by TD Small

Created on: November 22, 2008   Last Updated: December 07, 2009

White elephant gift exchanges are becoming more popular throughout the United States. With the current economic downturn, a white elephant gift exchange might just be the solution to this year's gift giving problems.

The hardest part of arranging a white elephant gift exchange is getting everyone to agree to participate in it and setting a price limit. With this type of gift exchange a price limit as low as twenty dollars can still provide a nice simple gift without breaking your bank account.

Like everything there must be rules, such as;

Nice gifts versus gag gifts, only your group can make this decision

Gender specific gifts or simply a gift anyone would want or use.

Is re-gifting allowed? This can lead to some very interesting and fun gifts and is a great way to clean out your closets.

Will people simply take turns picking a gift or will everyone draw a number and then go in numeric order.

Is stealing allowed? One way to add a fun twist to a simple grab bag is after a person has chosen a gift, they must open it up for display, and then the next person has the opportunity to "steal" that gift or choose a new one from the pile. "Steals" are usually limited to three times for a single gift.

White elephant gift exchanges allow everyone to become creative with their gift choices, such as:

1. Pick a Theme-It's always fun to gather a few items together to make a themed gift. Put a small scented candle, bubble bath, and a romance novel together, and you've got a wonderful gift of a relaxing evening for some lucky person. A pack of cards, a few poker chips, some snacks, or a book of card games can provide several nights of fun for some lucky person.

2. Food-Everyone loves food. Whether you choose to go with homemade candy or cookies, or splurge and buy a small box of gourmet chocolates at a local shop, food is always a welcome gift. Popcorn tins, though hard to disguise, are fun and easily consumed.

3. Promissory notes-A promissory note not only adds to the gift's time frame, but also can be packaged in many fun ways. Slip it into the center of a toilet paper roll, or put it in an empty nut can, try to think out side of the usual gift box. Promissory notes can be for things like a free night of babysitting, a ride to the store, washing windows, or even a dozen homemade cinnamon rolls delivered to the giftee's door on a date worked out between the giver and givee.

4. Re-gifting-One way to bring fun to any white elephant gift exchange is to regift an item. That

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