A white elephant exchange or a traditional gift exchange (with names drawn in secrecy), which one do you prefer? Let’s find out some of the background of each, what some of your peers have to say about it, and which one won the most votes in a survey!
The white elephant gift exchange was developed in Ohio in the 1890’s, the first time that term was used was in 1907 as a Nebraska joke. Women would bring nice but useless gifts; many started to bring their husbands instead highlighting martial burdens. Its name is derived from the Asian practice of the King giving a rare and sacred white elephant to a courtier (person on court and lived with the king and or queen) he wanted to ruin. The elephant was impossible to refuse but very costly, so it would end up making that courtier have its financial downfall.
One person who openly said she preferred the white elephant exchange over traditional gift exchange was Senior Kara Lint. She said, “I favor white elephant gift exchanges because I think they are easier because you don’t have to put much thought into the gift you buy.”
Freshman Cassie Baker said she also preferred white elephant exchange. When I asked her why she said, “I like a White Elephant gift exchange because it’s a surprise who your present was from and what you get, it’s more fun.”
Finally, sophomore Jackson Brandt also said he prefers white elephant exchange. He said, “I believe that white elephant is better because everyone can choose a gift they would like if they’ve already seen a gift they want, and not everyone who participates in a gift exchange likes the gift or knows what the person wants.”
The traditional gift exchange with names chosen in secrecy, also known as Secret Santa, dates all the way back to around the 20th century with no exact date. The Secret Santa was popularized by an American philanthropist Larry Dean Stewart because he gave $100 bills to strangers randomly in need for the holiday season.
I first asked Sophomore Makayla Troyer her opinion, and she said traditional gift exchange with names drawn in secrecy. When I asked her why she said, “I love doing the “Secret Santa” gift exchange because I enjoy the thrill of finding out who got my gift for me and the reactions everyone has.”
I then asked Freshman Maddies Minnis why she likes traditional gift exchange better, and she said, “I like a traditional gift exchange because then I’ll know who I’m buying for, and it’s a lot easier to get them a gift.”
I then asked senior Lyela Miller her opinion. She said she preferred a traditional gift exchange, too. When I asked her why, she said, “I think that white elephant gifts tend to be useless and meant to be funny, so they end up never being used and in a landfill/second-hand store. Traditional gift exchanges are more persona,l and the items gifted are more likely to be utilized, in my opinion.”
Finally, I asked freshman Hudson Ott why he preferred traditional gift exchange over the white elephant gift exchange. He said, “It’s easier to buy for one person instead of a whole group.”
All the students here at DHS have very different takes on this topic and different reasons why! I could see why everyone chose their way and agreed with both sides. I also prefer a traditional gift exchange, but there is also the fun twist of the white elephant gift exchange. Out of the 53 people I asked to answer my survey, 36 people chose traditional gift exchange and only 16 people chose white elephant exchange. If you are indecisive about this topic, maybe some of these answers will help persuade your opinion towards it! Happy Holidays!!
