The practice of White Elephant Gifts actually started long ago. White Elephants were considered very sacred and therefore were protected. Emperors, therefore, made a practice of giving these elephants to nobles that had displeased them. Due to the laws protecting these rare and beautiful animals, the noble could not kill it, give it away or sell it. To refuse the gift would be to insult their Emperor. They were stuck with a symbol of disfavor that they must protect, feed and give precious care to. A rich noble who found himself in such disfavor would have to quickly move to replace favor for if the Emperor found more then one of these rare Elephants, the noble could find himself quickly without the riches he had enjoyed in an attempt to feed the appetites of more then one such gift.
Today, this practice in the office place and at differing social gathering has come to mean a series of gag gifts or a gift with a small expense. It is designed to bring a smile or a laugh to the recipient. Office places often go with white elephant gift exchanges to keep up moral and to prevent one person from getting something exceedingly expensive and another something someone regifted and didn't want.
I went and found my favorite twenty white elephant gifts and I also put up some party ideas!
To see the list -
go here and vote for your favorite
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