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.
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"
-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
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White Elephant Hall of Hame
Leave your comments just not your "White Elephant"
You won it now you dispose of it.
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rylblu59
Good topic very interesting. Posted January 24, 2008 |
What a great lens! I had heard of white elephant parties, but have never participated. It sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe next year we'll have a white elephant party just for fun!
Posted January 23, 2008
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Ye-Royal-Party-Planner
I love white elephant parties! You never know what to expect, and the enthusiasm always runs high...thanks for a great lens about a unique party idea! Posted January 18, 2008 |
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coachbriany
I would love a picture of that. Posted December 19, 2007 |
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kab
I recently unloaded a christmas ornament of a squid atop a jar of peanut butter, complete with rhinestones and a wee bit of glitter. Posted December 18, 2007 |
