White Elephant?

Mere7706 · December 2011

So what is this anyhow??
I've heard of it before, but I feel like I've heard a number of different 'versions' of the game.................

do share your take on it, please?

lawyerlindsay · December 2011

It is kinda hard to explain. In my experience, white elephant is when you bring a gift to exchange that you, in essence, located in your house. It could be a gift that you got that you never wanted (like an ugly picture frame), or a bottle of lotion or a candle that you've never used. Usually it's some piece of special crap-o-la that you've kept around your house for some reason. I have heard of some people that actually bring used stuff (like a used bottle of lotion), but I don't like that.

ajr_18f · December 2011

we do a white elephant exchange at our NYE party every year & this is how we do it. Everyone brings some sort of random thing in an unmarked brown paper bag. the gifts are usually something to re-gift or some sort of a gag gift. We put all the gifts in a pile so no-one knows who brought what. then every draws a # (based on the # of gifts). the person with #1 goes and picks a bag and opens it in front of everyone (see why gag gifts here can be fun). then #2 has the option of either stealing the gift that #1 opened or going to the pile and getting a new gift, which they would then open up in front of everyone. if #2 steals #1's gift, then #1 has to get a new one. then #3 has the option of stealing a prior gift or getting a new bag. so on & so forth until all of the gifts are given out. We make a rule that any gift can only be "stolen" twice.

It's really fun & highly entertaining!

peanutsmom45 · December 2011

ajr_18f:

we do a white elephant exchange at our NYE party every year & this is how we do it. Everyone brings some sort of random thing in an unmarked brown paper bag. the gifts are usually something to re-gift or some sort of a gag gift. We put all the gifts in a pile so no-one knows who brought what. then every draws a # (based on the # of gifts). the person with #1 goes and picks a bag and opens it in front of everyone (see why gag gifts here can be fun). then #2 has the option of either stealing the gift that #1 opened or going to the pile and getting a new gift, which they would then open up in front of everyone. if #2 steals #1's gift, then #1 has to get a new one. then #3 has the option of stealing a prior gift or getting a new bag. so on & so forth until all of the gifts are given out. We make a rule that any gift can only be "stolen" twice.

It's really fun & highly entertaining!

Every year we have a girls Christmas party and this is exactly how we do the exchange. The gifts are always something you have around your house or things you were given that you would never use, or display... Point of the gift is to spend no money on it. In the past we have had things such as terrible house decorations, ie fake flowers with dust on them or cherry covered makeup bags (which I kept and still use to this day). It all depends on the person what one person finds terrible another person might love.. One year a girl wrapped a vanilla candle set, she hated the vanilla scent, but that was a "good" gift that year that everyone wanted. The big gag gift is an adult size pink fleece footed pjs... it's kind of a rule who ever gets that has to bring it back the next year and re-gift it... it's funny because the person who gets it has to put them one and take pictures, sounds cheesy, but after some drinks it really is funny...

Milsey32 · December 2011

peanutsmom45:

Every year we have a girls Christmas party and this is exactly how we do the exchange. The gifts are always something you have around your house or things you were given that you would never use, or display... Point of the gift is to spend no money on it. In the past we have had things such as terrible house decorations, ie fake flowers with dust on them or cherry covered makeup bags (which I kept and still use to this day). It all depends on the person what one person finds terrible another person might love.. One year a girl wrapped a vanilla candle set, she hated the vanilla scent, but that was a "good" gift that year that everyone wanted. The big gag gift is an adult size pink fleece footed pjs... it's kind of a rule who ever gets that has to bring it back the next year and re-gift it... it's funny because the person who gets it has to put them one and take pictures, sounds cheesy, but after some drinks it really is funny...

My parents do this with their group of friends and last year it was a zebra-striped Snuggie. PLENTY of drunk pictures of that.. oh my...

Mere7706 · December 2011

Ok. I've played the stealing game before. I think they called it a chinese gift giving or something like that.

The last time I did it was at a bridal shower. No one would steal anything so it wasn't that fun.

lawyerlindsay · December 2011

Mere7706:

Ok. I've played the stealing game before. I think they called it a chinese gift giving or something like that.

The last time I did it was at a bridal shower. No one would steal anything so it wasn't that fun.

I detest the stealing games with Christmas gifts. I'm cool with putting numbers on them and drawing, but I don't want my "gift" taken from me. I'm probably just too possessive or controlling to have fun with it. lol

Milsey32 · December 2011

Mere7706:
Ok. I've played the stealing game before. I think they called it a chinese gift giving or something like that.
The last time I did it was at a bridal shower. No one would steal anything so it wasn't that fun.

The stealing version I call "chinese gift exchange" but it consists of purchased items. "White elephant" is something unused around the house.

mumegs · December 2011

We do the same thing as ajr but we do actually buy the gifts usually, although some will keep coming back year after year!

boogerbearoriginal · December 2011

I've also heard it called "Yankee Swap" but the rules are the same. Everyone brings the gift (usually random crap) which are all put in a big pile, then people get to pick/steal until everyone has a gift.

White Elephant?

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