I'm Dreaming of a White..Elephant?

It's that time of year! Halloween is over, the smells and tastes of Thanksgiving are drawing near. Santa Clause is already at the mall (yikes!). Isn't it time you started that Christmas shopping? The thought probably terrifies and disgusts you. It seems to early, but no, it isn't. Christmas comes earlier every year. Only 35 days until Christmas Day. The thought of spending more money than you have to during the holidays might literally make you sick to your stomach with thoughts of after holiday bills. It might seem ridiculous to spend a lot of money on gifts for relatives other than your spouse and children. Why not try something different? Something unique and interesting? Not to mention inexpensive.

White Elephant parties are a great way to spread some Holiday laughs and joy without spending a lot of extra money. Sometimes referred to as a Yankee swap, a White Elephant party is a party where each member of the family brings an inexpensive, wrapped gift. Some will be gag gifts (or white elephants), others might be something really nice.

There are some different versions of the White Elephant game, but here is one version for adults. The rules as follows.

No one is allowed to know who brought what gift. Everyone draws a piece of paper with a number on it from a hat. The person who picked the piece of paper with number 1 on it goes first. They pick a gift, and open it for everyone to see. The person with the next number can either pick a new gift to open or steal the one that person number 1 picked. If person number 2 steals person number 1's gift, number 1 has to pick a new gift and open it. The person with the next number can either open a new gift or steal the gift of person 1 or 2. This continues around in a circle until everyone has a gift. A gift can only be stolen once during a turn and once a gift has had three owners, the third owner gets to keep it.

The best part about this type of gift exchange, is that you don't have to spend a lot of money. The whole point is to pick something silly or ugly that no one would ever want. These "White Elephants" are a great way to remind us that it is the fun and laughter of Christmas that is important, not how much you spend on a gift.

Here is a list of some great ideas for tacky and fun White Elephant gifts.

1.)The ultimate White Elephant Gift is a stale fruit cake.
2.) Roll of toilet paper
3.)life buoy soap
4.) Jumbo sized box of tampons
5.)Photograph of yourself
6.)Rubber Duck
7.)Any old CD you no longer want
8.)Any DVD from the bargain bin
9.)stick of gum, wrapped in a larger box.
10)Half eaten box of chocolates.

If you prefer not to get TOO tacky, here are a list of inexpensive gifts you could use instead.

1.)Box of chocolate samplers
2.)Stationary and pen set
3.)Inexpensive cookbook
4.)Picture frames
5.)home baked cookies
6.)Coffee mug with Hershey's kisses inside
7.)Movie gift certificates
8.)Puzzle
9.)Address book
10.)Christmas Ornament