Play White Elephant virtually

Why did we create a way to play White Elephant virtually?

Just like you, we wanted a way to play White Elephant virtually. And more than just simulating the basic game play, we wanted something that really brought the fun and holiday spirit of White Elephant to the virtual experience as well.

So whether you want to throw a great office holiday party for your company, or can’t travel to see family this year we are bring you the answer: the ability to play White Elephant Online. With our simple platform, bring your group together - to play the gift-swapping game you love - no matter where they are.

How do you play White Elephant virtually? 

If you’re not familiar with White Elephant, it’s a very popular game around the Christmas and holiday season that also goes by “Yankee Swap” or “Dirty Santa”.

The Party Prep

Normally, White Elephant is played in person, with the host telling everyone when & where to arrive, the spending limit for the gift, and any ‘gift theme’ they want to introduce. The day of the party, everyone brings a wrapped gift and puts it in a pile. The group then takes turns opening and stealing gifts and the game ends once everyone has a gift.

At White Elephant Online, you can easily host your event: create a ‘game’ on our platform that includes all the details you want: the date and time, price limit, the ‘location’ (for example, the Zoom link people can join), and any theme ideas.

We let you customize the game-play so you can play White Elephant exactly how you like. For example:

• Set how many times a gift can be stolen

• Set how many times a person can be stolen from

• Allow player #1 to go again at the end

• Include a bonus ‘swapping’ round that let’s everyone go again, swapping to try to get the gift they want!

We also allow you to play either “Steal” or “Swap” style. “Steal” is the traditional way to play White Elephant, where you’ll get a choice of whether to open a new gift, or steal a gift that’s already been opened. “Swap” style is how the game is played when it’s traditionally called “Yankee Swap.” When you play this way, the order is reversed: when it’s your turn you always open a gift first and then decide whether you want to keep the gift, or swap it with someone else’s gift.

You’ll then get an ‘invite link’ which you can share with any of your friends, family or coworkers.

Once they join, they’ll be able to submit their virtual white elephant gift. 

• It’s as easy as posting a link to any online gift, and we’ll grab the name & photo automatically.

• If you choose to, you can also add a gift from home and upload your own image

• Next you can choose your gift-wrap style and submit the gift!

All attendees will see the virtual ‘table’ fill up with these gifts ahead of the event date.

Playing White Elephant

Our platform takes you step by step through the game to make it easy.

First, numbers are assigned. Everyone can login if they want to see what number you drew, but the action will happen on the “Game Lead’s” screen - they’ll share their screen and drive the gameplay so everyone can see the action in real-time and callout what they want to do. We’ve found this makes for a more interactive and fun experience.

Game Play:

Player #1 starts the gift exchange by opening up a present. 

Player #2 (and each person after them) has a choice: unwrap a new gift, or steal a gift from someone who already opened theirs. 

This continues until all gifts are opened. Depending on which game options you’ve selected, you may get another bonus round, or have player #1 go again to get their final revenge!

Once the game is complete, we’ll tell everyone who to send their gifts to. No fuss: just purchase the gifts from its original website and ship directly to the recipient. We also offer other gift distribution options if (for example) you’re a company that wants to purchase the gifts on behalf of employees, or otherwise wants to protect employee privacy.

Are you a company looking for a fun virtual holiday party?

We’ve built our platform to make planning a corporate white elephant game easy and intuitive

You can setup a straightforward game in seconds, but we also have additional features for companies, if you need them:

• Various gift distribution options to protect employee privacy

• Ability for a game admin to submit gifts on behalf of players

• “Dummy Player” functionality so that participants never even need to login to play!

• End-of-game reports for easier gift distribution

… not to mention that our site has been used by thousands of the largest (and smallest!) companies across the globe, and the feedback has been consistent: it’s a blast!

It’s that easy to host a virtual event that is fun, unique and sure to bring you and your group together. Play White Elephant Online this holiday season!

Ready to play White Elephant Online?

Get started for free today!