Quick, Easy and Inexpensive White Elephant Gift Ideas

For the White Elephant parties that you are invited to this year, don't stress out over what to give. Just consider who the gifts will go to and choose something suitable. The gifts can be quickly gathered from around the house or drugstore and then wrapped in a beautiful presentation. The gifts can range in price according to what you are willing to spend.

If you have alot of house plants growing in your home, why not use that as a gift base. Buy a pot and transplant either a variety of plants or a single type of plant. If you are feeling creative, buy a clay pot and decorate it with paint and stamps. Top off with a festive pottery stick. To wrap, buy or get a box to place it in and mark clearly "Do not turn on sides!" This is a great gift to pass in office parties because you are giving a living companion in an otherwise sterile environment.

It is easy to make quick tins or baskets of small inexpensive gifts. If you have a basket or tin handy- good. If not, Walmart and similiar stores sell the tins at a reasonable price depending on the size. For a woman geared gift, fill the tin with small bottles of hair shampoo and conditioner, hair ties and other accessories along with a piece of jewelry. For a man geared gift, fill the tin with a wallet and mixed colognes. A gift that would be good for almost anybody is a tin filled with M&Ms, Kit Kats and Kisses. If you want, replace the candy with small bags of Combos, FunYuns or Lays.

A printed coffee mug with a pouch or two of cocoa or flavored coffees isn't too bad of a move either. For it to be truly pleasing, purchase a quality looking mug at Family Dollar prices. They have a nice mixture of prints so the mug can be of almost any tone, such as humor, vintage or basic colors. Instead of filling it with pouches of cocoa or coffee, try some Hershey Kisses.

If you know most of the participants own dogs, why not get creative with pet gifts! Walmart sells the cutest bone-shaped tin that begs to be filled with bone treats, breath and dental sticks, brush, and nail clippers. Another basket grouping could be dog shampoo and conditioners with a towel.

A gift basket of computer helpers is great for an office party. A basket filled with flash drives, blank CDs, a small can of air, and a mouse pad will be considered the prime target. After all, who doesn't take files to work and vice versa? In place of the can of air, or in addition, throw in antibacterial wipes to be used on surfaces frequently touched such as a keybord or scanner buttons.

A movie gift basket is easy to make. A couple low priced movie DVDs (buy at Walmart for ten or twelve dollars for two), individual microwave popcorn packages (buy at most movie rental stores), and a bag of candy packaged in a tin is going to be a good gift for anyone because there is something for all the family in it.

A candle basket is another idea that is good for friends, family or office parties. A tin with a variety of votive candles will go a long way without going away with your money. If you feel inclined, add a candle holder and a lighter. However, use common sense and don't pass this gift around with children.

A New Year basket could include a calendar, markers, hair salon gift cards, fitness gym gift cards, note cards or stationary and a pen set. Anything that can be applied toa new beginnings theme is a possible gift. This is an excellent gift to give to strangers. Of course, anything that isn't personal is great for strangers.

A memories theme basket can be made by grouping a couple photo frames of various sizes, a small novelty photo album and a disposable camera. This is a great gift to pass in parties with young teens or new parents or grandparents.

Parties with many elderly participants would appreciate a basket of odds and ends. Gift cards for restaurants or theater tickets is a perfect reason to get out more. A pack of wet wipes, some single dose packages of Advil and Tylenol, or Kleenex is all wonderful gifts that will be used. A coupon book is another helpful surprise.

It doesn't take much imagination to make a basket for a small child passing group. A tin with a cartoon or Santa design will be readily accepted. Place, candy, gum, crayons, a paper pad, a pair of gloves and a scarve in the tin, add a bow and it is done. Other gifts could be Chapstick or MatchBox cars.

To present the gifts, simply add bows to tins. Baskets can be wrapped in paper with a large bow on the top. The inside of either baskets or tins can be laid with colored tissue paper. Add sections of garland or ribbon and sparkles for pizzaz.