White Elephant Dice Game Rules: Roll Chart, Timer and Twists

White elephant dice game rules in 30 seconds

Everyone brings one wrapped gift, sits in a circle, and takes turns rolling one die. Each number tells you what to do with the gifts, and the game ends when a timer goes off or after a set number of rounds. Whatever you are holding at the end is yours.

That is the whole game. The only part people argue about is the roll chart, because there is no official version. Pick one chart, print it or write it on a whiteboard, and read it out loud before the first roll. Here is the chart we use in our White Elephant Game Printable. It needs only one standard die, and the number cards go up to 30 players.

• Roll 1: Swap gifts with the person on your left.
• Roll 2: Swap gifts with the person on your right.
• Roll 3: Steal any gift you like.
• Roll 4: Keep your gift. Lucky you.
• Roll 5: Trade gifts with the person sitting across from you.
• Roll 6: Pick two other players and swap their gifts.

What you need before the first roll

Set the price limit when you send the invite, not at the door. A $20 to $25 cap is the most common for coworkers and friends, and $10 to $15 works well for big families or classrooms. A gift that is far over the limit makes the steals feel unfair.

Then get the table ready. You need one six-sided die (two if you plan to use the doubles twist below), a phone timer, the roll chart where everyone can see it, and a clear circle so gifts can actually move. If people are on couches and folding chairs, mark the circle order before you start so "left" and "across from you" are not up for debate.

• One wrapped gift per player, all under the same price limit
• One standard die per circle
• A timer set to 5 to 10 minutes
• The roll chart, printed or written large
• Number cards or a list if you also want to play the classic open-and-steal version first

How to run the game, step by step

Hand everyone a wrapped gift before the dice come out. Do not let people hold the gift they brought; collect them all on a table, then pass them out at random, or have each player take one from the pile in number order.

The host rolls first so everyone sees how a turn works. After each roll, the player does the action on the chart and passes the die to the left. Keep turns quick. If someone hesitates on a 3 or a 6, count down from five out loud. The speed is what makes the game fun.

When the timer ends, stop on the current turn. Everyone unwraps at the same time. That shared reveal is the best moment of the night, so give it a minute before anyone starts trading by hand.

How long to play: timer or rounds

The dice game has no natural ending, because gifts keep moving no matter how many turns you take. You have to pick the finish line before you start. There are two good options.

A timer is best for groups over 10. Five minutes is plenty for 10 to 15 people; go up to 10 minutes for 20 or more. A timer also stops the game from dragging when the die keeps landing on 4.

Rounds are best for small groups. Two rolls per player works for 6 to 10 people. If you have fewer than 8 and want it to last longer, play three rounds.

Four twists that keep it fair and funny

Add one twist per party at most. Explain it before the first roll, and write it under the chart.

• Wrapped round, then open round: play round one with gifts still wrapped, so people steal on box size and rattle alone. Unwrap everything, then play a shorter second round where everyone can see what they are stealing.
• Doubles rule: roll two dice and use the higher number for the chart. If you roll doubles, you may steal from anyone. It speeds things up and gives every turn a small chance of chaos.
• Frozen gifts: once a gift has been stolen three times, it is frozen and stays put. Hang a tag on it so nobody forgets. This protects the one gift everyone wants from moving every turn.
• Two circles for big groups: with more than 20 people, split into two circles, each with its own die and timer. Play at the same time, then do a single shared unwrap.

Dice game vs classic white elephant vs Left Right

Classic white elephant (also called Yankee Swap or Dirty Santa) uses drawn numbers: player 1 opens a gift, and each player after that opens a new one or steals an opened one. It is the most strategic version, but it can run 45 minutes with 20 people.

The dice game is faster and needs no strategy, which makes it better for coworkers who do not know each other well and for mixed ages. Nobody has to make the awkward choice to take a gift from the boss; the die made them do it.

Left Right is the calmest option. The host reads a story out loud, and everyone passes their gift left or right every time they hear those words. It is ideal for kids, grandparents, or a group that wants a laugh without any stealing. Our printable includes two Left Right stories, the dice chart, the classic rules, a house-rules sign, number cards 1 to 30, a gift log and frozen-gift tags, so you can play two versions back to back.

Running the dice game at an office party

At work, three small changes avoid most problems. Keep the price limit low and the same for everyone, including managers. Skip gag gifts that could embarrass someone. And use a timer, not rounds, so the game fits into a lunch hour.

If remote coworkers are joining, ship or deliver gifts ahead of time and have the host roll on camera for them. Players say "swap with Jordan" out loud and the host tracks who is holding what on the gift log.

If you want a full party plan instead of one game, the Office Christmas Party Games Printable bundles 8 office-friendly games with a host guide, including coworker bingo and a Left Right gift exchange. For a Secret Santa instead of a swap, the Secret Santa Questionnaire Printable covers the invite, name draw slips and wish lists.

Printable tips that make game night smoother

Print the roll chart on regular paper and slide it into a sheet protector so spilled cocoa is not a problem. Print number cards and frozen tags on card stock; they survive being passed around a circle of 20 people.

Print one chart per circle, plus one for the host. If your group is large, tape the chart to a wall or put it on the TV so nobody has to lean in to read it.

Keep a gift log if anyone will want to say thank you later. One line per gift: who brought it, what it was, who took it home. It takes 30 seconds per gift and saves a lot of awkward guessing in January.

Get the printable

Want the chart, the classic rules, two Left Right stories, number cards, a gift log and frozen tags ready to print? See the White Elephant Game Printable here on the site, or go straight to the listing on Etsy for the instant download. It is a 9-page US Letter PDF, and you only need one die.

Planning a whole season of parties? Browse the Christmas and New Year printables for trivia, bingo, scavenger hunts and the Christmas Trivia Game Printable.