Secret Santa — sometimes known as Kris Kringle — involves the same kind of mystery as a white elephant exchange, but each person in the group is assigned and aware of a designated person they’ll be gifting to. However, you’re not allowed to reveal whose Secret Santa you are until it’s time to open the gifts.
Why is Secret Santa called white elephant?
The name comes from tales of the King of Siam, who supposedly gave white elephants to his enemies. Legend has it that these beasts, although beautiful, were not very useful—and the upkeep was astronomical. White Elephants today are obviously not meant to be vindictive.
What is another name for white elephant gift exchange?
Yankee swap
A White Elephant gift exchange is also known as a Yankee swap or a Dirty Santa gift exchange. It’s a party game where amusing and impractical gifts are exchanged. The goal of a White Elephant gift exchange is to entertain participants rather than to gain something valuable or highly sought-after.
Are white elephant gifts supposed to be secret?
The White Elephant Game Rules
Bring a wrapped, anonymous gift to the shindig. Draw numbers to determine who gets to unwrap a present when. Sit in a circle and place the gifts in the center, preferably under a festive tree. The person who drew #1 selects a gift from the pile, opens it, and holds it up for all to see.
What else is Secret Santa called?
Kris Kringle
One of the more popular holiday games, Secret Santa (also known as Kris Kringle in some circles) is a fun and easy way for a group of friends, family members or co-workers to exchange gifts.
Do you put your name on a white elephant gift?
White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules
Make sure that the gifts are wrapped and don’t have any names on them – secrecy is key! Numbers are drawn to determine who goes first and who follows next. You can change this and use the spin the bottle technique to choose who goes next.
What is a Christmas white elephant?
White elephant is a gift exchange, so each person must bring one wrapped present to the Christmas party. Once everyone is assembled, have each person draw a number. The person with number “one” chooses a present to unwrap.
What do you get as a white elephant gift?
White elephant gift exchanges are always good for a laugh or two. But the best white elephant entries are those somewhat silly gifts that you can still actually put to good use, like a grilled cheese toaster, an “It’s Raining Men”-inspired umbrella, or even a cozy burrito blanket!
What’s the difference between Yankee Swap and white elephant?
The point of White Elephant is to buy something ridiculous, whereas Yankee Swap is essentially the same gift-exchange process but with more useful gifts. Everyone brings in something and each person draws a number.
What is Secret Santa rules?
Members of a group of friends, family, or coworkers draw random names to become someone’s Secret Santa. The Secret Santa is given a wish list of gift ideas to choose from to give to their chosen giftee. After opening their present, the giftee has to guess which member of the group was their Secret Santa.
How do you win white elephant?
White Elephant is a holiday tradition that has taken on many different styles.
Here are our tips on giving the perfect White Elephant gift:
- Combine Utility and Humor: White Elephant is about having fun so some element of humor is encouraged.
- Focus on the Packaging:
- Give the Gift of Life:
- Don’t Undervalue Gift Cards:
How do you throw a white elephant party?
For a White Elephant party, it’s fun (and easy) to decorate the party rooms in white. Use white tablecloths, white candles, white dishes, white napkins, and white flowers. Drape white tulle and crepe paper around light fixtures, doorways, mantles, and stairways.
Is Secret Santa politically correct?
It really shouldn’t be offensive. It’s called Secret Santa because Santa is the mythical creature that gifts good children on Christmas, and this particular activity that involves gift giving happens around Christmas time. That’s it.
Does Secret Santa have to be even?
Yes. It doesn’t matter if your party consists of an even or an odd number of participants. It is no guarantee that if person A was assigned to person B that person B is also assigned to person A. Secret Santa uses a macro to make sure everybody on the list is assigned to someone else from the list.
How do you take your name to Secret Santa?
The first step to a Secret Santa gift exchange is to determine who will participate, and then draw names. You can draw names from a hat, but it’s much easier and more convenient to draw names online using an online Secret Santa generator. After the names have been drawn, it is time to buy each other gifts.
What are elephant gifts?
24 Best White Elephant Gifts and Ideas Everyone Will Happily Reach for in 2021
- Mini Desk Vacuum Cleaner.
- Indoor Electric Stainless Steel S’mores Maker.
- Avocado Toast Glass Ornament.
- Mini Bowling Set Table Top Bowling Game.
- Carole Towne Animatronic Lighted.
- Collapsible Silicone Travel Mug.
Do you wrap a white elephant gift?
The rules of the white elephant party are simple. Everybody who attends is required to bring a wrapped gift worth no more than a specified amount — generally between $10 and $20. At the height of the party, the guests will convene to unwrap presents in an order, most likely decided by numbers drawn from a hat.
How do you play dirty Santa gift exchange?
With Dirty Santa gift exchange, each person has to buy only one gift, for not particular person unlike in Secret Santa and at the end of the exchange everyone ends up with a random gift they “won” during the exchange. Now, I said “won” but in reality the process involves a fierce swapping ans stealing from eachother.
How do you play white elephant for Christmas?
Official White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules
- Each player brings one wrapped gift to contribute to a common pool.
- Players draw numbers to determine what order they will go in.
- Players sit in a circle or line where they can see the gift pile.
- The first player selects a gift from the pool and opens it.
What should I get my coworker for Secret Santa?
31 Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Your Coworkers
- Engraved Pencil Set.
- Toaster Grilled Cheese Bags.
- Printed Socks.
- Sushi Pushpins.
- Waterproof Notepad.
- Tech Cloth.
- Reusable To Go Box.
- Portable Hot Sauce.
What can I buy as a Christmas gift exchange?
Snack boxes, gift baskets with food items, candies and other snacks and treats make thoughtful presents for a workplace Secret Santa. Try to find out as much as you can about your recipient’s preferences and favorite snack items to choose delicious and unique items for your gift exchange.
