paying it forward, sort of
“It’s the thought that counts” is a wonderful and even truthful mantra, but I don’t think that means we have to store hideous, inappropriate, or just plain weird gifts in perpetuity.
In fact, unburdening ourselves of gifts that didn’t quite click eradicates visual reminders that maybe our friends and family members don’t know us as well as we’d hoped—if at all. That’s where you, dear blog readers, come in.
That which works not at all for me may be just what you wanted—even if you had no idea you wanted it—and I’m all about finding good homes for outcasts.
So with the orgiastic gift-giving season upon us, I’m throwing a white elephant party for all my friends, both online and IRL. Here’s how you can participate:
I’ll shortly be kicking off festivities by posting a white elephant gift on this here blog.
• To claim it, just be the first to say “I’ll take it!” in comments (and, of course, privately e-mail your address to me). I’ll cheerfully send my offering to you, even picking up the shipping cost! All that is requested in return is that you offer a white elephant gift of your own on your blog. (Don’t feel left out if you don’t have a blog—I’d be happy to host your offering.)
• To offer an item of your own, just post a pic and description and maybe even a funny story about receiving said item. Don’t limit yourself to this holiday season, either; go crazy and post the weirdest, whitest elephant you’ve ever been gifted in your whole life. Heck, list more than one if you’d like. You’re only limited by the number of “interesting” gifts you’ve received—and whatever you’re willing to pay to ship them out of your life. If you want to post an item before claiming one for yourself, go for it! And feel free to announce your participation in comments here to begin driving shoppers to your site.
• Catch all the white elephant sightings! Rumor has it they may be popping up here, here, here, here, here, here, and other fine blog locations to be announced. And, of course, you’ll want to start haunting the site of whichever lucky soul claims my soon to be posted gift—just click the link from their winning comment and follow that blog!
Stay tuned for consensual re-gifting fun! Whatever I list will assuredly be more desirable than this:
December 25th, 2007 at 4:36 am
I never receive such gifts; second thought I don’t receive any gifts
BTW, I liked the word orgiastic. Very apropos of the season.
December 25th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
heeyyy — I was left out in the here, here and here list! don’t forget me!
December 25th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
And so you shall be added!
Psst., Misanthrope, you can play too; just pass off something you don’t want anymore as a re-gift and make up a good story about it. No one will know but me (and whoever reads this).
December 27th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Can I play? My bestest white elephant is the thing my ex’s mom sent back from Israel. So I can probably post a replica pic, but the actual item was long-ago discarded.
Or don’t gifts that induce bitterness and bile count?
December 27th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
[...] favorite resident writing genius, TKM, has invited us to her white elephant party. I have promised not to drip any chip dip and I if I spill any red wine, I know exactly how to [...]
December 28th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Actually I think fart machines are pretty funny.
Also the warning on the box is real. We almost did die laughing.
December 28th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
[...] The rules for white elephant are simple…claim the frames and I’ll send them to you. All that’s asked in return is that you offer something up on your blog (or Teresa can host it for you, should you be blog free) and be willing to ship it off to whosoever requests it. Full rules can be found here! [...]