Tips for the best white elephant gifts
Happy first official day of winter! Today, I have a few tips for the best white elephant gifts.
Over the course of my long life, I have been to many white elephant gift parties and they can either be boring or tons of fun.
The trick is in the gifting, so that is why I wanted to discuss tips for the best white elephant gifts.
Today, I will give you the tips….take you shopping with me and my daughter…and show you what I wore.
So, let’s get going and talk about white elephant fun.
TIPS FOR THE BEST WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTS: TIP #1
TIP #1: UNDERSTAND WHAT PARTY ATTENDEES REALLY WANT
The trick to the best white elephant gifts is to understand that people really want something they can enjoy.
While the funny gifts are crowd pleasers for a moment, they often go home, in the closet and are re-gifted later.
TIPS FOR THE BEST WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTS: TIP #2
TIPS #2: ASK YOURSELF, WHO WOULD FIGHT FOR THIS GIFT…WOULD YOU FIGHT FOR THIS GIFT?
Most white elephant parties allow two steals of a gift and after that it is locked down.
The real fun is to have gifts that motivate people to take a gift from someone else.
At a recent party where I was able to observe the sport of white elephant gifting, the following were the favorite gifts: (NOTE there was a $20 limit)
- $20 gift card to a well known local restaurant
- $20 gift card to Starbucks
- Pickle Ball set with mallets and balls
- Small bottle of bourbon
- Christmas wine and small wine glasses
- Small neck massager
- A small bag with a lovely tea cup, tea bags, small homemade jar of jam
- Two jars of shelled pecans
These were stolen two times and eventually locked down. EXCEPT, the lucky attendee with the last number was able to steal from anyone…and she went for a gift card.
TIPS FOR THE BEST WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTS: TIP #3
TIP #3: LOOK FOR THE UNIQUE.
You can find unique items without selecting something that goes in the trash or closet.
I will say I have been at several white elephant parties where the Chia Pets (especially Bob Rossi) are fought over.
If it is a unique collectible, you most likely have a winner!
The woman who selected these lipstick chocolates seemed very happy with her white elephant gift!
TIPS FOR THE BEST WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTS: WHERE WE SHOPPED
My daughter and I decided to shop at for the best white elephant gifts.
The ones we purchased were fun, unique, and desirable.
Here is a little gift that was fought over…and I would have loved to have taken it home.
Online, it is a little over the limit, but the day we were in-store, we were able to get it just right on the limit…if you don’t count the tax.
This is the SPODE Christmas Tree Nutcracker Salt & Pepper Shaker Set.
You can see more ideas at DILLARD’S GIFTS.
TIPS FOR THE BEST WHITE ELEPHANT GIFTS: WHAT I WORE SHOPPING
Because you asked me to show you what I wear while out and about, I am doing just that a little more than I usually do.
While shopping for the best white elephant gifts, I wore (once again) the J.Jill Jacquard knit zip up poncho .
It has been such an excellent garment for causal outfits for cook weather.
My house is often cool inside because we are not fans of the heater, so I just keep this on while working at home.
If you click the link, you will see that the poncho is sold out….but I do stand by J.Jill ponchos for this reason!
This is my favorite blouse to wear the olive poncho over,
It is an older blouse I own from
The orange foundation is enhanced with leopards in leopard print.
Because the leopards are outlined in black lines, I wore black jeans and my gold sneakers….leopard print shoes would be cute as well, depending on the shade of the print.
It is a fun outfit.
Thank you for joining me today for Tips for the Best White Elephant Gifts.
Do you have a favorite white elephant gift or a white elephant gift party success you would like to share? Please share…all ideas are beneficial.
I will see you tomorrow as the countdown continues…but my back may be sore from wrapping today!
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
Love your leopard 🐆 orange blouse.
I would be wearing that non stop too.Thanks for all u do all year long to help us be fashionable!! I’m having soo much fun mixing and matching dressing up like when I was a teenager!!
Here in New England we call it a Yankee Swap. When I was teaching, we had two at our teacher Christmas party: a more sensible one and a funny one. We would often laugh uncontrollably! Great tips, Pamela. Love your outfit- ticks your boxes.
I love the idea of having two…that would remedy the issue! Thanks Deborah.
Enjoy that fun…never let it stop! Thanks Debra.
What a great post. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a “best white elephant gifts” tip sheet that was thoughtful and not about selling product.
Glad you enjoyed it, Kim.
These are good suggestions to remember if I have to attend another event with a white elephant activity. I have to admit that I don’t enjoy it. In the past I’ve also tried to find something nice but some women seem to misunderstand it and think its a way to get rid of some old junky thing. I would have loved the salt & pepper shakers. I really like the entire outfit you wore especially the zip up poncho. I remember looking at it online because of the zipper but there was no XS-S size offered. Since it must have been popular maybe this style will be offered again next year.
I hope J.Jill will offer it again as well…I have really enjoyed mine. I missed out on their corduroy leopard coat, so I hope they return that one as well. I Have friends who have told me it is a great coat.
Thanks Kathie.
I find white elephant parties a little off-putting. Only the gift cards are fought over, and it seems the more thoughtful ones are left. Once I had a friend in tears because she had made something people tried to repeatedly unload. I love your new, more casual wardrobe. It certainly says elevated … if you ever want to tweak your adjectives :). I’m considering changing polished to elevated in mine. In the new year, I’d love to hear the audience adjectives and let them describe one outfit that speaks to them.
Thanks Linda…I will discuss adjectives early in the New Year…thanks for letting me know.
Yes, in New England we call it a Yankee Swap! Your gift suggestions are sure to be coveted! I also hope J Jill comes back with the corduroy leopard jacket. I regret not getting it.
Happy holidays to everyone!
And to you, Nancy!
In our neck of the woods White Elephant Gifts are something you have in your home you no longer want or never did want. Leads to some very funny times as everything has a story. Have a wonderful holiday.
Thanks for this fun post. I have not been to many white elephant swaps over the years, but do remember attending them even in Brazil. I like the idea of silly and practical. I also think it is not a good idea to do this game unless everyone knows everyone pretty well.
I just love your shopping outfit ( tgst blouse!)!and fun ideas for what we callYankee Swap parties! Lots of fun and laughs, fortunately no hurt feelings when a gift is unloaded! Happy Winter solstice!
I just love your shopping outfit ( tgst blouse!)!and fun ideas for what we callYankee Swap parties! Lots of fun and laughs, fortunately no hurt feelings when a gift is unloaded! Happy Winter solstice!
Linda LM and I are on the same wavelength today. I’m not a fan of white elephant parties for the reasons she mentioned. I will admit in the confidence of this closed community that I absolutely hate the “stealing” part that seems to be so popular. Perhaps that’s the only child in me wanting “my” things left alone? I have ended up with a bread-scented candle and a candle that played “Danny Boy” when lit Any time I have input into planning we do something different but fun. Everyone brings a wrapped gift within a certain price limit. Guests form a circle and it’s easiest to do this standing up so it can move quickly. The host reads a Christmas story about the “Wright Family.” Every time they say “Wright” or “right” the gifts pass to the right, and the same for “left.” Both appear multiple times in the story. It’s one typed page, so it doesn’t last forever, but gifts change hands multiple times and you open the one in your hands when the story ends. This was a huge hit with my student organizations when I worked at a large university, and I’ve done it with extended family and friends. Years ago I found some little white ceramic elephants at a dollar store and bought several. Those were always a hit because the recipient could take it to their next “white elephant” party and pass it on with a clear conscience.
I also share Linda’s interest in revisiting our style adjectives in the new year and agree that I could swap “polished” for “elevated” in this life stage. I’ve gotten somewhat careless about what I wear in the past couple of years, but I’ll be meeting a lot of people when I move into my new (more social) neighborhood, and want to “put my best foot forward,” as I was taught in my youth.
The bread scented candle is exactly why I wrote this post…the most fun white elephant parties are the ones where we all bring unique items…yet items people would actually want and not toss.