Have you ever been to a White Elephant Party? Some people know it as Dirty Santa. Whatever you want to call it, it is a blast! It is a fun way to celebrate after the holidays. We’ve all gotten that one gift that leaves us scratching our heads. Maybe you received something that left you thinking, “Surely he or she knows me better than this!” A certain childhood sweater comes to mind. Perhaps that’s what Eric was thinking when he opened a coloring book from me on our first Christmas together (yes, true story).
White Elephant parties give you, and all of your friends, a fun way of getting rid of one (or a few ~smile~) of your less-than-desirable Christmas gifts. Just be sure not to put a gift in the pile that came from someone who’s at your party!
The directions are easy: Everyone brings a wrapped gift to put into the pile. Then everyone pulls a number out of a hat. Whoever picks the number ‘1’ has the first pick of the gifts (and first one touched is it – no shaking the boxes! ~smile~). He or she opens the gift, everyone laughs if the gift is a real hoot, and then the person with the number ‘2’ goes next. Now the person with the number ‘2’ can either pick a new gift from the pile, or he or she can steal number ‘1’s gift, thereby giving him or her the opportunity to pick another gift from the pile (or steal from someone else, if later in the game). The process continues until everyone has picked a gift or stolen a gift. When it’s the last person’s turn, he or she can either pick the last gift in the pile (thus ending the game) or he or she can steal from someone else (who then can steal from someone else or choose the last gift from the pile). It may seem confusing, but once you get started it will make perfect sense and is a blast!
There are a couple of rules. Even though it is legal to steal a gift, the same gift can only be stolen a total of three times. Some people strictly use gifts they have been given, and some allow for the gift to be purchased. If you are allowing people to bring gifts they’ve purchased themselves, it would be wise to set a price limit so the gifts are too completely imbalanced. (Many White Elephant parties are capped at $5 to $10 to make this a fun, cheap exchange.) Additionally, many people use White Elephant gift parties as joke/gag gift parties. {Eric’s note: I used to bring a porcelain or stone white elephant as my joke! Also, the weirdest gift I have ever seen was a pen holder made out of a lacquered cow patty – disgusting [and somewhat funny]!}
After returning from Christmas one year, my dorm had a White Elephant party. I’d been given a gift years before that I kept in my room as a joke/conversation piece. It was a plastic foot. My dear childhood friend’s mother had been encouraging me to put my foot down in situations where I had a tendency to give in, so when she found a plastic foot stationary holder, she thought of me. The package even said, “Put your foot down!” What cracked me up is that my college friend watched me wrap it, but when it came time to for the party she marched right over and picked up my plastic foot gift. We all got a big laugh. I think the foot was meant to remain in the family. I’m pretty sure she gave it back to me. ~smile~ That happy, plastic, slightly frightening foot gave me many laughs. Maybe some of your former gag gifts, or some of your simply pathetic gifts, could make a lot of people laugh at a White Elephant party this year?
So get some chips, dip, drinks, and brownies, and invite over a group of friends. It’s a fun way to extend your holiday celebration a bit, and get a few good laughs with friends. Have fun!
What’s the silliest or weirdest gift you’ve ever given or received?