A white elephant gift exchange, also known as a Yankee swap or Dirty Santa, is a fun party game. It involves swapping amusing and impractical gifts during festivities. The aim is to entertain, not to give or receive valuable items. The term white elephant describes a costly gift that’s hard to get rid of. It’s linked to the historic practice of the King of Siam (now Thailand). He supposedly gifted rare albino elephants to displeased courtiers. This was meant to financially ruin them due to the high upkeep costs. However, there’s no evidence he did this with such intent. In Thai culture, white elephants are seen as sacred and valuable. Any found must be given to the King. The origin of the term is debated among historians. One theory suggests that Ezra Cornell popularized it through his social gatherings starting in 1828.