Community Chat

[wagirl]

White elephants can be so fun! I had one at my house one Xmas for my spouses family get together !!! the gifts were hilarious and we all laughed and laughed until we cried--my gift was from my nephew--who wore a size 13 shoe--he spray painted an old pair of sneakers, silver, and wrapped them up. the kids got fun gifts--- the adults--not so much---but it was a blast--BTW--those shoes ended up in the trash!

Maybe for your white elephant--a tea cup with some teabags in it---how about a scarf you never wore or a cook book or even a Xmas ornament---lots of things would do. I have a drawer filled with body products--creams. hand lotions, bar soaps. 

[Love my grandkids]

I got snookered into one of those once. Never again. I thought the whole idea was dumb, frankly. I found a nice little something I didn't use (it was like new), wrapped it and got something used and cracked. I threw it away as soon as I got home.

I don't see the point in these things except to get rid of something you don't want.

[lovescats]

our church used to have white elephant sales in the church basement when I was in grade school and they wanted. people to buy the junk people donated for a quarter and such.

if you don't take one then maybe you could just not participate in the exchange.  they are not expecting you to bid on this stuff are they

[Isobel Archer]

I agree with those who suggest giving a book or something similar.

If it's also one of those where you can "steal" gifts, it really goes downhill when some of the gifts are new/nice and some are "humorous/worthless/ugly"  Then the folks "stuck" with the latter - or from whom the former were stolen get all upset   I usually steal the latter gifts just to get the person who got one to stop complaining.  Not much fun overall.

[CatsyCline]

you could Regift your Regifts if you have any.  once received a  PartyLights votive set, not my type of decor item,  certain it was a Regift.  nothing wrong with it.   wrapped for  Secret Santa. 

[Sooner]

I'm beginning to think most gift giving should be abandoned in today's world and economy. Most of it is simply pointless--especially at work or any organization. 

[ThinkingOutLoud]

Had another thought - 

If you have something that would work but aren't sure about the funny aspect, just include some theme jokes with it. For example, it you have a snowman ornament, google some snow jokes/cartoons and print them off on snowflake border paper (you can google that too).

[wismiss]

Thanks for all the ideas.  I decided to order a pair of socks from Amazon.  They are pink and brown and on the bottom it says "If You Can Read This Bring Me Some Chocolate".  I also ordered another pair for my cousin who drinks a pot of coffee a day that says "If You Can Read This Bring Me a Cup of Coffee."  By ordering two pairs I was able to get a discount and both pairs together were under $15.00.  I, too, have heard stories about people getting upset because they gave a nice gift and got "junk" for their gift.  I will give the chocolate pair and a small package of some type of candy.  Nothing funny, but I don't feel comfortable giving junk.  I did like the idea of the ornament and then paper to coordinate with it and some jokes.  I might see if I have time to get that done and will just keep the socks for a future gift exchange.

Again, thank you for all the ideas.

[Sooner]

Cute idea for those socks and a Hershey bar or something!  I'll bet that will be a big hit!

[San Antonio Gal]

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@candys mine wrote:

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!

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I haven't read through all the replies, but I agree with @candys mine that a bottle of pooh-pouri would be funny.