Used and Unique: Ideas for White Elephant Gifting This Holiday Season

Any one of us probably has what seems like hundreds of white elephants laying around our house. Those odds and ends type things that we never seem to be able to get rid of clutter our shelves and our closets while we debate on whether or not to take them to Goodwill or find a better use for them. But what better use is there for such things than as Christmas gifts? Right now you’re probably thinking that no one is going to want that old lamp from the fifties that’s sitting in your attic or that sixties shag rug that still sits in your room because you can’t figure out what else to do with it. But with a little creativity, you can turn any white elephant into the perfect gift for the right person. Here are ten ideas for the things you might have lying around the house and the best ways to give them in the spirit of the holidays.

1. Old Furniture: Many people will get rid of their old furniture without a second glance. Either it’s too ugly, too out of fashion, or too old to be used comfortably…a real white elephant. But for every person looking to get rid of something, there’s someone out there needing that very thing. Chances are that you know someone who knows someone who’s just starting out in the world and could use some home furnishings. White wicker has gone out of style in the past few years, but spray paint and some funky pillows can give it a whole new and completely unique look. Have some furniture on a smaller scale? College students can always use a fun nightstand or bookshelf, cool colors and all.

2. Picture Frames: These things are infamous for their ability to become a white elephant. You see one that looks pretty, you buy it, and then realize that it just doesn’t fit in to your décor scheme like you thought it would. So into the white elephant pile it goes. For the holidays, break them out again. Pair them with old pictures of family and friends that you have lying around in photo boxes or albums that you’re ready to organize. Give the more outrageous ones to the people who know who have a flair for the dramatic. Pair plain ones with a small paint set or a couple of paintbrushes to give to the artistic kind as a nod to their creative ways. If you have a bunch of the miniatures make a picture mobile for an expecting mom or new parents to hang in their little one’s room. A little bit of elbow grease, and your white elephant stock will decrease immensely.

3. Out of Date Rugs: Rugs don’t always wear out from extended use. Sometimes, they just go out of date with the times or no longer have the coolness factor they once did. In truth, most of the time they make a pretty shoddy gift if given for aesthetic value. But all white elephants need a measure of creative genius to shine them up. Pair a small or medium sized rug with a bag of dog or cat treats for the animal lover looking for a sleeping place for their four legged friend. Larger ones are great for children’s play areas because no one cares if paint or Kool-Aid gets spilled on them. If you have several that are just too old and ugly to even put in a house? Bundle a few of them up for a frequent traveler to use as floor mats for their car.

4. Figurines: For whatever reason, these have such great shelf appeal but look absolutely tacky in our own home. Have some matching sets? Superglue them to a heavy shelf size box and make bookends for the avid reader. If you have ones made of materials like resin that have few sharp edges, give them to kids as toys. As a last resort, pair them with decals and paints and let the kids or the artists go wild with them. Remember too that white elephant figurines always make good gifts for the aunt that always gave you the ugly sweater at Christmas when you were a kid.

5. Costume Jewelry: This might be the exception to the rule where white elephants are concerned. Some costume jewelry needs nothing more than a good cleaning to make a good present. There are many non abrasive jewelry cleaners on the market that will clean the fake stuff just as well as it will clean the real stuff and many people won’t even be able to tell…or even care about…the difference. Find a nice box to give it in, or take a few choice pieces and add it to a gift jewelry box. Be careful though when you’re choosing what to give. Some of that jewelry might not be a white elephant. Check everything carefully to make sure you’re not giving away a family heirloom.

6. Luggage: Nowadays, people are throwing out their old suitcases in favor of the colorful new luggage sets on wheels that make travel easy and stylish. However, there’s no reason to let your old luggage sit in the white elephant boneyards. Find some cool postcards and mod podge them onto an old canvas suitcase. Stack several of them as a set, or fill one with new towels and other travel accessories for someone planning a trip. Anyone with a love for the unique will love this white elephant gift.

7. Lamps: They’re great for lighting, but like any other white elephant, they seem like the perfect thing to pick up until you get the home and wonder what you were thinking in the first place. Lamps come in all shapes and sizes, making them a very versatile gift if you have a bunch you need to get rid of. Older friends and relatives usually don’t mind if they’re a bit on the ugly side as long as their functional. Students will love any form of desk lamp, especially if it’s a bit non-conventional. Got a teenager or adolescent? Even the ugliest lamp will make their room cool with a black light bulb or a bulb of some other color (they usually come in funky shades like red, blue, purple, and green).

8. Sheets and Blankets: I’ve found that old blankets tend to pile up like no other white elephant in the house. Luckily, there’s always the one top use for them: keeping warm. If you have some that are worn out, you can always add an extra layer with some thick stuffing for someone living in a colder clime. Want to be really outrageous? Have some fiber friendly iron-ons made of some of your favorite pictures and make a photo quilt out of a plain white blanket. As for sheets, a lot of people are a little wary about sleeping on someone else’s old ones. With some extra material and a little handiwork, old sheets can be made into great curtains for someone in desperate need of a white elephant window treatment.

9. Maps: Not everyone can appreciate the beauty of a map, but there are those of us who get a thrill just from looking at the world on a canvas. An old white elephant map will look great newly framed. Even if it’s a bit yellowed, the age gives it a great antique look for a wall hanging. Have one that’s a bit newer? Give it to the adventurer you know with some road trip tips and some push pins. Keeping track of where they’ve been is a great hobby for a lot of people. Old maps can also be made into cool book covers and bookmarks. With several small ones (or one large one cut into a few small sections) and a laminating machine, you can make a great placemat set for someone’s kitchen.

10. Kitschy Art Work: Old movie posters, prints that really aren’t what anyone would call art, or just strange looking pictures you pick up at a rummage sale are all great white elephants for gifting. Who doesn’t like to look at pretty pictures on their wall? Even if the picture isn’t the greatest, a snazzy frame can make it look like something out of an art museum (where many things pass for art that even I wouldn’t put in my living room). Make themes depending on the personality of the one you’re giving them to. Or cut the good parts from several different ones and make a snazzy collage of your own artwork.

Just remember, it takes nothing more than a little creativity and a few supplies to gift all your white elephants this year. And remember, even if they don’t like it, they’ll still smile, say thank you, and give them to someone they love next year.