Does anyone know how to play a game called The White Elephant Auction?

Does anyone know how to play a game called The White Elephant Auction?
This is a game we will play at our family reunion, so I need to know how to play it


Answers:

inevitable2277:  a white elephant is when you bring an item from home that you no longer use/want. and everyone puts them in a pile...u take turns (generally by drawing a number from a hat). when its your turn, u pick any item that you want. you also have the option of taking someone elses item from them. but only when it is your turn. the person who goes last has the ultimate advantage. he can pick whatever he wants...and doesnt have to worry about someone taking it from him.
2006-08-14 11:26:04
Chosen Answer
tpurtygrl:  Ohhh yes and its sooo fun!!! Every one buys a gift usually amount is specified. The gifts are all wrapped. Everyone picks a number. Number one goes first and picks a present then un wraps it in front of everyone. Then number two goes and can either steal the gift or un wrap a new one. This continues until evryone has a gift. Gift can only be stolen twice then it becomes that persons and is off limits. Have fun!!!!!!!
2006-08-14 11:26:05
Zelda:  There are probably variations but I've done it this way. Each guest brings a wrapped "gift", usually something silly. They are all put on a table. Each guest gets a numbered ticket. As the numbers are drawn the guest chooses one of the items from the table and unwraps it. As the game goes on people are allowed to choose from the table or take an item that another person has already opened. If someone's gift is taken, he/she gets to choose again. It gets to be funny when there are one or two items that everyone likes.
2006-08-14 11:28:11
frustrated:  I have played this a couple times. One way is to give everyone a number and have each person pick someone elses gift. Open gift and they can keep it or change with someone who has already opened theirs. person who opens first gets to pick (swap) gifts last since no one else had theirs open when they went. The other way is to just pick people to go next. Personal preferance is the first way, its a little more organized and if everyone does not know one another there is no problems. Hope this helps!!!
2006-08-14 11:32:10