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One Man's White Elephant is Another Man's ......?
Have some fun, unload some junk. My family has embraced a relatively new holiday tradition called a White Elephant Gift Exchange. I am not sure what that says about me or my family but one thing is for sure. WE HAVE FUN!
There is probably a good chance you have had an opportunity to participate in a White Elephant Gift Exhange but may be lacking the details on how to host your own successful party.
I am going to share a few ideas on how to make your next holiday party gift exchange a huge success.
Yes Virginia there is a "White Elephant"
What is it?
If you have been invited to a holiday party and asked to bring a "White Elephant Gift" you might scratch your head and think, "What is a White Elephant?"I like this definition from answers.com:
white elephant
n.
1. A rare, expensive possession that is a financial burden to maintain.
2. Something of dubious or limited value.
For the purpose of the "White Elephant Gift Exchange" lets assume it's an item of limited value and so ugly it's beautiful or just plain silly.
In fact, I now hold a "family heirloom" which could easily be a replacement for the term "White Elephant" which I refer to as the "Velvet Matador."
The "Velvet Matador" hung in my grandparents basement for nearly 30 years before it arrived at the "White Elephant Gift Exchange" in 2005 at my aunt and uncles holiday party.
FYI, one mans "Velvet Matador" may be another man's (uncles)childhood gift to his father with money scrounged up to purchase a painting from a gas station's junk peddler.
2008's Hottest Gifts, Future White Elephants
Buy now, dispose later.
Just think of it as preparing for the future.
Gimme The Rules
Rules for the White Elephant Gift Exchange
The basic overview of the game is that everyone who is participating in the exchange has brought a "White Elephant Gift." It should be wrapped with no reference to what it is or who brought it.Tip: Designate a pile for "White Elephant Gifts" in advance so you don't mix up with the "real gifts."
Everyone will get the opportunity to choose or steal a gift.
You will want to give your guests some guidance on your invitation. Define what type of "White Elephant Gift" is appropriate for your party.
-under $10
-ugly
-useless
-gag gift
-ugliest ornament
-pick a theme of your own
How to get started:
1) Get a count of participants and draw numbers based on the number of people participating.
Tip: Create your numbers in advance and have them ready to be put in a hat.
2) Start choosing gifts. The person who drew #1 goes first and opens their gift then #2 and so on.
3) After the first person picks each successive person has the opportunity to choose an unopened gift or "steal" a gift from somebody who has already chosen. If your gift is stolen you now get to choose an unopened gift or steal another opened gift excluding the just stolen gift. After the stealing and such as been completed continue on with numerical order until everyone has a gift.
Optional Rules:
-after a gift is stolen 3 times it is "dead" and cannot be stolen again
-the person who picked first has the opportunity to now "steal" after all gifts are opened
The Hostess with The Mostest
"Secrets of a White Elephant Host or Hostess"
If you follow the above guidelines you are sure to have a blast but over the years I have picked up a few tips or tweaks that can put your party over the top.
-Establish a "Traveling White Elephant" the gift that keeps on giving. You will know it when you see it. Mark a gift as must "Re-Gift" at following years party.
-Have everyone attach a gift card or certificate to their "White Elephant" at a predetermined value of $10-$20.
-Have some extra "White Elephants" wrapped and available for guests who forgot to bring a gift. Everyone should participate if possible.
-For office party gift exchanges have a theme related to work related gag gifts that will "help with productivity"
-Have a "door prize" for best or worst "White Elephant Gift" chosen by the senior or oldest person at the party. This should be of value to encourage creativity.
-Establish a "Traveling White Elephant" the gift that keeps on giving. You will know it when you see it. Mark a gift as must "Re-Gift" at following years party.
-Have everyone attach a gift card or certificate to their "White Elephant" at a predetermined value of $10-$20.
-Have some extra "White Elephants" wrapped and available for guests who forgot to bring a gift. Everyone should participate if possible.
-For office party gift exchanges have a theme related to work related gag gifts that will "help with productivity"
-Have a "door prize" for best or worst "White Elephant Gift" chosen by the senior or oldest person at the party. This should be of value to encourage creativity.
White Elephant Gift Ideas
Vote For or Add a Favorite.
Apple 8 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Black (3rd Generation)
iPod nano is the small iPod with one very big idea more...1 point
Listen up with the Super Sounds Portable Sound Amplifier Giving You Sonic Earz
Super Sounds Portable Sound Amplifier Bring the s more...0 points
Solid Food &Liquid Injector Set
The Ronco Showtime Solid Food Injector is the only more...0 points
Ab Lounge 2 Abdominal Exerciser Collection
The Ab Lounge 2 Abdominal Exerciser is a revolutio more...0 points
ThighMaster Gold and ThighMaster LBX Toning System
ThighMaster Gold and ThighMaster LBX - Toning Syst more...0 points
White Elephant Hall of Hame
Leave your comments just not your "White Elephant"
You won it now you dispose of it.
submit
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Reply
- yoga2009 yoga2009 Oct 19, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
- It's amazing what sort of ideas one can come up with when on holiday, that can make
you a very rich person :)
jobs-working-fromhome
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Reply
- Bruce Christensen Bruce Christensen Jul 10, 2009 @ 1:12 pm
- We love the white elephant gift party so much we have built a Facebook application that mimics the real deal... We call it AlbinoPhant.
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Reply
- The_Party_Animal The_Party_Animal Oct 15, 2008 @ 10:46 am
- Great info - post your lens on my Squidoo Home for the Holidays under: Holiday Parties - http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-home-for-the-holidays
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Reply
- The_Party_Animal The_Party_Animal Oct 15, 2008 @ 10:45 am
- Great info - post your lens on my Squidoo Home for the Holidays under: Holiday Parties - http://www.squidoo.com/squidoo-home-for-the-holidays
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Reply
- rylblu59 rylblu59 Jan 24, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
- Good topic very interesting.
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by coachbriany
CoachBriany, AKA Brian Monahan is dedicated to sharing his inspirations and ideas with the world. Currently he is working for Prestige AV and Creative... (more)
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