White Elephant

This invitation is very strange.
Why have a white elephant gift exchange?
Most people don’t own one of any hue,
And why trade one for another, too?
I hope some research will shine a light
On the subject. What’s this? They’re not truly white
But gray, reddish brown, or often pink.
They’re “white” as in pure, or so people think
In Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Burma,
Whose royals have kept such a pachyderm-a.
A sacred beast, it is not to be labored.
A monarch might gift one to someone favored—
Or much the reverse, as you couldn’t say no
Or pass it along, and your riches would go
Toward keeping it healthy, and all for what?
Mere bragging rights and a pain in the butt?
Oh, now I see: It’s a metaphor
For something whose upkeep is quite the chore
And expensive with little good in return.
Well, goodness, I don’t have money to burn.
Again, I must ask why I’d want to come
And receive such a nuisance. Do I look dumb?
Oh, wait, there’s more that I hadn’t read.
The exchange makes use of this meaning instead:
The gifts aren’t costly but rather amusing,
Unasked for, and not so handy for using.
You bring a wrapped gift to add to a pile
And decide who goes first (perhaps lottery style)
To grab and unwrap one. The next in line
May do the same thing, but stealing is fine.
A gift can be stolen as much as twice.
The first chooser might go again, but suffice
It to say that we all go home with one.
This party game could be rather fun!