topic Re: Need Ideas in Community Chat

Need Ideas

wismiss — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 08:48:39 GMT

An organization I belong to is having a Christmas party that involves wrapping a white elephant gift. I have never participated in such an activity and they suggested just wrapping something up from your home that you no longer want and maybe include a couple pieces of candy to include something that is nice. There is no price limit because they want you to wrap up something that doesn't cost anything but still would be funny. I have NO idea what to do for this and the party is coming up after Thanksgiving. Have you ever participated in a white elephant exchange? What did you wrap for the gift exchange? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Need Ideas

gidgetgh — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:18:14 GMT

@wismiss - I hate exchanges like that. If I had something in my home that I no longer wanted, I would have already donated it, not foist it off on someone else as a gift that they won't want. And that they want you to make it funny no less....the vision you are seeing is me rolling my eyes.

Nor would I want something from someone, from their homes that they didn't want that I would immediately donate. What a waste of everyone's time, And I just don't see the humor.

Does this gift need to be for either sex? Or is it all women?

I would totally go against their suggestion and probably buy a few scratch off lottery tickets, add some holiday themed candy, wrap it all together and call it a day.

Re: Need Ideas

phoenixbrd — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:34:51 GMT

Agree with @wismiss ...challenging task, who wants used throw away items from your home. I wouldn't put much thought into the gift....the lottery tickets are a good idea. Or you could go to Ross/TJ Max and buy an inexpensive box of Thank You cards or pretty stationary or look in the food area for a festive can of cookies etc. You can buy red tissue paper at the dollar store...wrap it and go have some fun with your colleagues!

Re: Need Ideas

phoenixbrd — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:37:32 GMT

@wismiss I meant to say agree with @gidgetgh (don't have the Edit function).

Re: Need Ideas

Pook — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:49:52 GMT

@wismiss Lottery tickets - unless already scratched off are not in line with a white elephant gift idea! The idea is to get something that is funny and not a nice present meant to be useful! I participated in many, just kept things to use at the next white elephant gifting. There often is one stupid gift that keeps surfacing year after year and one in one of the white elephant gifting was used for over 25 years. A fruit cake also showed up yearly and the dates are posted on a sticker. The wrapping and boxes changed size every year and it was really fun!! Much better than seriously gifting things nobody wants anyway!! Lighten up and enjoy the fun!! Check out gag gifts online for ideas. Don;t spoil the mood and fun by getting something that does't fit! Lighten up and enjoy the fun!! It's fun seeing how creative people get.

Re: Need Ideas

OKPrincess — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:27:13 GMT

I've never wrapped up something used from my home. I

My favorite is buying singing stuffed Christmas animals/toys which is a hoot and a hit.

Re: Need Ideas

Laura14 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:31:39 GMT

@wismiss How about an ornament or fresh candles? Something you have duplicates of or can easily replace. You can have them think you had it lying around but it doesn't cost much to buy if you need too.

Re: Need Ideas

ThinkingOutLoud — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:54:27 GMT

Mistletoe might be easy, funny and something someone might have around the house. It wouldn't cost much and should be in a store near you if you don't have any on hand.

Re: Need Ideas

jackthebear — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 11:07:42 GMT

at JTB we are actively trying to downsize the last thing i want is someone's junk to store

can be a fun idea if you have stuff

op just take an old coffee mug and stick in a box

Re: Need Ideas

candys mine — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 11:17:11 GMT

Maybe you can conspire with someone else in the group? Tell them you've never done a White Elephant gift before and haven't got a clue and can't wrap your head around

giving something useless.

If I didn't have anyone to bounce ideas off who "knows the ropes" I think I would opt out this time and watch the goings on. Maybe bring some snack to share.

The closest thing I can think of to wrap is a bottle of Poo Pourii .

Enjoy the Party! Gift or not it's the conviviality that counts!

Re: Need Ideas

Group 5 minus 1 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 11:48:06 GMT

I also thought of the "Poo Pouri". I hate (yes hate!!!) these kind if things and whom ever came up w/it is living in a different world. In todays economy there are NO white elephant gifts.

Excuse the rant!!

Re: Need Ideas

Franklinbell — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 12:00:12 GMT

I have a ton of ink pens and tablets of paper and coffee mugs. Maybe a configuration of those items.

good luck and have fun at the gift exchange!

Re: Need Ideas

Group 5 minus 1 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 12:18:07 GMT

Thought of something. Trying to address so doesn't get poofed. After we women pass a certain age there are plastic bags of stuff we no longer need or use. That is an idea.

Re: Need Ideas

4kitties — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 12:29:38 GMT

I agree with @candys mine

I would try to speak with someone familiar with this gift exchange.

The last gift exchange I went to was to be a $10.00 gift suitable for men or women. I chose a nice Christmas Yankee Jar Candle. well...... When the exchange was finally started after dinner, I saw that everyone had purchased gifts well over $10.00. Bottles of liquor and wine, and some other expensive gifts. 😳😳😳😳

The lady that got my candle was annoyed and very vocal about it. I felt like two cents.....

Sadly I had to attend the same Christmas function the next year and I told them I did not care to take part in the exchange.

Re: Need Ideas

Group 5 minus 1 — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 12:37:30 GMT

@4kitties Applause to you!!!

Here some more ideas for WE:

VHS tapes

Phones w/dial

Re: Need Ideas

Chopsmom — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 13:56:37 GMT

Count me in the group that hates this type of thing. It's right up there with the office gift exchange. Glad I'm out of that.

There are a lot of good suggestions here, but the VHS tapes or music cassettes would be good. I could gift a stadium full of people with those.

Re: Need Ideas

Chopsmom — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 14:03:10 GMT

@4kitties

That woman was just plain rude. I don't blame you one bit for opting out.

Same thing happened years ago at an office gift exchange.

A co-worker received a beautiful top. She held it up in front of everyone and said, "I don't wear anything like that, what were you thinking?"

The woman who gave it to her was in tears. I felt so bad for her. The recipient was my superior and I couldn't say anything.

Re: Need Ideas

Snoopp — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 14:14:09 GMT

I'd look for a strange food item, a gag gift, a roll of toilet paper. Or you could go a little more practical, unique key ring, nightlight...the list is long.

Re: Need Ideas

Meowingkitty — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 14:19:07 GMT

I like this idea for a white elephant.

Re: Need Ideas

chrystaltree — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 14:19:18 GMT

So it's a "give someone some trash from your house" party? It's not something I would do that. I'd just buy a vase or something from Walmart and wrap that up. I did attend White Elephant parties years ago; but they were not like your party.