boxofdelights

Uuugh, these. They can be fun, or a bit fraught. I prefer to avoid them.

I recall one exchange at a previous job that went well, though it wasn't quite white elephant. We bought new, small gifts with the rule that it be under $10. Our group included only the ladies from work, who met at my boss's house, there was food and alcohol involved (and a very friendly dog whom we all adored, which is a great a tension-breaker if there'd been any), and we all had a good time. But I have a feeling that our amusing evening was more the exception, less the rule.

Had one at a different job, where it included a broader range of people, and it was more strictly white elephant, with the rule that it had to be of an estimated low value, but in decent condition and something at least amusing. It went mostly okay, but still, there was that part where people switch gifts, and some folks were better-natured about it than others, and some of the gifts were just stupid and in my opinion ought to have been trashed long ago, so.... yeah. I'm not actually that keen on 'em.

Clear rules, though, and a fair knowledge of who you're with can make a big difference, I think.