There are many opportunities to enjoy free services on the internet. You can find free applications, free games and free advice in abundance right there in your browser.  Imaginary gift giving is even joining the virtual and free world.

But the real-world still includes real gift giving as a way of demonstrating love and support among family and friends.  It seems hard to believe that this supportive tradition will ever be replaced with something that is completely free.  Real gifts cost real money. This is even true for the traditional white elephant gift exchange, where everyone provides a gift and everyone takes away a gift.

Seth Godin shared some insight on when free is valuable and when paying for something is necessary. His thoughts focused on monetizing a web-based business, but because we are a gift-based service provider we felt his words confirm the value of real gift giving.

“My argument is that the line for using free as a discovery tool is shifting, and the best (and perhaps only) way to monetize in the future is for the idea to be encased in something that could never realistically be free.” (Seth Godin)

As an online provider for real gift-giving, we believe that this process could never realistically be free. Of course, the receiver of a birthday or wedding gift pays nothing, but the giver must spend money on a gift to provide the support. in the case of distance, the supportive gift-giver also pays the transportation costs associated with seeing that the gift arrives.

Could gifts ever be at no-cost to anyone?  That doesn’t seem possible unless a new mommy will accept a virtual baby blanket to keep her infant warm. It seems like the baby shower, the wedding reception and the birthday party will continue to fuel robust sales in the gift segment of the economy.  The same could be said for the white elephant gift exchange tradition. Real gifts purchased with real money are here to stay, unless the Government passes an “All Scrooge, all the time” policy.

Mr. Godin’s suggestion is that any sustainable online application must be based upon things that realistically must be purchased. Business will only survive where there is a continuous cash flow for operations.

The argument for using “free” as a discovery tool has merit, so we are offering free test-drives of the online white elephant gift exchange.  If you host a party using the code 1234, none of the attendees will have to pay to play.

Of course without paying for a real gift, you will be playing with just the virtual images of the white elephant gifts.  But at least you can see how much fun and convienent it is to use the great tools of the internet to share real gifts with your family and friends.

You are going to love this party!

The most complete list of gift exchange rules anywhere!

The white elephant and secret Santa gift exchanges are the most popular gift swapping parties for groups during the holidays. Similar group gift parties are used by direct sales companies like Tupperware every day of the year. The PartyWeDo recreational experts monitor the gift exchange industry to assist you in finding the best ways to share gifts with family and friends. Our team has collected the most complete list of gift exchange rules and suggestions available on the web. We encourage you to share these ideas with your friends and family.

On the right side of the page is a line of buttons that will take you to various white elephant and other gift swap ideas. We hope that you will try any variety of these great party games for your next group gathering.

Your Going to LOVE this Party!

In every style of gift exchange game there is a requirement that everyone bring a wrapped white elephant gift to the party. Keeping the identity of the purchaser of each gift is an important part of the fun. Some gift exchange games like the White Elephant Secret Shopper game use the secret identity of each gift purchaser as a part of the fun so secrecy is critical. Do not put your name on the gift, and try to be as stealthy as possible with your gift delivery to the party host.

It is the responsibility of the party host to collect and administer the gifts for the exchange. Some hosts require that all wrapped white elephant gifts arrive in a garbage bag to conceal their identity. It is recommended that hosts meet players at the door to collect the gifts and to keep track of how many gifts are available for the exchange. Most gift exchanges require that all of the gifts are gathered together in one spot for the game-play activity. Hosts should set up the room so that all players can have easy access to the presents during the exchanging process.

Gifts are the center piece of a successful gift exchange party so the host must establish some rules or guidelines for the white elephant gifts.

The white elephant or Yankee Swap gifts should:
* Have a suggested price range… Hosts should set a price limit for gifts so that people don’t become to extravagant or go too cheap. Most gift exchange party gifts fall between 15 and 35 dollars each. The exception to this rule is the Bridal Gift Exchange Party or the Birthday Gift Exchange Party where gift pricing is not so much of an issue, because the bride or birthday person is getting all the gifts anyway.
* Be tasteful… This is a very subjective rule depending upon the crowd that is invited to the party. The host should give some guidelines concerning adult themes or other embarrassing products if some of the invitees might find them offensive. Don’t stifle the creative or fun white elephant gifts from coming to the party, just be sensitive to the crowd and use common sense.
* Inspire conversation…. Creating fun banter and friendly conversation is the hallmark of a great party. Suggest to all players that they use some creativity when it comes to selecting a gift. (Here are some links to get your creative juices flowing from the AlbinoPhant marketplace)

15 Dollar Gifts

20 Dollar Gifts
25 Dollar Gifts
30 Dollar Gifts

35 Dollar Gifts

Finding gifts that are a balance between useful, desirable and just plain wacky is an art-form for the better gift exchange shoppers. Gift shopping for this type of party can be one of the most rewarding parts of the activity.

White Elephant gift parties have two schools of thought when it comes to gifts. One side suggests that white elephant gifts should come from the back of the closet or the dusty storage room. These people would love to play a White Elephant Regifting game, were all gifts are used or barely used. The other group follows a more historical perspective, suggesting that in ancient Siam white elephants were highly prized and important gifts (learn more about the Albino Elephants of Siam HERE). This group plays the gift exchange with newly purchased gifts. Ether way is perfectly fine and should work with any of the gift exchange rules listed here on the AlbinoPhant online white elephant party site.

The host must also decide before hand how the game playing order will be administered. A gift exchange is a turn-based activity, where players are selected randomly to take a turn in the game.

If the host chooses the White Elephant Spin the Bottle game, then attention must be paid to the room set-up and finding a bottle to spin. Most hosts use a numbering system and a container (hat, pot, basket, or bag) to provide a random number selection system. This will require several slips of paper with numbers to correspond to the number of gifts brought to the game. In the Online White Elephant Party the players are selected with a computer-controlled randomizer software program.

The game begins by gathering all players into their seats and identifying the leader of the game; usually the host is this person, but it could be anyone assigned to that duty. The rules of the party should be reviewed so that everyone is clear as to what to expect during the white elephant game. Remember to pay attention to unique rules if you are doing an exchange that is not traditional.

Gifts should be placed in the center of the seating area prior to the beginning of the game.

NOTE: We will describe the basic rules of game play for a traditional gift exchange activity and try to mention where there are variation in other types of white elephant gift parties.

The leader then uses the random selection devise (bottle or numbers in the container), to identify the first player of the game.

On the first turn, person #1 chooses a gift, opens it, and displays it to all of the other players. In the case of the White Elephant Gift Auction, the White Elephant Caroling Exchange or White Elephant Left Right games there will be other requirements for person #1 (see individual rule sheets for these games. Most hosts require that the opened gifts remain in full view of all players during the game (no “squirreling-away” a desirable gift from the other players).

The leader randomly selects the next player in the gift exchange.

On the second turn, person #2 gets the choice of “stealing” any unwrapped gift (#1′s) or choosing a wrapped one from the gift pile.

If the second player “steals” the gift from person #1, then person #1 can choose a replacement gift from the pile of wrapped presents. In all games there is no immediate steal-backs allowed ( person #1 can not re-steal the gift just taken by person #2) Stealing back a gift that was once in your possession must wait at least one-turn removed before stealing it back.

NOTE:  You will discover that the most exciting and unique white elephant gifts will build the most conversation.  Usually there will be one or two stand-out gifts that will get the conversation going and will be the target of most of the stealing.  We can’t stress enough that part of the fun of the party is the finding the best white elephant gift and then watching how your friends and family react to what you purchased, once it is revealed.  Now back to the rules…

The leader randomly selects the next player in the gift exchange game.

On the third turn, person #3 gets the choice of “stealing” any unwrapped gift (#1′s or #2′s) or choosing a wrapped one. Game continues based on the following:

1. – If a gift is stolen from you, you can steal a gift from someone else (see #3 and #4 below), or open a new one.

2. – Turns proceed until everyone has a gift. A turn is ended when a gift is opened and displayed to everyone.

3. – A gift cannot be stolen more than once in a turn.

4. – The third “owner” of any stolen gift gets to keep it – it is unavailable to be stolen again. This is the rule in the White Elephant 3 Steal game, but is completely broken in the White Elephant Commando party.

At the end of the last turn, the first person (who had no choice at the beginning) can choose to “exchange” any gift with any player that has a gift available (not stolen 3-times) for the taking. There are some people who choose to not have the first person make the final selection. This is up to you.

The game ends.

Our family has enjoyed white elephant parties for many years as a way to save money on gift giving. When our children left the nest we started playing the game online. AlbinoPhant is the online white elephant party that you can play with family and friends that don’t live close by. We have built this party game so that you host and then enjoy all of the same functions of the party that you would have at home, but with some exciting twists. If you and your guests have an email address and a computer you can play AlbinoPhant. We make the hosting process seamless and completely electronic.

This online party keeps track of your invitation list and then let’s you know who has RSVP’d to your party. You can set the pricing of your white elephant gifts for a level playing field. AlbinoPhant provides all of your guests a great gift shopping experience with markets powered by Amazon.

The game is structured just like the traditional party so you will see all the wrapped gifts and watch as gifts are opened and displayed. AlbinoPhant keeps track of who has which gift and randomly picks the turns. There is a comment area where players can express their thoughts and create lively banter. The extra benefits include picture posting and Youtube videos that will add to the fun. It is a social game that mimics everything that you would do in your living room at a regular gift exchange party. We know that you will have a great time in this online white elephant party…

If you want to give an online white elephant gift party a try you can use offer code 1234 when you host your own AlbinoPhant party.

We are always looking for unique ways to play the white elephant gift exchange party. If you have something to share, please send us an email at partywedo@gmail.com or post your idea here on this post.

We encourage you to share these ideas with family and friends by linking to this page or downloading and printing the rules for your event. Here is some HTML code that you can use for linking to our site:

We would appreciate if you would use the words:

when doing a link to our site

If you would like some other fun ideas for gift exchanges please explore other pages on this site. Have a great party!

The AlbinoPhant site can be your resource for many gift exchange events. If you are looking for Invitation ideas or Decorations and Treats you can find them on the pages of this gift exchange resource site. We are passionate about the white elephant gift exchange system and suggest this activity for any and all gift sharing events in your world.

For  about $15 dollars this white elephant gift will be a find great appeal in your next white elephant gift exchange. It is a combination set of wrist rattles and foot covers for babies.  Baby items are great conversation starters in these group gift party settings.

The rules of the white elephant gift exchange require that players open wrapped gifts and then allow others to make comments and possibly steal the gift away.  Traditionally the gift that gets stolen the most also receives the most comments. This rattle and foot cover systems definitely meets the conversation starter status needed for a popular white elephant gift.

The funniest part of this gift is its name:

Foot Finders

This gift has worked very well in the online version of the white elephant game because the complete description is displayed on the playing page when the gift is revealed. With the additional information on the product the players can take the conversation if several directions.  I could see one of my son’s attempting to gross everyone out with an image of an ugly toe that would need a toe-cover.

Even in a standard offline white elephant gift party or a Yankee Swap this set would rattle some conversation out of even the most stoic participant. .

You are going to love this party!

This white elephant gift idea is 100% MamaC endorsed!

Finding fun and unique ways to share gifts between family and friends is a challenge for every group. The white elephant gift exchange is a great tradition for gift sharing during the holidays, but sometimes it gets a little old-hat.

AlbinoPhant attempts to mix-up the fun by offering several variations of this classic party, including an online white elephant gift exchange.

Try a combination gift auction and white elephant exchange for your next gathering and be amazed at the fun and conversation that you will start.

The following white elephant gift exchange rules will help you host the white elephant auction party of the year…

Prepare for the white elephant party by going to the Dollar Store and get several packages of money. This is like the Monopoly money used in the board game.
Next, create several envelopes with varying totals between 200 and 500 dollars. We have found that $20 dollar or $50 bills are the best. Have each envelope contain a different total so that there is variety among the party participants.

On the day of the white elephant gift exchange, set the room up like you would for the traditional gift party. Make sure all players have easy access to the gift pile and that they sit where they can see everyone in the game.

#1 Put all the wrapped gifts in one place

#2 Put every players name into a hat

#3 Draw the first name, read it and then put it back into the hat.

#4 The first player opens a gift and shows it off.

#5 The first player can choose two options:
A Keep the gift
B. Start a White Elephant Auction

#6A If they keep the gift the next name is drawn from the hat and then the name is returned to the hat.

#7A Player two has the same two options, ether keep the gift (until stolen or swapped) or hold a white elephant auction)

#6B If they choose a white elephant auction, they will act as the auctioneer and start the bidding at any level that they think that they can get.

#7B All players can choose to make a bid for the gift and the auctioneer will give the gift to the highest bidder and collect the cash.

NOTE: Players that have an open gift can add the gift into the auction bidding. For example a bid could be: I will give $100 dollars and this great ???? gift for your ????gift. If the winning bidder has a gift they will exchange the gift and the money.

#8 Another name is drawn from the hat and then returned into the hat.

#9 Player selects from three options:
A. Steal another opened gift.
B. Open a new unopened gift and display it to others.
C. Hold a white elephant auction on any open gift in his/her possession.

#10 Following the actions of ether the steal, the open or the auction, the next name is drawn from the hat and returned.

#11 The next player again has the 3 options explained in #9.

#12 In the event that a player with an opened gift has their name pulled from the hat they have two options:
A. Swap for any other opened gift
B. Hold a White elephant auction for their existing gift so that they can open a new gift.

#13 Game play continues until every gift is opened.

#14 An option would be for the host to provide a prize for the person who has the most money left over at the end of the party.

You are going to love this party!

Every great white elephant gift boosts the level of fun when it provides a way to ignite great banter. This exercise video that “Banishes Fat” will always get a conversation started in a group of friends or family members.

I found this white elephant gift idea in the AlbinoPhant $15 dollar marketplace the other day and I could really see this gift ratcheting up the fun in your next exchange.

When a Fat Burning video is displayed in one of our family’s online white elephant party, someone would share an image of a heavily overweight image, or show a video clip from “People of Wal-mart”.

When this special white elephant gift is unwrapped during the party it will instantly be popular. 

TIME TO STEAL…!!!

Other gift exchange game players will see that they can finally clear that pesky traffic (not recommended) on the way to K-Mart for that big sale.

As MamaC, I get to select the white elephant gifts for the online gift parties that family and friends enjoy on AlbinoPhant.  I know that this blue-light flasher will get conversation going in your next white elephant party or at a Yankee Swap.

With this great white elephant gift conversation will head in several directions, including to K-Mart shopping memories or old Cop-show stereotypes.

Have some fun with this flashy gift…

This Special commercial “I know a Place!” should get your toe a tapping…

Put the words wedge, pregnancy and “Boppy” together in a group and someone will have something cleaver to say.

Cleaver banter is what makes the white elephant gift exchange a popular holiday event, and when friends and family members see this white elephant gift coming out of the box, they all will  teasie the new owner.

The fun will spin out of control from there!

You are going to love this Party Gift!

I selected this gift for the online white elephant gift exchange because I can see how much fun it would yield in the party.

Google “Boppy” and see if you could find something interesting to talk about….

I found this gift in the $15 dollar white elephant gift idea marketplace here in AlbinoPhant.

A nose for cool white elephant gifts

The white elephant gift exchange party is well known for the wacky and fun conversation that begins when the gifts are opened.

This white elephant gift should get the group a-buzz with funny comments and banter.

This nose trimmer is even lighted!

I found this in the $15 Online white elephant gift marketplace…

In the AlbinoPhant game any player in the online party can add images to the comment stream on the playing page. Here is an example of a fun image that could enhance the conversation.

A white elephant gift idea, MamaC recommended!

I can imagine how much fun conversation will be started when this gift is unwrapped during the white elephant gift exchange.

In my family someone would shout out “GO POTTY GO!” And the banter would go crazy…

If this white elephant gift was opened in the online white elephant party someone would probably find a Youtube video about potty training and share it in the comment wall of the game.

I hope that this gift idea will give you a creative direction for your next group party.

(This gift is from the $15 AlbinoPhant Gift Marketplace)

This is a fun conversation starter for your next white elephant gift exchange. This is a gift that I found in the $15 dollar AlbinoPhant marketplace.  I hope this gets your creative juices flowing and reduces fur-balls!

FURminator deShedding Tool