White Elephant… Christmas Gifts?
Things are getting a little confusing in Europe right now. On one end, there’s the department stores and lumberyards pulling out Christmas displays because there aren’t any holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving to slow things down. Then on the other end, we’re still embracing the falling leaves, the autumn farmers markets, and some of those classic European flea markets.
A couple friends managed to pull us away from our chop saw to check out this flea market not too long ago. The market’s been running all summer, so the pickings were pretty slim. In fact, it was really just a bunch of junk at this point. Nonetheless, treasure seeking we went.
With all the great decorating advice we’ve been getting from all of you, I told Martin to be on the lookout for white decor items. He nodded and immediately spotted a gold-tusked, chipped version of this:
Smiling big, he asked, “How about a white elephant?!”
So, is your guy as “useful” as mine with these sorts of things?
Note to non-native English speaking buddies: “white elephant” is a term for any item whose cost exceeds its usefulness. It’s junk that people just can’t throw away.









October 29th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hi Katie…haha, yes my husband can pick out some ‘doozies’…once he came home with ceramic pig salt & pepper shakers in their own little burlap bag…I said where do you think I’d put these? he said in the LR…ugh. Another time he came in with a seashell poodle…double ugh!
I love him though! ;-) Bo
October 29th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I just discovered your blog and love your story! I can’t believe how much moving around you two have done – it must be so exciting to live in so many new places. My husband doesn’t usually pick anything out for our home – he’s always trying to get me to take things out, as opposed to bringing them in. He thinks I’m a clutter bug, he’s a minimalist. But he does have go to responses when I find something that might be a ‘white elephant’ and I want his opinion. He’ll tell me how “claaaassy” it is, saying it in a way that mimics my Jersey accent and drawn out A’s. I always know then that he doesn’t really like it. When he knows it’s something I really do love, he’ll tell me it’s “beachy.” : ) It cracks me up.
October 29th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Funny! You know, even though we have fall and Thanksgiving stuff out here, Christmas stuff has been out since August. Can you believe that? I guess they rush it everywhere. :0)
October 29th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
We do white elephant exchange at hubby’s side of the family every Christmas. It’s fun :o)
October 29th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I can’t imagine life without Target!
October 30th, 2008 at 12:26 am
How funny! Happy ww!
October 30th, 2008 at 1:16 am
The last doozie my husband brought home was a stupid chair hammock thing. When my son peed on it he threw it away. Obviously he realized it was LAME too. :)
October 31st, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I like it. I’d say, get a beautiful ivy plant and have it sitting somewhere for a flash of color!! Good find, even tho it’s chipped, it’ll still work out if you ask me. It was the thought that counted.
My Show n Tell is shared. Come by if you can. And I added a comment link right below the end of my show n tell today, since it’s such a huge blog for Halloween. Gifts galore for all! If you stop by!!!
October 31st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
haha! Sounds like you all have gotten some doozies. I’m just so thankful that this little guy didn’t make it out of the flea market. He just won’t work at our house.
Katie
October 31st, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Yep, my guy is JUST as useful-and funny like that too!!!! LOL Guess you’ll need to be more specific:)
October 31st, 2008 at 5:48 pm
OMgosh! That is to funny! My guy runs 50/50. Every now and then he gets it “right”. Well, my right, at least. lol
October 31st, 2008 at 9:20 pm
What a good husband. :) I love the elephant and heck I would take it in a white elephant exchange!
Michelle :)
October 31st, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Hey, I agree with Michelle. It is a great elephant. Some white elephant gifts get used at Bunco nights. I’ve never been to one of those.
November 1st, 2008 at 1:13 am
Your elephant is cute as can be. I have a friend who collects elephants and she would be in love with this one. I need to send her the address to your blog so she have a looksee :) Thanks for the post.
Please feel free to visit my blog anytime.
November 1st, 2008 at 3:09 am
Welllll…you could put a glass top on it and use it as a table. Or a plant stand. It’s not my taste, but if someone were an elephant person it’s great!
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:20 am
WWow, that certainly is a great find!
December 11th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
So cute..that’s really interesting..