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What is a white elephant sale?

Also called: jumble sale, rummage sale · Used in United States, mostly churches, clubs and schools

A white elephant sale is a fundraising sale of donated used household items, usually run by a church, school or club, where the money goes to the group rather than to individual sellers. Donors give the goods and volunteers price them low so everything clears quickly.

What it actually means in practice

The name comes from a 'white elephant': an unwanted possession that is costly to keep or store. Donating it and selling it cheaply clears space and raises money at the same time.

It is the same event as a rummage sale or a jumble sale — donated goods, low prices, proceeds to the group. It is not the white elephant gift exchange party game, where people swap wrapped presents; that is a different thing entirely.

For how to run one as a fundraiser, see the fundraiser garage sale guide at /blog/fundraiser-garage-sale, and church sales are listed on the church sales page at /church-sales.

Rummage saleA rummage sale is run by a group — a church, school, club or charity — rather than a single household. Donated goods are pooled and sold, usually in a hall over one or two days, and the proceeds go to the organisation rather than to any individual seller.Jumble saleA jumble sale is a charity sale of donated goods, traditionally run by a church, school or scout group in a parish hall, with proceeds going to the organisation. It is the British equivalent of a church rummage sale, and the same scramble-at-the-bargain-stall format.Church saleA church sale is a sale of donated household goods, run by church volunteers to raise money for the church or its charity work. It is the same event as a church rummage sale or a British jumble sale: members give the goods, volunteers price them low and the money goes to the church.Bag saleBuyers pay one flat price (often $1–$10) for whatever fits in a standard bag the seller provides, usually on the final day or final hour of a rummage, church, thrift or garage sale, to clear leftover stock quickly and avoid hauling it back.

Find one near you

Every white elephant sale posted nearby is on one map, sorted by distance, with dates, hours and photos. Hosting one yourself? Posting is free and takes about two minutes.

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Need the rules rather than the words? Permits and signage by state. Back to the full glossary.

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