How to play the White Elephant dice game
The dice game is a gift exchange where a die does the deciding. Instead of drawing numbers and taking turns to open or steal, everyone starts with a wrapped gift in their hands, and each roll moves gifts around the circle. It's quick, loud and easy to explain, even to people who have never played a gift exchange.
- 1Set a budget and ask everyone to bring one wrapped gift that most people in the group would enjoy.
- 2Put the gifts on a table as people arrive. When it's time to play, each person picks one that isn't their own and sits down in a circle with it.
- 3Choose a timekeeper and set a timer for 5 minutes. The timekeeper can play too.
- 4Hand the die to anyone. They roll once, do what the chart says, and pass the die to the left. Keep it moving: the clock is running.
- 5When the timer rings, round 1 is over. Everyone unwraps the gift they're holding and shows it to the room.
- 6Reset the timer and play round 2 the same way, now with the gifts open. When the timer rings again, the gift in your hands is the one you take home.
What each number means
The chart works the same in both rounds. Everyone always holds exactly one gift, so nobody ends up empty-handed and nobody walks off with a pile. In round 1 the moves are pure luck. In round 2 everyone can see the gifts, so the 3s, 4s and 6s turn into strategy.
Roll a 1
Trade gifts with the player on your left. Small move, big groans in round 2.
Roll a 2
Trade gifts with the player on your right. Same as a 1, the other way.
Roll a 3
Swap gifts with anyone in the circle, or keep yours. In round 2, this is where the best gift starts to travel.
Roll a 4
Pick two other players and make them swap gifts. Your own gift stays put. It's the roll that causes the most groans.
Roll a 5
Everyone passes their gift one seat to the left, all at once. The whole circle moves, so call it out loud.
Roll a 6
Swap with anyone, then roll one more time. Only one extra roll per turn, even if you get another 6.
Setup for 8 to 40 people
One die and one timer stretch from a small dinner to a full office party. What changes with size is how often the die comes back to you.
8 to 12 people
One circle around a coffee table. The die comes back to you every minute or so, which keeps everyone in the game.
13 to 20 people
Pull chairs into one big circle, gifts in laps, and keep the die moving. Quick turns matter more than good rolls.
21 to 40 people
Start a second die on the far side of the circle, so two turns happen at once. With more than 30, make two circles with their own dice and one shared timer.
Someone forgot a gift?
Make them the timekeeper. Got an extra gift instead? Put it on an empty chair in the circle: whoever swaps with the chair takes it and leaves theirs behind.
Rounds, timers and the end of the game
Two rounds of 5 minutes is a good default: long enough for every gift to move, short enough that nobody gets bored. Try 7 minutes a round for 25 people and 4 for 8. Any phone timer works, or put our countdown timer on a screen everyone can see.
For more suspense, hide the timer. Set it without telling anyone how long it is, and the room won't know which roll is the last. Whatever you choose, agree on the rule before you start: when the timer rings, the gift in your hands is yours, and a die that's still rolling doesn't count.
Don't have a die? Use our dice roller on any phone and pass the phone instead.
Office, family, friends and kids versions
Office party
Keep the budget small, something like $15 to $25, and ask for gifts anyone would use: snacks, a mug, a plant, a good pen. Two 5-minute rounds fit in a lunch break. For the rest of the party, see our office holiday party games.
Family Christmas
Seat the cousins next to the grandparents and let the youngest roll first. Mix in a few joke gifts, so the swaps in round 2 get as many laughs as the good ones.
Friends and roommates
Pick a theme like "something cozy" or "under $10", and use the hidden timer. A 4 in the last minute of round 2 can start a feud that lasts all year.
Kids
Play one round of 3 minutes with small, equal treats, so everyone ends up with something they like. Read each roll out loud and help little ones count the dots.
Variations to try
Pile start
Put every gift in a pile in the middle and pass the die around. On a 6, a player with empty hands takes one gift from the pile. Once everyone holds a gift, start the timer and play with the chart. It's closer to the Danish dice game and works best with 12 or fewer.
Numbers instead of dice
Prefer the classic open-or-steal game? Print the White Elephant numbers and rules for turn order and a steal limit.
On one phone
Our dice gift game rolls the die, keeps track of turns and runs a secret timer, all on one phone passed around the circle.
Pair it with other gift exchange games
The dice game is fast, so it pairs well with a second exchange. Start the night with the Christmas left right game, a read-aloud story that passes small gifts around the circle. If your group would rather open and steal one gift at a time, the White Elephant tracker keeps count of turns and frozen gifts on one phone.
Not sure which exchange suits your crowd? Our guide to gift exchange games compares Secret Santa, White Elephant and the dice game. For the rest of the evening, browse our Christmas games.
Questions
How does the White Elephant dice game work?
Everyone sits in a circle holding one wrapped gift. A die goes around, and each roll moves gifts. After a 5-minute round, everyone opens their gift, then you play one more round with the gifts open. When the timer rings, you keep what you're holding.
What do the numbers on the die mean?
1: trade with the player on your left. 2: trade with the player on your right. 3: swap with anyone, or keep yours. 4: pick two other players to swap. 5: everyone passes left. 6: swap with anyone, then roll once more.
How many people can play?
It works with 8 to 40. With more than 20, start a second die on the other side of the circle. With more than 30, split into two circles that share one timer.
How long does it take?
About 15 minutes: two 5-minute rounds plus time to open the gifts. Make the rounds longer for big groups and shorter for small ones.
What if we don't have a die?
Use the free dice roller on ManyMini and pass the phone, or play the dice gift game, which rolls for you and runs a secret timer.
Can I print it on A4?
Yes. The rules and the chart fit on one sheet, Letter or A4. Print it from a phone or a computer, or download the PDF.
Is it free?
Yes. It's free with no sign-up.