The definition of a White Elephant Gift is a gift that is totally useless to the one who receives it. Originally it was something expensive that the cost of its upkeep was more than it was worth. If one was given a white elephant it would be a very expensive thing to give, but what is it really worth to the receiver who has to pay for its upkeep. That is where the term comes from.
When I did a search on this subject I was amazed at how many people didn’t know exactly what a white elephant gift was. I did several searches with live guides and they proceeded to send me pictures of all sorts of white elephants. From real ones to pretty porcelain ones these all qualify. None of them were fitting my expectations or those of this article.
I recently watched a segment on Fox News where they had people send in their white elephant wedding gifts. The one that they really made the segment was porcelain pig. Now I know you are thinking well that could be cute. No, this was a large porcelain pig. It was about the size of a real pig. To me that definitely fit the definition of a white elephant gift. Something that is given with the best of intention, but to you is more of a “what am I going to do with that” dilemma. And even though the people who sent this in thought it was not for them, other people were calling in making offers for it. Goes to prove, one mans trash is another mans treasure.
So how does one go about making a list of White Elephant gifts? Well this may be a little challenging but here is my attempt at a list of five gifts. Keeping in mind, that while these may do me no good at all they may delight someone else!
Number 5 – Anything made of porcelain larger than my cat. Unless you know the person really well, or they have specifically said “I would love this.” Large porcelain items fit into the interior decorating category to me. And this should be left to the person doing the decorating.
Number 4 – Anything that is a cliché. You know what I mean. The toaster is a good example of this. I mean really, who doesn’t have a toaster. It is one of those things that most people buy right off the bat when they move out of mom and dad’s house. Can openers and cork screws fit in this category too.
Number 3 – Anything that you know they already have a ton of. My prime example is a coffee mug. Those who know me know I love coffee. But why buy me a coffee mug. Do you know how many I already have? It seems everyone loves to get coffee drinkers coffee mugs. I have enough to fill a moving crate.
Number 2 – Gag gifts are very common classified as White Elephant gifts. You know the kind of gifts you often find at Spencer’s or those specialty gag gift stores. We have a collection of them around the house my husband seems to attract them. Some are so bad I won’t even mention them here.
Number 1 – Elephant anything. Now this seems cliché to mention in an article about White Elephant gifts, but really. Unless you know that the person you are giving to collects elephants, why give anyone an elephant? I know in some cultures they are symbols, but in a lot of homes they are just something else to dust.
In all of these examples you may notice something. One of them you may love as a gift. So it isn’t so much something set in stone. Use your best judgment and your knowledge of the person you are giving to. You can always fall back on the old reliable. Buy a gift certificate! But then again, some view these too as, you guessed it, White Elephant Gifts!
