White Elephant Generator
Draw the turn order, reveal it one number at a time on the TV, then let this page keep track of who opened what, who stole it, and which gifts are frozen. Free, no sign-up, and it remembers the game if someone closes the laptop.
Tip: press the space bar for the next number.
Game over
Final results
| # | Player | Goes home with | Times stolen |
|---|
Opened gifts
Move log
How to run the game with this page
- Add the playersType everyone who brought a gift. Already ran a Secret Santa draw here? One tap reuses those names.
- Reveal the orderPut the page on the TV and draw numbers one at a time. It's the same suspense as pulling slips from a hat, without anyone peeking.
- Track the gameOn each turn, tap Open a new gift or Steal this. The page follows whose move it is, counts steals and freezes gifts when they hit the limit.
The rules in one minute
Everyone brings one wrapped gift and puts it in a pile. Player 1 opens a gift. Each player after that can either open a wrapped gift or steal any gift that's already been opened. If your gift is stolen, you choose again: open a new one or steal from someone else. A turn ends when someone opens a new gift. With the usual rules, a gift is frozen after its third steal, and player 1 gets one last chance to swap when every gift is open.
That's the core. The full white elephant rules cover steal limits, the final swap, budgets, themes and the variations groups argue about, and the white elephant dice game is a faster version for big groups.
Gifts that get stolen
The best white elephant gifts are things everyone secretly wants but nobody buys for themselves. These open Amazon results already filtered to a typical white elephant budget.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon search results; check current prices and reviews before you buy.
- Heated blanket or throw
The most-stolen gift at most parties. Worth the higher budget.
- Giant gummy bear or candy tub
Big, silly and edible. Gets passed around all night.
- Popcorn machine or movie night kit
Everyone pictures themselves using it.
- Card game for adults
Easy to steal, easy to play at the next party.
- Insulated tumbler
Boring until three people want it.
- Hot sauce or seasoning sampler
Small box, strong opinions.
- Portable phone charger
Practical gifts get stolen more than you think.
- Mini waffle maker
Cheap, cute and secretly useful.
- 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle
Fills a whole winter evening. Families fight over the good ones.
- Ridiculous but useful gadget
Laugh first, use later: the white elephant sweet spot.
Need more ideas at a set price?
More for your party
- White elephant rulesEvery rule and the variations worth trying.
- White elephant dice gameRoll for swaps against the clock.
Questions
Is this white elephant generator free?
Yes. No sign-up, no app, no upsell to a paid version. It runs in your browser and keeps the game on this device, so a refresh or a dead laptop battery doesn't wipe out the game.
How does the steal limit work?
Each opened gift can be stolen a set number of times. With the usual limit of three, the person who makes the third steal keeps it for good: the gift is frozen and nobody can take it after that. Pick "No limit" if your group likes chaos, or 2 for a quicker game.
What does "no stealing straight back" mean?
If someone takes your gift, you can't take that same gift back during the same turn. You can steal a different gift or open a new one. It stops two people from trading one gift back and forth forever.
Can I show it on the TV?
Yes. Open this page on a laptop connected to the TV, or cast the browser tab, and press Full screen. The numbers and names are sized to read from across the room.
What happens to player 1 at the end?
Player 1 had nothing to steal on the first turn, so most groups give them one last move: swap their gift for any gift that isn't frozen, or keep what they have. You can switch this off in House rules.
Can I print numbers instead?
Yes. Use Printable number slips to print numbers 1 to however many players you have, cut them apart and draw them from a hat. After you draw the order here, you can also print slips with each person's name.
I made a mistake. Can I fix it?
Press Undo last move as many times as you need. Every open, steal and swap can be undone in order.