Whatever

Phil and I still buy presents for all of our grandkids. We just include the adults in the white elephant but you could totally include teenagers if you were all comfortable with that. Last year the gifts that were bought were adult games, an Alexa, an Amaretto gift set, a gourmet coffee set, a cooking seasoning set, shit I can’t remember the other one. Some of the gifts didn’t cost the full $30 so they supplemented little gifts to add to their gift to equal the full 30 amount. Like a coffee cup, a stainless steel water bottle, a package of funky socks, and a brownie in a cast iron pan.

 

You know how to make ice cream?

 

Yep, let operation #whiteelephantfromnowon commence! I'll let you folks know how it goes lol...I'm totally making my family do this next year.

Sure, can I do it remotely?

 

If you are someone who buys for a lot of people this will really cut back on your finances! Not to mention it was a lot of fun. Everyone was nice last year and nobody stole anybody’s gift. I have a feeling this year it will be a little more cutthroat.

 

I think our dilemma is we all enjoy buying gifts, but don't necessarily have a need to receive any. We've slowly moved to homemade items, maybe some sort of food or drink and an ornament. White elephant would be nice to force us all to equally cut back.

 

Our one rule is no gift cards. We wanted gifts that had thought and effort put into them.

 

we started out doing it at around $10 or $15 but you can only find so much shot for that price, With 15 to 20 people doing it you run out of ideas fast so we made the price higher.

We have only allowed kids like 13/14+ to do it. We have done extension cords, grill cook sets( spatula, source mops, etc) I did 7 or 8 different rolls of duck tape before. This year I have a small ish soft sided color that I’ll put a 6 pack of beer in.

we have also done box with lotto tickets and fire works in it,
I think mom or someone did a small blanket one time.

if you have a lot of guys or people who work on stuff a small took set or bag is a good idea( we have also done this)

 

Umm...could be tricky.

 

100% agree! There is zero fun in gift cards and we should all know each other well enough to get something unique to the individual. Everyone is getting jams this year lol...only made spicy so far and I've got to make some non spicy and no sugar added ones...beyond that I'm not sure what else.

One year everyone got hand painted ornaments, but that's way too much work to not plan that ahead and it's too late for me to come up with ideas.

 

there is another game my crazy aunt wanted to start. I’m not sure of the name but you give away something you already have.

 

I can mail lol.... My goal is to find a 100% remote working position within the next year. My current job allows me to work from home part time, but we're California based and I can't live outside the state and retain my job so I've got to start looking. Plus, my job has started sucking majorly since I last promoted so I'm not shedding any tears over leaving.

 

The only hard part about the white elephant is you have no idea who will choose the gift you purchased so you have to buy a gift that is geared towards everyone. Nothing personal and unisex.

 

There is a version of the white elephant where you bring something you already have, was it that? Another version is gag gifts. We chose to do real gifts. No one wanted to get anyone else’s shit from their house, Or spend the money on a gift that was a joke and possibly not useable.

 

My job started sucking 30 seconds after I clocked in on day one. Out of the 3 different places I've worked I had about a 4 year run doing a job I somewhat liked. But that's just a fading memory now.

 

Lots of jobs around here... but who the FUCK wants to move to Illinois, we’re wanting to move out!!

 

That sucks to hear. I really enjoyed my job prior to my promotion, but it still wouldn't have allowed me the flexibility of moving so I'd be looking elsewhere anyway :-(

Lol preaching to the choir here... Who wants to move to CA? No one, that's who....

 

I like to visit!

 

We try and get something that everyone can use or would like. If the 2 or 3 people that don’t like it end up with it at the end of the game they can find someone to swap with. This rule also apples if some one under 21 gets alcohol.

Maybe that’s it, I’m not really sure what she called it. It was my crazy aunts idea and everyone voted NO so we didn’t do it.




Also for anyone playing the game. If you want to change anything(price point, rules, or to keep doing or stop the game) Thanksgiving may be a good time to take votes on this if you get with the same family. P.S this is what we do.

 

I visited my brother in California once...never going back!!

 

It's really beautiful up north where we are, but I'm over living in a state that has a fire season.