2011 Gift Guide: White Elephant

Dec 15, 2011

White Elephant gifts are difficult because you never know who might choose your present.  Thus, the gifts have to be gifts that anyone might like.  Here are few that I thought would be good.

White Elephant Teapot ($12). (Sold out online, but can be found in stores.) This gift is as literal as a white elephant gift can be.  It’s also functional for the tea drinker and decorative for the non-tea drinker.  No word on how a Democrat might feel about receiving it.

Succulent Plant ($11).  I don’t keep plants because I kill them, but a succulent is basically unkillable.  It looks great on a desk or a kitchen windowsill.

Gourmet Marshmallows ($17).  Handcrafted, these are the perfect addition to hot cocoa.  They also taste pretty great on their own.  Plus, it’s almost impossible to be allergic to marshmallows, so they might be the only acceptable food gift out there.

Shake Weight ($23).  Yes, this thing actually works.  Yes, you look like you’re having an epileptic seizure while you’re using it.  But even if all the recipient gets is a good laugh, it’s worth the price tag.

Gift Guide

share this post

Leave a Reply to Heather Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Sarah says:

    Perfect timing, I have a White Elephant gift exchange in my office on Monday! Thanks for the great suggestions, Belle!!

  2. MidwestChic says:

    I have that white elephant tea pot and I absolutely love it!

  3. MidwestChic says:

    Oh, and I bought mine at World Market… so check there, too!

  4. S says:

    MIght be rare for someone to have a marshmallow allergy (no idea) but marshmallows aren't kosher or vegetarian (because they contain gelatin) so they are out of bounds for some people.

    Which sucks for them, those marshmallows look yummy.

  5. CatG says:

    Oh my gosh, I thought the shakeweight was something SNL just made up for that sketch they did. That's HILARIOUS.

  6. Ellie says:

    Another vegetarian who nixes marshmallows. Gourmet olive oils and vinegars would be an amazing yankee gift.

  7. Kaylee says:

    See, for my family White Elephant gifts are truly things you have lying around the house that you don't need anymore and range from things that almost no one needs/can use to things that others might really like (my Aunt gave away a brand new French Press she'd had for four years and had never taken out of the box). I think it's interesting how White Elephant gifts mean different things to different people. To me, a gift exchange in which everyone brings an item but doesn't know the recipient is different than a White Elephant exchange.

  8. Anon says:

    Actually, most handcrafted marshmallows contain egg whites, which are definitely allergenic for some (mass-produced supermarket marshmallows are better in that respect).
    Love the teapot idea!

  9. strin012 says:

    My favorite Dirty Santa gift is a classic Christmas movie. They usually fall within the $10-$15 price range and there are tons of classics to choose from.

  10. Emily says:

    HAHAHA I actually just bought that white elephant teapot a week ago at Meijer (grocery store in Michigan.) So if anyone in the Midwest is looking for it they have it there too in home goods. It's super cute:)

  11. Rory says:

    I'm going to have to get that teapot. I'm a Democrat who collects elephants, which has raised some eyebrows but I've been in love with them since I was a kid.

    The Shakeweight does work, as stupid as you look doing it, it's really helped my batwing disappear.

  12. Roberta says:

    The most pursued white elephant gift I've ever seen at a holiday party was a 2-gallon jar of whole dill pickles. I have no explanation. For my office whilte elephant, I'm doing a bottle of wine. I had my favorite wine shop recommend a great $10 bottle.

  13. CynthiaW says:

    I would totally pursue those dill pickles – I could eat pickles all day!

  14. Heather says:

    So, seriously, the Shake Weight works? Have you tried it and, if so, would you recommend it for someone who, let's say, has a 100 mile daily commute, sits at a computer all day, tries to squeeze in workouts, but is afraid she's getting flesh wings under her arms? Hypothetical, of course.

  15. BLM says:

    Um, the problem with the shake weight isn't that it looks like you're having a seizure. It's that it looks like you're giving the thing a handjob.

  16. Belle says:

    BLM-Unexpected, but I laughed at loud.

  17. Rory says:

    Heather, it really does work! I used to be a landscaper and my arms always looked great, but when I took a new office job a few months ago my arms started looking flabby. I started using the Shake Weight and it's really helped.

Join The List

Stay up to date on the latest from Capitol Hill Style!

sUBSCRIBE

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

0

READ MORE 

Recent Posts

The Find: Shirts That Don’t Gape

I remember when Rochelle Behrens launched The Shirt — a button-down blouse with anti-gape technology (a patented internal button that keeps the look smooth). The idea seemed brilliant, but at the time, my bust didn’t require an extra button. One baby later, I understand the need for some extra security.

5

READ MORE 

The Range: Printed Shirt Dresses

If you’re preparing your wardrobe for the warmer weather, don’t sleep on shirt dresses. Casual when worn with sandals or sneaker, dressy with flats or heels, they’re great for any work situation. They’re a great piece that you can throw on any time you need to look pulled together. Here are a few choices.

6

READ MORE 

VIEW ALL POSTS

Beauty, Top Posts | March 27, 2024

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

0

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Posts, Style | March 27, 2024

The Find: Shirts That Don’t Gape

I remember when Rochelle Behrens launched The Shirt — a button-down blouse with anti-gape technology (a patented internal button that keeps the look smooth). The idea seemed brilliant, but at the time, my bust didn’t require an extra button. One baby later, I understand the need for some extra security.

5

READ MORE 

Features, Posts, The Range | March 26, 2024

The Range: Printed Shirt Dresses

If you’re preparing your wardrobe for the warmer weather, don’t sleep on shirt dresses. Casual when worn with sandals or sneaker, dressy with flats or heels, they’re great for any work situation. They’re a great piece that you can throw on any time you need to look pulled together. Here are a few choices.

6

READ MORE 

Features, Monday Mornings, Top Posts | March 25, 2024

The Mondays: March 18, 2024

This weekend was a tricky one. The warm weather and bright sunshine of last weekend disappeared in a flurry of wet snow trapping our very active 18-month-old in the house with us. Plus, our babysitter cancelled, so neither of us feels ready for the week ahead. But in between making mac-and-cheese and watching Aristocats for […]

6

READ MORE 

RECENT POSTS

©2023 CAPITOL HILL STYLE | SITE BY LEIGH THE STUDIO