Posted by Michelle Ashley on December 01, 2000 at 12:34:45:

In Reply to: Re: white elephant - how does it work? posted by Julie on August 21, 2000 at 03:45:01:

Well, I'm glad that I search this topic since I am planning a white elephant party. When I was first introduced to this party it was at christmas time. And the way that we played is we asked everyone to state their birthdates. The people who were the oldest in birdate (age in ther words)went first.

Lets start from the very beginning....
First I mailed invitations to everyone inviting them to the "Ashley's Annual White Elephant Party". The requirements were to bring a gift under the dollar value of $10. Once the majority of people arrived, usually an hour to an hour and a half from starting, I called everyone ine to gather arouind the tree.

Then we would ask everyone to tell their birthdates and go around the room. The oldest went to the youngest.

The first person would pick from under the tree, teh second person would decide did he/she want person #1's gift or to pick from under the tree, the choice was there's. If they decided to take person #1's gift, they got to take it. And then person #1 would have to pick again from the tree. Person #1 doesn't get to choose whether to put back his/her gift, they just pick.

Then third person would decide did they want to pick from under the tree (and once you pick from under the tree, you can't exchange with anyone you keep that gift until someone takes your gift and then you'll have to got to the tree again) or take someone's gift prior to going to the tree. IF they decide to go straight to the tree, they can, but once they do there is no exchanging the gift with person #1 or #2.

And so on until the gift getting is done. Obviously, the best place to be at this kind of party of last.

Enjoy, let me know how you make out once you've decided how to do it.

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