Yankee Swap Rules
In a Yankee Swap, everyone brings one wrapped gift, draws a random turn number, and on their turn either opens a new gift or steals one already opened. It is the same game many people call White Elephant or Dirty Santa; the name mostly depends on where you live.
The rules in order
- Agree a budget and bring one wrapped gift each.
- Draw a random turn order; our turn-order generator does this fairly.
- Player 1 opens a gift from the pile.
- Each next player opens a new gift or steals an opened one.
- Anyone whose gift is stolen opens a new gift or steals a different one (no immediate steal-backs).
- The game ends when every gift is open. Many groups let player 1 make one final swap.
Common house rules
- Three-steal limit: a gift is frozen after its third steal.
- One steal per turn: keeps chains of stealing short.
- Time limit: 30–60 seconds per turn for big groups.
Yankee Swap vs Secret Santa
In Secret Santa each person buys for one secret recipient drawn in advance; use the free Secret Santa generator. In a Yankee Swap gifts are not assigned. More on variations in Secret Santa rules; for gifts that work in a swap, see ideas under $20.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yankee Swap the same as White Elephant?
Yes, the game is essentially the same. Yankee Swap is the common name in New England; White Elephant and Dirty Santa are used elsewhere.
How many times can a gift be stolen in Yankee Swap?
It is a house rule. Many groups freeze a gift after two or three steals.
Does the first person get to swap at the end?
Often yes. Because player 1 had nothing to steal, many groups give them one final swap.
How do you decide the order?
Draw numbers from a hat or use a random turn-order generator so the order is fair.