For the holidays, birthday parties, or any group gathering, a white elephant gift exchange adds a lot of fun and laughter. Many guests will be familiar with this idea, but for others, a white elephant swap will be a new experience. Either way, each exchange is different and amusing and can be set up in various ways.
Especially when money is tight, people need inexpensive ideas for entertaining. A white elephant exchange takes very little planning by the host, and is free, fast, and easy to organize. A gift trade is the perfect party activity for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. It is appropriate for all ages and good for multi-generational family gatherings.
What is a White Elephant Gift Exchange?
This is an easy party event that helps break the ice and gets people laughing.
A white elephant gift exchange is a fun group party game or activity, where unusual, funny or re-gifted items (usually found around the house) are traded. A white elephant is something inexpensive that a person no longer needs or wants. Each guest appropriately pre-wraps their own anonymous gift (for instance, in holiday gift wrapping paper for a Christmas party) and brings one wrapped present to the party. This way, other guests won’t know what items are being traded until the gift boxes or bags are opened at the gathering.
White Elephant Invitation Wording
Along with the usual party invitation information (date, time, location), guests will need to know about the gift exchange. Some sample invitation wording follows.
We are having a secret White Elephant Gift Exchange!
For this gift-trading activity:
- Please find one previously owned, unwanted item around your house.
- Wrap this ‘white elephant’ trade item attractively, like a present.
- Do not put a tag on the gift, as this is a secret gift exchange.
- Bring your wrapped item to the party!
Unfamiliar with white elephant trades? A white elephant gift for this party might be something like ___________________________. Use your imagination!
- Questions? Please Call!
Invitation phrasing may be changed to fit the occasion. Guests can be asked to bring a certain type of gift, as well.
Sample Party Game Trade Items
Often white elephants are humorous items, such as a tacky decor object, an under-used exercise item, or a silly stuffed animal. The gifts are generally used or odd, and not expensive. Often, an actual white elephant shows up in the form of a toy or statue.
One thing to keep in mind is the age of the guests. Younger children may expect a real gift, so guests could bring an unwanted toy or game in good shape. Tweens and teens can usually take a joke better. Either way, it might be a good idea to warn guests if exchange gifts should be silly or not. The main ideas are that no one needs to purchase anything, that each guest needs to bring one wrapped gift, and that the trade is fun for all.
How a White Elephant Gift Exchange Works
At the party, a white elephant exchange can work one of several ways. One is a simple swap. Gifts are set in one area as guests arrive. At trading time, everyone simply takes one gift they did not bring. Everyone sits in a circle, taking turns opening their gift as others watch (and are hopefully entertained).
- To make the exchange more like a game, read the article How to Play a White Elephant Party Game.
- Other articles of possible interest may be: Fun Teen Birthday Party Ideas & Awesome Themes and Cheap Last Minute Party Ideas for Kids & Teens
- For more party ideas and themes, see the websites Birthday Party Themes and Ideas and Teen Birthday Party Ideas and Themes.
Janienne Jennrich - Janienne Jennrich, Topic Editor for Kids & Teen Parties and for Hair, is an award-winning freelance writer & webmaster.
