# White Elephant? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 27, 2006, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400 "2006-09-27T19:23:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/201 "2006-10-24T04:41:24Z")
My elephant was shipped on Sunday… er… okay Monday, but it was dropped off on Sunday. I won’t say who it was sent to, but I did forget to put my username on it somewhere: there is an inventory paper on top of it that says “INVENTORY” and under that “Enjoy! - Stasia” - that would be me. Then a messy, monkey-scrawling of the inventory upon unfolding it. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/202 "2006-10-24T13:01:28Z")
[QUOTE=FairyChatMom] I’d copy the pot with the holes if I knew what it was - I’m always looking for new ceramic stuff to make. [/QUOTE] I did some looking and the first thing I found was a “strawberry jar” which is a planter with holes in the side for other little plantings. But these are minimum 1-gallon urns so that’s not it. The other kind with holes in them are “orchid pots”, where the holes provide ventilation for the delicate plants. I know it came with a small ivy-type plant but maybe the purpose was the same?? And while I do vouch for it, please feel free to submerge the Oral B in a vat of disinfectant first, or toss it if it’s weird. Main thing is, it’s out of my house! [QUOTE=jayjay] A Chik-Fil-a “Eat mor chikin” tiny stuffed cow [/QUOTE] Oo, I’m jealous! I’ve got a magnet on my fridge of a cow looking you dead in the eye saying EAT MORE CHICKEN. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/203 "2006-10-24T13:17:38Z")
[QUOTE=Corporate Hippie] - A freaky action figure of a guy with transparent skin, and an accompanying creepy casket/container for him [/QUOTE] That’s an _X-Files_ Alien Incubation Pod. 🙂 I have three of them. Well, two, now. My own roommate was kind of upset to find the inflatable mallet gone, but hey–I got it in _my_ Happy Meal. Have fun with it! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/204 "2006-10-24T13:46:08Z")
Oh, dear. I think I screwed up. See, I had this huge box’o’stuff, more than I could send, and so I triaged. Only mostly I sent stuff I thought the recipient conceivably might be able to use/want, and most of the wacky stuff got left out. Apologies in advance for the mundane crap, Elephantee. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/205 "2006-10-24T17:40:47Z")
There are reports of an elephant making it’s way north to central PA. Luckly there is no baby inside as I couldn’t afford the 18lb overnight option. There is however a 6lb 11.5oz elephant on its way. The CDs that are in there are not music they are pictures, you can try and listen to them but I’m sure it will not work. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/206 "2006-10-24T17:49:19Z")
My elephant is going to be waylayed a bit as I will be out of town for a few days (unless I can coax it over to the UPS store on Thursday) It’ll be on its way before the end of next week (sorry for the delay) ---
**Author:** ![BrattiAtti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@BrattiAtti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrattiAtti)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/207 "2006-10-24T19:37:26Z")
A medium-sized elephant and a small elephant are winging their way east as of yesterday. I had to finish the tattoos (artwork) on the elephants (boxes) before I could ship them. There is a note in each box (an identical note, as a matter of fact) to the receiver(s), from yours truly. No secrets this year. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/208 "2006-10-24T20:11:55Z")
[QUOTE=StarvingButStrong] This is the closest I can find to my grandmother’s [old vase,](http://pages.neeleysantiques.us/cgi-bin/google.fcgi?itemKey=1920739884&store=%2Fstores%2Fneeley&catId=planter&itemNo=4367) but hers had many more holes in the rim, all the way around. [/QUOTE] [Here’s the pot.](http://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/fairychatmom/?action=view¤t=holeypot.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1) The only think I could think was an incense burner, but it’s too deep for that. I can’t imagine letting stuff grow thru the holes. I dunno - anyone have an idea? ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/209 "2006-10-24T21:47:23Z")
[QUOTE=FairyChatMom] [Here’s the pot.](http://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/fairychatmom/?action=view¤t=holeypot.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1) The only think I could think was an incense burner, but it’s too deep for that. I can’t imagine letting stuff grow thru the holes. I dunno - anyone have an idea? [/QUOTE] Oh, now that I see it, it’s obvious! The giveaway is the Holland windmill decoration. What you have is a pot for growing bulbs. Really. Put in an inch or so of gravel, then fill it with potting soil to the bottom of the side holes. Put in a layer of ‘major’ bulbs (tulips would be appropriate) and put some of the ones in the outermost ring tipped on their sides with the pointed end of the bulb just sticking into the hole. Add more potting soil. If you like (and the pot is deep enough, can’t tell the scale) you could put in just another inch or so and then put in a scattered layer of minor bulbs, narcissus perhaps. Add more soil to close to the rim. Stick the post somewhere cool but not freezing for a month or so, then bring it back to warmth and water. Or, if you don’t want the bother, take it to a nursery and have them pot it up with bulbs for you. There’s nothing like a display of flowers in the bitter depths of February. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/22080_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/210 "2006-10-24T21:50:51Z")
Eureka! Thanks - I may just try that! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/211 "2006-10-24T22:12:18Z")
:smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: I’m an idiot. I think it was given to me with a couple of bulbs. Either I never grew them or I tried and they never grew. My only excuse is it was from the holidays so that was almost a year ago. My mind barely remembers yesterday. Still, 1000 lashes from a wet noodle for me. :smack: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/212 "2006-10-25T01:10:33Z")
impact tremors are being felt on the i-95 corridor heading south. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/213 "2006-10-25T03:51:33Z")
I slapped that ele on the ass this morning. It’s headed towards the middle (Kentucky, I believe.) It’s much bigger than dumbo, so it’s going to have to walk (or ride in a truck) rather than fly, so it may take awhile to get there. There’s one item not on the list, so: "This ele is brought to you by the letter ‘M’. " [sub]TeHe[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/214 "2006-10-25T08:23:41Z")
[QUOTE=FairyChatMom] [Here’s the pot.](http://s72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/fairychatmom/?action=view¤t=holeypot.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1) The only think I could think was an incense burner, but it’s too deep for that. I can’t imagine letting stuff grow thru the holes. I dunno - anyone have an idea? [/QUOTE] Mom uses those differently than **StarvingButStrong**. The ones she uses have at least 3 holes at the same height and are pretty small. She places water in them, until just below the lowest hole. Then she uses toothpicks to support a bulb in place so that its bottom barely touches the water; once it’s grown a full beard, the water goes out and the gravel and soil go in (with the bulb buried). She also does the “beard” thing using an empty yoghurt jar and then transfer to a regular pot. Some of her bulbs have been in place for over ten years. And with a fitting lid, you could use it to store garlic. ---
**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:** [October 25, 2006, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/215 "2006-10-25T12:06:56Z")
My computer problems have been fixed and my elephant box was sent off last friday. It weighed in at 17 #. I have very little recollection of just what I crammed in there, but dang, it was quite therapuetic to do so so randomly. It should be to the recipient’s house by Friday or Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/216 "2006-10-25T13:07:17Z")
I have received a package from The Elephant Factory, New Jersey branch. The factory might house a toddler who sports Pampers Cruisers, or they just use any old box they come upon. SQUEEE! Whatascore!: -Binoculars -I’ve always wanted a pair and I just got a birdfeeder so this is perfect! -Fragranced tacky mitts for the pets -I bet I can clean delicate electronics with these -DVD The Return of the Living Dead -just in time for Halloween! -Photo album with leaf theme and personal signature of the giver 😉 -Mystery jigsaw puzzle with mystery book -intriguing! -Deluxe microphone I can plug into my cassette deck and test whether I am as sucky a singer as I suspect (Testing, testing, sibilance, sibilance) -A wonderfully tacky two-bears-with-Hershey-kisses Christmas ornament which will grace my tiny tree -Red tote bag perfect for groceries -Two comics; Spidey vs the Hobgoblin which I could swear I read as a kid, and Captain America vs The Tumbler -Three computer games: Sudoku, Atlantis: The Lost Tales and Beyond Atlantis (apparently, my Journey Awaits!) -Pledge MultiSurface sample -CD-R blank disc -B&L Lens Cleaning Tissues -my glasses could use it -Fiskars [Scissors Sharpener](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120036022674&category=83986) -woot, my rotary cutter will need it soon -A Box of Thoughts on Living Well - little slips of paper with deep thoughts; I may keep this at my desk to inspire me -A preprinted linen cross-stitch with hoop, needle and thread included -And finally, the post-it notes pad the donor was writing notes on -it will fit my dispenser YAY!!! Thanks so much, oh gentle elephant factory worker! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/217 "2006-10-25T13:10:19Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] -A Box of Thoughts on Living Well - little slips of paper with deep thoughts; I may keep this at my desk to inspire me [/QUOTE] Ok, today’s randomly chosen great thought: Every production of genius must be the production of enthusiasm. –Benjamin Disraeli I guess that means I should enthusiatically get some work done. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/218 "2006-10-25T15:40:02Z")
Ok, I’m sorry, my white elephant receiver, but I deposited a check in my bank account last Wednesday. When did it clear? TODAY! I hate USBank. Your package will be shipped later today, and I apologize for the wait. I’m sure you’ve been agonizing. Also, I forgot what all was in my package. When I get home, I’ll drag everything out again and inventory it for you guys. (I do remember Ginger Altoids, which is a big plus for my friends, who all LOVE them, even though I’m not too keen on them. Last time I got some, they were gone within a couple of days, after I ate about 1/2 of one and had had enough.) ---
**Author:** ![melondeca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@melondeca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melondeca)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/219 "2006-10-25T16:00:47Z")
I had some unexpected crap come up so my apologies to my recipient. Your package will hopefully be in the mail this weekend but if not, it will be on its way by the middle of next week. If I see you on here panicking, I will do my best to reassure you even if that means spoiling the surprise. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2006, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400/220 "2006-10-25T16:18:25Z")
I have a pile of cool stuff boxed up and ready to go, but am unlikely to get to ship it until Friday. Note to my gift-ee: be patient; Hannibal will be driving your elephant across the Appalachians any day now. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-elephant/374400.md?page=12)