White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas

The White Elephant Gift Exchange is a popular party game played in the winter time during the holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's. There are many different versions of a White Elephant Gift Exchange. To some, acceptable gifts may be something found lying around the house. To others, the gift must be newly purchased.

Before having or even attending a White Elephant Gift Exchange, ensure you understand the rules. Many times the rules also put a limit on the price of the gift to be exchanged. Most White Elephant Gift Exchanges include anything from funny to incredibly tacky.

Almost always, the gift will need to be wrapped. Gift bags are not acceptable because one might be able to see what's in the bag. Also, everyone at the party should end up with a gift to unwrap. For many, un-wrapping the gift is half the fun.

In many versions, gifts can be stolen or traded. Again, make sure you know the rules of the party before attending. If you're the one having the White Elephant Gift Exchange, please ensure everyone receives a list of rules well in advance.

Following are some gift ideas for a traditional White Elephant Gift Exchange:

1) A CD Case filled with all of the free CD's from internet companies and such that you receive in the mail
2) A Chia-Pet
3) A can of Spam
4) A burnt out string of Christmas lights
5) Cow flashlight (complete with moo sound effect)
6) A pooper scooper
7) A Maxine desk calendar
8) An actual white elephant statue

I can't stress enough to know the rules before giving such gifts. On some occasions, the host of the party may actually expect you to bring a nice gift and not a funny or tacky one. Among every group of White Elephant Gift givers there are differing rules that could easily cause embarrassment for yourself or others. Above all, have fun.