Dirty Santa Rules

Dirty Santa is what much of the American South calls White Elephant: you draw numbers, open gifts, and steal. Some groups play it rougher, with unlimited steals or gag gifts only, which is where the “dirty” comes from.

What you need

  • One wrapped gift per player
  • Number tickets
  • A steal limit everyone agrees on

How to play

  1. Everyone draws a number.
  2. Player 1 opens a gift.
  3. Each next player opens a new gift or steals an opened one.
  4. A stolen-from player opens a new gift or steals a different one.
  5. A gift is “dead” (frozen) after 3 steals.
  6. Player 1 may make a final steal at the end.

Generate a printable version with your own steal limit in the rules generator. Pick Classic, then add your title (“Dirty Santa Rules”).

FAQ

Is Dirty Santa the same as White Elephant?

The rules are almost identical. The name is regional (Dirty Santa in the South, Yankee Swap in New England, White Elephant elsewhere), and Dirty Santa groups lean towards gag gifts and more steals.

How many steals in Dirty Santa?

Most groups use 3. Groups that want the classic Dirty Santa chaos play with unlimited steals but no immediate steal-backs.

More gift exchange games

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