White Elephant, Yankee Swap, Dirty Santa: what's the difference?

Updated October 12, 2026. About 4 minutes to read.

If you've searched for a holiday gift game, you've probably met several names for what sounds like the same thing: White Elephant, Yankee Swap, Dirty Santa, and Chinese gift exchange. In most groups they're the same game, and the name mostly depends on where you live. This guide explains what they have in common, where rules really differ, and how to choose the version for your group.

What they have in common

All of them are party games with the same core:

• Each guest brings one wrapped gift, and everyone has the same budget.
• There's no assigned recipient and no draw of names beforehand.
• Guests have a turn order, usually set by drawing numbers.
• On their turn, a guest either opens a new gift or takes one that's already been opened.
• Everyone ends the game with one gift.

That's the whole structure. If your group uses a different name, you can follow the standard White Elephant rules and add your own house rules.

Where the names come from

The names are used differently in different places, and plenty of groups use them interchangeably:

• White Elephant is the most common name in the United States and Canada.
• Yankee Swap is used in parts of New England, and tends to be the same game with a "swap" framing.
• Dirty Santa is a playful name used by groups who play with plenty of stealing.
• Chinese gift exchange is a name some groups use for the same game. Some people prefer to avoid it and choose one of the other names, and that's a reasonable choice if you're organizing for a mixed group.

None of these names means a particular rule set. They're signposts, not standards.

Where the rules actually differ

The things that change from group to group are the details:

• Stealing or swapping. Some versions have players steal a gift, and others let them swap their own gift for another. Stealing is more common, and swapping is gentler.
• Wrapped or unwrapped. In the usual version, a gift is opened when it's picked. Some groups keep gifts wrapped until the end, which removes strategy and makes it a gamble.
• A limit on steals. Many groups limit each gift to two or three steals, and then "freeze" it. Without a limit, a popular gift can go back and forth all night.
• A final swap. Often the first player gets a last turn to swap, because they had the least chance to steal.
• Stealing back. Some groups ban an immediate steal-back, and others allow it after one turn.
• The point of the game. Some groups play for laughs with joke gifts, and others bring useful gifts they'd be happy to keep.

Which version should you choose?

• Use the standard rules if your group has never played. They're widely known and easy to explain.
• Set a steal limit if you have more than about eight players. It keeps the game moving.
• Keep gifts wrapped until picked and opened publicly for the classic experience. Everyone sees what's at stake.
• Choose gentler swapping for groups who dislike conflict, or for families with young children.
• Say your house rules out loud at the start, whatever you call it.

And how does it compare with Secret Santa?

A Secret Santa assigns each person someone to buy for in advance, so gifts are chosen with a specific person in mind. A White Elephant has no assignment, so gifts are chosen to appeal to anyone. The right one depends on your group, and we compare them in Secret Santa or White Elephant.

Frequently asked questions

Is White Elephant the same as Yankee Swap?

In most groups, yes. People say Yankee Swap in some regions and White Elephant in others, and they follow similar rules. Check your group's house rules for stealing and swapping.

Why is it called White Elephant?

The name refers to a gift that's more trouble than it's worth, which is why the game's gifts are sometimes silly. These days many groups use the name for any gift-stealing game, whatever the gifts.

Can I play it online?

Yes. It works well on video with a few changes, such as sharing a list of gifts and keeping numbers in a spreadsheet. See running a remote gift exchange.

Keep reading

• White Elephant rules: how the game works, from setup to the last steal

  How to play, how stealing works, and the rules to agree on before the first gift is opened.

• Secret Santa or White Elephant: how to choose

  Two very different games with similar seasons. Here is how to choose the right one for your group.

• How to run a virtual or remote gift exchange

  Shipping, addresses, time zones and a reveal that works over video.