How to Get the Best Gift in a White Elephant Gift Exchange

When you agree to take part in a white elephant gift exchange this holiday season, you must understand that it is just for fun. You are not going to get a great gift. In fact, you will most likely be exchanging something you do not want for something else that you do not want. The new white elephant will probably end up being your gift in the white elephant gift exchange next year.

So, what is the best gift to receive in a white elephant gift exchange? And how do you ensure that you get the best gift? Follow these few simple rules, and you will walk away from your white elephant gift exchange happy.

Bigger is Not Always Better

In a typical Christmas gift exchange, bigger is usually better. Participants fight over the largest package and the smaller ones get left for the least aggressive people in the gift exchange. However, remember that this gift will most likely get stored for another gift exchange or shipped off to the local charity. If it is really bad, it might even get tossed in the trash. Smaller is always better in a white elephant gift exchange. The smaller gift is easier to move, store, or throw away. But remember, it is in your best interest to get rid of something bigger. Exchanging a large gift for a small gift will ultimately free up room in your home! So give a big white elephant gift and watch while everyone tries to avoid taking it home. Or maybe a newbie to the white elephant gift exchange will make a horrible mistake and eagerly take the large gift, and regret it later!

Pay Attention to the Gift Giver

The quality of the gift giver may clue you in to the quality of the gift. A gift giver who keeps an organized house and a neat presence often does not keep clutter around. When choosing a gift for a white elephant gift exchange, the tidy giver often has a nicer gift due to lack of horrible items stashed in the basement. If the giver saves everything tucked away in the basement, the gift could be more disastrous. Choose a gift from the Martha Stewart-wannabe at the party, and you might even walk away with something tasteful.

Do Not Be Disappointed

No matter what you walk away with at the white elephant gift exchange, do not be disappointed. Remember, this type of gift exchange is meant to be fun, not to receive something nice. Do not think of the event as a way to get rid of that hideous lamp from the 1970s that has been collecting dust in your basement, because it will most likely be replaced by something just as ugly and useless. The white elephant gift exchange is simply an inexpensive way to have fun in the otherwise costly holiday season. Have fun laughing about the junk everyone dug out of the attic or basement, and then proudly take home your white elephant and find a spot for it to sit for a while.