Posts Tagged ‘White Elephant’

Graveling SOLD – White elephant gift auction

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 auction and white elephant exchange for your next gathering and be amazed at the fun and conversation that you will start. Remember that the most important component of the white elephant party is the gifts. Suggest that your guest find the most unique, zany and fun white elephant gifts so that the conversation will be lively and the bidding will be strong.

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 items 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 item
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 item 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 item into the auction bidding. For example a bid could be: I will give $100 dollars and this great ???? for your ????. If the winning bidder has a gift they will exchange the item 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 item.
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 item.

#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!

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PartyWeDo
The AlbinoPhant Creators
Your Party 2.0 Specialists

White elephant gifts that get “handled”

The white elephant gift exchange party is a social gift sharing event used extensively during the holiday season. Many groups play the standard version of the game, with the standard white elephant gift exchange rules.

Our recreational specialists strive to provide you with some interesting new twists to this traditional gift party, so we have designed the online white elephant gift party for those who have distance to contend with. But if you live close to friends and family you might want to try the Handel’s Gift Can-Share-Go this season.

The Party Rules

The party room is set-up just like the regular white elephant gift exchange or Yankee Swap party, with seating so that all players can have access to a gift pile.

Everyone purchases a fun or unique white elephant gift for the exchange and wraps it so that it is disguised. Hosts are encouraged to set a spending limit for the invitees so that all the gifts will be on an even par.

The Handel’s Gift Can-Share-Go has one unique rule that other white elephant exchanges usually don’t include. Each unique white elephant gift must be “Handled” as many times as possible before the game is over.

You will still need a random name draw to pick the playing order, just like other white elephant games.

The host should purchase some colored dots. These dots are placed on each open gift so that you can track how many times the gift has been “Handled”. Each time an open gift is touched by another player, it is given a dot.

The traditional white elephant “rule of three” does not apply in this gift exchange game. Instead the idea is to see which gifts get “Handled” the most. The thinking is that the most popular gift will get passed around more than any others. More handling yields more dots on the gift.

Step #1 Pull the first name from the hat and this person selects one unopened gift. Place a colored dot on the white elephant gift to signify that it has been ”Handled” once. The player’s name is returned to the hat for future name drawing.

Step #2 This first player has the option of keeping the gift or “Sharing” it with another player. Sharing simple requires passing it off to any other player. Sharing a gift requires that another dot be placed on the opened gift.

Step#3 If the player Shares the white elephant gift they must wait for another gift opening opportunity from the random drawing to make a play for a gift.

Step#4 The next name is drawn at random. Player 2 can steal a gift or open a wrapped gift from the pile. If the random name-draw lands on a player with an open gift, then they have the option to “Share” with any player who is empty handed, or Swap with any player who is handling another gift.

Step #5 If a player has a gift stolen, they have the option to open a wrapped gift or steal any open gift. The stealing rule is just like regular white elephant gift exchanges: No Direct Steal-Backs!

Step #6 Play continues with names drawn at random and gifts Handled, Shared, Stolen, and dotted. The game ends when all the white elephant gifts are opened..

Your going to love this white elephant party!

 

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PartyWeDo
The AlbinoPhant Creators
Your Party 2.0 Specialists

White elephant exchange + spin the bottle!

The popular white elephant gift party and the game called spin the bottle can now be joined for some gift sharing fun. This is a great way to add some variety to your group gift parties this year.

 

If you are doing a traditional white elephant party instead of an online gift exchange like AlbinoPhant, then the white elephant spin the bottle game will make your party even more fun than ever.

You will need to set-up the room so that all of the chairs are in a circle and spread apart enough to easily identify a player turns when the bottle is pointing at them.

Remember that unique white elephant gifts are the secret to creating fun conversation during the party. Encourage every one to take some time to shop for something fun.

It is better if you have a hard surface for the bottle to spin upon, so use a table top or do the party on a hard flooring surface.

Just like any white elephant gift exchange, you should gather all of the wrapped items into one spot and get everyone seated.

#1 The game starts with all players in their seats.

#2 Someone spins the bottle until it points at one of the players (re-spin if there is any question as to who it is selecting)

#3 The first person selected by the bottle opens one of the gifts from the wrapped gift pile.

#4 The bottle spins and selects the next player, who can ether open one of the wrapped items, or steal the opened gift.

#5 If a player has a item stolen they can ether open a replacement gift or steal from another players opened gift. (Remember, no direct steal-backs)

#6 The bottle spins again after the stealing and opening have stopped.

#7 If the bottle  lands on a person with an open gift, they have the option of swapping their current opened item with another persons opened gift, or donating it to a player that does not currently have any gift. If they donate, then they must open one of the wrapped gifts from the pile.

#8 Continue play using the bottle as the turn selector, until all the gifts have been opened.

We have included some instructional slides that will help you understand the rules of the white elephant spin the bottle gift exchange game.

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PartyWeDo
The AlbinoPhant Creators
Your Party 2.0 Specialists

The Yankee Swap rules build group fun

The white elephant gift exchange is also known as the Yankee Swap in some areas of the country. Both are very engaging social party activities that allow fun gift sharing among friends and family.

Yankee Swap Video

Watch this time elapse video of a group gift exchange party. Thisvideo demonstrates the white elephant gift sharing action that takes place within the party game.

We counted about 25 people in this gift exchange video, that looks like it was hosted in a typical living room. The Yankee Swap rules are the same as the white elephant git exchange, so gifts are opened, stolen and conversation is created. You can get a feel for the fun in the party by watching this in quick-time view.

What is interesting is the social dynamics created as a result of the party. If you watch the last few seconds of the video you will see how conversations and groupings continued even after the clean-up was finished.

Group white elephant gift parties are greatly enhanced by using an engaging game like the Yankee Swap. It is no wonder that this game or its cousin the white elephant gift exchange are the most popular group parties during the holidays.

swap 2010 time lapse from Roy Hodgman on Vimeo.

Using this gift exchange activity will allow your group to share unique and zany gifts without breaking the bank. It is these fun gifts that really add to the conversation and social engagement that will make your party even more memorable.

Our family has enjoyed this style of gift exchange for many years so we have created an online version of this party game. Much of the same dynamics can be mimicked in the AlbinoPhant white elephant party.

Your going to love this party!

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PartyWeDo
The AlbinoPhant Creators
Your Party 2.0 Specialists

A White Elephant is really an Albino Elephant

Everyone has heard the term white elephant, but did you know why they are considered white? As white elephant gift exchange experts it is our job to share the facts with the world.

The word Albino was first used in 1777 and is from the Portuguese language. The albino elephant is an animal that is lacking normal hide pigmentation. The result is that the skin and the hair are abnormally white or milky and the eyes have a pink or blue iris with a deep-red pupil. The light colored hide and light toe nails is the reason that they were called white elephants.

Albino elephants are extremely rare and unique. We have included some images of recent sightings as examples. You will notice that these white elephants do have a distinct albino look.

The AlbinoPhant Website

We have chosen the name AlbinoPhant for this white elephant gift sharing website, in honor of the great and rare white elephant.  This site is also the home of a unique online white elephant gift exchange, the first internet version of the traditional white elephant party. Like the sighting of a rare albino elephant, AlbinoPhant is a unique and wonderful way to share fun white elephant gifts with family and friends no matter where they live. We are proud to share this fun world of gift giving with the rare albino elephant or white elephant.

On this site you can also learn the history of the white elephants and the source of the white elephant gift exchange here on the Albinophant blog.

Some Real White Elephants

Albino elephants are not usually white, but instead they have more of a reddish-brown or pink hue. They really appear pink when they are wet. We are not sure if the pink elephant that is associated with  drunken hallucinations is because of the wet-look of these white elephants.

These unique white elephants are so rare that we really don’t know how they turn out the way they do. All that is known is that they are still a prized possession within the royal class in many Asian nations.

MORE White Elephant Images Here

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PartyWeDo
The AlbinoPhant Creators
Your Party 2.0 Specialists

White elephant facts and myths

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White Elephant as a gift…

In popular culture the term “White Elephant” refers to an object that isn’t worth very much or something that the current owner doesn’t particularly want to keep. Many feel that these  gifts are something worthy of re-gifting at the next holiday party. Wacky, crazy or unique white elephant gifts are common words used to search the internet for presents during the holidays. But is this really what a white elephant gift represents?

White Elephant as an object…

Some label a project that has an enormous production cost with little apparent future return, as a white elephant. There have been naval ships, sports stadiums and even huge water projects which some term as a “white elephant”. Many times these  projects create a huge political debate that lasts for decades. Is an expensive project anything like a real white elephant?

These descriptions represent a few of the myths and false representations of the real facts concerning the white elephant.

The White Elephant is an animal…

How on earth did a unique animal like the albino (white) elephant gain this reputation as a useless and unwanted gift, or the object of potential financial ruin? This is particularly interesting when the actual history of these rare  elephants revolves around an animal of very high value and with the sacred respect of its admirers.

In Thailand and Burma for example, people traditionally believe that white elephants will bring power, fertility and prosperity to those who posses the animal. These albino elephants are very rare and highly prized within these Asian cultures. Historically, anyone who owned one of these creatures was required to treat it better than any other animal in the barnyard. These elephants would live in luxurious housing, and would be adorned with fine robes and jewels. The special elephant would have a dedicated keeper who groomed and pampered the beast daily. It would dine on the finest cuisine, and receive visitors who would admire and even worship it!

As a result, the only people who could really afford to keep white elephants tended to be kings, emperors and the very rich. This privileged class of elephant owners would insure that their magnificent pets had the best possible care and pampering. In addition, they wanted their prized albino elephants to live a very long time – for legend held that the death of a royal  elephant foretold disaster and tragedy for its owner.

White elephants were often presented as gifts from one wealthy owner to another as a symbol of friendship and respect between mutual admirers. The gift of a white elephant was similar to someone receiving a Pulitzer Prize today.

The origin of the white elephant myth…

Many believe that our modern interruption of a “white elephant” started when the King of Siam gave an albino elephant to one of the members of his court that had fallen from favor. It is unknown if this story is completely true or if it has been embellished through the decades. Regardless, the story suggests that the king gave him a sacred royal elephant as a gift, with the stipulation that he take great care of this treasured animal or suffer a disaster in his family.

But here’s the catch. Think about how much it would cost to feed an ordinary elephant – then imagine caring for a sacred elephant in a way that was expected by cultural norms. The story suggests that the costs of upkeep for this wonderful gift bankrupted the man of lesser wealth and the King therefore got his revenge.

And so we have our modern day concept of white elephants. These words came to symbolize a prized possession whose maintenance cost exceeded its worth. It is a myth and a great misrepresentation of the real value of an important and thoughtful gift from one admirer to another.

White elephant parties and gifts…

The white elephant gift party is a holiday tradition in North America, and because of the myth of the white elephant gift, we think of the event as a place to pass off our hand-me-downs or re-gifting items. The fact is that this idea is OK, because the days of Siamese and Burmese kings are passed and so are the real white elephants. Still, many thoughtful shoppers purchase new gifts for the party that are unique, wacky and crazy.

The importance of the gift exchange really is the opportunity to gather and to share gifts among family and friends.

WARNING: If you were to invite a Burmese king to your party – don’t tell him his white elephant gift is worthless!

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PartyWeDo
The AlbinoPhant Creators
Your Party 2.0 Specialists

Sitting an elephant down is challenging

Because we are the white elephant gift exchange headquarters, we feel it is our responsibility to instruct you on how an elephant gets on its Hindquarters.  So here are the details for sitting an elephant…

Getting an elephant to sit requires a combination of patience and some physical effort before the massive pachyderm will finally sit back on its haunches. Regardless of the effort, any circus worth its salt needs several sitting elephants to fill the seats in the tent. So training elephants to sit is a much bigger deal than just a regular party trick.

Elephant physiology suggests, and elephant trainers know, that these animals can sit down; it is just not something that they do regularly and especially on command. Intense training shifts an elephant’s paradigm from a four-legged position to one where sitting on the hindquarters becomes a regular part of the show. It takes a great deal of work between trainer and elephant to change the thinking, so this long process is not a party for the elephant or the instructor.

Changing a pattern of action is always a challenge, and takes work.

AlbinoPhant, the online white elephant party is changing the paradigm of group gift giving. The challenge is to change our thinking from location-based parties to internet-based gift sharing activities. Up until now we would gather in one room to sit as a group for the gift exchange. The family room, the church basement or the office conference room was the normal gathering place for these fun activities between family or friends. But distance and time have made this action more challenging for many groups and all seek a better way to share gifts.

New social applications like Facebook and YouTube have demonstrated that distance can be bridged using the internet. Groups can now gather and share conversation in a virtual space, changing the dynamics of personal interaction using a computer screen.

AlbinoPhant takes the virtual conversation one step further by allowing fun white elephant gifts to join the conversation and groups to gather for a traditional party game online. The AlbinoPhant gift exchange is not limited by the confines of the old family room, as the online party can span any distance, gathering all who want to support one another during important life events. Personal interactions can now play-out online as gifts are revealed on the computer screen and then delivered by UPS in the days that follow the party.

Like the training for a sitting elephant, we continue our work to make the online party become “The Greatest Show on Earth” for families and friends.

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PartyWeDo
The AlbinoPhant Creators
Your Party 2.0 Specialists

Images of Elephants in the Room

To further our understanding of the use of the Elephant in our language and our art, we have included some fun images of the elephant in the room. We have also included some of the context that are supported by this imagery.

We believe that the tyranny of distance is the elephant in the room for families and friends when it comes time to share gifts with each other. This is why we have created an online platform for sharing gifts, no matter the distance..

Enjoy these images of the elephants in the room…

Elephant in the boardroom.
Venture Beat suggests that multi-billion dollar funds could soon be a thing of the past, so the investment firms are ignoring the possibility, thus and elephant in the room.

Elephant in the Room represents net neutrality.
The Sponge-ist blog discusses a massive elephant in the room in the debate over abandoning net neutrality?

Elephant in the Room and Poetry
Amy Abrahams shared this image and a poem concerning the elephant in the room.

The 800 lb nuclear elephant in the room
Pamela Geller likens political posturing to a large elephant in the room when it comes to government policy for Iran.

Elephant in the Room and blogging

Fuel Your Blogging posted that some stories like Haiti, create an Elephant in the room when it comes to planning a blog post.

The elephant in the room for many families during important gift events is the missing people who could not attend the party. Sharing time together is an important social support system and we feel badly whenever someone is left out of the activity.

This is the reason that many chose to stay connected online using various web-based tools.

How are you addressing the elephant in the room?

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PartyWeDo
The AlbinoPhant Creators
Your Party 2.0 Specialists

35 great Secret Santa poems

You may not be aware of the fact that poetry and gift exchange events have a long partnership in fun; they have a lot of connections when it comes to these group party events. Whenever a group gets together in creative conversation there usually arises an opportunity for a fun gift exchange poem to be generated.

There are many poems associated with Christmas, Santa Clause or Kris Kringle. We will not catalog them all here, but will instead focus on those associated with the secret Santa exchange and then we will share an old favorite white elephant party poem.

This list of unique gift exchange poems has been collected from books, magazines and the internet, so we hope that you will find something fun to share at your next office, church or family gift swap event.

Secret Santa Poems

The majority of gift exchange poems are used during a secret Santa gift swap events. Poetry is used as a way of sharing hints and suggestions as to the identity of the secret Santa.  The rules of a secret Santa exchange revolve around keeping the identity of the purchaser camouflaged as long as possible, before the time arrives for the gifts to be opened.  Much of the fun generated by the exchange is created through attempting to identify who is sharing the poems while attempting to learn who is sharing the gift.
Some secret Santa events allow people to share several small gifts or trinkets that act as hints and point to what the “big” gift is going to be. Or they may be used as hints as to the identity of the sly Santa who purchased the present. Some poems blend in the first letter of the Santa’s name and then suggest other traits that might help with discovering identity. Online secret Santa applications may find ways to use poems to help increase the conversation and the fun on their sites.

Many poems give a clue as to if the gift is something that you would hear, smell, read, watch or wear. The trickiest Santas use poems that point to the style of gift that is coming in the future with cleaver hints in the poem. Poetry allows creativity and fun to help the party turn into an extended adventure for both the secret Santa and the recipient of the gift.

We will not spend much time on the rules of the secret Santa game on this page, but you can find many different gift exchange rules here on the AlbinoPhant Blog.

This is a gift especially for you,
I’m your Secret Santa, I bet you can’t guess who.
Accept this gift with a smile on your face,
And expect another one soon in it’s place.

Spread holiday cheer to family and friends,
Because the joy of Christmas never ends.
I’m a top secret Santa on a mission to surprise. But here are two clues for your two little eyes: I’m (fill in a clue) and (fill in a clue) and that’s all I can say, ’till you get the last clue on the big reveal day!

A whiffin’, sniffin’ gift,
Especially for you.
It’s from “Secret Santa”
Bet you can’t guess who!

Twas the first day of giving and all through the place
Not a person was lurking not even a trace
So I tiptoed my way to your desk down the hall
And dropped off this gift, Gosh! I’m having a ball!

My elves have been busy making this gift just for you,
They told me you’re special but I already knew.
As your Secret Santa I hope you’ll enjoy,
This heartfelt sentiment and new little toy.

Jingle, jangle, what do I hear?
It’s not a reindeer sleigh–
It must be Secret Santa,
Hurrying on his way.

Santa knows you need some cheer and a lift,
So please accept this card and this little gift.
Just remember that wherever you go,
You have family and friends that love you so.

Here’s a present for you I hope you’re surprised,
I’m your Secret Santa Claus in disguise.
The tradition is fun and done every year,
You’re my first choice because you’re such a dear.

Who’s Secret Santa? Here’s a clue, she likes to ____ and likes you too!

It’s not a house, a car, or a boat. It’s a secret Santa gift with a silly little note!

I’m prancing and dancing all over the place
Because I’ve left you a gift with ‘neary a trace
I’m really quite proud of the way that I’ve been
Able to stay secret – it sure makes me grin!

Winkin’, blinkin, just don’t nod.
This gift is for your eyes.
It’s from Secret Santa too,
By now, that’s no surprise.

This special gift is just for you,
I hope you’ll enjoy it the whole year through.
As Christmas approaches you’ll find out who,
Your Secret Santa is and who’s fond of you.

Who could my Santa be? A he or a she? Open the gift, and a hint you will see.

Yummy, yummy, tummy tingling.
A tasty, tempting treat.
Won’t you be surprised
When we finally meet!

Here’s a present for you I hope you’re surprised,
I’m your Secret Santa Claus in disguise.
The tradition is fun and done every year,
You’re my first choice because you’re such a dear.

Who is secret Santa? Her first name ends with “y”. She’s agile and intelligent. And she likes to bring pie.

Who is secret Santa? His name begins with “h”. He’s always working overtime, but doesn’t stay late.

In through the door I flew like a flash
Set down your gift, I hope it’s a smash!
Then with a twinkle and gleam in my eye
I quickly disappeared before you could spy
I can’t let you see me I have to be quick
You don’t know my name ’cause I’m your secret St. Nick!

You may not like the gift that’s inside, but please remember to act surprised.

If you hear someone yell though they aren’t in your sight
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
You’re not hearing things and it’s not a trick
It’s really just me, your secret St. Nick

Santa’s been busy making your gift. Hope it gives your Christmas spirit a lift.

This final gift–for the sense of touch–
Might be a bit surprising.
I’m sure you know just who I am,
Without realizing.

I’m a secret Santa. This gift contains a hint. Please pretend you like it ’cause the money has been spent.

Jingle, jangle, what do I hear?
It’s not a reindeer sleigh–
It must be Secret Santa,
Hurrying on his way.

Here is a treat I hope you find sweet. I’m keeping the best gift until we meet.

I’m giggling and laughing and shouting with glee
I’ve left you another gift
But you still haven’t seen me!

Who is secret Santa? Her name contains an “i”. She loves to make photocopies but can’t tell you why.

A whiffin’, sniffin’ gift,
Especially for you.
It’s from “Secret Santa”
Bet you can’t guess who!

Santa’s been working nearly a year to craft you a gift that brings you great cheer.

What to my wondering eyes did appear
An opportunity to drop off this gift
For someone quite dear…

This is a gift especially for you,
I’m your Secret Santa, I bet you can’t guess who.

Accept this gift with a smile on your face,
And expect another one soon in it’s place.
Spread holiday cheer to family and friends,
Because the joy of Christmas never ends.

On day number 3 I snuck past the door
With a clever disguise to even the score
For I’m your Secret Santa and I can’t let your eyes
Rest on my face and spoil the surprise!

Filling Your Stocking With Chocolate Belongings.

This special gift is just for you,
I hope you’ll enjoy it the whole year through.
As Christmas approaches you’ll find out who,
Your Secret Santa is and who’s fond of you.

We would like to thank Sugardoodle for this great poem that can be adapted for most gift exchange events that involve drawing random numbers. Use this white elephant gift poem to living up your next white elephant gift exchange or Yankee Swap. Now let’s get a party started a share some poetry!

1. Lucky you, you’re # 1

You get to start all the fun.

So grab a gift and grab it quick.

Cause you’re the one who gets first pick.

2. Number 2 you’re on the way.

It’s time for you to have your say.

Get your gift and when you’re done,

Swap it off with number 1.

3. Number 3 its plain to see.

It’s your turn to pick which gift `twill be.

And when your choosing job is through,

Swap with 1 and then with 2.

4. Number 4 must use your head.

So grab a gift that has some red.

If it doesn’t suit you to a `T’,

You may swap with 2 or 3.

5. Jump to it 5, don’t drag your feet.

Take your gift back to your seat.

Wonder of wonders, it’s yours for a spell.

But what comes next, you can never tell.

6. Number 6 it’s your time to go.

Grab a gift and don’t be slow.

Now put on a smile so they won’t be sore,

Cause you must swap with #4.

7. Is a lucky number it seems,

You choose a gift that has some green.

Poke it, and shake it until you get back.

Now trade with someone wearing black.

8. Number 8 its up to you.

To get a gift that has some blue.

Now go quietly to your place.

Or trade with someone with a smiling face.

9. Nine, we haven’t forgotten you.

So choose your gift and don’t be blue.

Consider well and when all is said.

Trade with someone wearing red.

10. Number 10 come to the front.

For yours you shouldn’t have to hunt.

Now hurry back and look alive.

For you get to swap with #5.

11. Your turn 11 is finally here.

Pick a gift and hold it near.

Back at your seat look both ways.

If your choice was right then it may stay.

12. Number 12 jump to it sir/girl.

Make your choice, and with a whirl

Glance around to see who’s where.

Swap with whomever’s got the darkest hair.

13. Well, now, what do you know.

It’s finally 13′s turn to go.

There you go, you’re doing fine.

Now swap with 3 or 6 or 9.

14. Number 14 it’s your turn to shine.

So find a gift and don’t you pine.

Somewhere you really have a friend.

You get to trade with number 10.

15. Number 15 how do you do?

There should be a fit up there for you.

So pick one out without delay.

Now trade with someone wearing gray.

16. Number 16 your patience is great.

Go get a gift and don’t be late.

When your return, spin around.

And switch with someone wearing brown.

17. 17 your choice is here.

Find a box and hold it near.

When you return and look behind.

Swap with 11 if you don’t mind.

18. Number 18 boogie to the tree.

Choose the largest gift you see.

Admire it well, then turn with a wink.

And swap with someone wearing pink.

19. Now #19, do as you’re told.

Find a gift which has some gold.

When you’ve chosen we must be fair,

Trade with whoever has the blondest hair.

20. Number 20 how patiently you’ve waited.

Go get a gift before it’s outdated.

Shake it a bit and look around the floor.

Swap it with someone who’s five feet four.

21. 21 it’s time for fun.

For swapping time has just begun.

After trading with 4 and 9.

Swap with two even numbers–That’s fine.

22. 22 it’s time to make your way.

Get a gift that’s pretty and gay.

Now get ready to use your bean.

You must swap with 8 and 14.

23. 23 your turn has come.

Choose your gift with a lithe hum.

Look it over and when you’re through.

You may swap with a number having 2.

24. Number 24 have you been bored?

Well, we’d like to show you you’re adored.

So choose a box, see what you get.

Now you may trade with a brunette.

25. Let’s go 25, look alive.

Pick a gift of any size.

Show the gang that you’re O.K.

And swap with anyone you say.

26. It’s time for 26 to mix.

Get a gift if just for kicks.

For you’re to trade, if you have the knack.

With anyone whose shoes aren’t black.

27. Number 27 how lucky you are.

You’ve seen all the gifts chosen so far.

If a pretty box catches your eye.

Grab it, make a trade, and don’t be shy.

28. Hop up 28, don’t drag your feet.

Study your gift as you reach your seat.

Now grin a bit and smile some more.

Trade with 22, then 24.

29. Number 29 you must wake up.

Run up there as spry as a pup.

Make your choice, isn’t this keen?

But you must swap with 17.

30. Number 30 your wait was long.

But when we’re through you’ll sing a song.

Just look them over from small to large.

See a favorite? Then forward charge!

31. Number 31, how about that?

On your chair so long you’ve sat.

But get a gift, it’s not too late.

And trade with 30, 20, and 8.

32. O.K. 32, jump up quick,

And snatch your prize.

Then trade with the person

With the bluest eyes.

33. Well 33 it’s here at last.

You may break your giftless fast.

Gaze around at all the lasses.

Trade with someone wearing glasses.

34. 34, can there be more?

This poetry may be a bore.

Find your gift and look around.

Swap with the youngest member found.

35. 35, it is really true?

That 34′s rhymes now are through.

Well, choose your gift, now you see.

You trade with two numbers having 3.

36. 36 your waits been endless.

But now you know that you’re not friendless.

Look around and “case the scene”.

Then swap with someone wearing green.

37. 37 the end is near.

But have a gift, and never fear.

Now let’s shake up the early ones, like 7.

Trade with odd numbers through 11.

38. 38, it’s your choosing time.

Please make it better than this rhyme.

When you have it, look around.

And trade with those from out of town.

39. 39, go to the tree.

Choose the smallest gift you see.

If you wish to make a trade.

Find the largest that was made.

40. 39′s turn is finally past.

It’s number 40′s turn at last.

Find your gift and make a date,

To swap with #38.

41. 41 are you still awake?

Go get a gift for heaven’s sake.

Pick it up nice and quick.

Then trade with numbers having six.

42. Guess whose turn has come up now.

42, please take a bow.

Choose your gift, isn’t it keen.

Now trade with 15 and 19.

43. Oh my goodness, it’s getting late.

43, let’s see your fate.

Go get yours, sakes alive.

You have to trade with 25.

44. On we go to 44.

There must be at least one more.

Take your pick, are you in heaven?

Alas, you’ll swap with 27.

45. 45, it’s time for you.

Guess what it is you have to do.

Trade with 28, then 29.

Now you can say, “This one is mine!”

46. Skip on over 46.

Time for you to stir and mix.

Make your choice and then connive,

To swap with #35.

47. 47, we’re now to you.

There’s a gift for you there, too.

Isn’t this a lot of fun?

Now trade with 40, then 41.

48. 48, there’s not much left.

Still we won’t leave you bereft.

Maybe you’ll choose an old, rare wine.

Would you like to swap with 39?

49. 49, are your eyes still open?

Are you sitting there just hopin’?

Trot on up, what’s your fate?

Then trade with number 48.

50. We’ll wrap this up with #50.

We bet what’s left is really nifty.

However, one last swap is due.

With the gal who’s sitting left of you.

We hope that these Secret Santa gift exchange poems will inspire you to share more gift experiences with your family and friends. We love to focus on white elephant gifts as a part of our secret Santa events. If you would like to try the AlbinoPhant white elephant gift party online click HERE

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PartyWeDo
The AlbinoPhant Creators
Your Party 2.0 Specialists

One of the results of a changing economy is what the new austerity has wrought upon the American public. It seems that the trendy “go-go-consumption” trends have turned on a dime and now traditional priorities are winning the day. This is especially true when we discuss the holiday season this year.

A recently released study by Sears, and reported in Marketing Daily suggests that; “Some 90% of those it surveyed say that because of the challenging economy, they are more focused on celebrating family traditions.”

Other studies are suggesting that more than 75% of Americans are realizing that connecting with traditional family activities is what will make them happier during the holidays.

New family traditions are also a high priority, and the Sears study suggests that group gift giving activities like Secret Santa gift exchanges will be a priority this year. Setting spending limits on these gift opportunities is also an important consideration during tight financial times, and the study suggests that 63% of us will do just that. Gift exchange formats also reduce the overall gift purchasing volume needed among the family, saving even more resources.

Some marketers are skeptical that this new traditionalism will have staying power, once the recession is past and better times arrive. But it is possible that the rise in social networks and the fall in expendable income will alter family trends forever.

One trendy industry is going to really benefit from these traditional family leanings. That would be social media, and some web-based mimics which provide traditional experiences for family members. Facebook has positioning itself as the alternative solution to actually driving to Grandmas house for Thanksgiving. Especially for those who can’t afford the fuel this year. Images and comments are not a perfect substitute for the taste of turkey, but at least it is a connection to the traditions of the past. As more learn the systems and find them to be acceptable substitutes, the mimics will become the new traditions for family gathering. Online solutions break down distance constraints and expand the connections far beyond what was possible in Grandma’s confined living room.

The social activities like White Elephant parties or Yankee Swaps can now combine traditional family gift sharing and conversation, without spending money on fuel or travel. These online mimics provide, at least in part, the family feeling that would be lost by not being able to show up in person.

So the economic realities of today are building a desire to reconnect with the traditions of the past, while creating the systems that will become the trends of the future.

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PartyWeDo
The AlbinoPhant Creators
Your Party 2.0 Specialists