Incepted ahead of its time—well before the explosion of local Buy Nothing groups—Box of Crap was born many years ago at a holiday party with my husband’s college friends. The premise felt familiar, almost like a white elephant exchange, but with an eco-friendly twist: no one bought anything. Instead, everyone shopped their own homes for unused gifts, impulse purchases they regretted, or gently used items collecting dust.
It was called Box of Crap. (Since having kids, the name has softened into Box of Stuff, but true fans still call it by its original, glorious name.)
And honestly? Watching the troves of “treasure” get unboxed is half the joy.
What Is Box of Crap? A Sustainable Twist on the White Elephant Gift Exchange
The rules mirror those of a classic white elephant. Everyone brings a wrapped item, numbers are drawn, and the suspense begins.
Spot #1 remains the most coveted because you get to watch all the unwrapping and—at the very end—swap your gift for anything you want. Strategy, chaos, diplomacy… it’s all part of the fun.
The Worst Box of Crap Gifts: The Crappy, the Crappier, and the Legendary
Let’s start with the infamous disasters.
The very first Box of Crap included a tube of yeast infection ointment that was jokingly re-gifted for years. It eventually disappeared from circulation. What happened to it? We’ll never know.
Other unforgettable contributions over the years include:
- A giant box filled entirely with sample-size lotions, perfumes, condiments, and hotel freebies
- A bundle of corporate promo swag—XXL shirts, plastic water bottles, pens, sticky notes, stress balls
- A road-trip souvenir haul featuring “bear claw” salad tossers, embellished keychains, state magnets, and random tchotchkes
Crappy? Yes.
Iconic? Also yes.
The Best Box of Crap Wins: Surprisingly Amazing Gifts That Show Up
This is where the true fun begins—the gems hidden among the ridiculous. Over the years, the group has unwrapped:
- A Krups citrus press juicer
- An Apple Magic Mouse
- A full set of mixing bowls
- A giant hermit crab Squishmallow that perfectly matched a smaller version we already owned
Pure, unexpected delight.
Box of Crap Strategy Guide: How to Pick the Best Gift to Steal
If you’re aiming for the best haul? Go for the small boxes. Big boxes often equal big randomness—unless they’re decoys.
Case in point: Last year, my husband grabbed a large, unwrapped box. He assumed it was a decoy for something exciting—like a random mashup of goodies. It wasn’t. The box literally included the Bodum portable picnic grill pictured on the box.
Womp womp.
(Still useful. Just anticlimactic.)
The beauty of Box of Crap is its complete unpredictability. No two years ever play out the same.
Why Box of Crap Is the Ultimate Modern White Elephant
At its core, Box of Crap blends sustainability, humor, and nostalgia. You reuse what you already have, avoid unnecessary spending, and get a hilarious peek into the things people once valued enough to keep.
As the old saying goes, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”
Nowhere is that more true than with Box of Crap—the improved, modern-day white elephant we didn’t know we needed.
