Monday, December 14, 2009

White Elephant gift. . . .

So....... This story starts many decades ago with my grandparents.  I believe it was in the 1970's that my grandfather was called to serve as the mission president in the Phillipines.  The people there were very generous and loving and gave my grandparents many gifts when it was time for them to come home.  Several of the gifts were handcarved wood sculptures of amazing quality.  My dad has a really cool water buffalo in his house, and there were others including some little pigs and other miscellaneous things.  There was also one, somewhat disturbing sculpture.  The sculpture was about 2 feet tall, and was of a naked warrior.  He wore a loin cloth, that was actually cloth.  I don't think I ever looked underneath but I assume it was carved underneath the fabric too...  The most disturbing part of this naked warrior was that he had a a head hanging off of his waist and another head in his other hand.   I remember this guy being in my grandpa's office, and thinking it was, well, scary!  LOL!  As I mentioned, my dad has several beautiful philippine sculptures, but this guy was kept in the basement.  :)  Well, several years ago, we went to a Christmas party with a white elephant gift exchange.  I was at my Dad's house telling him I didn't know what we were going to bring, and he suggested that the sculpture might be quite the hit.  Since I had no better ideas, the sculpture was wrapped up and brought along.  The poor couple who got it were such good sports, but really, the sculpture is somewhat hideous... what would you do with it??? (The ribbon was to "dress him up" from the last exchange)





Well, that was at least 2-3 years ago, maybe more.  I had lost track of him the moment he was in someone else's possession.  I was nearly in tears today when I found out that our bishops wife has ended up with the infamous sculpture in another white elephant gift exchange.  Apparantly the little man has been around the block a few times.  It has even begun to collect signatures from those lucky enough to inherit him.  Who knew what we were starting?  :)
I did a little research and found that in years past, in the Philippines, headhunting was considered noble, and now symbolizes bravery among men.  Nice symbol of bravery, right?  Who's brave enough to display this guy until the next gift exchange?  

5 comments:

Kim W said...

We have A LOT of filopinos living in this area (with a tagolog branch, even). I'll bet they would jump at the offer of getting something hand carved like that. Very funny story.

PartyWeDo said...

Great gift to share around the white elephant party circuit..
Our family plays and online version of the gift exchange so that everyone can play, even in New Hampshire!
Called AlbinoPhant on Facebook!
http://apps.facebook.com/albinophant/

Merry Christmas!

Devri said...

Love white elephant gifts.

Liz Smith said...

okay, that has got be the most hilarious thing i have ever seen. i can't believe i never knew about this!

Kelley said...

We have a few funny things that get "regifted" as white elephants....a giant stuffed flamingo.....a "fat" ballerina costume.....a decorative "egg" that is giant a made of moss; it hangs up and we have no idea what it's for.....