Last Minute White Elephant Gift Ideas for Holiday Parties

What do you do when you find yourself invited to and attending a Holiday Party at the last minute? If you are like me you won't want to go empty handed. Here are a few simple ideas to share with your host/hostess or the unexpected guest at your party.

White Elephant Gift Idea No. 1 - Holiday Baked Goods

You've been baking all week to prepare for the family gathering. Why not share some of those delicious baked goodies. Line a pretty Christmas box or tin with wax paper and shiny tissue paper. Stack the baked goods inside, and then cover with more wax paper and another layer of the tissue paper. Now replace the lid and tie the package shut with a beautiful ribbon tied with a big bow on top. Add a tiny card with contents written inside and you've prepared a last minute white elephant gift that many will love. You could even make the gift more special by taping the recipe on the inside of the lid. I've found men really like this gift, especially if the contents are his favorite cookie or the awesome fudge recipe he's so often heard about.

White Elephant Gift Idea No.2 - Multiples of the Same Items

For you newly weds that may have received multiples of the same gifts. Don't return or exchange all of the multiples. Keep some and set them aside in their original packaging. These "extra" gifts make for wonderful last minute white elephant gifts for birthday or Christmas parties. Just remember not to re-gift them to the same person you received the item from. The givers never need know as you will be seen using the same item.

White Elephant Gift Idea No.3 - Re-gifting Restaurant or Video Store Gift Cards

Have you received word that a relative is bringing a friend to the family Christmas party? Does your family play a gift exchange game at Christmas? Don't leave this unexpected guest out of the game. Add an extra gift to the game by re-gifting that Restaurant or Video Store Gift Card your boss or co-worker gave you for Christmas this year. Just place the gift card in a tiny box or gift bag and add it to the game. Your relative will thank you for making his or her friend feel welcome and you'll feel good for having shared the gift giving spirit of Christmas.

White Elephant Gift Idea No.4 - Teacup Candle Holders

With the economy at a low right now many are finding their gift giving budgets lower than ever. If you are a crafty type why not put that craftiness to use. Often fine china teacups with matching saucers can be purchased very inexpensively at your local Salvation Army or Goodwill Stores. Buy several matching teacups and saucers and use them to make pretty candle decorations. Purchase candles or use ones you have on hand at home. Melt the candles in a small saucepan over low heat on your stove or in a glass dish in the microwave. (Caution: The candle wax will be VERY hot.) Pour the melted candle into several teacups and let cool. Next you will hot glue the teacup to the center of the saucer. If you don't wish to handle the hot wax place a candle in the center of the teacup and pour potpourri or colorful fish tank gravel around the candle to fill in the teacup. Further embellish the candle holder by gluing ribbon or dried flowers around the base of the teacup if you wish. Tie a pretty ribbon around the teacup/saucer from bottom to top several times and finish off with a pretty bow; or cut a circle of white tulle and place the teacup candle in the middle and gather the tulle around the saucer and teacup. Wrap curly ribbon around the gather and puff out the tulle. Make several of these to keep on hand for last minute white elephant gifts. They make great gifts for bridal showers, birthday parties and office Christmas parties.

There are many more last minute white elephant gift ideas available on the internet and here at AC. Read my "Wonderful White Elephant Gift Ideas" article from 2007 here

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/491923/wonderful_white_elephant_gifts.html?cat=7

Happy Holidays!!