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White Elephant Generator

The White Elephant Generator creates a random turn order for your gift swap and sets steal rules. Enter player names, choose a steal limit, and tap Generate. Share the order with the group before you start. It works for Yankee Swap and Dirty Santa too, and it is free.

What this White Elephant picker does

The hardest part of a White Elephant or Yankee Swap party is often the start: who goes first, and how do you keep it fair? This generator sets a random turn order in one click. If you want more drama, it can also reveal each player one at a time on the spin wheel. Beside the order, you get the house rules written out with your own steal limits, so nobody argues halfway through the game.

How to use it in 3 steps

  1. Type every player's name, one per line.
  2. Pick your steal limit, max steals per gift, and whether to allow a final swap.
  3. Click Shuffle for an instant numbered order, or turn on "Re-spin for each turn" and spin to call each player.

Standard rules

  • Player 1 opens a wrapped gift.
  • Each next player either opens a new gift or steals an opened one. A player who loses a gift picks again: steal or open.
  • Up to 1 steal can happen per turn, and you can't steal back a gift that was just taken from you.
  • A gift is frozen after it has been stolen 3 times.
  • When every gift is open, Player 1 may swap with anyone once.

Tips

  • Set a budget ahead of time so gifts feel balanced.
  • Funny gifts get stolen most, so a mix of useful and silly keeps it lively.
  • Display this page on a TV so everyone can see the order.

Frequently asked questions

Is White Elephant the same as Yankee Swap?

Yes, they are mostly the same game. Players open or steal wrapped gifts in a random order. Names change by region.

How many times can a gift be stolen?

Many groups use 3 steals per gift. After that, the gift is "frozen" with its owner. You can change this number in the settings.

What is the final swap?

The first player has no gifts to steal, so they get one last chance at the end to swap with anyone.

Should I shuffle or spin?

Shuffle sets the whole order instantly. Turn on "Re-spin for each turn" to reveal one player at a time with the wheel, which builds suspense.

Related wheels

🎁 Gift Idea Wheel🎅 Secret Santa🦃 Friendsgiving👥 Team Generator🎡 All Wheels

How to use the White Elephant Generator

  1. Enter every player's name.
  2. Choose steal limits and the final-swap rule.
  3. Tap Generate order.
  4. Read the order aloud and start the swap.

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