Gifts to Give for a White Elephant Gift Exchange

A white elephant gift exchange is a fun way to liven up a party amongst friends, colleagues, or family members.

Here are some fun gift ideas for a white elephant gift exchange!

Gift Cards or Gift Certificates are always a hit with people. I've even been to a white elephant exchange where all we had to bring was a gift card or gift certificate for a set dollar amount (ours was $25). This was fun because everyone was walking away with a gift card or certificate but the diversity in the places were great. Some ideas are: a local coffee shop, pizza place, massage, manicure or pedicure, favorite restaurants, or shopping malls. One of the most creative I have seen is where a person gave five different gift cards for $5 each, which was a hit with a bunch of people.

Books are a favorite gift for many people for white elephant gifts. If your exchange is with people of common interests then you could get a book you know they would enjoy. Cookbooks, motivational books, coffee table books, and best sellers are all great ideas for a white elephant gift exchange. Living in a big tourist area I have found a nice hardcover book about our city to be a cherished book by many friends and family members.

Homemade or Hand Crafted Gifts are a treasured gift in a white elephant gift exchange. If you have a talent, use it! If you bake well, make a beautiful array of treats to give. If you are an artist, do a painting or sketch for the holidays or of a scene of interest. If you are crafty, make a quilt or afghan in neutral colors. These types of gifts are gifts made with love so they are always a big hit. I received a beautiful ceramic Christmas piece last year at a family white elephant gift exchange and I can't wait to pull it out and display it this year!

Gift Baskets are always fun for a white elephant gift exchange. Make a thematic gift basket such as: movies, coffee, stationary, chocolates or bath products. Find a nice basket at a dollar or craft store and nicely arrange a variety of themed gifts to make this gift a favorite at your white elephant gift exchange.

Chocolate. Yes, I know I mentioned chocolate above in the gift basket category but it is such a great suggestion, I wanted to make sure to mention it again. Most everyone loves chocolate. Go to your local chocolate shop (most every community has one that people just gush over) and get a variety of chocolates for people to drool over. You could fancy it up by putting it on a pretty holiday platter that would also be enjoyed for years to come by the recipient of your white elephant gift exchange.

Holiday décor. Crystal platters, candy dishes, and candleholders with the holiday theme are a special gift to give in a white elephant gift exchange. Snowflakes and snowmen are a neutral type of holiday décor that many people enjoy. The nice thing about something more seasonal is that it can be used or displayed into January.

Now that you have a handful of great white elephant gift exchange ideas be sure to wrap your gift. Sometimes the wrapping or presentation of the gift makes it even more fun. You can wrap a smaller gift numerous times in larger boxes to give the illusion of a big gift. Local stores always have boxes to spare so grab a box and make your white elephant gift secretive and fun! If you give a gift basket you still have to wrap it. The most important part of the white elephant gift exchange is that nobody knows what is in your concealed gift! Have Fun and Happy Holidays!