, and friends play the classic White Elephant gift exchange game online. It’s designed for remote and hybrid groups who want a fun, easy holiday celebration, no matter where they’re located.
How does a virtual White Elephant game work?
Players join a game using a link, submit a gift (either a link to an online item or a photo of something they already own), and then meet on a video call to play. During the game, participants take turns opening or stealing gifts, just like the in-person version. After the game ends, players purchase and send the gifts they contributed.
Can I play White Elephant virtually with my company or team?
Yes! White Elephant Online is built specifically for workplace celebrations. HR teams, managers, and admins can easily host a virtual gift exchange for small departments or company-wide events, across offices, time zones, or remote setups.
Do players have to buy a gift before the game?
No. Players only submit a gift idea before the game (a link or photo). They don’t purchase anything until after the game ends and they know who won their gift.
How many people can join a virtual White Elephant game?
Games can be played with small groups of 5–10 or large groups of 100+ people. Many companies run multiple games at once for different departments or regions.
Can I host multiple games at the same time?
Yes. Admins can create and manage multiple games from one account. Many HR teams create separate games for different teams, offices, or time zones. If the events will take place on the same day/time, you will need to assign a Game Lead for each event to actually handle the hosting when it’s time for your party.
How does gift delivery work after the game?
You can choose from six different Gift Distribution Options, including:
Each player sends their own gift
A central admin purchases and ships all gifts
Players choose digital-only items
The platform automatically sends instructions to each participant so everyone knows exactly what to do.
Do players need to create an account?
Players will need an account if they want to be able to submit a gift for the exchange. If the game admin plans on submitting and managing all of the gifts, then participants do not need to create accounts.
Does White Elephant Online work internationally?
Yes. Anyone with an internet connection can join and play. For gift delivery, we support both physical and digital gifts, making international participation simple.
What video platforms work with White Elephant Online?
You can use any video conferencing tool, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Webex, and more. The host screenshares the game while everyone joins the call.
Is the game mobile-friendly?
Yes. Players can view the game, see their gift, and track numbers on desktop or mobile.
Is White Elephant Online safe and secure?
Absolutely. We never share personal information outside your game, and players only share the minimum necessary details for gift delivery (if applicable). You can read more in our privacy policy.
How much does White Elephant Online cost?
We offer affordable pricing for individuals and businesses. You can create a personal game for free or purchase a business game for workplace celebrations. See our Pricing page for full details.
Can I try a demo game before purchasing?
Yes! We offer a fully functional demo game so you can preview gameplay, gift mechanics, and user experience before hosting your own exchange. Get started now!
Do you have recommendations for popular White Elephant gifts?
Yes—we have a full White Elephant Gift Idea Generator, plus curated gift guides with funny, budget-friendly, and workplace-safe gift suggestions. Perfect for teams looking for inspiration.
Where can I find the official White Elephant rules?
We include a full overview of traditional White Elephant rules—including turn order, stealing rules, and variations—on our How It Works page.
How far in advance should I schedule a virtual gift exchange?
Most companies schedule their game 1–3 weeks before the event. Games can be created in advance and shared whenever you're ready.
Can I customize my game?
Yes. Organizers can set a theme, add custom rules, choose gift types, and toggle popular variations like steal limits or round-robin stealing.
What if someone doesn’t submit their gift in time?
Organizers can send reminders or add a gift on behalf of a participant using admin tools. This keeps the game running smoothly even if a player is last-minute.