A Very Holly Jolly White Elephant Gift Exchange

December 14, 2015 by admin
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Most people think of the time before the holidays as a time filled with excitement and anticipation. However, for college students, the weeks before the holidays are filled with two things: stress and anticipation for finals week to be over.

The weather is becoming frigid, social schedules are dwindling, and morale is unfortunately, but unavoidably low. December is known as the most wonderful time of the year, so how do we make this true for college students who are camped out in the library for days on end?

I have the answer: A White Elephant Gift Exchange.

Everyone is probably thinking what is a white elephant gift exchange? It sounds fun and interesting! Well, it is! The White Elephant Exchange is a Christmas party game that started in Thailand centuries ago. Essentially, this “game” is a fun and more competitive version of the typical American Secret Santa.

Here’s what goes down: you gather a group of six or more people and each of you is responsible for bringing one wrapped gift. Then, everyone’s names are written and put into a hat and the person who is chosen first gets to pick the first gift. The next person chosen has the ability to either choose a new gift or “steal” the first person’s gift. This trend continues until all gifts are taken and there are no more names in the hat.

Now, what do people usually bring to this holiday extravaganza? Well, it really depends on the group of people. Traditionally, people bring small gag gifts that are meant to give everyone a good laugh.

However, for the sake of fashion and the twenty-first century, I am going to give you some ideas on what to bring that are more fashion-based.

Graphic T-Shirts: Graphic t-shirts are a rising trend among young adults. The best part about this clothing item is that you can find all sorts of variations and sayings on the shirts. My choice for finding graphic t-shirts is Etsy.com.

Etsy has nearly a thousand pages of t-shirt options that come in all different styles, colors, and price options (we’re college students, we cannot break our banks). If you are doing this exchange with your family or a small group of best friends, you could look at Urban Outfitters or Brandy Melville for some options that are a little more high-end.

Photo via. http://g03.a.alicdn.com

Socks: Socks might sound like a dumb gift idea, but honestly socks are the most versatile and necessary item in most people’s closets. When I say socks I don’t mean just a generic pair of Asics running socks, the White Elephant Gift Exchange is a time to get creative!

Look on websites like Etsy, Free People, Wanelo, Wildfox, and Urban Outfitters to find a pair of socks that are comfortable and funny. If you get something funny the gift will be extra memorable.

Photo via. http://youne.com

Pajamas: Who doesn’t like a good pair of pajamas to wear when you are snuggled up with your friends and family on a cold winter’s night? Pajamas are comfortable and there are millions of options when choosing the perfect pair. The onesie trend is at an all time high, so go on Amazon or Etsy to find a fun onesie that is perfect for bedtime or even a themed mixer.

If you want to go all out, go on Wildfox, Victoria’s Secret, Hello Molly Fashion, or Nordstrom to find a “fancier” pair for your good friend or family member. Another fun pajama option is a big nightgown (my roommate has one that reads “This is My Sexy Irish Lingerie” and I wish I had it in my own closet).

Photo via. http://www.teenscraze.com

Beanies: Beanies are trendy and perfect for the cold winter weather. When I say beanies, I am talking about something so much more than just a solid colored or striped hat that keeps your head and ears warm.

I’m talking about hats that are warm and have funny and/or trendy sayings on the fold (I know most people have seen the hats that say ~Homies~ on them). The best part about beanies is that they are reasonably priced, can be used everyday, and are trendy.

Photo via. http://40.media.tumblr.com

Necklaces: Necklaces are always a fun item to have in your jewelry box. Super nice necklaces are not something to bring to a White Elephant Gift Exchange, but fun necklaces that have a funny saying or a cute charm are perfect to bring to this sort of event.

Etsy is the PERFECT website to look for these necklaces because, like I said earlier, the website has nearly a thousand pages of options all priced differently and all hand crafted. If your friend likes pizza, get her a pizza charm. If she is into rap music, get her a necklace that says “Notorious B.I.G.” on it; the opportunities are endless.

Photo via. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com

I hope that these suggestions helped everyone with gift exchanging this upcoming holiday season. Happy holidays everyone!

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Mothers-in-law come bottom of Christmas lists as new report says more than …

December 14, 2015 by admin
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51 per cent get nothing from son or daughter’s partner, according to survey
A further 21 per cent of mothers-in-law get a token gift worth less than £20
Also shows men spend more than women but ladies do famliy gift buying
But seven per cent of women expect to be disappointed by their own gifts

James Dunn For Mailonline

Published:
14:58 EST, 13 December 2015

|
Updated:
15:21 EST, 13 December 2015

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Britain’s mothers-in-law can forget elaborate gifts this year as they are at the bottom of the Christmas present list, a new survey shows.

More than half of them will be ignored by their son or daughter’s partner altogether, and another 21 per cent will receive a token present costing under £20, the research reveals.

Youngsters will be the biggest winners with an average £206 spent filling their sack from Santa, while partners will have an average £163 spent on them.

More than half of mothers-in-law will be ignored by their son or daughter’s partner, with youngsters will be the biggest winners with an average £206 spent filling their sack from Santa,

In the battle of the sexes, men are more generous than women, but tend to sit back in the process of buying gifts for everyone else, with women taking the reins.

The survey of more than 2,000 Britons found 50 per cent of men will spend at least £75 on their partner, compared with 30 per cent of women.

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Just five per cent said they would like something luxurious and only three per cent said they wanted to know what their gift cost.

But some people still get it wrong, and seven per cent of women expect to be disappointed with their gifts this Christmas.

WHAT WOMEN WANT – AND MEN TOO

Top of the Christmas wish list for men and women was vouchers, with forty per cent clearly preferring to choose their own gift.

Jewellery was second for women (35 per cent), followed by clothing (30 per cent).

For men, second was books (28 per cent), followed by electronics (26 per cent) in third.

Ten per cent of women hoped to receive lingerie and 12 per cent wanted flowers.

A quarter of men wanted clothing and one in five are hoping for tech gifts.

Cash was popular among 18 to 24-year-olds, along with vouchers.

Regionally, top of the gift-givers is Scotland, followed by Northern Ireland and the North East.

The more prosperous London and the South East, along with the North West and Wales, spend the least on presents, according to the research by high street chain Debenhams.

It also shows that one in five close friends and immediate relatives will also receive nothing, but a further 50 per cent will see up to £100 spent on them by generous givers.

Practicality seems to be key, with two thirds of people buying gifts that people need.

Christine Morgan from Debenhams said: ‘Getting a present right can be extremely tricky but its good to know that most people put some thought behind choosing a gift and try to get it right.

‘We place great emphasis on helping customers pick the right gift for partners, family and friends, including the mother in law, regardless of how much they want to spend.’