Have you been invited to a White Elephant Themes Gift Party? ‘Tis the season for Holiday Party’s and White Elephant Gifts. White Elephant gifts tend to be silly gifts that you usually don’t want and can’t wait to give away. But, sometimes they are gifts that really could be useful. Chances are you will be invited to at least one White Elephant Party this year. So, it’s good to be prepared early and have your crazy gifts on hand! Today I have gathered some fun White Elephant Gift Ideas to get you, your family and your friends laughing this Holiday Season.
WHAT IS A WHITE ELEPHANT PARTY?
Also, sometimes referred to as a Yankee Swap, or Dirty Santa exchange, the white elephant exchange is basically the same idea.
The White Elephant Gift Exchange is a party game in which players each bring wrapped gifts at a set price, such as $20. The host is the one who usually sets the price limit or the spending limit for each gift item. White elephant themes may or may not be used by the host.
From there, each person picks the wrapped gifts out one by one from the pile of gifts and open it in front of everyone. The rules vary but the basic premise is you get to keep the gift or you have the option to steal a gift that has already been opened by someone else.
The catch is you won’t know what is in your package until after you pick it out. Some people might bring nice presents, while jokesters may put far less valuable gifts in their boxes. Everyone gets to go home with fun and silly gag gifts, unique gifts or a really good gift. Either way there is usually a lot of laughter and jokes which makes for a fun party idea.
WHY ARE THEY CALLED WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTS?
According to my research, the term white elephant gifts refer to the historic practice of the King of Siam (now Thailand) who would gift rare albino elephants to courtiers who had displeased him, so that they might be ruined by the animals’ upkeep costs. The basic guise is that in a white elephant exchange you give a gift that is impractical or extravagant that is not really a gift someone would expect or necessarily need or is fun and teasing in nature.
WHERE CAN YOU HOST A WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE?
White elephants exchanges are used for a lot of different parties and occasions. Some of the most popular events have been the following:
- office party
- christmas party
- book clubs
- birthday party
- bridal party
WHITE ELEPHANT THEMES
Sometimes there is a specific gift exchange theme that is assigned to the types of gifts the guests are supposed to bring and exchange. I have gathered up some of the more common white elephant themes and ideas and shared them here in categories.
WHITE ELEPHANT THEME IDEA
- board games
- games
- socks
- ornaments
- coffee mugs
- candles
- gift cards
- Workplace Theme
- homemade gifts
- cookies
- second hand gifts
- books
- jewelry
- ugly sweater
- dollar store items
- re-gift items
- hat/cap
- decorations
- recipe and ingredients
- t-shirt
- funny gifts
- puzzles
BASIC GUIDELINES OF WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE
The gift exchange organizer should provide information on what type of gift people should bring and if there are specific white elephant themes.
- Each participant brings one wrapped gift to the white elephant game to contribute to a group of gifts used in the exchange.
- Players sit in a circle or line where they can see the gift pile.
- Players draw numbers to determine what order they will go in. Alternatively, someone can draw names from a hat, or the order can be set by the organizer prior to the event.
- The first player selects a gift from the pool and opens it. Make sure everyone can see the gift!
- The following players can choose to either pick an unwrapped gift from the pool or steal a previous player’s gift. Anyone who gets their gift stolen in this way can do the same – choose a new gift or steal from someone else.
To keep things moving along, there are a couple of limits on gift swapping:
- A present can only be stolen once per turn, which means players who have a gift stolen from them have to wait to get it back.
- After three swaps, the turn automatically comes to an end (otherwise things could drag on for a long time).
The above are the classic white elephant themes exchange rules but there are several different ways to add a unique twist to your white elephant gift party. Feel free to get creative and add your own twist. Some people like to roll dice and play a game that involves stealing or opening new gifts depending on the number that is rolled.
FUN WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT IDEAS
I have been gathering a collection of fun white elephant gift ideas on amazon. There are so many great ideas that I have been able to round up. You might be interested in checking some of these fun gift ideas out. I may earn a small commission if you end up buying one.
WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE IDEAS
- Crafting with Cat Hair Book
- yodeling pickle
- pooping puppies puzzle
- belly fanny pack
- pizza blanket
- flickin chicken game
- funny mug
- Bob Ross chia head
- carpool karaoke microphone
- chicken laying egg lamp
- cat hand towel
- funny apron
- lobster claw gloves
- unicorn mask
- fortune telling ball
- I pee in pools hat
- holding hands socks
- furry monster slippers
- squirrel finger puppets
- can drink holder hat
- christmas tree hat
- googly eye glasses
- funny tape dispenser
- Watch Tattoo
- White Horse Head Mask
- Grumpy Cat T-Shirt
- People of Walmart Calendar
- Cat Face Purse
- Awkward Family Photos Book
- Gift Not Included
- Man Bun
- Man Glitter
- The Gift of Nothing
- Travel John Disposable Urinal
- Beats Headphones
- Handerpants Underwear Gloves
WHAT IS A SECRET SANTA GIFT EXCHANGE
A secret Santa gift exchange is different from a white elephant gift exchange. Participants in a secret santa exchange will be assigned an individual to buy a present for. As the term implies, the identity of the gift sender must be kept secret and not disclosed within the group. Each member of the group will gathers to exchange gifts, and the identity of the gift donor is disclosed when the items get opened.
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Shanda lee says
I’ve never heard the term white elephant gift before, but this is truly hilarious. Hobbit feet? Watch tattoo.. OMG. This is a great compilation.
The Idea Room Assistant says
Thank you!
Just funniest things I’ve seen in a long time!! Laughing till I hurt!!!
Glad you enjoyed the post!