# Does anyone feel like White Elephanting? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 30, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310 "2005-08-30T19:23:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/41 "2005-08-31T23:34:19Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > As to this - in the past I’ve arranged states into “zones” and tried to match people within the same “zone” in order to minimize shipping costs (well, except to me - one of you turkeys is going to have to ship me something to Canada…) > > Anyhow - does anyone know if this actually makes a difference in cost? It does in Canada, but I have no idea about you folks _down there_. 😃 Yes, it does cost more to send farther. **alice\_in\_wonderland** , I don’t mind sending out of my zone. I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be any more to ship across the border than, say, to the mid-west or the east. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/42 "2005-09-01T00:52:52Z")
I can ship anywhere in the US or even Canada. ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/43 "2005-09-01T01:05:10Z")
I want to play too! Just sent you an e-mail **alice**. I know I have all sorts of bizar…I mean… unique items that could use a new home. And who knows, maybe I need stuff that I’m not aware of. I can send anywhere… GT ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/44 "2005-09-01T02:08:10Z")
I just wanted to say that I actually have used some of the crap sent to me by the lovely and talented **Tanookie**. The craft books. they have saved me mula when i needed portable directions on whatever it was I wanted to do. Disclaimer: This does not mean that the White Elephant you receive will have any social or intrinsic value whatsoever. The probability of opening up your box and saying, “WTF IsThisCrap?” remains on Orange Alert Status. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/45 "2005-09-02T04:33:53Z")
Hi folks - I’ve got a few more e-mails to add to the list, which I will do tomorrow. In the mean time, I was wondering a couple of things: 1. Does anyone know if there are dopers affected (and I’m sure there are) by Katrina? I mean dopers in New Orleans or Biloxy or where ever, that could use a care package? 2. If so, would any care packages sent actually have a hope in hell of arriving to these people? 3. If the answer is yes, does anyone have a mailing address for any of these people, or a way to contact them if they’re not online to let them know that a package is coming, and 4. If the answer to the above questions is yes, would anyone care to send out **TWO** packages? One to your elephantee, and one to a doper in need? Obviously, those people would not be required to send anything out, but I thought it might be nice, if were packaging things up anyway, to perhaps offer an extra box of goodies to those in need. If anyone is interested in this idea, and feels that there’s anyway this could be taken on, please post here and e-mail me. No one is compelled to participate in this portion, and the White Elephant Exhange 2005 will procede as usual. Please advise me if anyone is interested, and if anyone has ideas on how to get care packages down there. Also, I’m not sure what a care package would include - toiletries? little gifts? I’m assuming food items are out, as the packages may not be picked up in a timely fashion. All suggestions are welcome. Alice. PS: Garden Traveler and Ultraviolet - yer in, Rocking Chair - I got your address! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/46 "2005-09-02T04:45:02Z")
I think if UPS is able to deliver to someone, they probably aren’t in that dire of a situation. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/47 "2005-09-02T04:48:14Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > I think if UPS is able to deliver to someone, they probably aren’t in that dire of a situation. Yah - that’s what I was wondering. However, is it possible that some people have evacuated and may be able to receive a small package where they are? I really don’t know how these things work. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/48 "2005-09-02T04:58:27Z")
Nobody knows how this thing works. Anybody know Noah? ---
**Author:** ![BrattiAtti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@BrattiAtti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrattiAtti)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/49 "2005-09-02T05:04:54Z")
Absolutely I would send to someone in the south as well as my crap-dumpee. I’ve been thinking about that over the last couple of days, what I have that would be welcomed by someone down there. So far I have a new (as in not put together yet, but I will do that soon) fleece blanket, a bunch of books I could pass along, bath stuff I’ve never used, and other ticky-tacky, not really sensible, but nice-to-have-available stuff. (I’m real big on material niceties.) I’m certain I could get other items from people I work with if I told them I was putting together a care package for Katrina victims. Side note: If any of you know anyone who could use that stuff now, send me an email and I’ll do something about it. brattiatti at gmail dot com 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/50 "2005-09-02T12:00:12Z")
Yeah, a part of me has been waffling: Is it morally right to spend the $10 or so to box up my crap and ship it to someone who doesn’t really need it when there are thousands out there with nothing? So I made an equivalent donation to Noah’s Wish for animals. And when time comes, an equivalent to Red Cross. That way I can still send my crap and help out those in need. A trifecta! Life.Is. Good. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/51 "2005-09-02T12:18:10Z")
Ditto on Shirley Ujest, but also, don’t forget to give blood those of whom can. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/52 "2005-09-02T16:51:17Z")
Ok, so - White Elephant 2005 will continue pretty much as orriginally planned. Dopers whishing to make contributions to aid organizations of any stripe are encouraged to do so, but I won’t personally be involved in that. However, sometime in the next three weeks, it’s possible that some people who have been displaced will actually be going home (not in NO, I’m sure, but in other parts of the southern US I imagine). If, upon arriving home, any of those people discover that their basic needs are being met by aid agencies, but they could really do with a new car magazine and a pez despenser, then I would like to offer to ship those items out. Or perhaps some pre-moistened facial clensing cloths and a snow globe. Or a new barbie for their daughter and some maple fudge. Sort of a little pick me up - not taking the place of any sort of aid - just a small gesture to let people know that they haven’t been forgotten. I realize that other than money and prayers, there’s not much to offer to the people in NO, but there must be other parts of the area that still have some sort of mail delivery? No? Anyhow - I still have a lovely box of cra…treasures that I’m going to send out to my Elephantee on the 17th, regardless of anything else.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/53 "2005-09-02T17:01:36Z")
Is it too late? Sorry, I started a new job in DC and have been busy, busy, busy! It is seriously cutting into my SDMB time, lemme tell ya! Anyway, yeah, I’m am _so_ in. I’ll send an email momentarily. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/54 "2005-09-02T17:49:50Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > Is it too late? Nay, baby! Yer in! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/55 "2005-09-06T20:23:39Z")
I just thought I’d give this a bump, to keep it on the radar. Remember people - September 17th is the deadline to sign up. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/56 "2005-09-08T14:20:49Z")
I didn’t get an e-mail, did anyone else? **alice\_in\_wonderland** I’ll send another e-mail to you just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/57 "2005-09-08T16:22:21Z")
I didn’t get an email confirmation either, but I was on the list of Elephanters. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/58 "2005-09-08T17:48:36Z")
Guys - September 17 is the deadline: > [@](#): > > Send your IRL name, screen name, and mailing address to the e-mail in my profile with “White Elephant” in the subject line, before **September 17th**. I can’t give people until the 17th and then not, right? 🙂 BTW - the rules are up there in about post number 6, not that anyone ever reads them… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RumMunkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@RumMunkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumMunkey)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/59 "2005-09-08T18:22:22Z")
What the hey! I’m in! E-mail sent! ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310/60 "2005-09-08T23:10:48Z")
I sent you an email, but my 11-month-old toddled over and hit the keyboard and sent it before I was done. It has all the basic information, but no ‘thanks for organizing this’, ‘best wishes’ or any sort of sign off. So, I add this here lest you think I am a rude [del]crap-unloader[/del] White Elephanter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-feel-like-white-elephanting/319310.md?page=4)