White Elephant Gift Ideas

Check out these unique White Elephant Gift Ideas. You are sure to find something that no one else will have at the party.

We have been hosting a White Elephant Gift Exchange at our annual Christmas party for years. Here are some of the favorite White Elephant Gift Ideas that have been used.

What is a White Elephant Gift Exchange?

A White Elephant is a gift exchange where you are supposed to bring something that you cannot seem to get rid of or some kind of gag gift.

For an exchange, people bring a wrapped gift and we take turns opening and stealing gifts.

We assign an order for opening, and upon your turn, you can either unwrap a new gift or steal one that has already been opened. Once a gift reaches the third person (stolen twice) it cannot be taken again.

People draw a number from a hat to determine the order.

Silly White Elephant Gift Ideas

Since I have gotten rid of most of the junk in my house, I will buy or create something to give. Here are some great ideas for a White Elephant exchange that I have come up with over the years.

Embroidered Toilet Paper 

How funny are these? I made these rolls of toilet paper using my embroidery machine, but you can buy them here on Etsy.

Toilet paper can be customized with just about any saying. Great for a White Elephant Gift Exchange, but also perfect as a gag gift for a birthday, retirement, or other special events.

Personalized Items

Take a funny photo of someone (the boss?) and adhere it to something. This can really bring in some big laughs if you use the right photo.

You can see the corny picture of my friend in the ‘got wine’ hat. It was the perfect addition to a bottle of wine with her initial on it.

The pic of my friend to the right is from last year’s New Year’s Eve party that I put on an iPhone cover.

I have also added photos to ornaments, snow globes, and candles.

Fish & Chips

This was an idea that a friend came up with a few years ago. It is fish and chips, using fish and some potato chips.

It was so funny to unwrap a bag of live* fish along with a can of chips. *Consider using goldfish crackers instead of a live fish. We made sure these went home with a person who could properly care for the fish.

Thrift Store Finds

I love browsing thrift stores and finding items. I usually get Christmassy stuff, but other themes can be funny too. This is what I found last week.

Dancing/singing items are popular in holiday gift exchanges, such as hamsters, other animals, or trees. Festive hats or other accessories are good too.

Re-gift (Reoccurring) Gift

Every year people leave gifts they do not want at our house. Sometimes they hide them and we do not find them until later.

I will alter those gifts and use them the following year, trying to make sure the person who left them opens the updated version.

Last year this duck cookie jar got left on our counter. It sat there ALL year long. My daughter and I decorated it with fabric scraps, Modge Podge, & glitter this year.

It brought in lots of laughs! Although it is back on our counter.

I think I need to make some clothes for the duck next year!

White Elephants

Finally, elephants are a popular choice. In particular, white ones.

We have started a little elephant collection at our house. First came the teapot, then the salt and pepper shakers.

That scary-looking elephant at the bottom of the picture is the head of the animal I made in a pottery class. It has Xmas 2008 etched in the back. It actually belongs to my wine-o friend shown above.

What fun White Elephant Christmas Gift Ideas do you have?

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