Gift Exchange Ideas: White Elephant, Secret Santa Ideas+Helpful Tips

So I'm doing a secret Santa with my friends this year- and this is actually the first time I've done secret Santa... and I've never done a White Elephant BUT I have a lot of ideas!

Elfster

So this isn't sponsored- but my friends and I used Elfster to set up our Secret Santa. This is a website or app (I didn't download the app- but the website works really well) and you can set up a group with your friends and it will give you your secret Santa pick, and you can make a wish list and see your friends wish list. It's really cute and easy to use!

So... I hope my friends aren't reading this but I got my friend's gift from her wish list and it was a gift card... but then she messaged me asking for something that we sell at the store I work at and saying she'd pay me back for it... so instead of that I just got her the thing- it's within the budget so it still works- and I'll give that to her and keep the gift card for myself! Merry Christmas Shannon! Haha!

So yeah- I recommend Elfster- but the only thing is the wish lists are a bit hard to use... but if you want a gift card- it'll let you know where your friends shop. And whatnot!

Plus I kind of like giving someone a thing instead of a gift card... even though sometimes I'd rather have a gift card. Idk 🤷🏻‍♀️ hopefully this is safe lol 😂

The "I didn't know I needed this until I got it" gift

There is always one thing that makes life easier that you A) didn't know existed or B) wouldn't have thought you needed it and then once you have it you're like "wow, what an awesome thing. I love this." Whether that's like an organization thing or like a tool of some sort. I got my boyfriend a credit card box cutter tool kit that can just fit in your wallet- and he uses it all the time. I've seen a lot of really cool kitchen gadgets that are like "wow, this makes things so easy... why didn't I know this existed" but they aren't really things you buy for yourself.

Christmas Movie Themed Gift

My sister did that one time I think where she got A Christmas Story on dvd with some ovaltine. I think that's just really a funny and simple gift. You could do Elf with a jar of Maple Syrup, Frosty with a snowman kit, or just like a t shirt or decoration or something from that movie. Or socks or something.

Even hallmark movies have their own hallmark movie watching merchandise.

Food

Food is a good gift. Whether it's candy or like a sauce gift pack or something. Food is always a good gift.

I really like the brand Truff- I love their hot sauce, mayonnaise and pasta sauce. I think this could make a good gift.

My sister always makes a "Char-treat-Erie" board with candies and sweets from Trader Joe's... those would probably be a good gift also.

The Joke Gift

So a lot of times people just do funny gifts in white elephants. We used to sell Sauna Suits a lot where I work and I totally wanted to give those as a white elephant gift cause... it's funny. I've seen people do a funny gift and then stuff it with Lottery tickets or something like that inside.

Pre packaged gift sets

A lot of Stores have their own gift basket type things and I think those are really good. Like cute mugs and chocolate or hot chocolate. Even the tv show or video game themed sets they have at like Target or anywhere- I've gotten them from Animal crossing but they have it for everything. Those are fun and if you know everyone in your group likes the same thing then that could be really fun!

Bye!

-Sh