Black Elephant: A New Twist on The Classic Gift Exchange.

Written By Teeazha Akin

This year, our family has decided to add a meaningful twist to our holiday gift exchange. Instead of the usual White Elephant, we’re doing something special: Black Elephant. (Huge thanks to my girl Kyra for the brilliant name idea) The concept is simple but powerful — every gift in the game will be purchased from a Black-owned business. It’s a fun way to celebrate community, support Black entrepreneurs, and make our gift exchange feel a little more intentional this Christmas.

But don’t worry — we’re making it easy for gift-givers. We’ll provide a list of Black-owned brands to spark your inspiration and simplify your shopping. More on that later, but first, let’s talk about how to play Black Elephant.

How to Play Black Elephant

Black Elephant is a playful mix of strategy, luck, and a little bit of friendly thievery.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Buy Your Gift

    • Each participant purchases and brings a wrapped gift that costs no more than $30. (Or feel free to set your own gift price!)

    • Gifts can be practical, thoughtful, or downright funny — the goal is to spark joy (or laughter).

  2. Set the Stage

    • All wrapped gifts are placed in a central location where everyone can see them. 

  3. Draw Numbers

    • Each player draws a number to determine the order of play. Player 1 goes first, Player 2 goes next, and so on.

  4. Unwrap or Steal

    • Player 1 selects a gift from the pile, unwraps it, and shows it to everyone.

    • Player 2 has two options:

      • Steal a gift that’s already been unwrapped, OR

      • Pick a new gift from the pile and unwrap it.

      • If Player 2 decides to steal, the person whose gift was stolen can either steal from someone else or pick an unopened gift.

  5. Repeat or Freeze The Gift

    • Each new player in turn can steal an opened gift or unwrap a new one.

    • A gift can only be stolen a certain number of times (we recommend a limit of 2 or 3 steals but it can be based on how many players there are). Once a gift reaches the limit, it becomes "frozen" and cannot be stolen again.

    • The game continues until all gifts are unwrapped.

  6. The Final Twist

    • The final player can either unwrap the last unopened gift or steal from any non-frozen gift.

    • To keep things fair, Player 1 gets a final chance to swap their gift with any unfrozen gift.

  7. Game Over

    • Once all gifts are unwrapped and swapped, everyone leaves with a gift — and maybe a few new favorite Black-owned brands to support all year long.

Where to Shop for Gifts

Here’s a list of amazing Black-owned businesses offering gifts for every type of recipient. From skincare to snacks, candles to books, there’s something for everyone. We’ve organized it by shopping style, so no matter how much time you have or how you like to shop, you’ll find the perfect option.

*Note: The list of brands is in no particular order — just a collection of amazing options to choose from!

Shopping Local: Las Vegas

Support local Black-owned businesses right in our community! Here are some incredible local shops or businesses where you can find unique, thoughtful gifts.

Why shop local? You’re keeping money in the community, supporting local families, and finding one-of-a-kind treasures.

Order Online & Explore Digital Marketplaces

Got a little more time to plan? Order from these Black-owned brands online and have your gift delivered to your door. If you're looking for variety or want to discover new brands, check out curated Black-owned marketplaces where you can browse hundreds of gift options all in one place. Make sure to order early to avoid holiday shipping delays.

Shop These Brands:

Shop These Marketplaces: 

Why we love them: Marketplaces make it easy to discover smaller, lesser-known brands you might not find on your own.

Pro Tip: Look for "Ready to Ship" or "Fast Shipping" tags on the site if you're running low on time.

For the Last-Minute Shoppers

Did time slip away from you? No worries! These Black-owned brands are available at major retailers like Target and Amazon, so you can get them fast.

Target:

*Pro Tip: Look for same-day delivery, store pickup, or 2-day shipping if you’re cutting it close.*

Gift Sets (When You Just Can't Decide)

If you’re stuck on what to get, gift sets are always a win. They give the recipient a variety of goodies to enjoy. Sometimes they go over the $30 limit, but they’re worth it for that “wow” moment.

For the Big Spenders (Going Above & Beyond)

If you’re feeling extra generous this year, these Black-owned brands offer show-stopping gifts that will leave a lasting impression. While they might be over the $30 limit, sometimes you just want to go big.

Still Stuck On What To Get?

Stick with something versatile and useful. Candles, self-care sets, snacks, and cozy items are always a hit.

No matter which option you choose, your gift will come with a story and purpose — and that’s something you just can’t wrap in a bow.

Happy Shopping and Happy Black Elephant!

Teeazha Akin
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