How to Organize a White Elephant Party at Work

Liven up your next holiday office party by organizing a white elephant swap to unload some unused gifts in exchange for something that's more your style. Consider these tips to set up rules for the party to ensure it's entertaining and fair for everyone.

Instructions

1. Instruct everyone who wants to participate to bring a work-related gift they've never used and no longer want-- anything from a paperweight to a briefcase to an electronic calendar. Decide if you want to place a maximum value on the gifts or if anything goes.

2. Ask employees to wrap the items or enclose the present in a gift bag covered with tissue and tied with ribbon so no one can peek at the contents. Encourage them to use the "worst" wrapping paper or bag in their closet in keeping with the theme of the swap.

3. Draw a number to see who goes first. The person can choose any gift and open it.

4. Give the second player the option of choosing a new gift or "stealing" the first player's item. If he opts for the first player's gift, the first player gets to choose another box to open. The third player can open a new present or steal one of the first two gifts. Once a gift has been stolen three times, it can no longer change hands.

5. Tell everyone to vote on the worst white elephant gift of the night and award the person who was stuck with it a better gift, like a gift card to an office supply store or nice local restaurant.

Tips & Warnings

• Remind co-workers not to bring items that were gifts from other employees to avoid hurt feelings during the white elephant swap.

• If the staff would rather not swap work-related gifts, take a vote on what they'd rather bring. Consider T-shirts, unwanted holiday gifts, CDs and DVDs or even gift cards.