I’m going to a White Elephant/Dirty Santa gathering this Saturday. I have to bring a non-gender specific gift for less than 15.00 for the game.
I have no idea what to bring. I have no idea what to buy generally even when I know who I’m buying for. In this case, I’m totally lost, although I feel like I should bring something funny.
So anyone got any ideas? What do you normally bring to these things?
Generally speaking a bottle of wine or a box of good chocolate goes over well at those kind of events. Otherwise you might want to consider a board game or another item that could easily be regifted if it isn’t the recipient’s cup of tea.
I went to one of these for my office once many jobs ago and for a group of 24-44 year old women one of the people there brought those crystals you dump into a tank of water and grow multicolored stalactites. None of those women wanted stupid colored stalactites and it was obvious someone forgot about it until the last minute and pulled some stupid crap out of their kid’s toybox. Don’t be that person.
Too bad it’s so soon. My husband is going to one of these - he’s taking Herpes and The Clap - stuffed microbes from ThinkGeek.com. 
Personally, I think these kinds of exchanges are lots more fun when you come up with something whacky and unique. My brother-in-law got a statue of a duck at one. I got a folding camp chair (the giver wrapped a small package, and brought out the chair at the end.) How about a colorful fleece throw - great to keep in a car in case of emergency. At one exchange, the most stolen gift was 10 lottery scratch off tickets.
On the more practical side - maybe a small clock - I got one and it was perfect for my desk, since I was out of view of the wall clock.
Please avoid stinky things - scented lotions or soaps are a matter of personal taste.
And next year, plan ahead and shop at ThinkGeek - they have some really cool stuff!
I think the funny, “as seen on TV,” gifts are great for this. A lot of grocery stores and pharmacies have, “as seen on TV,” sections. Last year snuggies were a great gag gift. For our Office white elephant gift exchange, I purchased a neck exerciser…spring-type contraption. It was hysterical watching my boss using it in a very suggestive manner to strengthen her neck.
Good luck!
Why, a Shake weight of course.
I visit the bargain tool displays at Home Depot and Lowe’s for our department exchange every year. Cordless screwdrivers, bit sets, flashlights, etc. My crew is a bunch of techno geeks so YMMV.
Depends upon the rules set-up.
I always prefered the “white elephant” parties, where you were not permitted to buy anything but had to bring something that you owned that you no longer wanted or needed but wasn’t trash. So something of value that you would give away. That’s the true definition of a “white elephant”.