The best Gifts For White Elephant exchanges are those that strike a perfect balance between being budget-friendly and highly desirable – the kind of presents that everyone will be vying to steal. Whether you’re shopping for an office holiday party, a festive gathering with friends, or a family gift swap, the ideal white elephant gift can range from laugh-out-loud funny to surprisingly practical, depending on your audience. For a workplace setting, it’s often wise to lean towards universally appealing and useful items. Think along the lines of a handy and affordable Apple AirTag, a seasonally appropriate Laneige lip balm set in festive flavors, or the always-appreciated Yeti Rambler Mug.
When the gift exchange is among close friends, you have more leeway to inject humor and personality. Consider amusing gag gifts like “wine condoms” bottle stoppers or hilariously cozy “ugly Christmas sweater” slippers. Alternatively, for a touch of self-indulgence, you might opt for unique self-care presents like the distinctive HungOvr headache-relief cap or a luxurious electric heated blanket. The key to successful white elephant gifts is finding items that are budget-conscious yet highly steal-able, like a jar of car-cleaning gel or even Snoop Dogg’s cookbook.
If you’re struggling to decide on the perfect white elephant gift, remember the golden rule: “Opt for a practical, inexpensive gift rather than a pure gag gift. And always adhere to the set budget, or aim for around $25 if there isn’t one,” advises Matt Graham, co-owner of Shadow Breeze, a gifting services company based in Utah. Above all, Graham emphasizes not to overthink it. “No one anticipates receiving an extraordinary gift at a white elephant exchange. The real essence is about enjoying lighthearted fun with colleagues, friends, and family.” Keeping this spirit in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 60+ of our top white elephant gift ideas under $50, encompassing everything from amusing gag gifts to office-appropriate options, ensuring you can relax and enjoy the gift-giving occasion.
Our Top Picks for White Elephant Gifts
Best Overall White Elephant Gift Ideas
Soul Food, Snoop Dogg Style
From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes From Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen
This cookbook stands out as one of the best gifts for white elephant exchanges, merging entertainment with practicality, especially for those who enjoy cooking soul food at home. Snoop Dogg enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse recipes, ranging from casual dishes like Shrimp Po’ Boy to more refined options such as Lobster Thermidor. It also cleverly includes recipes for snack cravings, like Chewy Starbursts and Frito BBQ Twists.
Slime That Cleans
Car Cleaning Gel
This car cleaning gel is a uniquely useful white elephant gift. This vibrant, gooey substance effectively cleans every crevice in a car, from air vents to cup holders, and is equally effective on office gadgets like keyboards. It’s important to remind the recipient not to leave this gel in a hot car to maintain its effectiveness.
Flavor-Packed Cubes For Instant Brunch Cocktails
Minute Mimosa Sugar Cube Trio
These flavor-infused sugar cubes are among the best gifts for white elephant parties, especially for those who love to host. Infused with citrus, peach, and berry flavors, these sugar cubes are designed to enhance bubbly drinks like mimosas and Bellinis, making them a foolproof gift, even for a partner’s parent.
A Coffee Table Book That Addresses Life’s Burning Questions
Am I Overthinking This?: Over-Answering Life’s Questions In 101 Charts
This humorous book of charts by illustrator Michelle Rial offers a lighthearted take on life’s big and small questions, making it a highly popular white elephant gift. It’s a coffee table book that’s sure to be a hit, particularly among those who tend to overthink – a relatable trait for many.
A Cult-Favorite Lip Mask-And-Balm Duo In Festive Flavors
Laneige Divine Lip Duo
Beauty enthusiasts will rejoice over this cult-favorite Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask and Lip Glowy Balm duo, making it an excellent choice for white elephant gifts. These products are known for delivering super-soft lips and are now available in festive holiday flavors and colors. As a bonus, this duo is also perfectly sized as a stocking stuffer.
An Adorable Boba Tea—Shaped Night Light
Pearl Boba Tea Ambient Light
This charming, battery-operated night light, shaped like a bubble tea drink, is a cute and cozy white elephant gift idea. It adds a touch of warmth to any space and includes “boba” balls for added detail. Consider including AAA batteries in the gift, as they are not included.
Best Funny White Elephant Gift Ideas
A Throw Blanket That Burrito Fanatics Will Cozy Up In
Casofu Burrito Tortilla Blanket (47-Inch)
This tortilla blanket is a funny yet surprisingly comfortable white elephant gift. It has garnered numerous positive reviews praising its comfort. For those who love themed gifts, options like pepperoni pizza and waffle blankets are also available.
An Astronaut Suit For Cold Ones
Puffin The Space Suit Jacket
These space-themed beer koozies are both fun and functional gifts for white elephant exchanges. Additional styles like Chill Out Beer Hoodies, Chill Beer Flannels, and Beer Preservers, resembling life jackets, are also worth exploring for their humorous appeal.
The Ideal Shower Beer Or Bath Wine Solution
SipCaddy Shower Beer And Wine Holder
The SipCaddy is a humorous yet practical white elephant gift that elevates the concept of enjoying a shower beer or bath wine. This plastic holder securely accommodates wine glasses, beer cans, and even shampoo or conditioner bottles, making it a versatile bathroom accessory.
Extra-Comfy Slippers Inspired By Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Dearfoams Ugly Christmas Sweater Slippers
These ugly Christmas sweater slippers are a hilarious white elephant gift that will definitely spark conversation. Beyond their humorous design, these unisex slippers feature Dearfoams’ signature memory foam insole and a plush lining, ensuring maximum comfort.
A Box Of Unique(ly Funny) Affirmations
Emergency Affirmations for Exceptionally Stupid Days Card Deck
This affirmation card deck is a white elephant gift that uses humor as a form of therapy. The deck includes phrases like “Don’t be ashamed of who you are—that’s your parent’s job” and “I have the unlimited potential to put things off until the last second,” offering comedic relief and relatable sentiments.
Stickers For Adults
Googly Food Sticker Book
This sticker book, featuring vintage food illustrations with googly eyes and judgy comments, is a fun and quirky white elephant gift for adults. Phrases like “Go zest yourself” and “I’m starting to feel like a third peel” add a humorous touch to these stickers, perfect for decorating fridges or even credit card bills.
Best Gag White Elephant Gift Ideas
A ‘Crappy’ Present That’ll Get Plenty Of Laughs
Funny Embroidered Toilet Paper Rolls
For gag gifts for white elephant exchanges, consider embroidered toilet paper rolls. This hand-embroidered toilet paper, with phrases like “This is the crappiest gift I could find” or custom inside jokes, is both practical and hysterical, embodying the spirit of gag gifts perfectly.
Sushi-Inspired Socks That Look Like The Real Thing
Rainbow Sushi Socks Box
This sushi socks box is a creative and amusing gag gift for white elephant events. This set features five pairs of colorful cotton socks, OEKO-TEX certified, cleverly packaged to resemble sushi. The packaging even includes fabric versions of soy sauce bottles, wasabi, and ginger to enhance the sushi illusion.
A Gigantic, Huggable Seeded Baguette Throw Pillow
Much Comfort 3D Seeded Baguette Throw Pillow, XL
This XL baguette pillow is a hilarious gag gift for carb lovers in a white elephant exchange. This oversized seeded baguette body pillow is incredibly plush and features detailed design elements like seeds and crust. Croissant and doughnut pillows are also available for those with different pastry preferences.
A Hilarious Gag Gift For Dog Lovers
Pooping Pooches White Elephant Gag Gift Calendar
The Pooping Pooches calendar is a stinkin’ cute and actually useful gag gift for dog lovers, perfect for white elephant exchanges. This calendar features memorable photos of dogs answering nature’s call, and importantly, Pooping Pooches donates $1 from each sale to the Maui Humane Society, adding a charitable aspect to this humorous gift.
To Make Snacking On Drive-Through Fries So Much Easier
French Fry Holder For Car
This french fry holder is a practical and slightly humorous white elephant gift that upgrades the drive-through snacking experience. This tray fits snugly in a car cup holder, ensuring fewer dropped fries and more efficient snacking on the go.
An Adjustable Stool To Make Going Potty Easier
Squatty Potty Adjustable 2.0 Toilet Stool
The Squatty Potty is a life-changingly practical, albeit unusual, white elephant gift. While it may seem like a gag, this toilet stool is designed to improve bathroom posture by helping users achieve a squat position, which can reduce strain on the colon and make for quicker, easier bathroom visits.
Best Useful White Elephant Gift Ideas
An Easy Way To Keep Track Of Your Things
Apple AirTag
An Apple AirTag is an incredibly useful white elephant gift in today’s world. This tracking tag helps keep tabs on essential items, from luggage to keys, using Bluetooth or GPS technology. It’s especially useful for frequent travelers or anyone prone to misplacing items.
Possibly The Most Convenient Portable Charger Ever
Charmast Portable Charger With 6 Built-In Cables
Choosing a portable charger is a surefire way to pick a practical white elephant gift, and the Charmast Portable Charger stands out for its convenience. This slim, lightweight charger includes six outputs and three inputs, allowing for charging up to six devices simultaneously.
A Uniquely Shaped Gift For Hands-Free Reading
Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light
The Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light is an editor’s pick for useful white elephant gifts, perfect for book lovers. This neck light allows for hands-free reading in the dark without disturbing others, featuring two movable arms with light heads, each offering three brightness levels.
A Portable, Waterproof Clip-On Speaker
JBL Clip 3 Portable Speaker
A portable, waterproof speaker like the JBL Clip 3 is a fantastic and useful white elephant gift for music and podcast enthusiasts. This speaker is waterproof, offers up to 10 hours of playtime, and includes a clip-on carabiner for easy attachment to bags or stroller handles.
This Handy-Dandy Coffee Warmer
BestInKits Smart Coffee Warmer
Coffee mug warmers are consistently popular and steal-worthy useful white elephant gifts, especially when they are as affordable as the BestInKits Smart Coffee Warmer. This warmer ensures that anyone who receives it will always have a hot beverage at hand, whether it’s coffee or tea.
A Mini Multi-Tool For Gear Heads
Gerber Gear Dime Mini Multi-Tool
The Gerber Gear Dime Mini Multi-Tool is a highly practical white elephant gift, especially for outdoor enthusiasts and gadget collectors. This compact multi-tool folds down to just 4.25 inches yet includes essential tools like pliers, a knife, screwdrivers, and openers.
Best Office White Elephant Gift Ideas
A Mug That Keeps Hot Drinks Hot And Cold Drinks Cold
Yeti Rambler Mug (14 Ounces)
The Yeti Rambler Mug is an excellent office-appropriate white elephant gift, especially during colder seasons. This 14-ounce, double-wall insulated mug is perfect for keeping drinks at the desired temperature for extended periods, whether it’s hot toddies or iced coffee.
Make The Loo Smell Like Christmas
Poo-Pourri Spritzmas Tree Before-You-Go Toilet Spray
Poo-Pourri Spritzmas Tree toilet spray is a humorous yet practical office white elephant gift that ensures bathroom freshness. A few spritzes into the toilet bowl trap odors and release a nostalgic Christmas scent of cypress, cedar, and smoke vanilla.
A Holiday-Inspired Scented Soy Candle
Moonlight Makers “Fresh Cut Christmas Tree” Candle
A holiday-scented soy candle, like the Moonlight Makers “Fresh Cut Christmas Tree” candle, is a universally appealing office white elephant gift. This nontoxic soy candle, hand-poured in North Carolina, fills a room with the festive scents of pine, patchouli, cedar, and spearmint, creating a jolly ambiance.
A Truly Useful Milk Frother
Zulay Executive Milk Frother With Stand
The Zulay Executive Milk Frother is a genuinely useful office white elephant gift for coffee and tea lovers. Equipped with a stand and a stainless steel whisk, this frother quickly creates a thick foam for lattes, hot chocolate, matcha, and more.
A Bartender-Curated Cocktail Kit
The Cocktail Box Co. Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit
The Cocktail Box Co. Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit is a sophisticated office white elephant gift for cocktail aficionados. Each kit contains everything needed to make six Old Fashioneds, including bitters, sugar cubes, a muddler spoon, and cocktail picks—just add bourbon.
Refreshing ‘Manly’ Scents And A Touch Of Humor
Dr. Squatch Men’s Soap Variety Pack (3-Pack)
Dr. Squatch Men’s Soap Variety Pack offers a blend of utility and humor, making it a great office white elephant gift. These handmade soaps, formulated for men but enjoyable for all, are made with natural ingredients and come in refreshing scents like Cedar Citrus and Cool Fresh Aloe.
Best Unique White Elephant Gift Ideas
A Fun Brain Teaser For Wine And Puzzle Lovers
Bsiri Wooden Wine Bottle Brain Teaser Puzzle
The Bsiri Wooden Wine Bottle Brain Teaser Puzzle is a uniquely engaging white elephant gift, especially for wine and puzzle enthusiasts. This wooden puzzle locks around a wine bottle and must be solved to access the wine, offering a mix of fun and challenge.
Dinosaur Fans Will Love This Playful ‘Nachosaurus’ Set
Funwares Original Nachosaurus Snack And Dip Set
The Funwares Original Nachosaurus Snack And Dip Set is a playful and unique white elephant gift for dinosaur enthusiasts. Perfect for themed parties or casual snacking, this set includes a dinosaur-shaped chip holder and a dip bowl, turning snack time into a fun experience.
For Singing Hearts Out At Home—Or Wherever The Party Is
Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone
The Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone is a uniquely fun white elephant gift for karaoke lovers. This wireless microphone speaker connects to phones via Bluetooth, turning any space into a karaoke bar.
A Calming Zen Garden Cat People Will Appreciate
RP Minis Zen Garden Litter Box
The RP Minis Zen Garden Litter Box is a uniquely quirky white elephant gift for cat lovers seeking tranquility. This mini meditation garden includes a “litter box” tray, sand, rocks, a rake, and tiny cats to help achieve zen.
A Pen That Writes—And Diffuses Oil
Lifelines Crisp Mountain Air Pen Diffuser
The Lifelines Crisp Mountain Air Pen Diffuser is a uniquely functional white elephant gift that combines writing with aromatherapy. This pen not only writes but also diffuses essential oils, with scents like Crisp Mountain Air, Glowing Embers, and Citrus Grove to choose from.
A Rechargeable, Collapsible Solar ‘Candle’
Biolite Luci Candle
The Biolite Luci Candle is a sustainable and unique white elephant gift, perfect for eco-conscious recipients. This solar-powered lantern is lightweight, collapses for easy storage, and provides 18 hours of flameless LED light.
Best Adult White Elephant Gift Ideas
‘Protection For Wine Lovers’
The Original Wine Condoms
Wine Condoms are a humorous and practical adult white elephant gift for wine enthusiasts. These food-grade latex stoppers, resembling condoms, are leak-proof, reusable, and keep wine fresh.
A Massage Candle To Get You In The Mood
Maude Burn Massage Candle
The Maude Burn Massage Candle is a sensual and thoughtful adult white elephant gift. This hand-poured, jojoba oil-based massage candle comes unscented or with essential oil fragrances like No. 3 (eucalyptus, sandalwood, vetiver) for a cozy and muscle-soothing experience.
Make Bizarre, Slightly Inappropriate Sentences
Ransom Notes: The Ridiculous Word Magnet Party Game
Ransom Notes is a hilarious and slightly inappropriate adult white elephant gift game. This word magnet game challenges players to create bizarre sentences to ridiculous prompts, promising laughter and entertainment.
A Subtle, Irresistible Roll-On Scent
Bravado Labs Premium Unisex Pheromone Oil
Bravado Labs Premium Unisex Pheromone Oil is a subtly alluring adult white elephant gift for single friends. This pheromone-infused oil is designed to be applied to pulse points and has a subtle scent meant to enhance attraction.
For A Little Spice In The Bedroom
Lovehoney Red Furry Handcuffs
Lovehoney Red Furry Handcuffs are a naughty and fun adult white elephant gift that will get a chuckle. These faux fur-covered metal cuffs are playful and come with keys and a quick-release lever for safety.
Best Self-Care White Elephant Gift Ideas
The Trendy Chemical Peel That Promises ‘Baby-Soft’ Tootsies
Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel
The Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel is a trendy self-care white elephant gift promising baby-soft feet. This chemical foot peel removes dead skin, leaving feet feeling incredibly smooth, though recipients should be prepared for significant skin shedding.
A Spa Experience In The Form Of Bath Bombs
Cleverfy Shower Steamers (6-Pack)
Cleverfy Shower Steamers are a spa-like self-care white elephant gift, bringing aromatherapy to the shower. Scented with essential oils like lavender and eucalyptus, these shower steamers melt in the shower, creating a relaxing and fragrant experience.
An Adorable Way To Keep Your Hands Warm Anywhere
Gaiatop Rechargeable Hand Warmers
Gaiatop Rechargeable Hand Warmers are an adorable and practical self-care white elephant gift for those in cold climates. These penguin-shaped hand warmers are rechargeable, offer three heat settings, and are magnetic, making them both cute and functional.
A Heated Foot Massager
Nekteck Heated Foot Massager
The Nekteck Heated Foot Massager is a pampering self-care white elephant gift for anyone needing foot relief. This foot-operated massager features six massage heads with rotating nodes and a heat setting to ease tension and fatigue.
Best Foodie White Elephant Gift Ideas
For The Perfect S’more—Without The Flame
Nostalgia Tabletop Indoor Electric S’mores Maker
The Nostalgia Tabletop Indoor Electric S’mores Maker is a foodie white elephant gift that brings campfire treats indoors. This electric s’mores maker includes a stainless steel grate, roasting forks, and removable trays for easy cleanup.
To Solve Their Dinner Dilemmas Once And For All
Two Tumbleweeds Foodie Dice
Foodie Dice by Two Tumbleweeds are a creative foodie white elephant gift for those indecisive about dinner. These dice offer various ingredient combinations to spark culinary inspiration in the kitchen.
A Set Of Tasty Sichuan Sauces
Fly By Jing Mini Sampler Set
The Fly By Jing Mini Sampler Set is a flavorful foodie white elephant gift for spice lovers. This set includes Fly By Jing’s popular Sichuan Chili Crisp and Sweet & Spicy Zhong sauces, offering a range of umami-rich flavors.
Perfect The Art Of Wine-Cheese Pairings
The Wine and Cheese Board Deck: 50 Pairings To Sip And Savor
The Wine and Cheese Board Deck is an educational and fun foodie white elephant gift for wine and cheese lovers. This card deck offers 50 wine and cheese pairing suggestions, along with arrangement tips for creating perfect cheese boards.
Jams Of Every Flavor
Bonne Maman Assorted Mini Jams
Bonne Maman Assorted Mini Jams are a cute and delicious foodie white elephant gift. This set includes eight 1-ounce jars of various Bonne Maman jam flavors, from Apricot to Orange Marmalade.
A Cast-Aluminum Press For Perfect Patties
Williams Sonoma Adjustable Nonstick Burger Press
The Williams Sonoma Adjustable Nonstick Burger Press is a practical foodie white elephant gift for burger aficionados. This cast-aluminum press with a nonstick finish helps create perfectly shaped hamburger patties.
Best White Elephant Gift Ideas For Game Lovers
A Simple, Fast-Paced Game For Groups
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a simple and addictive card game, making it a great white elephant gift for game lovers. This fast-paced matching game is easy to learn and promises laughter-filled entertainment for all ages.
Scrabble-On-The-Go For Wordsmiths
Bananagrams Word Game
Bananagrams is a portable and engaging word game, making it a perfect white elephant gift for wordsmiths. This tile game, similar to Scrabble but without a board, comes in a banana-shaped pouch and offers hours of word-building fun.
A Party Game Of Extremes
Spin Master’s Where On The Scale Party Game
Spin Master’s Where On The Scale Party Game is an engaging party game for white elephant exchanges that encourages interaction and laughter. Players guess where actions or scenarios fall on an extreme scale, leading to hilarious revelations and moments.
A Fun Party Game That Skips The Small Talk
Hella Awkward Card Game
Hella Awkward Card Game is a conversation-starting party game, ideal as a white elephant gift for deeper connections. This game features 140 questions across categories like Dating and Real Talk, designed to skip small talk and foster meaningful conversations.
Best Splurge White Elephant Gift Ideas
A TikTok-Viral Blackout Cap For Headache Relief
OG HungOvr Cap
The OG HungOvr Cap is a splurge-worthy white elephant gift that offers relief from headaches, migraines, and more. This blackout gel cap can be cooled or heated and blocks light and sound, providing comfort and relief.
An Innovative Stanley Alternative
BrüMate Era (30-Ounce)
The BrüMate Era is a stylish and functional splurge white elephant gift, offering a fresh alternative to Stanley tumblers. This 30-ounce cup features a spill-proof lid with three settings and a stainless steel straw, combining innovation with aesthetics.
Socks That Give Back To Elephants
Conscious Step Socks That Protect Elephants
Conscious Step Socks That Protect Elephants are a meaningful splurge white elephant gift that combines comfort with philanthropy. These cozy, Fairtrade, and vegan-certified socks support elephant conservation efforts.
An Electric Heated Blanket With 12 Settings
Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece Heated Electric Blanket
The Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece Heated Electric Blanket is a luxurious and practical splurge white elephant gift for winter. This plush electric blanket features 12 heat settings, ensuring maximum warmth and comfort during cold seasons.
Espresso In Minutes
OXO Rapid Brewer
The OXO Rapid Brewer is a high-quality splurge white elephant gift for coffee aficionados. This portable brewer makes single-serve espresso in two minutes and cold brew in five, using any favorite coffee beans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is A Traditional White Elephant Gift Exchange?
In a traditional white elephant gift exchange, participants buy a gift within a set budget, wrap it, and bring it to the event. Gifts are placed in a pile, and participants draw numbers to determine turn order. On their turn, a participant can unwrap a new gift or steal a previously opened gift. The first player typically unwraps a gift, while later players have the advantage of choosing from opened gifts or unwrapping a new one. Rules often limit the number of times a gift can be stolen and how often a person can steal. Sometimes, the first player gets a final turn to steal at the end.
What’s The Difference Between A Yankee Swap And A White Elephant?
There is no difference between a Yankee swap and a white elephant gift exchange. Gifting expert Graham explains that Yankee swap (also known as “dirty Santa”) and white elephant are the same type of gift exchange where gifts are opened one at a time and can be stolen by other participants on their turn. These differ from Secret Santa, where gifts are bought for a specific person anonymously and budgets may be higher.
What Is Appropriate For A White Elephant Gift?
For appropriate white elephant gifts, regifting unused items is perfectly acceptable, according to Graham. Unused candles or home décor items that don’t fit personal style are great options. For quick and easy gifts, local pharmacies, supermarkets, or big-box stores offer many choices like candles, holiday treats, blankets, or gag gifts such as funny snacks or stuffed animals.
