By Sherri Brown
On Jan. 3, Troop 380 Scouters and parents gathered to ring in the new and, in some cases, get rid of the old. (We are not referring to those wonderful people who continue to support and lead the troop after many years—or decades, in some cases–of service!) Held at the home of Peter and Sherri Brown, this potluck event featured not only dozens of delightful dishes but great camaraderie. The real highlight, however, was the sharing of gifts, some new, some seen before, and some that we never want to see again!
The white elephant gift exchange began with the traditional reading of the rules by Scoutmaster Dave Ishikawa. In addition to the usual guidelines, stipulations regarding collusion among spouses and other prohibitions were added, named after likely suspects. To make it even more interesting, not only were numbers distributed for the order of gift selection; a “Wild” card and the new “Wild Wild” slip were included to allow two lucky individuals to jump into the fray at any time to steal and keep coveted presents.
Great gifts and gag gifts (which, curiously, some people also considered great) were wrapped and waiting under the Christmas tree. The mere anticipation of the surprises in bags and boxes held everyone in thrall. It was so exciting that one Scouter even developed heart palpitations and had to be taken to the local hospital! (We are happy to report that he is fine.)
As always, there were gifts of chocolate, which never stay with the original owner. Also popular and abundant this year, for some reason, were crock-pots of various sizes. Less likely to be stolen gifts included singing, dancing stuffed animals and tacky decorations. Recycled from past parties, a lovely, glowing LED work of art was kept by the original present opener, and the guests graciously allowed another Scouter to keep a new but similar gift. Of course, there is always some sort of hat or cap. This year featured a hunting cap in a camouflage motif, with earflaps, mounted antlers and blinking red lights. The recipient of this gift was so overwhelmed with his luck that no one could even think of stealing it from him! Most original this year, perhaps, was a gift that included several items, all related to a suggestive theme that cannot be explained in a newsletter to be read by youth. Hoots and hollers accompanied the unwrapping of each piece of this prize. Finally, the person holding the “Wild, Wild” card stole an unusually useful and unused gift, a brand new backpack. (While some people understood the meaning of white elephant all too well, others seemed unable to lower themselves to the existing standard or else missed the point.)
Pleased or not with their gifts, the adults all agreed that they had had a great evening as they rummaged through the piles of coats, purses and shoes and, we hope, went home with their own things. Only the pocketknife used to open packages and a pair of slipper socks were left behind, to be returned to their owners as Troop 380 met for the first Monday to begin another great year of activities, advancement and service.
