If you’re looking to shake up your usual holiday gift exchange, a gift auction is the perfect way to add some excitement, laughter, and a touch of friendly competition to your gathering! Instead of the classic White Elephant where you draw numbers and randomly pick gifts, a gift auction takes the game to a whole new level. Everyone bids on presents using play money, and the highest bidder gets to walk away with their prize—whether it’s a luxury item or a hilarious gag gift!
Ready to dive into this fun twist on White Elephant? Here’s everything you need to know to host a memorable Christmas auction game that will have everyone talking well after the party ends.
What is a White Elephant Gift Auction?
A White Elephant gift auction is like your traditional White Elephant game but with a twist—you bid for gifts with fake money! Everyone gets an equal amount of play cash, which they’ll use to bid on presents. The gifts are wrapped, so you won’t know what you’re bidding on until you win the auction. That’s where the fun comes in! You could end up with something awesome—or something totally unexpected.
This Christmas auction game adds a layer of strategy, excitement, and tons of laughter. With good gifts and gag gifts in the mix, you’ll be on the edge of your seat as the bids climb higher, and the reveals get even funnier!
How to Host a Gift Auction
Step 1: Set the Scene
To kick off your gift auction game, have everyone bring at least one good gift and one gag gift. Make sure they’re wrapped so no one can tell what’s inside—this is key to keeping the auction full of surprises.
Set a spending limit for the gifts, so they’re all around the same value. That way, no one feels like they’ve gone too far overboard, and the bidding remains fair.
Step 2: Distribute Christmas Cash
Next, hand out your fake auction money. You can either make your own “Christmas Cash” with holiday designs or print out some festive play money found online. Or, just use some Monopoly money. We recommend giving each player between $70 to $100 in play money, but you can adjust that based on how many gifts are involved or how competitive you want the bidding to be.
This play money is what everyone will use to bid throughout the game, so make sure you hand out the same amount to each player to keep things fair.
Step 3: Choose an Auctioneer
No auction is complete without a good auctioneer to keep the energy high and the bids coming! Choose someone who’s excited to be loud and get people engaged and bidding fast.
It’s important to have an auctioneer who’s good at encouraging people to go higher and really lean into the fun of the game. After all, the more dramatic the bidding, the more exciting the gift reveals will be!
Step 4: Start the Bidding
Now, the fun really begins! The auctioneer holds up a wrapped gift, and the bidding starts. Players shout out their offers, trying to outbid one another. The highest bidder wins the gift, and only after that can they open it. The big reveal is one of the best parts of the game! Whether it’s a cozy blanket, a silly gag gift, or something totally unexpected, the reaction from the group is always priceless.
Keep in mind, this is all about fun and holiday cheer—don’t be afraid to encourage some wild bids to keep the energy up!
Step 5: Repeat Until All Gifts Are Gone
Continue auctioning off the gifts one by one until there are no more presents left. With each round, the competition heats up, and the laughter gets louder.
Step 6: The Grand Prize
For an extra twist, consider ending the game with a “Grand Prize.” This is an additional mystery gift that players can win using the money they have left. You can decide what the Grand Prize is—it could be something truly awesome, or just another gag gift! The person who has the most Christmas Cash left at the end automatically wins this prize.
Tips for Hosting a Fun Gift Auction
To make sure your gift auction game goes off without a hitch, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Set a Spending Limit: Make sure everyone knows the price range for the gifts. A good rule of thumb is to set a limit (say $20-$25) to keep the presents at a similar value. This way, everyone feels good about their chances during the auction.
- Mix It Up with Good and Gag Gifts: The beauty of a White Elephant gift auction is that you can have a mix of high-value gifts and silly ones. Encourage players to bring a good gift and a fun gag gift to keep things interesting.
Pro Tip: Before the event, have participants set up their own Elfster Wishlists with items that they’d actually be willing to bid on. Then, you can use the Secret Santa generator to randomly assign gift-givers and receivers for a truly anonymous and exciting experience.
- Keep the Mystery Alive: Keep the presents wrapped or bagged until they’re won. The thrill of not knowing whether you’re getting a luxurious item or a quirky gift is part of the excitement!
- Encourage Friendly Competition: The higher the bids, the more fun the game! Remind everyone to get into the spirit of the game by being bold with their bids—it’s all in good fun.
Why a Gift Auction is the Perfect Holiday Game
A White Elephant gift auction is the ideal way to bring everyone together for a night of laughter, surprises, and friendly competition. With everyone bidding for gifts they don’t even know they want yet, the energy is high, and the reactions to each gift are priceless. Whether you’re hosting a family get-together or a holiday office party, a gift auction is a game that’ll get everyone laughing and having a great time.
Not only does it add a twist to the traditional White Elephant rules, but it also lets people get creative with their strategies. Some may save up their Christmas Cash for the perfect gift, while others may go all-in on the very first present. Either way, it’s a holiday game that’s sure to be memorable.
Ready to Host Your Own Gift Auction?
Gather your gifts, print out some fake auction money, and let the bidding begin! Hosting a fake auction game is a surefire way to spread holiday cheer and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones. Just remember, whether you walk away with the Grand Prize or a gag gift, it’s all about the fun and laughter along the way!
