How to Play White Elephant Virtually
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Because hijacking your co‑worker’s Bananagrams set shouldn’t require everyone to be in the same room.
TL;DR
Skip the spreadsheets, the last‑minute rule explanations, and the frantic “Wait…who stole from whom?” Zoom chaos. Use a purpose‑built platform like WhiteElephantGame.com and follow the seven steps below. You’ll get the same energy of an in‑person exchange minus the headaches.
Why listen to me?
I’ve run more remote holiday events than I can count, tested every DIY workaround under the sun, and learned—through painful trial and error—what kills the vibe and what makes people spam Slack with “That was the best virtual party we’ve had.”
This guide is the one I wish I had back when I was trying to run my first virtual White Elephant on Google Sheets and goodwill alone. You’ll walk away with a step-by-step system that works for friends, families, and remote teams—with minimal stress and maximum holiday joy.
The Basics: What Is White Elephant?
White Elephant is a gift exchange game that blends mystery, surprise, and strategy.
Here’s how it works:
1. Everyone brings a wrapped gift.
2. Players take turns choosing a new gift or stealing one that’s already been opened.
3. If your gift is stolen, you pick again.
4. Each gift can only be stolen a set number of times.
5. The game ends when all gifts are claimed and steals are maxed out.
Simple rules. Maximum drama.
It’s the perfect balance of wholesome fun and competitive chaos. And it works shockingly well online when you do it right.
Step 1: Invite Your Guests
Create your game using WhiteElephantGame.com. It only takes a minute. Then send out the game link in your calendar invite, email, Slack, or group chat.
Pro Tip: Add the game link directly to your calendar event. That way it’s impossible to miss.
Who to Invite
- Remote teams
- Long-distance family
- Friend groups who love stealing things politely
Set Expectations Early
Let people know:
- What kind of gifts to bring (if you're doing a theme)
- The budget limit
- When and how they’ll submit gifts
- How long the game will take
Clarity prevents confusion.
Step 2: Set a Budget
White Elephant is about creativity, not cost. Pick a fair gift limit:
$15: for small fun or gag gifts
$25: flexible enough for creativity
$30–$40: for higher-quality gifts
For companies: The org should handle purchasing and shipping.
For friends/family: Everyone just brings their own gift within budget.
Budget-Friendly Ideas
- Funny mugs or desk toys
- Kitchen gadgets
- Cozy socks or throw blankets
- Gift cards (Starbucks, Netflix, DoorDash)
WhiteElephantGame.com will show the gift budget to players and help them stay within it.
Pro Tip: Suggest a few sample gifts in the invite to help spark ideas.
Step 3: Collect the Gifts
Here’s where the magic starts. You need all the gifts uploaded before game day.
Option A: Host-managed
- Collect product links and upload them manually
- Assign gifts to placeholder players
This is ideal if you want total control (e.g. for company events).
Option B: Guest-submitted
- Guests paste in links from online stores or upload photos of their items
- The platform wraps them with built-in gift graphics
This is more fun and interactive, especially for friends or family.
Pro Tip: Set a gift submission deadline (48–72 hours before game time).
Gift Themes That Work Well
- WFH Essentials
- “Actually useful” gifts under $25
- Food/drink themed picks (coffee, hot sauce, snacks)
- Gag gifts
Step 4: Customize the Rules
Time to dial up (or down) the mischief.
WhiteElephantGame.com lets you set:
- Max # of steals per gift
- Max # of steals per player
- Whether Player #1 gets a bonus turn
- Whether a person can be immediately stolen from again
All of this happens behind the scenes while the game runs. No need to stop and explain rules live.
Step 5: Make It Work for Everyone
You’ve got guests in 4 time zones. One person only has a phone. Someone else can’t join live. No problem.
WhiteElephantGame.com solves all that:
- Join in seconds via browser
- No software to install
- Works on mobile, desktop, or tablet
- Guests can submit gifts even if they won’t be there live
Step 6: Game Day Magic
Here’s the vibe:
- Everyone’s on Zoom, Meet, or Teams
- The host shares their screen
- WhiteElephantGame.com handles turn order, gift reveals, and all the chaos
Each player:
- Clicks to unwrap or steal
- Sees animations for gifts
- Gets real-time updates on what’s been stolen
No spreadsheets. No confusion. No boring.
Ways to Boost Fun
- Add music (a holiday playlist or game show theme)
- Encourage reactions (“You stole *WHAT*?!”)
- Use custom Zoom backgrounds (e.g. ugly sweater theme)
Step 7: Wrap It Up
Once the last gift is stolen or unwrapped:
- Everyone gets a summary of who got what
- Purchase/shipping instructions are included
- Hosts can follow up with a thank-you note or gift recap
Pro Tip: Screenshot the funniest game moments and share them in the group chat or Slack. Create a mini highlight reel.
Optional Post-Game Awards
- Most Stolen Gift 🏆
- Most Surprising Pick 😲
- Best Reaction 🤯
Bonus Tips
* Add a gift theme: “As Seen on TikTok” or “Things That Spark Joy”
* Let guests vote on gifts they *would have* picked
* Host multiple games for large teams and crown a winner
* Record the game for a team recap or family keepsake
Why Use WhiteElephantGame.com?
Because it saves you hours and makes the game more fun. It’s purpose-built for virtual White Elephant:
- Runs entirely in your browser
- No app downloads
- Supports custom rules and budgets
- Handles turn order, visuals, and reminders
- Great for teams, families, and friends
Start your free game → Play.WhiteElephantGame.com
Final Thoughts
Virtual White Elephant isn’t a consolation prize. Done right, it’s a highlight of the season.
You don’t need a fancy office or a perfectly decorated living room to get the laughter, surprise, and chaos we all love from gift exchanges.
You just need a good group, a clear plan, and a great tool to bring it to life.
Now go make some holiday memories!
Start your game → WhiteElephantGame.com
