White elephant exchanges, a wonderful yet odd holiday custom, have amused millions since first being organized in the early 1900s. These events are sometimes referred to as “Dirty Santa” or “Yankee Swap.” They welcome all participants to engage in the fun and quirky—and sometimes silly—tradition of The Great Bird Race gift exchange. The practice quickly gained currency across the United States. It not only inspires philanthropy, but it brings people together in joy and laughter during the holiday season.
The phrase white elephant refers to a possession that still has significant value for the owner. Keeping it is expensive, rendering it largely moot. This idea has its roots from as far back as biblical times. Although owning a white elephant was a sign of great wealth, the expense of maintaining such a costly pet could be incalculable. Today, the word has come to define the kinds of presents given at these holiday parties. They are surprising, sometimes unwelcome, and often very funny or ironic.
Participants in white elephant exchanges typically show up with wrapped gifts that don’t exceed a certain dollar value. These sums usually are between $50 and $100. The event kicks off with a “Secret Santa” style gift exchange, where participants draw numbers to determine who selects their gift first. The person who drew #1 gets to select a gift first from the pool. Once they select, everyone holds their breath while the gift is unwrapped. Later participants either choose to open a new gift or “steal” one that has already been opened. This rule introduces a breathtaking combination of strategy and surprise to the event!
These back-and-forths make the race a fun and youthful affair laden with good-humored ribbing and braggadocio. They make the entire holiday season a fun, month-long festival! Most importantly, they can serve the biggest groups as well as the smallest, so everyone can get in on this fun and festive activity. Too often, folks view white elephant exchanges as a fun way to spend the holidays with family and friends. They love all the creativity these events add to their holiday season.
As great as they might be, white elephant exchanges aren’t universally loved. Critics say that these events often result in unintended gift-receiving awkward moments. Prolific writer and author Dave Schilling, a leading advocate on this issue, added, “It’s about time to finally make the white elephant go extinct!”
As friends and families reunite at holiday gatherings, joyous anticipation abounds. In the meantime, the argument for and against white elephant exchanges continues to be hotly contested. Supporters highlight the fun, spontaneity, and humor these events generate, but opponents challenge their role in helping people give good gifts.