How to Host a White Elephant Gift Exchange Party
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.Â
I am going to share a few ideas on how to make your next holiday party gift exchange a huge success.
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2011's Hottest Gifts, Future White Elephants
Buy now, dispose later.
Yes Virginia there is a "White Elephant"
What is it?
![[image]](http://mowser.com/img?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.squidoocdn.com%2Fresize%2Fsquidoo_images%2F250%2Fdraft_lens1613732module4581736photo_velvet_matador.jpg)
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
![[image]](http://mowser.com/img?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.squidoocdn.com%2Fresize%2Fsquidoo_images%2F250%2Fdraft_lens1613732module4582049photo_iStock_000002438883XSmall.jpg)
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
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
iPod nano is the small iPod with one very big idea: Video. Now the world's most popular music player lets you enjoy TV shows, movies, video podcasts, and more. The larger, brighter display means amazing picture quality. It features an anodized aluminum top and polished stainless steel back. It'll wow you for hours. Play up to 5 hours of video or up to 24 hours of audio on a single charge. iTunes provides music, movies, TV shows, games and more. All those features within a wafer-thin, 6.5-mm prof...1 point
The Clapper
The sound activated on and off switch. The Clapper more...0 points
The sound activated on and off switch. The Clapper can control one or two appliances at the same time, 2 claps for the first appliance and 3 claps for the second. Set the dial to home or away. A sound sensitivity dial adjusts for softer or louder claps.0 points
Listen up with the Super Sounds Portable Sound Amplifier Giving You Sonic Earz
Super Sounds Portable Sound Amplifier Bring the sounds more...0 points
Super Sounds Portable Sound Amplifier Bring the sounds of the world closer! Portable micro size fits in pocket or clips to your belt. Low profile earphones are ergonomically designed for comfort. Powerful enhanced audio frequency brings sounds closer. Perfect for: meetings lectures sporting events, personal conversations, watching TV, theater and church. Clips to belt or pocket. Battery included. Don't miss out on anything. Brings all sounds even closer.0 points
Solid Food &Liquid Injector Set
The Ronco Showtime Solid Food Injector is the only more...0 points
The Ronco Showtime Solid Food Injector is the only solid food injector you can purchase for home use. Imagine injecting whole cloves of garlic, fresh or dried fruit, nuts, herbs, olives, even vegetables into your favorite meats such as roast beef, pork loin roast, leg of lamb, turkey, etc. With the Ronco Liquid Injector you can inject your favorite marinades right into your roasts, chickens, and turkeys. The liquid injector holds up to three and a half ounces. You can also inject meat tenderizer...0 points
Ab Lounge 2 Abdominal Exerciser Collection
The Ab Lounge 2 Abdominal Exerciser is a revolutio more...0 points
The Ab Lounge 2 Abdominal Exerciser is a revolutionary new ab machine that tightens and tones upper and lower abs and obliques faster than you ever imagined possible! The machine works your abdominal muscles with a fuller range of motion than crunches or sit-ups, and the fuller the range, the longer your abs are toning and tightening. The Ab Lounge 2 also strengthens your back muscles where your functional strength originates. A stronger core gives you greater everyday strength, with less strain...0 points
ThighMaster Gold and ThighMaster LBX Toning System
ThighMaster Gold and ThighMaster LBX - Toning Syst more...0 points
ThighMaster Gold and ThighMaster LBX - Toning System Exercise specialists and Allegro Medical agree. The Thigh Master Gold thigh toning system with the Thigh Master LBX by Suzanne Somers offers a complete and effective workout that anyone can afford. Don t spend thousands of dollars on gym equipment or get stuck in tricky gym membership contracts, the ThighMaster will get you the workout you need in the comfort of your own home. In just 20 short minutes a day, you can squeeze your way to leaner....0 points
Apple iPod nano 8 GB Black (5th Generation) NEWEST MODEL
The iPod nano now has a built-in video camera that more...0 points
The iPod nano now has a built-in video camera that lets you spontaneously shoot video wherever you are. And that's just the beginning. It has a dramatic, polished anodized aluminum finish and a larger screen. The new Genius Mixes feature acts as your personal DJ, automatically searching your iTunes library, then making mixes you'll love. Take iPod nano anywhere and the new Pedometer counts your steps. Also making its debut: a built-in FM radio with two amazing features--iTunes Tagging and Live Pause....0 points
Please pick your widget size and display. Then click "Make the Widget" to get the code that's just right for you.
Voila! Just copy and paste this code into your own site. Have fun!
Oopsey! Please login to Squidoo in order to add this module to your lens.
White Elephant Hall of Hame
Please pick your widget size and display. Then click "Make the Widget" to get the code that's just right for you.
Voila! Just copy and paste this code into your own site. Have fun!
Oopsey! Please login to Squidoo in order to add this module to your lens.
Leave your comments just not your "White Elephant"
You won it now you dispose of it.
![[image]](http://mowser.com/img?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.squidoocdn.com%2Fresize_smart%2Fsquidoo_images%2F50%2F50%2Flmfc7b80f52091045c117c1af07dedb272_471a7dc2a4043c50e4aa93fbf2074fe5.jpg)
COUNTRYLUTHIER Dec 24, 2011 @ 12:25 am | delete- Lets let the elephants run. This should be great fun.
![[image]](http://mowser.com/img?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi3.squidoocdn.com%2Fresize_smart%2Fsquidoo_images%2F50%2F50%2Flmf8fe84a0f68432badf9698cfb682d2a5_1298734613carol.web.jpg)
crosscreations Dec 6, 2010 @ 9:21 am | delete- Love white elephant gift parties and picked up some good tips here, thanks.
![[image]](http://mowser.com/img?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthe.squidoocdn.com%2Fimgs%2Fmodules%2Fgb%2Fmissing.png)
“add+to+this+listâ€+â€fitnessâ€+site:squidoo.com Mar 27, 2010 @ 5:46 pm | delete- ?add+to+this+list?+?fitness?+site:squidoo.com
- Bruce Christensen Jul 10, 2009 @ 1:12 pm | delete
- We love the white elephant gift party so much we have built a Facebook application that mimics the real deal... We call it AlbinoPhant.
![[image]](http://mowser.com/img?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.squidoocdn.com%2Fresize_smart%2Fsquidoo_images%2F50%2F50%2Flm677e0d434e08f72e54ab2e6e06b25fe4_1271285273pawprint.jpg)
The_Party_Animal Oct 15, 2008 @ 10:46 am | delete- 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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CoachBriany, AKA Brian Monahan is dedicated to sharing his inspirations and ideas with the world.
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