Why it wins the steal round
A white elephant gift has two jobs: get a laugh when it is opened, and be worth stealing afterward. Most gifts under $25 manage one of the two. A trading card of the host, the boss or the office dog does both, because the joke is about someone in the room and the gift is a real printed card in a display case.
It also survives the game. Small, rigid and boxed, it gets passed around a circle better than a mug or a candle.
What fits under each price limit
Prices are before tax. Standard US shipping is $5 below a $30 order and free on orders of $30 or more.
- Under $25: one card in a magnetic display case, $22.99 with standard shipping.
- Under $30: a matching pair of cards, $21.99 plus $5 shipping, or $26.99.
- Under $50: five cards in one box for $31.99, with free US standard shipping on orders of $30 or more.
- Under $20 including shipping: a printed card does not fit. Save it for a gift without a cap.
Put the joke on the back
Keep the front looking like a real card: a good photo, a name, a position. Put the joke where the stats go. "Meetings survived: 1,204" or "Career naps: undefeated" lands better than a gag on the front, and the card still looks good on a desk in January.
- The boss, as "Head Coach of the Fourth Quarter"
- The office dog or the host's cat, with treat-based stats
- Last year's white elephant winner, on a championship card
Getting it there before the party
For a party before Christmas, compare the arrival window at checkout with the party date. For Christmas week, order by Monday, December 14 with standard shipping; the card is expected by Wednesday, December 23. When available, Priority and Overnight orders placed before the same-day cut-off on a business day ship that same day.
