White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas

It has arrived! Everyone's favorite gift giving time or year....Christmas. Often times while attending a holiday party you may be expected to bring a gift for a gift exchange. There are usually price limits set on these gifts and rules and procedures for the actual exchange of presents. But what if this is a "White Elephant" gift exchange? Exactly what does the term "White Elephant" mean?

A "White Elephant" gift is supposed to be something that is more costly and a burden to keep than getting rid of it. In ancient times, albino (white) elephants were viewed as rare and holy objects in Asia. It was expensive to own an albino elephant because they required special food and had to be made available for people to worship. In Thailand, if the king were dissatisfied with one of his workers, he would give them an albino elephant, which would eventually cause the new owner to go broke.

There are a few different versions of modern day "White Elephant" gift exchanges, but in most parts of the country it means to bring gag gifts. These gag gifts can either be new or used and regifting is encouraged as long as the original gifter has no association with the partygoers at this year's party. The gift should be attractively packaged and wrapped. The gift giver should remain anonymous, part of the fun is in guessing who brought each gift. All of the gifts are set upon a table. The first person chosen to go to the table chooses a gift and opens it. The second person may either steal that gift or choose an unopened gift. The third person may steal any of the presents opened so far or choose to open an unwrapped gift. There is normally a limit placed on the number of times an item may be stolen and the number of times a person may be stolen from.

One of the funniest "White Elephant" gifts I have seen given was a broken toilet seat. It continues to reappear each year at the gift exchange. In fact, it now contains a handwritten holiday message each year. A couple of years ago, I gave a framed autographed picture of myself as a "White Elephant" gift. The recipient always makes a point to display it when they know I will be visiting them.

Here is a list of ideas to consider for your "white elephant"gift exchange:

Christmas or Winter Theme:

A Christmas tin of cookie crumbs

Homemade Christmas ornament made from a pine cone or Popsicle sticks

A tape recording of you and/or others singing Christmas carols

A stocking full of coal

Reindeer poop-unwrapped Tootsie Rolls

Snowman poop- miniature marshmallows

For Teachers:

A 100 Grand candy bar with the message "The salary you really deserve."

Medical Professionals:

Jellybeans or Smarties in a medicine bottle with a funny label

Military

Warhead candies and Atomic Fireball candies in a jar

Business World

Shredded documents in a jar to create their own blizzard

Techies

Pocket Protector

Music Enthusiasts

Tape from a one hit wonder group

Movie Goers

A box of popcorn with ticket stubs from a movie you have seen

Sports Enthusiasts

Broken baseball bat or deflated ball

Hunting Enthusiasts

Stuffed toy of animal they hunt

Anyone

½ eaten box of chocolates

Pet rock or brick

Used giftcard with very small amount leftover

Toy sportscar

Ringpop or necklace made from pasta shells

Cracked mirror

Sieve and empty gas canister