Looking for a humorous and easy-to-make white elephant gift for your gift exchange party? Consider these DIY ideas that require minimal crafting skills and can be put together in just a few minutes.
A white elephant gift exchange is a playful twist on traditional gift exchanges like Secret Santa or Yankee Swap. Participants bring in funny, weird, or tacky gifts of low value, and the wrapped gifts are placed in a communal pile. Guests take turns selecting a gift, opening it, and have the option to steal a previously chosen gift from another guest. It’s a lighthearted and entertaining game that adds a fun element to holiday or party celebrations.
- Dime n’ Jewelry Surprise someone with a dime n’ necklace, ring, or earrings. Glue a dime to inexpensive jewelry from the dollar store, and present it in a nice jewelry box for added flair.
- Used Gift Cards Gather gift cards with tiny remaining balances, mark out the amounts, and write the new balances. Alternatively, mix empty cards with one having a balance, challenging the recipient to find the loaded card.
- Extra Dough Wrap up a tube of cookie dough or kids’ play dough with a note saying, “Everyone needs a little extra dough around the holidays.”
- A Zip-Tied Gift Wrap a gift with layers of zip ties. To unwrap, the recipient must cut through the ties. For added humor, make a package of zip ties the gift and include scissors.
- All-Natural Bubble Bath Create a humorous all-natural bubble bath using dried beans in an attractive bottle or jar. Include instructions like, “Natural Bubble Bath: Cook and eat one hour before your bath.”
- Cold Hard Cash Freeze change and small bills in a container, then wrap and gift it. Include a card that says, “Thought you could use some cold hard cash to help you get through the holidays.”
- Scratched Lottery Tickets Include a note in a card stating, “I bought you $25 worth of lottery tickets and scratched them for you. You didn’t win anything.” Alternatively, fill a box with scratched lottery tickets for a lighthearted and low-cost gift.
- Earthquake Detection Kit Create a humorous earthquake detection kit by placing a bobblehead doll in a bag or box. Label the kit and provide detailed instructions on how to use the “device.” Add a touch of fun by writing “Earthquake Detection Device” on the base of the bobblehead.
- Portable Important Decision Kit For those facing important decisions, gift a portable decision kit in an empty mint tin. Include a tiny pair of scissors, a small notepad, and an itty bitty rock. Attach a label explaining its use, ensuring they are always equipped for vital decision-making.
- A Big Box of Nothing Put effort into wrapping an empty box beautifully, complete with fancy paper and a bow. Attach a gift tag that reads, “For the Person Who Has Everything.” The surprise comes when they open it to find the perfect gift for someone with everything: absolutely nothing.
- Season Tickets Create authentic-looking season tickets for a fake event using a free ticket printable. Add seat numbers and a barcode, but cleverly hide the words, “Not good for anything,” in the fine print. Alternatively, design fake plane tickets labeled as a “Round trip ticket to nowhere.”
- Hands-Free Cellphone Holder Place an elastic headband in a bag and label it as a “Hands-Free Cellphone Holder.” Attach a hang tag with a picture demonstrating the device’s use, such as holding a cellphone against the ear using the headband.
- Pet Dust Bunnies Fashion “pet” dust bunnies using dryer lint, googly eyes, and whiskers. Place them in a bag with a label explaining what they are. Consider including care instructions or a playful warning about their multiplying capabilities.
- Rules for a White Elephant Gift Exchange Provide an overview of the rules for a white elephant gift exchange at the party. Participants bring wrapped gifts, and names or numbers are drawn to determine the gift-picking order. Participants can choose to steal opened gifts or select new ones, with the game continuing until everyone has a gift. Set house rules, such as limits on steals, to enhance the experience.
At certain parties, rules may be implemented to control the number of gift steals per round or limit how many times a particular gift can be stolen—often capping it at three steals. These regulations can be particularly useful if the party is constrained by time. It’s crucial to communicate these house rules at the beginning of the game to ensure everyone understands how the white elephant gift exchange will unfold.
For hosts organizing a white elephant party, it’s advisable to invite a large number of people. The game becomes more enjoyable with a greater quantity of gifts, fostering a lively and entertaining atmosphere.