The holiday season is all about bringing people together, and gift exchange games like White Elephant and Secret Santa are two of the most popular ways to spread joy and fun.
But if you’re planning a gift exchange, you might be wondering: Which is the best option—White Elephant or Secret Santa?
While both games are a blast in their own right, they cater to different experiences. In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between the two games to help you decide which is best for your group.
Spoiler alert: we’re big fans of Secret Santa—and by the end of this guide, you’ll see why Secret Santa is the way to go for a more personalized, meaningful, and hassle-free exchange.
Key Differences Between White Elephant and Secret Santa
Before we dive into which game is best, let’s start by outlining the major differences between White Elephant and Secret Santa. Each game has its own set of rules and dynamics that create unique gift-giving experiences.
Here’s a quick comparison chart:
| Feature | White Elephant | Secret Santa |
| Gift Type | Generic, often funny or novelty gifts | Thoughtful, personalized gifts based on recipient preferences |
| How Gifts Are Exchanged | Gifts are swapped, stolen, or traded multiple times | Each person gives and receives one gift, chosen specifically for them |
| How to Pick a Gift | Participants bring a gift for the general group | Each person buys a gift for a specific recipient |
| Game Focus | Lighthearted, competitive, often focused on fun and humor | Personalized, focused on giving meaningful gifts |
| Best for Groups | Works well for casual or large groups | Great for groups of all sizes, especially close-knit groups |
| Ideal Settings | Office parties, larger gatherings with people who may not know each other well | Family gatherings, friend groups, close teams |
| Platform Support | Manual setup required, no online platform support | Supported by our Secret Santa platform for seamless organization |
What Is White Elephant?
White Elephant is a fun and often competitive gift exchange game where participants bring a generic, wrapped gift to the party. The gifts are placed in a common pool, and participants take turns choosing a gift from the pile or “stealing” a gift that has already been unwrapped by someone else. The game typically involves a lot of humor, surprises, and gift-swapping, making it a lively option for larger, more casual groups.
White Elephant Features:
- Gifts are usually novelty items, gag gifts, or inexpensive presents that can be enjoyed by anyone.
- Participants have the opportunity to “steal” gifts, creating a playful and competitive atmosphere.
- Ideal for groups who enjoy a little bit of chaos and don’t mind the risk of ending up with an unexpected gift.
While White Elephant can be entertaining, it’s not always the best option for groups that value personalized and thoughtful gifts. In fact, this game’s competitive nature sometimes leaves participants with gifts they don’t particularly want or need.
What Is Secret Santa?
Secret Santa, on the other hand, is a more personalized and thoughtful gift exchange. Participants are assigned one person to buy a gift for, and the giver remains anonymous until the gift is opened. What makes Secret Santa so special is that the gifts are chosen with the recipient’s tastes and preferences in mind, making the exchange more meaningful.
Secret Santa Highlights:
- Each participant creates a wishlist, so gifts are tailored specifically to what the recipient wants.
- There’s no stealing or swapping—each person gives and receives one thoughtful gift.
- Works beautifully for smaller, closer-knit groups, but can easily be scaled up with the right tools (like our Secret Santa gift list platform).
Secret Santa exchanges are ideal for families, close friends, or work teams who want to celebrate the holidays by giving gifts that truly reflect the recipient’s likes and needs. Unlike White Elephant, there’s less focus on competition and more emphasis on thoughtfulness and connection.
Why Secret Santa Is the Best Choice
While both White Elephant and Secret Santa have their merits, Secret Santa is by far the better option if you’re looking for a more meaningful, personal, and streamlined gift exchange. Here’s why:
1. Personalized Gifts
With Secret Santa, each person creates a Gift List of items they actually want, making it easy for the gift-giver to find something perfect. Our Secret Santa platform allows participants to create and share wishlists, ensuring that every gift is thoughtful and appreciated. In White Elephant, on the other hand, you’re stuck with whatever you unwrap—or whatever hasn’t been stolen yet.
2. No Awkward Gift Swaps
In White Elephant, the focus is on “stealing” gifts and swapping them multiple times, which can sometimes create uncomfortable situations if someone’s gift is taken away. With Secret Santa, each participant receives one special gift, and there’s no risk of disappointment or awkward exchanges.
3. Better for Building Connections
Secret Santa encourages participants to think about the person they’re gifting to, which fosters a deeper sense of connection. Whether it’s family members, close friends, or coworkers, the personalized nature of Secret Santa brings people closer together, while White Elephant’s more competitive atmosphere may feel less intimate.
4. Easier to Organize
Secret Santa can be tricky to organize without the right tools—especially if you have a large group. But with our Secret Santa platform, we make it easy! From randomizing name draws to managing Gift Lists, our platform handles all the logistics, so you can focus on enjoying the holiday spirit. White Elephant, on the other hand, requires manual setup, with no platform support to streamline the process.
FAQs: White Elephant vs. Secret Santa
- Can I play White Elephant online?
White Elephant is generally more suited for in-person events, as the swapping and stealing dynamics are best done face-to-face. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work well with online platforms, including ours. If you’re looking for an online gift exchange, we recommend sticking with Secret Santa for a smoother experience. - What’s the best option for a work party?
Both White Elephant and Secret Santa can work for office events, but Secret Santa tends to foster better connections among coworkers. It’s a great way to make sure everyone feels included and gets a gift they’ll truly appreciate—especially if you use our platform to organize the exchange. - Can you combine both games?
While White Elephant and Secret Santa are distinct games, you could try incorporating elements from each. However, because they operate on very different rules (personalized vs. random gifts), it’s usually best to pick one game and stick to it.
Choose Secret Santa for a Memorable Gift Exchange
While White Elephant can be fun for casual gatherings, Secret Santa is the clear winner when it comes to creating a personalized, meaningful, and stress-free gift exchange. With Secret Santa, everyone walks away with a gift they truly want, and the game fosters a spirit of giving that brings people closer together.
Ready to organize your own Secret Santa exchange?
Our Secret Santa gift list platform makes it easier than ever to set up, manage, and enjoy a holiday gift exchange that everyone will love. Sign up today and make this year’s Secret Santa your best one yet!
