A couple of popular items at our last white elephant exchange were a pair of slippers made from two loaves of French bread, and a “weather stone.” Google images has examples.
I like the package of LED lightbulbs idea.
We also have an led color changing toilet bowl light that could be fun in a white elephant exchange. I think one of our kids might have given it to dad for Christmas a few years ago.
When I bought the LED bulbs for one of my game prizes, I never dreamed they would be so popular. I always tell them that the prizes are new and useful but some are more glamorous than others. I guess my family is too practical! Still trying to think of prizes for this year. I try to do different things each year. Last year, I added wine and beer and that was hit.
Ugly Christmas sweaters - readily available at resale shops this time of year.
No to live fish.
“No to live fish.”
When my kid was in 3rd grade or so she “won” a gold fish at a school fair. That had to be the most expensive pet on the planet. Cost me a fair amount just to keep the sucker alive from school to home.
What I remembered most from my past was my own mom stirring “Goldie” around late at night in his fish bowl hoping he wouldn’t bite the dust before morning.
Not a nice picture but I totally appreciate my mom’s efforts (and love for us) today for sure.
Agree that a live animal would be a no—maybe a nice flowering indoor houseplant?
Lol @gouf78! Our kiddo’s after school daycare had a Halloween party where the pet store across the parking lot gave them some free goldfishes to give out as “treats.” Each 5-cent fish generated $50 (at least!) in sales for the store because most parents did not have an aquarium to keep the fish so they rushed into the conveniently located store to pick up some supplies for the new pet on the way home…
Codenames game is down to $15 on amazon right now - great game (has been talked about on this forum before)
How bout a half dozen fancy cupcakes…assorted.
lottery tickets
I think I’d be secretly annoyed if they won.
We have hosted white elephant parties many times. The real winner is the weirdest thing you could bring. D still uses the lobster ceramic casserole dish and SIL adores the moose head clothes hanger.
One year I simply had nothing left in the house so I went to TJ’s and looked on the clearance shelf. $10 or so and bought one for me and one for H ( don’t remember what) and both were groaned over. If we do one again in the future (6 years running but have stopped) I think I will have a prize for the worst choice brought. Oh! the best ever was a large painting from Goodwill. It was awful. Wrapped nicely.
Whoever “won” it left it on our front porch as they were leaving–found it the next day :))
I once found a wall clock in my inlaws’cabin. It was just a nondescript cheap plastic wall clock, but glued around the edge was a black feather boa. They were throwing it away so I claimed it and it went in a white elephant exchange. The teenage boy that opened it loved it, his parents less so!
I once found a wall clock in my inlaws’cabin. It was just a nondescript cheap plastic wall clock, but glued around the edge was a black feather boa. They were throwing it away so I claimed it and it went in a white elephant exchange. The teenage boy that opened it loved it, his parents less so!
I second lottery tickets. $15 worth of scratch offs are a lot of fun for the recepient.
Has anyone mentioned an assortment of hot sauces. Seems like World Market has these for less than $10 and up.
Oh, I bet that would be popular. Going near a World Market tomorrow, will stop in to check that out.
The other thing I thought of that I would find useful would be a basket or bag of pretty paper dessert plates, napkins, etc. I have a weird obsession with fun napkins especially in the summer! TJ/HomeGoods is another great place for these items. Or even a basket of gift wrapping supplies - I never seem to have it when I need it! Also at TJ/HG - inexpensive wrap and great quality - they have great cards too!
I just bought 3 different games at prices ranging from $5-$12.50 (50-75% off). I think any of them would be fun grab bags.
One year D got a knife set because she didn’t want it but could tell no one else at the swap did either (they did like the fancy fountain pen she had brought). She feigned excitement about it and brought it home. We called around and found it a new home where it is cherished and use often by dear family friends. Phew!