A "white elephant" gift exchange is a game played to get rid of an unwanted gift.
The other day I was explaining some Christmas customs to one of my on-line students. An interesting custom which can take place after Christmas is a way we have to get rid of an unwanted gift: the white elephant gift exchange.
A “white elephant” is an idiom referring to a possession that is more trouble than it is worth, it is a burdensome item. If you hear the term “white elephant“, this blog will give you a better understanding of its meaning. Used in daily conversation, “white elephant” has a negative meaning.
However for this game, it is just something you want to be rid of!
If it is not possible to return an unwanted gift for a refund, one way to make lemonade out of a lemon is to have a white elephant gift exchange at a party. It is a fun activity that can become a friendly rivalry.
Here’s how the white elephant gift exchange works. You wrap an inexpensive gift and take it to the party. Some sort of scheme is devised to determine the order of who plays, first, second, third, etc until the last player.
The first player selects one of the wrapped gifts. Then when it is the second person’s turn, he can decide whether to “steal” the first gift or to unwrap one of the wrapped presents. Then the third person decides whether to open one of the unwrapped presents or to “steal” one of the presents which is already opened.
If there is a rather popular item that everyone wants, the game can be come rather lively and amusing. The game continues until everyone has a chance to open a present or “steal” one of the white elephant gifts.
Of course, it is advantageous to be the last player!
One piece of advice. You might not want to take a “white elephant” to the party if the person who gave it to you goes to the party too! 
I think the white elephant gift exchange is local to North America. Have you ever played it in China?
VOCABUARY
- possession – an item that someone owns.
- burdensome – some that is a trouble or a bother
- refund – money that you get when you return something you bought.
- devise – to come up with a plan or idea,
- lively – something that has much activity and movement, the opposite of boring.
- advantageous – something that is helpful, favorable or benefits a person
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:39 — 4.5MB)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I like the idea of The White Elephant gift exchange. It’s really a brilliant idea which gives everyone a chance to get what he really wishes for and avoids wasting those unwanted gifts.
@Jan.
Well, some might not get what they wanted if they had to give it to the person who followed the
and that person decided to “steal” their gift. Hopefully the exchanged is lighthearted enough
and everyone has fun though.
Happy New Year!
I have been to a few white elephant parties and most of the time the gifts that were being stolen the most were anything out of the ordinary. Usually something you don’t see every day that is still somewhat useful. With a gift limit of only $10, I was amaze at all the weird and wacky things I could get while keeping my bank account happy. I found this online store while doing a Google search containing many things that are just perfect for a white elephant party. The link is below and hopefully this helps with your future white elephant gift parties!
http://www.thinkfuntoys.com/blog/funny-white-elephant-gift-ideas/
@CookieMonster
Thank you for the comment and link.