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have that number of gifts under your tree or on your 'exchange' table and then proceed to cut out that same number of tiny bits of paper, each labeled with a number that corresponds to one of the numbers on the gift packages. Put the numbered paper slips into a hat or bowl for your guests to draw from. Once they each have a number, in a large group, it might be a good idea to have them reorganize around the room by their number. In small groups just call out "Who has number one?" and have them come forward.

One by one, each guest must pick up the corresponding gift that has their number on it. The first person opens gift number one and sees what they ... err won? If it's totally terrible , you might be lucky enough to get someone to trade you their unopened gift down the number line. Each person has the option to 'steal' their favorite already opened gift and give their unopened gift in return or to take a chance and open the gift they drew by number. It's that simple!

I've seen everything from decade old calendars and coin rollers, to lovely fish hats show up at our yuletide white elephant gift exchanges. In fact, at this point, there are so many goofy hats and wigs floating around our white elephant crowd that we take a picture of everyone wearing their new look at the end of the party. We added the rule that if it was a wearable item you had to try it on. What fun! Try picturing your grandma wearing an Elvis wig and you should have the general idea of the silliness of our group! (I'm hoping it was a Halloween costume in a previous life?)

If your white elephant gift exchange becomes a yearly event it will likely take on a flavor of it's own according to the tastes of the group. A good tip to keep in mind is the age of the crowd. Some gift exchanges can become R-rated rather quickly. Put in your invite if you don't want this type of item to surface. Also, little tykes might not understand the game at all and be frustrated. I mean, USUALLY there are no literal white elephants in the room so they might be disappointed by the name of the game. Though I suppose you might be able to find some white stuffed elephants at your local toy store? How to work that in I don't know ... it might just be easier to have another game for them to play or pop in a Christmas children's video to keep them occupied long enough for the adults to participate in the yearly exchange.

Learn more about this author, Suzanne Wesley.
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