• by Tanya Gazdik , December 26, 2013

Let's be honest. Some holiday gifts are just ho-ho-rrendous.

Houlihan’s Restaurants is hosting what they believe is the world’s largest white elephant gift exchange to assist those in need of disposing of at least one of those thoughtless gifts.

Until Jan. 3, customers can submit the best of the worst holiday gifts to Kansas City-based Houlihan's Restaurants headquarters at 8700 State Line Rd., Suite 100, Leawood, KS, 66206.  In exchange, they'll receive an awful gift from another participant and a $25 Houlihan's gift card.

"We're sympathetic to the fact that many Americans have spent the last four weeks dealing with frenetic shopping malls across the country, and few want to re-live that 'fun' post-Christmas," said Jen Gulvik, senior VP marketing and creative director, Houlihan's Restaurants, Inc. in a release. "We hope the next nine days will bring a cornucopia of bad gifts to be exchanged … or, a giant cornucopia headpiece; that would truly spread holiday joy."

Since the campaign launched on Dec. 5, nearly 500 wild and wacky gifts and many laughs have been exchanged by total strangers. Noteworthy gifts include a clock in the shape of Michigan, a high heel tape dispenser and a mint-condition Vince Gill and Olivia Newton-John holiday cassette tape.  

In addition to the physical gift exchange, consumers can also participate in the White Elephant Gift Exchange virtually by posting pictures of their holiday gifting disasters via Instagram or Twitter using #HouWhiteElephant. One winner will win free Houlihan's for a year (a gift valued at $1,200) and two winners will receive $100 Amazon gift cards.

The brand is promoting the effort on Facebook.