White elephant gift exchange parties popular with millennials

Millennials are revamping white elephant holiday parties.

The tradition stems back to Southeast Asia when the white elephant — considered a sacred animal — was given by a high-ranking person as a gift to someone who displeased them. The gift was given almost as a punishment because the recipient would have a terrible time with the upkeep, making it nearly impossible to keep and causing a great financial burden.

White elephant gift exchanges were adopted during the Victorian period in the Western world — exchanging sometimes funny or non-useful gifts. Over the years, the tradition became widely popular, attaching itself to holiday office parties and other celebrations. But now, gift recipients are less likely to unwrap a chachki and partygoers are more excited to see their gift.

Melinda Durham, event planner and owner of Party on Butler in Lawrenceville, loves white elephant gift exchanges.

“Where most people struggle is picking up anything,” Durham said. “I always try to personalize it more. For example, if I know that with my friends we all love the same candles or little gifts, that’s what I lean toward — a universally appreciated gift.”

Party on Butler recently had a holiday party and in addition to the white elephant gift exchange, Durham kept her guests entertained with games. She said adding additional entertainment can elevate the parties.

“If we play Monopoly, we add our own element — like instead of get out of jail, maybe you do a special dance,” she said.

Riverview Community Action Corp., a senior center in Oakmont, is preparing for its white elephant gift exchange on Dec 28 for about 15 people.

“People get a kick out of it,” program coordinator Mary Margaret Fisher said.

Their gift requirements are $25 or less.

“It’s a fun way to regift some things and see people’s reactions when they unwrap the gift,” Fisher said.

The Modern Cafe on Western Avenue began its white elephant party three years ago. The neighborhood bar is close to its patrons and will have its party Wednesday.

Constance Zotis, 36, manager at The Modern Cafe, said it is just about being together. “We have an ugly sweater party on top of it where all are welcome,” she said.

Caitlin Darnulc Antrilli, 32, co-founder and owner of Boujee Boards Pittsburgh, a charcuterie board company, has a white elephant party every year at her house with about 30 people.

“The favorite gift every year is a Nerf gun,” she said. “We are 30 years old, and the Nerf guns are the favorite gift.”

Sarah Haubrich, 28, also co-founder and owner of Boujee Boards Pittsburgh, said when it comes to white elephant parties and gift exchanges, there is multigenerational engagement.

“We find a lot of mother-in-laws and moms that are bringing it to Christmas as their portion of the event, and then there is also the thought of what can we do for the kids that will be fun,” she said. “We are seeing a trend of white elephant parties and trading favorites parties, where people swap some of their favorite things. You are seeing a mixture of friends and family trying to find the adults’ side and the kids’ side. Our generation has made it fun. We get excited about what everyone will bring, what is everyone going to get — or the funniest sweater.”

At their white elephant parties, all the gifts are hand-wrapped and put in the middle of the table — each box expertly analyzed. At traditional white elephant parties, each gift is unmarked without a recipient and the gifts are chosen at random.

“Sometimes there are really good gifts, and sometimes it is a giant case of Ramen noodles,” Zotis said.