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White elephant gift exchange

Posted: Dec 9, 2011

We are invited to a white elephant party this weekend. Have never gone to one before. I did a search and it seems like people like to do funny gifts. I'm not that clever and my husband suggested we give a wine rack (wood top and bottom with black metal center - holds nine bottles) that we were going to send to Goodwill. At a party last weekend the host told us that last year one of the single guys (first timer) gave an expensive painting. So they were joking that the person who got it, is going to wrap it up this year - she feels guilty about getting it.

Also, is it one gift per couple or do you bring two? Thanks

Any ideas or do I need to run to the antique mall and find some type of a white elephant - planter or etc?

;

White elephant - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
First rule of thumb, don't buy anything... it kind of defeats the purpose ; ]

Anything that you would give to goodwill is a good choice, the wine rack would be a big hit in my family! Funny gifts are fun, but not a requirement. We once got a ream of copy paper. Last year, I ended up picking a little perfume bottle that I thought was just lovely.

I would bring two gifts (one from each of you), and maybe one extra in case someone unexpected comes and doesn't have one (plus, that's more stuff you don't want leaving your house!) But perhaps your hostess will take care of that.

The way our family works it is everyone brings a gift, then everyone selects a number out of a hat. We pick gifts in order of the number; however, when it's your turn, you can either 1-pick and unwrap a gift or 2-steal someone elses, and then they pick a new gift.

We have a lot of fun with it and it's neat to see what people bring!

I would ask the hostess for defiintion of "white elephant." - Noney

[ In Reply To ..]
Two years ago, I was invited to a Christmas party where everyone was requested to bring "white elephant" gifts with a spending limit of $10. I've been to a number of parties where the white elephant gifts were hilarious and I assumed my friend meant funny gifts as well, so that's what I brought. Everyone else brought things like bath sets, bottle of wine, cookbooks, coffee mug sets, ya know the Christmas gift sets on the Christmas aisle at Wal-Mart. I don't even remember what I brought, but I know I felt stupid when I saw the other gifts. So last year, I bought a boring $10 gift and told my friend that she shouldn't really call it white elephant gifts because technically that's not what she expects people to bring.

I've been invited again this year and the invitation still says "white elephant" gifts. I have half a mind to bring something vulgar and funny just to wake up these panty waists! See if I can get them to loosen up!

I'm just not refined enough for them, I guess.

I'd come to YOUR party! HAHA! - FlaMT

[ In Reply To ..]
All of our so-called friends are too stuffy for my taste and would give the boring gifts. Your friend's party sounds more like an office party to me.

DH and I like the funny, kooky stuff. We went to one party where everyone brought boring gifts, except for the hostess' mother-in-law, who made house slippers from maxi pads, "super" for extra cushion! They were hilarious and the guys that got them actually wore them all night!

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