59 Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Everyone Will Be Fighting Over (2024)

Table of Contents
Most Popular White Elephant Gift Ideas Best Funny White Elephant Gift Ideas An Adjustable Stool To Make Going Potty Easier Squatty Potty Adjustable 2.0 Toilet Stool A Winter Coat For Cold Ones Uncommon Goods Cold Beer Coats A Throw Blanket That Burrito Fanatics Will Cozy Up In Casofu Burrito Tortilla Blanket (47-Inch) Extra-Comfy Slippers Inspired By Holiday Dinner Dearfoams Turkey Slippers Dinosaur Fans Will Love This Playful 'Nachosaurus' Set Funwares Original Nachosaurus Snack And Dip Set A 'Crappy' Present That'll Get Plenty Of Laughs Funny Embroidered Toilet Paper Rolls A Gigantic But Totally Huggable Seeded Baguette Throw Pillow Much Comfort 3D Seeded Baguette Throw Pillow, XL Sushi-Inspired Socks That Look Like The Real Thing Rainbow Socks Unisex Sushi Socks Box Made For 'Schitt's Creek' Fans Moonlight Makers 'Fold In The Cheese' Kitchen Towel The Ideal Shower Beer Or Bath Wine Solution SipCaddy Shower Beer And Wine Holder For Hands-Free Reading In Bed Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light This Banana Slicer That May Or May Not Be Useful Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $15 A Coffee Table Book That Addresses Life's Burning Questions Am I Overthinking This?: Over-Answering Life’s Questions In 101 Charts The Most Adorable Mini Waffle Maker Dash Mini Maker For Individual Waffles A Cute Mini Pizza Ornament For Pie Fans Hand-Tossed Ceramic Pizza Ornament Miniature Jams That Are Perfect For Sampling Bonne Maman Assorted Mini Jams A Cozy Pair Of Socks For Staying Snuggly And Warm Brooklinen Socks To Make Snacking On Drive-Through Fries So Much Easier French Fry Holder For Car A Rocking Garlic Press For Dracula Enthusiasts Ototo Rockula Garlic Press Rocker Scrabble-On-The-Go For Wordsmiths Bananagrams Word Game A Mug With Your Favorite People Wearing Festive Sweaters Shutterfly Floating Sweaters Mug (11-Ounce) Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $25 A Fun Brain Teaser For Wine Lovers Bsiri Wooden Wine Bottle Brain Teaser Puzzle This 'Elf'-Inspired Satin Pillowcase elf x Kitsch Satin Pillowcase A Fun Party Game That Is Also So Much More Than That Hella Awkward Card Game A Cult-Favorite Lip Mask To Plump Their Pout Overnight Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask A Personal Popper For The Ultimate Homemade Movie Snack W&P The Personal Popper The Trendy Chemical Peel That Promises 'Baby-Soft' Tootsies Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel Party Lights To Brighten The Holidays Daybetter LED Strip Lights To Solve Their Dinner Dilemmas Once And For All Foodie Dice A Bartender-Curated Cocktail Kit For Budding Mixologists The Cocktail Box Co. Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit A Pretty, Compact Cooker That Makes 2 Cups Of Rice Dash Mini Rice Cooker An Adorable Spud-Shaped Night Light With An Auto-Off Feature Smoko Baby Tayto Potato Ambient Light A Holiday-Inspired Scented Soy Candle Moonlight Makers “Fresh Cut Christmas Tree” Candle A Truly Useful Milk Frother Zulay Executive Milk Frother With Stand A Petite Cutting Board For Chopping Up Snacks Material The (mini) reBoard A Portable Iron You Can Stow Away In A Suitcase Steamfast Mini Steam Iron With Foldable Handle A Spa Experience In The Form Of Bath Bombs Cleverfy Shower Steamers (6-Pack) This Satisfyingly Squishy Stress 'Ball' Speks Blots Green Splotch Stress Ball For Those Pesky Overnight Pimples Acne Day & Night Duo A Jelly Bean Machine For Movie Night That Also Charges For Admission Jelly Belly Buttered Popcorn Bean Machine & Bank A Bottle Opener That Shimmers Like A Disco Ball Disco Ball Bottle Opener Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $30 Flavor-Packed Cubes For Instant Brunch Cocktails Minute Mimosa Sugar Cube Trio Possibly The Most Convenient Portable Charger Ever Charmast Portable Charger With 6 Built-In Cables For Singing Hearts Out At Home—Or Wherever The Party Is Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone A Mug That Keeps Hot Drinks Hot And Cold Drinks Cold Yeti Rambler Mug (14 Ounces) This Handy-Dandy Coffee Warmer BestInKits Smart Coffee Warmer The Gift Of Perfectly Lit Selfies Sensyne Ring Light A Cast-Aluminum Press For Perfect Patties Williams Sonoma Adjustable Nonstick Burger Press Refreshing 'Manly' Scents And A Touch Of Humor Dr. Squatch Men's Soap Variety Pack (3-Pack) A Beautiful Notebook Designed By A London Fashion House Papier Wildflower Hardback Lined Notebook Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $50 A Portable, Waterproof Clip-On Speaker JBL Clip 3 Portable Speaker An Eyeglasses Holder That Has No Business Being This Cute Ceramic Cat Eyeglass Holder A TikTok-Viral Blackout Cap For Headache Relief OG HungOvr Cap A Festive, Sustainable Way To Do Self-Care Lush Best Wishes Gift Set Not Your Average Ugly Christmas Sweater MyFav Dinosaur Ugly Christmas Sweater This Set Of Luscious Hand Creams Foodies Will Drool Over Korres Olive Blossom Body & Hand Trio This Elegant And Whimsical Oil Dispenser Whimsical Oil Bottle These Color-Block Socks That Also Happen To Be Super-Comfy Kaleidoscope Knit House Socks Teeth Whitening Strips For Brighter Smiles Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects What Are The Rules Of A White Elephant Gift Exchange? What’s The Difference Between A White Elephant Exchange And A Yankee Swap? What Is A Good Last-Minute White Elephant Gift? More Holiday Gift Guides To Shop References

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VettedGifts

Fran Sales

Forbes Staff

Forbes Vetted

This story is part of the Forbes Vetted 2023 Holiday Gift Guide, where you can find handpicked presents for everyone on your list.

The best white elephant gift ideas are often inexpensive and come in varying degrees of funny—depending on the crowd. For instance, for an office event with coworkers, you may want to play it safe with a practical, under-$15 gift like this best-selling mini waffle maker or a cute but useful Dracula garlic press. A get-together with close friends, however, warrants more amusing picks like a Squatty Potty or a silly (but cozy) pair of turkey slippers.

We asked gifting pro Matt Graham, co-owner of the Utah-based gifting services company Shadow Breeze, what to do if we’re stuck. His advice? Err on the side of caution. “Bring an inexpensive, practical gift instead of a gag gift. And stick to the budget. If there isn’t one, I would use $25 as the suggested amount,” he says. (Which is a good time to mention that we also have lists of under-$30 white elephant gift ideas and the best gifts under $30 for you to dig into after you’re done with this one.)

But Graham’s biggest piece of advice? Don’t stress. “No one goes to a white elephant gift exchange expecting to walk away with an amazing gift,” he says. “It’s more about having fun with your coworkers, friends and family.” So in the spirit of keeping calm and gifting on, we have you covered with 62 of the best white elephant gift ideas to bring to your next exchange.

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Most Popular White Elephant Gift Ideas

Best Funny White Elephant Gift Ideas

An Adjustable Stool To Make Going Potty Easier

Squatty Potty Adjustable 2.0 Toilet Stool

Sure, everyone poops—but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Enter: The Squatty Potty, the OG stool that helps you get into a “squat” position (from a 90- to 35-degree angle) to remove unnecessary strain on your colon (read: less time in the bathroom). The 2.0 version can be adjusted to two heights so that anyone, including tykes and pro squatters, can use it.

A Winter Coat For Cold Ones

Uncommon Goods Cold Beer Coats

These winter coat-designed beer koozies are sure to steal the spotlight. Available in a variety of colors including Lavender, Red/Camo and this Blue/Green, they’re adorable and useful. Other styles worth checking out include the Chill Out Beer Hoodies, Chill Beer Flannels and Beer Preservers, which resemble life jackets.

A Throw Blanket That Burrito Fanatics Will Cozy Up In

Casofu Burrito Tortilla Blanket (47-Inch)

If you’re looking to go the funny-but-useful route for your white elephant gift exchange, this tortilla-inspired blanket should get the group going. This soft blanket is backed by a ridiculous amount of stellar reviews and is actually a treat to curl up in. Plus, there’s also delicious designs for die-hard fans of other foods like pepperoni pizzas and waffles.

Extra-Comfy Slippers Inspired By Holiday Dinner

Dearfoams Turkey Slippers

If you don’t think these turkey-shaped slippers will cause some commotion, think again. Not only are they hilarious, they’re made with Dearfoams’ signature memory foam insole and have a plush lining for maximum coziness. (Don’t worry: There are reindeer styles and kids’ sizes, too.)

Dinosaur Fans Will Love This Playful 'Nachosaurus' Set

Funwares Original Nachosaurus Snack And Dip Set

Whether it’s for a “Jurassic Park” viewing party, dinosaur-themed sleepover or Taco Tuesday (or any day that involves snacking, really), this set of dino-inspired chip and dip holders will probably become the recipient’s go-to serveware. Fill the dino with tortilla chips, which becomes its spikes, and the dip holder looks like a tiny volcano. (You can also quadruple the fun with the “Ferocious Feast” version, which is a set of four foldable dino taco holders.) This set can also be filled with any other snack, and did we mention it’s dishwasher-safe?

A 'Crappy' Present That'll Get Plenty Of Laughs

Funny Embroidered Toilet Paper Rolls

What embodies “practical” and “hysterical” more than a roll of toilet paper embroidered with a phrase like “This is the crappiest gift I could find”? Nothing, that’s what. So go for it with this handmade gag gift, which you can have embroidered with any saying or custom design you want (you can also customize a pack of up to nine rolls).

A Gigantic But Totally Huggable Seeded Baguette Throw Pillow

Much Comfort 3D Seeded Baguette Throw Pillow, XL

The perfect example of a hilarious white elephant gift that will probably get plenty of use, this humongous seeded baguette body pillow will be an absolute hit at the party. Carb lovers will be delighted at the attention to detail (the seeds! the crust!), as well as how incredibly soft and plush it is. (Plus, there are croissant and doughnut pillows for the other pastry lovers, too.)

Sushi-Inspired Socks That Look Like The Real Thing

Rainbow Socks Unisex Sushi Socks Box

Socks rolled up and packaged like sushi are cute, a little weird and actually very practical. This set comes with two pairs of cotton socks that are OEKO-TEX certified, and—complete with fabric versions of soy sauce bottles, wasabi and ginger—look good enough to eat.

Made For 'Schitt's Creek' Fans

Woman-Owned

Moonlight Makers 'Fold In The Cheese' Kitchen Towel

Any Schitt’s Creek fanatic will simply have to have this towel in their kitchen. As a bonus, this Amazon Handmade pick isn’t just funny; it’s also made from 100% flour sack cotton and handmade in North Carolina. (We also recommend the “Ew David” towel, also inspired by the show, or for Barbie fans, the hilarious “Do You Guys Ever Think About Dying” one.)

The Ideal Shower Beer Or Bath Wine Solution

SipCaddy Shower Beer And Wine Holder

With this gift, help one of your loved ones revive a beloved college beverage: the Shower Beer. Or, if they insist on being adults, this plastic holder from SipCaddy can also hold wine glasses so they can enjoy a Bath Wine at the end of a long day. (And this gift can hold shampoo or conditioner bottles, too!)

For Hands-Free Reading In Bed

Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light

The book lover who scores this present will now be able to finish their page-turner in the dark while their bedmate sleeps. On top of being uniquely shaped under gift wrap (always a draw at white elephant gift exchanges), this neck light comes with two movable arms with light heads, each offering three brightness levels. The recipient can read on and say, “Look, Ma, no hands!”

This Banana Slicer That May Or May Not Be Useful

Hutzler 571 Banana Slicer

A banana-shaped banana slicer might seem like an unnecessary gadget—but at just $6, this is a total steal for peanut butter and banana sandwich lovers. It’s kid-friendly, too: All it takes is a simple press of the slicer on top of a peeled banana, and voilà, you’ll get uniform slices to use as toppers for breakfast and desserts.

Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $15

A Coffee Table Book That Addresses Life's Burning Questions

An artsy coffee table book full of gallery-quality photos or paintings will no doubt be appreciated at a white elephant gift exchange. But if you want something that checks off both the “chucklesome” and “functional” boxes, illustrator Michelle Rial’s book of charts attempting to wryly answer life’s biggest and smallest questions is sure to be a hit— especially among the overthinkers in the group (we relate).

The Most Adorable Mini Waffle Maker

Dash Mini Maker For Individual Waffles

You might just get a hug from the breakfast lover in your life when you present one of these waffle makers at your next white elephant exchange. Any batter will do, which means that in addition to traditional waffles, you can go wild with cake or brownie batter. There are also 20 colors and patterns to choose from, including leopard print and a psychedelic space-inspired one called Purple Galaxy. (Just note that prices vary by a few bucks depending on design.)

A Cute Mini Pizza Ornament For Pie Fans

USA-Made

Hand-Tossed Ceramic Pizza Ornament

For pizza lovers, there’s never a bad time to grab a slice of piping-hot pie with stringy mozzarella cheese, decadent tomato sauce and a crispy-yet chewy-crust. For those folks, we recommend this quirky hand-sculpted ceramic pepperoni pizza ornament, which comes with its own little pizza box.

Miniature Jams That Are Perfect For Sampling

Bonne Maman Assorted Mini Jams

How cute are these mini jam jars? Made by the popular French brand Bonne Maman, each set comes with five 1.8-ounce flavors: strawberry, apricot, raspberry, orange marmalade and cherry. They’re the perfect size for sampling, too—one reviewer says each jar has enough jam for two to five pieces of toast.

A Cozy Pair Of Socks For Staying Snuggly And Warm

Brooklinen Socks

A quality pair of cozy socks are one foolproof gift to bring if you’re not sure what would be appropriate, according to Graham. These lounge socks from Brooklinen, which are designed for wearing indoors, are fully cushioned with a terry-lined interior for extra warmth and comfort.

To Make Snacking On Drive-Through Fries So Much Easier

French Fry Holder For Car

Snacking on piping-hot drive-through fries just got an upgrade with this french fry holder. The tray fits perfectly in a car cup holder, meaning less time digging for fallen fries and more time crunching.

A Rocking Garlic Press For Dracula Enthusiasts

Ototo Rockula Garlic Press Rocker

Fans of horror and vampires will get a kick out of this spooky and cute garlic press rocker. Don’t worry, all its bite is saved for the garlic: All your recipient has to do is crush peeled cloves by rocking the tool back and forth.

Scrabble-On-The-Go For Wordsmiths

Bananagrams Word Game

This banana-shaped pouch may not look like it, but it holds a tile game that’s incredibly popular among Amazon shoppers. Each pouch is filled with 144 letters for endless hours of word-filled fun for anagram aficionados. It’s kind of like Scrabble but without a clunky board or the complications of scoring, and anywhere from one to eight players can join in.

A Mug With Your Favorite People Wearing Festive Sweaters

Shutterfly Floating Sweaters Mug (11-Ounce)

A festive mug that’s also only $15, funny and personalized? Yes, please. You can add photos of the white elephant party attendees to pair with this mug’s floating sweaters for a one-of-a-kind mug that any recipient will enjoy. This is available in both 11- and 15-ounce versions.

Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $25

A Fun Brain Teaser For Wine Lovers

Bsiri Wooden Wine Bottle Brain Teaser Puzzle

Anyone who loves puzzles and wine won’t hesitate to snatch up this gadget. It’s a wooden brain teaser that you lock around a bottle, and it won’t release until the puzzle is solved. The result is equal parts fun and frustration—depending how badly they need a drink.

This 'Elf'-Inspired Satin Pillowcase

Editor’s Pick

elf x Kitsch Satin Pillowcase

We already swear by woman-owned brand Kitsch’s sustainable and delicious smelling haircare products (particularly its rice protein shampoo bars and heatless curling kits). We also know from experience how decadent it feels to sleep on the brand’s satin pillowcases, and now you can get one inspired by the movie Elf—and it’s available to fit king-sized pillows, too.

A Fun Party Game That Is Also So Much More Than That

Black-Owned

Hella Awkward Card Game

Card games that bring people together are always a safe white elephant gift—classics like Cards Against Humanity or more family-friendly ones like Apples To Apples and What Do You Meme? are some great examples. Or, you could go a little bit deeper with the conversation game Hella Awkward, which encourages both hilarious (of course) and thought-provoking storytelling. The 140 questions are split into categories from Dating to Real Talk, and you can customize the game by removing certain categories based on who’s playing.

A Cult-Favorite Lip Mask To Plump Their Pout Overnight

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Tell the skincare buffs at the party to get ready: The cult-favorite Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (which Vetted’s beauty staff have deemed their pick for the best overnight lip mask) will help them achieve super-soft lips while they sleep. Plus, the antioxidant-packed lip treatment comes in eight scrumptious flavors.

A Personal Popper For The Ultimate Homemade Movie Snack

W&P The Personal Popper

If you’ve ever had homemade popcorn, you’ll know it’s way better than the packaged stuff. This gadget makes whipping up a generous portion of the classic movie snack super easy, plus it reduces waste (and scorched saucepans). And for a few bucks more, you can also get the original version, which pops enough for a group.

The Trendy Chemical Peel That Promises 'Baby-Soft' Tootsies

Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel

Chances are, someone at your gift exchange has heard of this cult-favorite chemical foot peel, which sloughs off all the dead skin on your feet to leave you with skin as supple as a baby (at least, as its name alleges). People really do love Baby Foot, but you just have to be okay with your feet shedding like a snake.

Party Lights To Brighten The Holidays

Daybetter LED Strip Lights

Strip lights like this LED color-changing option provide a quick and easy way to add some sparkle to your gift recipient’s space—and with a length of 130 feet, they’ll be able to brightly light up most rooms in the house. You can choose from a wide array of colors, control the light settings using either a remote or the Bluetooth app and sync those settings to music.

To Solve Their Dinner Dilemmas Once And For All

Foodie Dice

For a gift that’s a good balance of entertaining and actually useful, meet “Foodie Dice,” the dinner decision-maker they never knew they needed. Each side of the various dice offers different ingredients to get their creative juices flowing in the kitchen—and there’s even one included that’s vegetarian and vegan-friendly.

A Bartender-Curated Cocktail Kit For Budding Mixologists

The Cocktail Box Co. Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit

You can take them to a cocktail bar, or you can bring the bar to them. This cocktail kit has nearly everything the mixology enthusiast could possibly need to make six servings of their favorite cocktail (like old-fashioneds, mojitos and even Sazeracs), including three kinds of bitters, raw cane sugar cubes, a fancy-schmancy muddler’s spoon and three stainless steel cocktail picks—they just need to add the bourbon. Plus, the kit is travel-friendly; airplane Mai Tai, anyone?

A Pretty, Compact Cooker That Makes 2 Cups Of Rice

Dash Mini Rice Cooker

Anyone who has a small kitchen, lives in a dorm or mostly cooks for one will be delighted by this cute and functional mini rice cooker. It’s also extremely user-friendly, with only one button to cook and a Keep Warm function that automatically turns on when it’s done. Better yet, it can also cook quinoa, oatmeal and pasta.

An Adorable Spud-Shaped Night Light With An Auto-Off Feature

Smoko Baby Tayto Potato Ambient Light

This adorable battery-powered lightshaped like a tiny cartoon potato adds a touch of coziness wherever it’s placed. Plus, it features a one-hour auto-off feature to save power. Just note that it doesn’t come with three AAA batteries, so we suggest throwing them in the gift bag so the giftee can make Baby Tayto glow in the dark as soon as the exchange is over.

A Holiday-Inspired Scented Soy Candle

USA-Made

Moonlight Makers “Fresh Cut Christmas Tree” Candle

It’s never too early to help your recipient start setting a jolly ambiance for the holidays. Like its name implies, the fragrance of this nontoxic soy candle—which is hand-poured in Asheville, North Carolina—features notes of pine, patchouli, cedar and spearmint.

A Truly Useful Milk Frother

Zulay Executive Milk Frother With Stand

Equipped with a handy stand and a quick-working stainless steel whisk, it’s no wonder Zulay’s Executive frother made our list of the best milk frothers of 2023. It can be used to create a thick layer of foam on all sorts of beverages, including lattes, hot chocolate, matcha and more. Bonus points if you include batteries so they can start using it right away.

A Petite Cutting Board For Chopping Up Snacks

Sustainable

Material The (mini) reBoard

This pint-sized cutting board is constructed from 75% recycled plastic and 25% sugarcane pulp, making it BPA-free and eco-friendly. The tiny size is right for cutting up a fruit, dicing cherry tomatoes or slicing up a few pieces of cheese.

A Portable Iron You Can Stow Away In A Suitcase

Steamfast Mini Steam Iron With Foldable Handle

Frequent travelers will appreciate this miniature steam iron, a 420-watt machine that can easily fit in suitcases and duffel bags. Despite its compact size—it’s 5 inches long and 3 inches tall—it can tackle wrinkles in most fabrics. It also comes with a travel bag and plastic measuring cup.

A Spa Experience In The Form Of Bath Bombs

Cleverfy Shower Steamers (6-Pack)

When in doubt, give the gift of self-care. These shower steamers, scented with essential oils to create soothing fragrances like lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint, melt in the shower. That means whoever nabs this gift can enjoy the benefits of relaxing aromatherapy while they cleanse.

This Satisfyingly Squishy Stress 'Ball'

Speks Blots Green Splotch Stress Ball

For stress relief, don’t just gift any old stress ball—Speks Blots has a particularly squishy and squeezable silicone version that’s also weighted, so it feels satisfying in the palm. Blots comes in three ergonomic shapes that you can smash, squeeze, twirl and even throw against a wall.

For Those Pesky Overnight Pimples

Acne Day & Night Duo

You could choose to gift a traditional acne cleanser or cream—or you can choose these skin-clearing patches from Peace Out Skincare, our editors’ preferred brand when it comes to pimple patches with salicylic acid. This particular pack includes 10 Day Dots and 10 of the original overnight Acne Healing Dots, both with the brand’s hydrocolloid polymer technology.

A Jelly Bean Machine For Movie Night That Also Charges For Admission

Jelly Belly Buttered Popcorn Bean Machine & Bank

Enjoy the nostalgic feeling of eating popcorn at the movies at home, thanks to this fun jelly bean dispenser by Jelly Belly. Inspired by old-fashioned popcorn carts, this little machine can hold up to 11 ounces of your favorite flavor—and luckily, it also comes with a bag of the brand’s yummy buttered popcorn jelly beans. It also doubles as a coin bank, if you want to charge for snacks.

A Bottle Opener That Shimmers Like A Disco Ball

Disco Ball Bottle Opener

It’s never too early to prep for New Year’s Eve festivities. Start with this cute bottle opener that’s shaped like a disco ball and shimmers like one, too. The ball is available in pink and silver colors and has a metal opener at the base to crack open a cold one.

Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $30

Flavor-Packed Cubes For Instant Brunch Cocktails

MOST POPULAR

Minute Mimosa Sugar Cube Trio

The perfect gift for hosts of brunch or bridal showers, these flavor-infused sugar cubes taste best when paired with bubbly beverages. Choose between citrus flavors or opt for peachy and berry flavors to make delicious mimosas or Bellinis.

Possibly The Most Convenient Portable Charger Ever

Charmast Portable Charger With 6 Built-In Cables

If you’re going to choose the “practical” over “hilarious” route, this is a crowd-pleasing gift that all the party-goers will appreciate. This slim, portable charger (it weighs about half a pound) comes with a whopping six outputs and three inputs, which means you can charge up to six devices at once, if you choose.

For Singing Hearts Out At Home—Or Wherever The Party Is

Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone

Bring the karaoke bar to your living room, or wherever you want to sing like a superstar, with this wireless speaker shaped like a microphone. All you need to do is connect the machine to your phone via Bluetooth, open your mp3 or YouTube video of choice and belt it all out.

A Mug That Keeps Hot Drinks Hot And Cold Drinks Cold

Yeti Rambler Mug (14 Ounces)

‘Tis the season for hot toddies, mulled wine and Irish coffee, and Yeti’s 14-ounce double-wall insulated mug is just the one for the job. It’ll keep drinks warm (or chilled, if that’s their preference) for extended outdoor gatherings. Bonus: It’s dishwasher-safe.

This Handy-Dandy Coffee Warmer

BestInKits Smart Coffee Warmer

Coffee mug warmers are not only convenient, they make popular (and steal-worthy) white elephant gifts, particularly when they’re this affordable. The BestInKits warmer will make sure you (or whoever snags this at the party) always have a hot cup of joe or tea in hand.

The Gift Of Perfectly Lit Selfies

Sensyne Ring Light

For perfectly lit selfies, you can’t beat a ring light, beloved by photographers and TikTokers alike. This bestselling 10-inch model features three color settings (cool white, warm yellow and daylight) and 10 different brightness levels, allowing you to create your ideal lighting. Plus, it comes with a phone holder, remote and extendable tripod stand.

A Cast-Aluminum Press For Perfect Patties

Williams Sonoma Adjustable Nonstick Burger Press

Is a hamburger patty press actually a useful single-use kitchen gadget or one that’s a little ridiculous? Either way, you can’t argue with the quality of this adjustable one from Williams Sonoma, which features cast-aluminum construction and an easy-to-clean nonstick finish.

Refreshing 'Manly' Scents And A Touch Of Humor

Dr. Squatch Men's Soap Variety Pack (3-Pack)

Totally useful with a touch of humor, Dr. Squatch handmade soaps are especially formulated for men (though we think women will enjoy lathering up with them, too). Made from natural ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter, the soaps come in fresh scents like Cedar Citrus and Cool Fresh Aloe. At just under $30, this is the ideal white elephant gift or stocking stuffer for the guy (or anyone else) in your life who also has an appreciation for self-care.

A Beautiful Notebook Designed By A London Fashion House

Papier Wildflower Hardback Lined Notebook

This notebook that’s adorned with a pretty floral pattern (designed by East London-based fashion house Mother Of Pearl, no less) is a thoughtful gift for loved ones who enjoy journaling or keeping notes. The just-thick-enough pages are satisfying to write on, and the cover is finished with silk paper for a premium feel. You can also choose whether the pages inside are lined, plain or dotted.

Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $50

A Portable, Waterproof Clip-On Speaker

JBL Clip 3 Portable Speaker

Any music lover, podcast streamer or audiobook addict will wonder how they ever lived without this handy little speaker. The JBL Clip 3 offers up to 10 hours of play time, plus its clip-on carabiner means you can take your favorite tunes on a hike or while doing chores. It’s also completely waterproof, making it suitable for setting some ambiance near the bathtub or providing background beats for poolside fun.

An Eyeglasses Holder That Has No Business Being This Cute

Ceramic Cat Eyeglass Holder

Cat lovers will pounce on this glasses holder. This adorable, cheery ceramic cat, handmade and hand-painted in Peru, has handy grooves around its nose and ears to hold your frames so you’ll always know where they’re at.

A TikTok-Viral Blackout Cap For Headache Relief

OG HungOvr Cap

For folks who suffer migraines, headaches, puffy eyes, photosensitivity or just want to enjoy the stress-relieving benefits of cooling or heat therapy, this unique blackout cap by the aptly named brand HungOvrAF is a godsend. The gel material can either be cooled or heated depending on what you’re experiencing; plus, it blocks out light and mutes sound. Bonus: It’s comfortable AF.

A Festive, Sustainable Way To Do Self-Care

Vegan

Lush Best Wishes Gift Set

People practicing a more eco-friendly lifestyle will enjoy this festively adorned gift set of handmade body care products from Lush. The packaging is made from cotton T-shirt waste, while the ribbon is 100% jute. Inside, they’ll find four vegan and cruelty-free products, including the best-selling Dream Cream body lotion, the skin-softening Reindeer Bubble Bar, the sweet-smelling Shoot For The Stars bath bomb and the soothing and cleansing Sticky Dates Shower Gel.

Not Your Average Ugly Christmas Sweater

MyFav Dinosaur Ugly Christmas Sweater

Did you think all the dinosaur talk was over? Not yet, because we wanted to introduce you to this ugly Christmas sweater. It features a Christmas-themed color scheme: a forgettably unattractive snowflake pattern, a gingerbread man and a gift— all holiday staples. But a green dinosaur donning a Santa hat and its own ugly sweater (its sleeves are too long for its short T-rex arms) also makes an appearance.

This Set Of Luscious Hand Creams Foodies Will Drool Over

Korres Olive Blossom Body & Hand Trio

Surprise the olive oil buffs at the gift exchange with this spin from skincare brand Korres, which comes with a creamy foam shower gel, hydrating body cream and a non-greasy hand cream, all enriched with the soothing olive oil.

This Elegant And Whimsical Oil Dispenser

Whimsical Oil Bottle

Speaking of oil, if they prefer to pour rather than lather, you’ll want to give them a vessel that’s worthy of their favorite oil. This one by Sprezz is both artsy and classy—and it comes in two colors.

These Color-Block Socks That Also Happen To Be Super-Comfy

Kaleidoscope Knit House Socks

For the ones in the group who like comfy socks but also have a loud sense of style, they will find plenty to enjoy with these colorful kaleidoscope-inspired knit socks that double as slippers by Verloop. These are faux fleece-lined and are non-slip on the sole so they’re extra-warm and useful for lounging. Good luck keeping these to yourself!

Teeth Whitening Strips For Brighter Smiles

Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects

Depending on what other guests bring, these top-rated Crest 3D Whitestrips have hottest-gift potential, especially among the glamour-minded folks in the house. This Professional Effects kit, designed for powerful whitening, comes with multiple packs of easy-to-apply treatments (each with upper and lower strips). And if you need more of a reason to gift these strips, they also happen to be one of our top picks for the best teeth whitening kits.

What Are The Rules Of A White Elephant Gift Exchange?

There are a few ground rules, but every group’s game might look a little different. In general, invitees are tasked with purchasing a gift within a certain budget and must bring it to the event wrapped.

When it’s time for the exchange, everyone’s wrapped gifts are placed in a pile. The host draws numbers for each participant, indicating the order of turns. During their turn, each person has the option to either unwrap a new gift or “steal” one from a fellow participant who went before them. Of course, the first player has to unwrap a gift by default; but being the last player is ideal, since all the presents have been unwrapped, any gift is theirs for the taking.

In terms of additional rules, sometimes the first player is allowed to take a final turn to “steal” what they wish. And to reign in (some) of the chaos, there may be rules set for how many times a particular gift can be stolen or how many times a participant can steal from others.

What’s The Difference Between A White Elephant Exchange And A Yankee Swap?

Generally speaking, a white elephant and a Yankee swap (“dirty Santa” is another term commonly used) are the same type of gift exchange, says gifting expert Graham. “These types of gifts will switch hands as recipients open one at a time and then allow others to steal the gifts when it is their turn.” These games are not to be confused with a Secret Santa gift exchange, however: “With Secret Santa, you are normally buying a gift for a specific person, but that person doesn’t know ahead of time who is buying for them. Budgets can be higher for Secret Santa gifts,” Graham adds.

What Is A Good Last-Minute White Elephant Gift?

Firstly, let us set the record straight: It’s totally OK to regift something as a white elephant gift if it’s unused, Graham says. “Look around the house for something you already have. A candle you have purchased but haven’t used yet is a great idea, or maybe home décor that someone gave you that just didn’t fit your motif,” he suggests.

If you don’t find anything giftable around the house or don’t have time to buy something online, the gift you seek might literally be just around the corner from your house. “Hit up your neighborhood pharmacy, supermarket or big-box store. You should have plenty of choices in each,” Graham says. Some examples of white elephant gifts that you’ll easily find include candles, holiday-themed treats, a cozy blanket or gag gifts like funny snacks or stuffed animals.

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59 Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Everyone Will Be Fighting Over (2024)

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