So we're spending Christmas Eve with my husband's family and they're doing White Elephant so there doesn't have to be a whole lot of money spent. There's a $20 limit and I need ideas that are "out of the box". This family is really easy going and fun and hilarious, but the elders will be there as well. Would love to hear some ideas. Thanks everyone and have a great weekend!
omg I am laughing so hard at some of the ideas, LOVE the bacon idea!
And Victoria W, if you have nothing better to do than post snippy comments, don't bother responding. You lent nothing to the conversation. You do this to so many people, you're such a bitter witch.
Okay so it sounds like you want it to be out of the box & funny?
How about one of those Charlie Brown Christmas trees? (you can always
pair it with something).
A throw blanket w/a funny print on it. Pair w/a funny movie on DVD.
Matching aprons w/funny sayings on them.
a DVD of a comedian paired w/a six pack of beer (w/a funny name) or a
bottle of wine w/a funny name.
A funky pillow & a book of funny jokes.
I think these would be HILARIOUS at a White Elephant
http://www.shreddiesgifts.com/giftware/
Flatulence Filtering Underwear!!!
We have a white elephant gift exchange every year, and it's hilarious. Last year we had (among other things);
an old Leanne Rimes poster
A case of ramen noodles
A 64 count pack of crayons
A bucket of baby doll heads (seriously. It was creep-tastic)
An 8x10 framed picture of one of the guys at the party, flexing
A bag of mismatched socks
And I was the one hosting the party, so I was lucky enough to find hidden baby doll heads all over my house. I even found one someone had stuck in my Christmas tree when I pulled it out THIS year! Ugh!
Seriously though, this is my favorite party of the year. We also have everyone wear awesomely bad Christmas sweaters and take family pictures by the fireplace.
For our family, the box that always gets fought over is the one with the whiskey. Usually it's paired with a sausage gift box, you know, the kind with the sausage and cheese?
Or last year, someone put in a light up snoopy with a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I'm still sad my uncle stole that from me!
Bacon.
Everyone loves bacon. And how hilarious would it be to unwrap?
Walgreens and Bed, Bath and Beyond has the cheesy 'As Seen on TV' items (you know - the ones you always want to know if they really work but are too embarassed to try!).
I've bought a Chia pet before as a gift and that went over well.
We had a white elephant at work Tuesday and I got a Garfield blow up doll. Needless to say I will be regifting that next year.
My Aunt and I get each other crazy things for Christmas. She hates the thought of getting old so one year I got her things that the elderly need. I got her a depends diaper, ensure, a denture cup for teeth and some other things I can't remeber. It was very funny.
Justin Bieber (Beiber?) CD. Seriously it was hilarious! I just did a white elephant last weekend and someone got it and people were fighting over it! It got passed 3 times and then it was retired.
I always like to do a fun board game, which is exactly what I'm doing for two exchanges this year. I was able to find some great sales and use a coupon (I <3 Kohl's). This year I chose Mad Gab and Quelf, they're both great party games that could liven up the Xmas party if we wanted to play them, and I wouldn't mind keeping either one if I ended up with it in the end!
is it a true "white elephant"? or a grab bag? those are two very different things. a true white elephant is something you have hanging around the house that would be great to get rid of and would get some laughs. a grab bag on the other hand is something you set a limit for and then don't go over the limit with what you buy.
so having said that lol
some of the funniest white elephant things I have ended up with in the past. a package of toilet paper , a case of crest mini tubes of toothpaste (the girl worked for a dentist lol) a set of ancient cookbooks, some clown shoes,
if your doing the grab bag thing the favorite in our house is a movie basket you can get a popcorn bucket from the dollar store, inside it put microwave popcorn, candy, pop and some movies for $20 you can make a great basket
Last year I wrapped a box full of used paint rollers and paint tray in nice pretty wrapping paper. Lol!!!! It was a hit!!!
Someone got a love lot with a com that had white stuff on it
Another got a wart removal kit with baindaids
Perhaps you should read OneAndDone's post from just last night on this same subject. And also maybe clarify what the intent is, since there seemed to be a little confusion over what is "white elephant" and another often used style.
Just a suggestion...
The last white elephant gift we gave was a car stereo pulled from my 1992 volvo wagon (car god rest it's soul) - LOL! Let's see over the years we have also given/received a hanging shoe rack, an ironing board cover, a singing billy bass (oh that was not a keeper), things left over from a re-decoration, a set of old books and a puppy calendar.
We don't typically spend anything for a white elephant. It is something you want to get rid of or don't use/need any longer. . . but really anything that is "as seen on TV" is a good bet:)
Have fun!
White Elephant down here is like funny gifts. not serious,
Bottle of Prune Juice. Crazy Christmas Hat, crazy socks, crazy house slippers, used terrible DVD's from Blockbusters sale bins. Keep the price tags on them.
Bad food products. Like canned meats. or some sort of bad, canned vegetables, fruit or condiment.
Useless car accessory.. Like scented rear view mirror things. stuff, Funny bumper stickers. Go to a small locally owned convenience store and look at the junk they sell on their counters..
Super ugly throw pillow.
How about going to a cupcake place and getting a 6-pack. I like Hollywood Bakery in University Park and there's a place in Willow Bend mall too. I'm sure there are others.
oh, i love these! scented candles, snuggies and plush throw blankies are always welcome. i guess that's not really out the box, though, is it? this year i'm going for prints from local artists, crystals, gourmet candies and baked treats, holiday-themed aprons, and classic videos.
the gift cards seem to be the thing most traded, but i just can't go there.
:) khairete
S.
Wow, I was confused about White Elephant. I had to Google it. :) Where I live we call these Yankee Swaps, and we never do gag gifts like some of the other posters said they do. Not that that's a bad thing, actually it sounds kind of fun. In my family everyone old enough to be past believing in Santa participates (younger kids get simple fun gifts from everyone). I find that board games, candles, and gift cards are always popular. In my family we're not big drinkers, so between that and the fact that we have under 21's participating we exclude any alcohol, but in work exchanges I've been involved with those gifts are always super popular along with lottery tickets and scratch tickets. BUT, you have to be careful with those because if one of them wins big there may be resentment. When we do them with our Girl Scout troop, the most popular items are anything you can eat, stuffed animals and socks.
My husband and I host his team each year and do this. Last year someone brought the shake-weight. Everyone thought that it was hilarious!!
