However, this is not where the quirky tradition of exchanging odd gifts got its name.Īs time progressed and Europeans began to inhabit Asia, the white elephant transformed into an aesthetic, with Europeans not understanding their value in Buddhist culture. They were expensive, rare and extravagant. Eventually, white elephants were given as gifts to people of significance. This story carried a great significance in southeast Asian culture where the white elephant transcended into a representation of holy being. It is said that the night Buddha was born, his mother was given a white lotus by a white elephant. Christmas being one of the most renowned holidays is widely loved and celebrated in almost every way possible! Although Santa sitting in shopping malls may seem to be an odd tradition of this season, an even more peculiar practice has made its way into the beloved American Christmas– White Elephant parties! With a name such as white elephant, this tradition presents an array of bizarre and mysterious features.Īn introduction to the White Elephant is not complete without an introduction to Buddhist mythology. Hysteria of Christmas cheer overwhelm every block with twinkling lights and the Christmas season has begun. Christmas decorations are stocked on every shelf, Mariah Carey streams from every radio and Santa comes out of his wintery home into the malls of America. 'I'm sorry to see the old place go,' he said, 'but I'm also glad to have the time now to make up for a lot of lost time.Every year on November 25th, after Thanksgiving festivities have subsided and the chaos of family gatherings have fizzled out, Christmas spirit springs into action. This year, he's taking it easy and traveling to watch his own grandchildren play basketball games. 'You could just about find anything here.'Ĭonley said he spent decades working late hours so that other families could provide Christmas gifts to their children. They had all the fishing and camping supplies against this wall,'' he said. 'During the walk through, we were like, 'This is where they had all the toys. Just feet from where scores of local kids got to ride a rocking horse for a dime, the trackhoe used its hydraulic grapple arms to grab massive amounts of rubble that it loaded into Ellis' waiting semi truck.Įllis said the demolition team will take about two weeks to raze the building. 'There's lots of mixed emotions,' Conley said. Division St., on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.

Conley's son, Rich Conley.Ĭonley, 70, drove by the old building at 1730 N. After closing last year, the Conley family sold the property this summer to Panda Express, which plans on building a restaurant at the site, said John R.

Christmas white elephant icon