White Elephant Gift Exchange

Lisa Hockenberry
Jolie – RSVP – December 2008 – White Elephant Gift Exchange

A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a popular party game that is played during the holiday season! There are many names for this type of party, such as Dirty Santa or Yankee Swap, however the rules remain the same. The term “white elephant” refers to a gift whose cost exceeds its usefulness. As with many holiday parties, everyone arrives with a gift and leaves with a gift, however it is what happens in between that sets this game apart. Gifts are usually humorous and it is a light-heart way to have fun with your supper club, best gals, or even colleagues.

THE RULES:
1. On your invitation, state that everyone must bring a wrapped present. Often, hosts set a price limit per gift.
2. When guests arrive, have them set their gifts under the tree, on a table, or other designated spot.
3. Then, when it time to play the game, pass around a hat with numbered pieces of paper (one number per gift). Have each guest draw a slip of paper.
4. This designates the order in which the guests choose the gifts. The guest that draws the “1” gets to choose the first gift and opens it for all to see.
5. Then it's the turn of the person who drew "2." She can choose to steal the first person's gift or pick another gift from the pile, and open it. If the second person chooses to steal the first person’s gift, the first person gets to choose another gift from the pile.
6. The person who drew "3" goes next, and must choose between stealing one of the first two gifts or choosing a new gift from the pile.
7. The game continues in this manner until everyone has a gift. Often a rule is set in the beginning of the game that a gift may only be traded 2-3 times.

GIFT IDEAS:
If there are both men and women exchanging gifts, guests can bring a gift that matches their gender and then swap with like guests. Some ideas may be wine or liquor with a silly name, a Styrofoam cooler filled with inexpensive beer, or gift certificates to local restaurants. I once attended a party with a large percentage of Gamecock fans and one guest brought in a Clemson house flag! Sure enough the biggest USC fan ended up with that prize! Another gag gift is to take a toilet seat, paint it gold, and decoupage it with jewels and rhinestones – the ultimate throne fit for a king or queen!
If you are exchanging gifts with your girlfriends, many quite helpful gifts can be found with humorous names, such as Takeouts Silicon Bra Inserts – The Better Boob Job, or Rich Girl Hand Cream from the Lippmann Collection! Any sassy mama loves fancy toiletries to help with beautification!
If it is a mixed crowd of spouses, colleagues, and even (Yikes!) your boss, more subdued gifts may be appropriate. For example, a fabulous winter scarf or chic colorful boots to assist in braving the cold weather that following Monday at work! An interactive game that can get the crowd mingling is another useful idea!

HELPFUL HINTS:
This time of year is stressful enough! Have a casual gathering and serve a soup and salad combo.
Set up a bar and let your guests help themselves to beer and wine. Consider serving a signature cocktail, such as a pomegranate martini.
Don’t go overboard with flowers and such. Let your holiday decorations serve their purpose. Play festive music.
Remember, when wrapping your gifts, the best and most elaborately wrapped gifts get chosen first. Get creative with your wrapping!

Turkey Cheesesteaks with Cranberry Mayo
Courtesy: Mr. Friendly’s, owner Ricky Mollohan

Ingredients (for two big sandwiches)
1 cup chopped leftover turkey

1 green bell pepper, cut into long strips

1 red bell pepper, cut into long strips

½ white onion, cut into long strips

1 tsp chopped garlic

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp Cajun seasoning

2 tbsp olive oil

¼ cup sundried cranberries or other leftover cranberry mixture

2 slices provolone cheese

2 hoagie buns

1 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tbsp sour cream

Salt and pepper

Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. Slice open the hoagie buns and place them in the oven for 5 minutes to toast.
Meanwhile, in large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil and onions. Season with salt and pepper and sauté for 2 minutes. Add green and red bell peppers, and reseason with salt and pepper. Continue to cook until onions turn light brown and are caramelized.
Add chopped turkey meat to the onion-pepper mixture and toss in pan. Season it all with Cajun seasoning, garlic and dried thyme. Continue to cook and stir until turkey is hot. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cranberries, mayonnaise and sour cream. Mix well as to blend mayo and sour cream together. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and mix again.
Spread the cranberry mayo on both sides of bun. Load up the bottom bun with turkey-onion-pepper mixture and top with provolone cheese. Now, put the other piece of the bun on top and you've got a great sandwich!