White Elephant 2023

[HRH Queen Dick I]

I know WE gifts are discussed every year and I've searched here a little bit (Dear Proboards, your search function is mid) but I need ideas because I've never in my life had to buy one.

Budget about 20 bucks. Like, would anyone actually want a pizza blanket?


www.amazon.com/Blanket-Realistic-Personalized-Novelty-Everyone/dp/B0B4DD1SZ3/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=AD81JR2L11ME&keywords=pepperoni+pizza+blanket&qid=1702052077&sprefix=puzza+blanket%2Caps%2C415&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

[jinkies]

Watch with a cat face.

[tacokick]

The tortilla blanket is always a hit

[bex1973]

Blankets always go over well in my circle. We've not specifically had a pizza blanket in the offering though.

I'm doing a couple:
Work - I went with a "cozy" theme - fleece blanket, hot cocoa mix, a mug, one of those small skillet cookie kits and a pint jar of my hot fudge

H's family - we'll take 2, one has glass pyrex bowls and a fleece blanket and the other is a hot sauce multi pack (those go over huge with his fam) and something else that I'm forgetting.

[HRH Queen Dick I]

Dec 8, 2023 11:23:28 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Blankets always go over well in my circle. We've not specifically had a pizza blanket in the offering though.

I'm doing a couple:
Work - I went with a "cozy" theme - fleece blanket, hot cocoa mix, a mug, one of those small skillet cookie kits and a pint jar of my hot fudge

H's family - we'll take 2, one has glass pyrex bowls and a fleece blanket and the other is a hot sauce multi pack (those go over huge with his fam) and something else that I'm forgetting.

See, these seem nice and practical rather than goofy, which I thought a WE is. Do some people go goofy and some people go nice, and which one do people really like? I guess it depends on the person. 🤷‍♀️

[jinkies]

Actual serious answer, the only things I've seen people fight over are:

alcohol
$20 worth of scratch off tickets

Other items that people wouldn't be mad about but are not likely to be the "hot" item:

Fancy chocolates
Laneige lip mask
Nice Travel mug or water bottle

[bex1973]

Dec 8, 2023 11:21:41 GMT -5 jinkies said:

Watch with a cat face.

LOL But only if every person that sees it is participating!!!

[jinkies]

Whether it's goofy or practical *really* depends on the crowd. I have definitely been to ones where people have been visibly annoyed at getting a gag gift when they brought something nice. I have also been to ones where it was very clear from the start that it should be funny/regifted items (I ended up with KFC-scented sunscreen and a shower curtain at that one. Both of which were ultimately tossed, which is why I try to go practical).

[bex1973]

Dec 8, 2023 11:28:42 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

Dec 8, 2023 11:23:28 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Blankets always go over well in my circle. We've not specifically had a pizza blanket in the offering though.

I'm doing a couple:
Work - I went with a "cozy" theme - fleece blanket, hot cocoa mix, a mug, one of those small skillet cookie kits and a pint jar of my hot fudge

H's family - we'll take 2, one has glass pyrex bowls and a fleece blanket and the other is a hot sauce multi pack (those go over huge with his fam) and something else that I'm forgetting.

See, these seem nice and practical rather than goofy, which I thought a WE is. Do some people go goofy and some people go nice, and which one do people really like? I guess it depends on the person. 🤷‍♀️

We've done goofy items as well but do pair it with something that is actually a present. Like one time H wrapped a bag of driveway ice melt and everyone wanted it because it was heavy but then it was that. I think we taped some scratch of tickets to it. He also did similar another year but it was a brick.  Folks have since learned to not go by weight LOL

But I do think it should be made clear up front to those participating what the vibe is so that I don't come with a nice gift and then end up leaving with a bag of ice melt haha

[snowflurry]

For our work WE this year, I am giving Snoop Dogg cookbook (Goon with the Spoon) and a wooden spoon



The total was $19 for both

[eb777888]

Uh, David has that pizza blanket and loves it!

H got this for his WE gift exchange at work:

www.target.com/p/masterpieces-1000-piece-jigsaw-puzzle-super-dooper-pooper-19-25-x26-75/-/A-88544563?ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000085290956&CPNG=PLA_Storefront%2BShopping%7CStorefront_Ecomm_Other&adgroup=SC_Halloween&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9026805&targetid=pla-293946777986&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAmsurBhBvEiwA6e-WPLk5rBAnrwLDIt0KFFooYYqjve3TdYlaFTOzty-w6PzjewuEJppNshoCuEcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[statgirl]

As everything, WE is “regional” or rather, group specific.

One group did “get rid of bad wedding gifts.” Lots of nice things but not the right style. I got a bread machine and brought picture frames.

Another group did “crap around the house” for a few years. I got a Troll, supersized ketchup, bottle rockets, and old CD/movies. I gave craft kits, a machete, and a really nice wrapped reusable box of reusable fast food plastic cups.

My work did one whose unofficial theme was “alcohol.”

I vote either go nice or complete crap. No threading the needle here—commit to one direction.

[Bad Dingo]

We are doing a small one w/another family, 4 adults and 3 kids 10-15ish.

Here's what I ordered (everything was between $18 and $21 when I ordered it):

Inflatable Parrot




Magnetic Geode Fidget Toy



Box of Nerds Rope



DD is attending a friend's party and I don't really know them or if it's for adults and kids so I ordered this for her:

Pickleball Paddles Set



ETA: I basically ordered random things I'd never buy for myself but would happily receive.

[HRH Queen Dick I]

Dec 8, 2023 11:43:13 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Uh, David has that pizza blanket and loves it!

H got this for his WE gift exchange at work:

www.target.com/p/masterpieces-1000-piece-jigsaw-puzzle-super-dooper-pooper-19-25-x26-75/-/A-88544563?ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000085290956&CPNG=PLA_Storefront%2BShopping%7CStorefront_Ecomm_Other&adgroup=SC_Halloween&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9026805&targetid=pla-293946777986&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAmsurBhBvEiwA6e-WPLk5rBAnrwLDIt0KFFooYYqjve3TdYlaFTOzty-w6PzjewuEJppNshoCuEcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Omg at the puzzle 🤣.

I'm not dissing the pizza blanket! I think it's funny, I just didn't know if I was on the right track.

[eb777888]

Dec 8, 2023 11:49:21 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

Dec 8, 2023 11:43:13 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

Uh, David has that pizza blanket and loves it!

H got this for his WE gift exchange at work:

www.target.com/p/masterpieces-1000-piece-jigsaw-puzzle-super-dooper-pooper-19-25-x26-75/-/A-88544563?ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000085290956&CPNG=PLA_Storefront%2BShopping%7CStorefront_Ecomm_Other&adgroup=SC_Halloween&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9026805&targetid=pla-293946777986&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAmsurBhBvEiwA6e-WPLk5rBAnrwLDIt0KFFooYYqjve3TdYlaFTOzty-w6PzjewuEJppNshoCuEcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Omg at the puzzle 🤣.

I'm not dissing the pizza blanket! I think it's funny, I just didn't know if I was on the right track.

David lays it out flat every night over his bedspread when he makes his bed, lol. It's *very* thin and probably not a great WE gift unless it's for teenagers :-). 

[sent]

Bad Dingo, I was eyeing that Fidget toy at Barnes and Nobles last night for my kids.

I would ask the host for clarification on what the crowd expects.

One year my husband had one at work that was "crap from the house." He brought my old magic 8 ball. He came home with a stacking set of Santa mugs that we still use.

[BlondeSpiders]

I have a work exchange on Monday and got a mug and matching warmer. Not this one, but similar. We're all pretty WFH 80% of the time, so I wanted something to reflect that.


www.amazon.com/Coffee-warmer-mug-coffee-Warmer/dp/B0B53G7CKR/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?crid=3U3L9V5ZND1PL&keywords=mug%2Bwith%2Bwarmer&qid=1702054484&s=home-garden&sprefix=mug%2Bwith%2Bwar%2Cgarden%2C166&sr=1-13-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1 

[livinitup]

For work, last year I bought a $25 Dunkin Donut gift card and put it in a Dunkin Donut munchkin box.

I also selected it and was happy to take it home.

Today, I bought 2 boxes of Harry & David’s gorilla munch (Carmel & classic) and a bag of Lintz chocolate truffles, total = $24.87

[Poppy]

Yeah, it can go either way. H's work had one at their holiday party and only one couple brought something wacky. I ended up with it and they felt so guilty they got me a gift card to a bakery the week after. (I was not upset at the exchange but I was JOKING about coveting a cake that was being stolen.)

I've had some really off the wall exchanges. For this year (different group) I bought a Bob Ross ornament that also happens to look a lot like one of my group members, and a ravioli shaped spoon rest. And for one with my college friends I got an ornament with Jesus that says "I saw that." I'll probably bring sweets with them as well.

[1confused1]

As I posted earlier this week, I hate these things.

But I’m going to a party tonight and there is a WE. I work at a winery so I am doing a bottle of wine and a candle. Lame but I could not focus on one more thing this week.

[expectantsteelerfan]

I tend to combine something 'useful' with something completely silly.
This year I picked these geometric magnetic folding measuring spoons, because I secretly want them:
www.getpolygons.com/products/spoon

And this vomiting slime ball:
www.walmart.com/ip/Squishy-Puking-Egg-Yolk-Stress-Ball-With-Yellow-Goop-Joke-Ball-Squeeze-toy-new/592831845?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=16214&gclsrc=aw.ds&&adid=22222222227592831845_16214_152969504572_18802780700&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=653807918387&wl4=pla-2006046937643&wl5=9005950&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=120798572&wl11=online&wl12=592831845_16214&veh=sem&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAmsurBhBvEiwA6e-WPJ9iDAJLbQLpQgsrqppRa_i8IJ9t2L1iOygU8EQVOlvG3n0_BtBuWxoCaUcQAvD_BwE

[expectantsteelerfan]

These are something else I secretly want and would be happy to get in a WE:
www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Organizer-Multifunctional-Nails-Free-Management/dp/B09SCVXH73/ref=asc_df_B09SCVXH73/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=563607528711&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11900763551932463570&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9005950&hvtargid=pla-1652326201645&mcid=e028377b1798324a9c778da60e399124&gclid=CjwKCAiAmsurBhBvEiwA6e-WPFzZY7vSB7wyY8kJssBH9J4Kks9YSVHEQuPBZhaYtCSe6LNIxX-gmRoCdu8QAvD_BwE&th=1

[circa1978]

Along the theme of pizza blanket, I picked this up for my brother last night and I feel like it is something I would steal at a white elephant that was "tacky." I'm going to put a venus flytrap in it if I can get one to ship in time. 

[christy082]

Dec 8, 2023 11:39:47 GMT -5 snowflurry said:

For our work WE this year, I am giving Snoop Dogg cookbook (Goon with the Spoon) and a wooden spoon



The total was $19 for both

I got the other Snoop Dogg cookbook for a WE exchange this year lol. "From Crook to Cook"

www.target.com/p/from-crook-to-cook-platinum-recipes-from-tha-boss-dogg-39-s-kitchen-snoop-dogg-cookbook-celebrity-cookbook-with-soul-food-recipes-hardcover/-/A-53989173

[sometimesrunner]

Plant in a cute pot.

[sonrisa]

Dec 8, 2023 11:28:42 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

Dec 8, 2023 11:23:28 GMT -5 bex1973 said:

Blankets always go over well in my circle. We've not specifically had a pizza blanket in the offering though.

I'm doing a couple:
Work - I went with a "cozy" theme - fleece blanket, hot cocoa mix, a mug, one of those small skillet cookie kits and a pint jar of my hot fudge

H's family - we'll take 2, one has glass pyrex bowls and a fleece blanket and the other is a hot sauce multi pack (those go over huge with his fam) and something else that I'm forgetting.

See, these seem nice and practical rather than goofy, which I thought a WE is. Do some people go goofy and some people go nice, and which one do people really like? I guess it depends on the person. 🤷‍♀️

The best choice is something that hits at least two of these three - consumable, silly, useful. Generally something you wouldn't keep for more than 6 months to a year (or just bring out seasonally).

For a crowd that has kids/grand kids I like this one (silly, and a fun activity so useful):
www.amazon.com/Angooni-Inflatable-Reindeer-Christmas-Supplies/dp/B0CGM38DG8/ref=sxin_14_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.9e5188ef-9cc8-48bb-b834-24761033aedf%3Aamzn1.sym.9e5188ef-9cc8-48bb-b834-24761033aedf&crid=2U8YLY8KGWH3I&cv_ct_cx=reindeer%2Bantler%2Bring%2Btoss%2Bgame&keywords=reindeer%2Bantler%2Bring%2Btoss%2Bgame&pd_rd_i=B0CGM38DG8&pd_rd_r=3edcf25f-8dc1-45af-b96b-ea2781bbbf29&pd_rd_w=io7B6&pd_rd_wg=Dy4LE&pf_rd_p=9e5188ef-9cc8-48bb-b834-24761033aedf&pf_rd_r=W0KJ61BA3HAGZFNEPCF2&qid=1702064124&s=sporting-goods&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=reind%2Csporting%2C142&sr=1-4-364cf978-ce2a-480a-9bb0-bdb96faa0f61-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

[Nonny]

To add to the list of funny cookbooks, I suggest this one:
www.amazon.com/Art-Eating-through-Zombie-Apocalypse/dp/1940363365/ref=monarch_sidesheet

[sadie]

The $10 milk frother and tea bags/coffee beans is always a hit.

[HRH Queen Dick I]

The verdict is nice/practical so I guess something consumable plus maybe a blanket/socks. Thanks people.

Nonny I need that.

[Nonny]

Dec 8, 2023 14:55:50 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I said:

The verdict is nice/practical so I guess something consumable plus maybe a blanket/socks. Thanks people.

Nonny I need that.

I love funny cookbooks. I got the zombie one for Christmas a few years ago; it's mostly recipes for cooking foraged and canned foods (and how to find them!), along with tips on how to build lean-tos and campfires. I also have one of the Snoop Dog ones too (From Crook to Cook).