White elephant wheel

40 slices

About this wheel

White elephant, also called Yankee swap, needs two things: a fair turn order and clear steal rules. This wheel gives you both. Spin it to draw a turn number for each guest, then use the rule slices when a player cannot decide whether to steal or open a new gift.

To set the order, choose the Turn order group, delete the numbers above your headcount in the list box, and spin once for each guest. With the wheel on Everyone once, no number repeats, so two guests never end up with the same turn. Write the number on a card and hand it over before the first gift is opened.

During play, spin the Steal and swap rules group when someone is stuck, or use the Gift twists for a round that needs a surprise. Press Fullscreen on a TV so the whole room can see the result, and use the Space bar to spin without touching the screen. Our Secret Santa Generator is the better pick when each person buys for one named person.

All 40 slices

Turn order

  1. Turn 1
  2. Turn 2
  3. Turn 3
  4. Turn 4
  5. Turn 5
  6. Turn 6
  7. Turn 7
  8. Turn 8
  9. Turn 9
  10. Turn 10
  11. Turn 11
  12. Turn 12
  13. Turn 13
  14. Turn 14
  15. Turn 15
  16. Turn 16
  17. Turn 17
  18. Turn 18
  19. Turn 19
  20. Turn 20

Steal and swap rules

  1. Steal any open gift
  2. Swap with the person on your left
  3. Swap with the person on your right
  4. Swap with the last player
  5. Open a new gift instead
  6. Steal the gift opened last
  7. Pass to the next player
  8. Swap with someone wearing red
  9. Swap with the youngest player
  10. Swap with the oldest player
  11. Pick any gift to swap
  12. Choose who you swap with

Gift twists

  1. Trade gifts with the person beside you
  2. Everyone passes their gift right
  3. Everyone passes their gift left
  4. Tell a joke before you open
  5. Show your gift and explain it
  6. Open your gift with no hands
  7. The gift you hold is safe this round
  8. Pick a second player to open next

Questions

How do you play white elephant with a wheel?

Each guest brings a wrapped gift. Spin to give every guest a turn number. Player one opens a gift, and each later player either opens a new one or steals an open one. The wheel decides the order, and the rule slices settle any tie.

How do I draw turn order fairly?

Choose the Turn order group, delete the numbers you do not need, and keep Everyone once on. Spin once per guest. Each guest gets a different number, so the order is random and visible to the room.

What is the difference between white elephant and Yankee swap?

They are two names for almost the same game. Guests bring wrapped gifts, then open or steal in turn. Groups often add their own limits, such as how many times one gift can be stolen, so agree on that before the first spin.

How many steals should one gift allow?

Many groups allow two or three steals, after which the gift stays with its owner. Say the limit out loud before you start, and add it to the list box as its own slice if you want the wheel to remind everyone.

Can I add my own house rules?

Yes. Type each rule on its own line in the list box. Keep each one short so it fits on a slice, then press Save a copy to keep it for next year.