Mariah Carey Has Never Heard of White Elephant Gift Parties: 'Can You Tell Me About It?' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Mariah Carey (with Kristofer, left and Dior, right) for PEOPLE.Photo:Nino MunozThe Queen ofChristmashas a lot of holiday traditions, but White Elephant definitely isn’t one of them.Mariah Carey, 54, opened up to PEOPLE in an exclusive interview about what Christmastime traditions she considers to be a “slay or nay” and enjoys celebrating herself. While caroling, wearing matching pajamas and opening one gift on Christmas Eve are among the festivities that make up her yuletide plans, she admitted that she’s unfamiliar with the popular gift exchange known as white elephant.When asked what the“All I Want for Christmas Is You”singer thinks of the party game in which guests bring gifts that they open at random and trade, she responded, “I don’t know of said white elephant gift party. Can you tell me about it?”Mariah Carey for PEOPLE.Nino MunozAfter PEOPLE explained the rules to the pop superstar and inquired if she had played before, she said, “No, I haven’t.”“I’m always looking for a new game. Something’s fun, it’s good,” the hitmaker added.Her longtime makeup artistKristofer Buckletold PEOPLE that he’d participated in the gift-swap before, including at a holiday party he hosted last year — but Carey wasn’t convinced that she’d be adding the game to her festivities this season.“He doesn’t sound too thrilled about it,” the Grammy winner joked when Buckle recalled his 2022 event — making her verdict on the gag gift game, “Nay-ish.”White elephant isn’t the only Christmas party tradition the pop icon put on her naughty list: Secret Santa also received a “nay.” “It’s just like, why? I don’t know,” she said of the anonymous present exchange.Mariah Carey for PEOPLE.Nino MunozThis year, the hitmaker — who appeared on PEOPLE’slatest digital cover— is rocking around the Christmas tree in her own way. The “Obsessed” singer is currently in the midst of herMerry Christmas One and All! tour, which kicked off in November and ends at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Dec. 17.The show sees the pop icon transform the stage into a winter wonderland and perform a 90-minute set full of classic holiday standards and her own, original hits. Her 12-year-old twins,Moroccan and Monroe(whom she shares with ex-husbandNick Cannon), even make a special appearance.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Mariah Carey for PEOPLE.Nino MunozWhen speaking with PEOPLE about how she likes to live life from “Christmastime to Christmastime,” the singer-songwriter spoke about why this holiday season is extra special.“I’ve been looking forward to this Christmas for, like, the whole year. Since last year — because last year wasn’t the greatest. I’m thankful for them all, but it wasn’t my most fun version of Christmas ever,” she shared.“Look, come hell or high water,” the star added, “this year, this Christmas, we are going to have fun.”For more from Mariah Carey, check out PEOPLE’s latest digital issue here.

Mariah Carey (with Kristofer, left and Dior, right) for PEOPLE.Photo:Nino Munoz

Nino Munoz

The Queen ofChristmashas a lot of holiday traditions, but White Elephant definitely isn’t one of them.Mariah Carey, 54, opened up to PEOPLE in an exclusive interview about what Christmastime traditions she considers to be a “slay or nay” and enjoys celebrating herself. While caroling, wearing matching pajamas and opening one gift on Christmas Eve are among the festivities that make up her yuletide plans, she admitted that she’s unfamiliar with the popular gift exchange known as white elephant.When asked what the“All I Want for Christmas Is You”singer thinks of the party game in which guests bring gifts that they open at random and trade, she responded, “I don’t know of said white elephant gift party. Can you tell me about it?”Mariah Carey for PEOPLE.Nino MunozAfter PEOPLE explained the rules to the pop superstar and inquired if she had played before, she said, “No, I haven’t.”“I’m always looking for a new game. Something’s fun, it’s good,” the hitmaker added.Her longtime makeup artistKristofer Buckletold PEOPLE that he’d participated in the gift-swap before, including at a holiday party he hosted last year — but Carey wasn’t convinced that she’d be adding the game to her festivities this season.“He doesn’t sound too thrilled about it,” the Grammy winner joked when Buckle recalled his 2022 event — making her verdict on the gag gift game, “Nay-ish.”White elephant isn’t the only Christmas party tradition the pop icon put on her naughty list: Secret Santa also received a “nay.” “It’s just like, why? I don’t know,” she said of the anonymous present exchange.Mariah Carey for PEOPLE.Nino MunozThis year, the hitmaker — who appeared on PEOPLE’slatest digital cover— is rocking around the Christmas tree in her own way. The “Obsessed” singer is currently in the midst of herMerry Christmas One and All! tour, which kicked off in November and ends at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Dec. 17.The show sees the pop icon transform the stage into a winter wonderland and perform a 90-minute set full of classic holiday standards and her own, original hits. Her 12-year-old twins,Moroccan and Monroe(whom she shares with ex-husbandNick Cannon), even make a special appearance.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Mariah Carey for PEOPLE.Nino MunozWhen speaking with PEOPLE about how she likes to live life from “Christmastime to Christmastime,” the singer-songwriter spoke about why this holiday season is extra special.“I’ve been looking forward to this Christmas for, like, the whole year. Since last year — because last year wasn’t the greatest. I’m thankful for them all, but it wasn’t my most fun version of Christmas ever,” she shared.“Look, come hell or high water,” the star added, “this year, this Christmas, we are going to have fun.”For more from Mariah Carey, check out PEOPLE’s latest digital issue here.

The Queen ofChristmashas a lot of holiday traditions, but White Elephant definitely isn’t one of them.

Mariah Carey, 54, opened up to PEOPLE in an exclusive interview about what Christmastime traditions she considers to be a “slay or nay” and enjoys celebrating herself. While caroling, wearing matching pajamas and opening one gift on Christmas Eve are among the festivities that make up her yuletide plans, she admitted that she’s unfamiliar with the popular gift exchange known as white elephant.

When asked what the“All I Want for Christmas Is You”singer thinks of the party game in which guests bring gifts that they open at random and trade, she responded, “I don’t know of said white elephant gift party. Can you tell me about it?”

Mariah Carey for PEOPLE.Nino Munoz

After PEOPLE explained the rules to the pop superstar and inquired if she had played before, she said, “No, I haven’t.”

“I’m always looking for a new game. Something’s fun, it’s good,” the hitmaker added.

Her longtime makeup artistKristofer Buckletold PEOPLE that he’d participated in the gift-swap before, including at a holiday party he hosted last year — but Carey wasn’t convinced that she’d be adding the game to her festivities this season.

“He doesn’t sound too thrilled about it,” the Grammy winner joked when Buckle recalled his 2022 event — making her verdict on the gag gift game, “Nay-ish.”

White elephant isn’t the only Christmas party tradition the pop icon put on her naughty list: Secret Santa also received a “nay.” “It’s just like, why? I don’t know,” she said of the anonymous present exchange.

This year, the hitmaker — who appeared on PEOPLE’slatest digital cover— is rocking around the Christmas tree in her own way. The “Obsessed” singer is currently in the midst of herMerry Christmas One and All! tour, which kicked off in November and ends at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Dec. 17.

The show sees the pop icon transform the stage into a winter wonderland and perform a 90-minute set full of classic holiday standards and her own, original hits. Her 12-year-old twins,Moroccan and Monroe(whom she shares with ex-husbandNick Cannon), even make a special appearance.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

When speaking with PEOPLE about how she likes to live life from “Christmastime to Christmastime,” the singer-songwriter spoke about why this holiday season is extra special.

“I’ve been looking forward to this Christmas for, like, the whole year. Since last year — because last year wasn’t the greatest. I’m thankful for them all, but it wasn’t my most fun version of Christmas ever,” she shared.

“Look, come hell or high water,” the star added, “this year, this Christmas, we are going to have fun.”

For more from Mariah Carey, check out PEOPLE’s latest digital issue here.

source: people.com