First, let’s set the record straight: It’s totally OK to regift something if it’s unused, according Graham. “Look around the house for something you already have. A candle you have purchased but haven’t used yet is a great idea, or maybe home décor that someone gave you that just didn’t fit your motif,” he suggests. Or, the gift you seek might literally be just around the corner from your house. “Hit up your neighborhood pharmacy, supermarket or big-box store. You should have plenty of choices in each,” Graham says. Some examples of white elephant gifts that you’ll easily find in addition to c

In a traditional white elephant gift exchange, invitees are tasked with purchasing a gift within a certain budget and must bring it to the event wrapped. Everyone’s wrapped gifts are placed in a pile, and the host draws numbers for each participant to indicate their order during turns. During a turn, each person can either unwrap a new gift or “steal” one from a fellow participant who went before them. Being the last player is ideal, because by their turn, all the presents have been unwrapped; any gift is theirs for the taking. (Sometimes the first player is allowed to take a final turn to “st

A white elephant and a Yankee swap (a.k.a. “dirty Santa”) are the same type of gift exchange, says gifting expert Graham. “These types of gifts will switch hands as recipients open one at a time and then allow others to steal the gifts when it is their turn.” These games are not to be confused with a Secret Santa gift exchange, however: “With Secret Santa, you are normally buying a gift for a specific person, but that person doesn’t know ahead of time who is buying for them. Budgets can be higher for Secret Santa gifts,” Graham adds.