Office White Elephant Etiquette

Updated October 17, 2026

An office swap should be fun for the intern and the VP alike. These 12 rules keep it light, fair and free of awkward HR moments.

1. Make it opt-in. Nobody should feel forced to spend money.
2. One clear price limit ($20–$25 is typical) and stick to it.
3. No adult humor. If you'd be embarrassed to explain it to HR, skip it.
4. Be careful with alcohol. Check that it's allowed, and remember that not everyone drinks.
5. Avoid sizes, scents and diets: no clothes with sizes, strong perfume or food allergy minefields.
6. Funny is fine, mean isn't. Gags should be about the gift, never about a person.
7. Print the rules so nobody argues. Use the rules generator.
8. Set a time limit. Use 30–60 second turns or the timed dice game.
9. Show the turn order on the TV with the turn order generator.
10. Include remote coworkers with a virtual setup.
11. Bosses shouldn't steal from juniors (unwritten, but appreciated).
12. Trades after the game are fine if both people agree.

Stuck on a gift? Browse office-safe coworker gifts.