Bring one of these white elephant gifts to the party, and guests will fight for the best present to take home.
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31 Best White Elephant Gifts Everyone Will Fight Over
Updated on Aug. 19, 2024
Let’s talk about the white elephant in the room: There’s nothing more fun than a white elephant gift exchange, where a group chooses, swaps and steals a collection of gifts. You might also know it as a Yankee Swap, Dirty Santa or Nasty Christmas. But how do you find those perfect white elephant gifts that others will want to fight over? That’s where we come in.
It’s hard enough to come up with gift ideas for the people you know and love—never mind mystery recipients. Don’t worry, though, because we’ve found everything from hilarious gag gifts to hidden treasures, which are bound to be coveted by someone in your group.
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For your karaoke star
Wireless Karaoke Microphone
You cheer each other on every weekend as you take on love songs, stadium anthems and the latest chart toppers at your local karaoke bar. This handheld, portable Bluetooth mic lets the recipient practice at home just by connecting it to their phone. Available in more than a dozen gorgeous colors, it’ll boost their confidence, make them feel like a headliner and help them sing as if no one’s watching.
For the avid chapstick user
Laneige Midnight Minis Lip Set
Everyone will be scrambling to get their hands on this set of five mini lip masks from Laneige. It features beloved flavors, including Berry, Gummy Bear, Peached Iced Tea, Mango and Watermelon Pop, for an affordable price.
For the musical fan
Wicked X Bombas Calf Socks
These calf socks from Bombas are so comfy that the recipient will feel like they’re defying gravity—see what we did there?—every time they put them on. Choose from two colors: black for Elphaba or pastel purple for Glinda. Or you can splurge on the whole set. Like all Bombas socks, they feature a seamless toe, honeycomb arch support and a cushioned tab to help prevent blisters. Best of all? The entire collection sparkles!
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For the music lover
Wireless Sleep Headphones
These sleep headphones are one of the best gifts for music lovers because they’re so comfortable that the lucky recipient can actually fall asleep while wearing them. In fact, they’re designed to help you do just that. The Bluetooth speakers are discreetly tucked inside a soft, breathable headband so they can listen to their favorite songs, books, podcasts or meditation apps while lying down. They’ll be off to dreamland in no time.
For the cinephile
100 Movies Scratch Off Poster
There’s nothing more satisfying than checking off a list, and this 100-movie poster will inspire movie lovers to watch (and scratch off) 100 classic titles. They’ll get to watch some really good movies, including some of the best movie musicals and best cartoon movies, then use a coin to scratch off the corresponding square to reveal a themed illustration. Once they’ve seen every film, they’ll have a beautiful piece of art worth framing.
For the coffee drinker
BruMate Müv
This BruMate mug is one of the best gifts for coffee lovers. It holds 15 ounces of a hot or cold beverage and keeps hot drinks hot for up to four hours and cold drinks cold for up to 24 hours. This cup also features a leakproof lid that’s easy to take on or off when it’s time for a refill. Plus, reusable coffee cups are so much better for the environment.
For the friend with a green thumb
Ceramic Elephant Planter
OK, this elephant ceramic planter was practically made to become a white elephant gift. Not only does it check so many boxes—funny, practical and appropriate for anyone—it’s also an inexpensive gift. It doesn’t come with a plant, so hopefully it goes to the friend who loves plants and has one that needs a home.
For the cold-weather lover
MaxNova Knit Beanie
Emblazoned with a cheery smiley face, this knit beanie is likely to elicit that same reaction from participants. You don’t have to worry about sizing since one size fits most, so it’s one of the best white elephant gifts for just about anyone. Because it’s available in more than a dozen colors and bargain-priced at less than $15, you may want to order a few for stocking stuffers.
For the bookworm
Craftspring Reading Stationery Bundle
Your book club friends will love this adorable stationery set. It includes a notepad, a notepad, four blank notecards with matching envelopes and four colorful bookmarks. Pair it with a handcrafted, book-themed ornament for the ultimate gift for book lovers.
For the beer drinker
Rabbit Freezable Beer Glasses
If you’re splurging, this set of freezable beer glasses will be the white elephant gift to beat. All they have to do is store the glasses in the freezer until they’re ready to pour themselves a cold one. The glasses keep beer ice cold while the silicone grips protect their hands. Cheers!
For the artsy friend
Maybe Swearing Will Help Adult Coloring Book
Bringing a whole new meaning to the term adult coloring book, just consider this not-safe-for-kids coloring book a form of art therapy. Filled with beautiful designs and lots of cursing, it’s ideal for stressed-out days that warrant a torrent of four-letter words. It’s one of those funny white elephant gift ideas people talk about for years to come—possibly prefaced with an expletive or two.
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For the ASMR fan
Kinetic Sand Squish Motion Playset
This Kinetic Sand playset is sure to be a hit even if the recipient is over the age of 8. It includes 1 pound of reusable kinetic sand in three colors, five tools and a handy carrying case to keep everything contained. It’s sure to be one of the hottest toys of 2024.
For the bath lover
Bath Bomb Gift Set
Show your pal that you’ve got their back with this set of 12 pretty bath bombs that’ll have them making a beeline for the tub. Made of all-natural, organic essential oils and designed to fizz, these beauties will fill the water with both color and fragrance for a relaxing experience to delight all the senses.
For the busy friend
Nostalgia Hot Dog and Bun Toaster
Hot diggity dog! This red-hot retro toaster made specifically for dogs and buns is among the white elephant gifts that friends will be fighting over so they can cook up their favorite bite when it’s too cold out to grill. It’s the kind of gift you buy as a joke, but that ends up becoming something the recipient can’t live without. It may just be an A+ gift for people who are impossible to shop for.
For the candle collector
Essential Oil Diffuser
This soothing essential oil diffuser adds an instant touch of zen to any environment, making it ideal for the office. It also doubles as a piece of cute desk decor, thanks to the realistic faux succulents nestled into the pot, so it’s a thoughtful gift for coworkers.
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For the adventurer
'1,000 Places to See Before You Die' Book
The bible of both world and armchair travelers, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die is a source of inspiration and aspiration. It’s impossible not to feel a sense of wanderlust while thumbing through its pages. Filled with gorgeous photos, fun facts and helpful hints, it will wow the friend with big travel dreams and too little vacation time.
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For the wine aficionado
Rabbit Wine Aerator and Pourer
This wine aerator is a thoughtful gift for wine lovers who raise a glass to the fact that it improves both the bouquet and flavor of wine with each pour. It has a silicone base to avoid spills, so no drop goes to waste, and they can breathe easily—just like their wine.
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For the sentimental family member
One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book
Every family needs someone to document milestones and moments, and this is a quality starter journal for those who want to keep a diary but don’t want to commit to writing pages and pages each day. The easy daily prompt? “Write one line about your day.” That’s it. There’s plenty of space to write a single sentence every day for five years. What a treat it will be to look back on years from now!
For the extra friend
Pink Brew Glitter Edible Glitter
No matter if you’re drinking water or a cocktail, it deserves to be dressed up and picture-worthy. Available in a range of colors, including pink, teal and black, they can sprinkle this edible glitter into whatever they’re sipping for a splash of fun. It doesn’t have a taste, just lots of sparkling color.
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For the foodie
Brightland Pizza Oil
Homemade pizza will never be the same when they get their hands on this Brightland custom-blended pizza oil that’s made with three types of California-grown olives. Not only will it upgrade any type of pizza (including frozen pizza!), but it also takes pasta, eggs and even toast to a whole new level of deliciousness.
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For the one who hates clutter
Sleek Socket Ultra-Thin Outlet Concealer
For those who are always plugged in, the struggle of tangled wires is real. This brilliant little outlet concealer invention tidies up the unsightly mess and makes everything look neat and organized so they can stay connected. Simple to attach, it’s available for a variety of different outlets in both longer and shorter length cords for a cool tech gift.
For your walking partner
Baby Foot Original Exfoliation Foot Peel
You’ve donned your best walking shoes and hit the streets, the trails or the mall together. After putting in all those miles, the winner of this white elephant gift will consider it a real treat for their feet. This viral foot peel includes everything they need to eliminate calluses and repair dry, cracked heels.
For the candy lover
Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag
Paying tribute to the iconic zippered plastic bag, this handblown glass sculpture acts as a snack dish, holding jelly beans, chocolate kisses or nuts. Fill it with your favorite candy and get your steps in each time you head over to your office mate’s desk to grab a handful. As far as white elephant gifts go, this one’s a win-win.
For the fidgeter
Crazy Aaron's Super Scarab Thinking Putty
This color-changing putty offers hours of fun and stress relief, just like your friends! It can be squeezed, squished, shaped and bounced. It’s made of non-toxic silicone, making it a winning white elephant gift for kids and adults.
For the chore doer
Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls
These cute-as-can-be wool dryer balls will make it so much easier and so much more fun to do laundry. Eco-friendly and way better for their clothes than dryer sheets, these little penguins are reusable, organic and a great start toward sustainable living. They’re handmade in Nepal from 100% pure New Zealand wool, and they leave clothes soft and help prevent wrinkles and static cling.
For the mug finder
Anthropologie Faye Mug
This lovely Faye mug will add a relaxing touch as they’re sipping coffee or tea in the morning. The hand-painted stoneware is abloom with a garden motif to bring a little nature indoors. Bonus: It’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
For the one with dry hands
Archipelago Botanicals Oat Milk Hand Crème
Blended with oat proteins, aloe and other natural ingredients, this unisex hand cream smells heavenly, thanks to rich notes of wild oats, white tea and vetiver. It’s just the right size for a purse, backpack or desk drawer. But what makes this a quality white elephant gift is the fact that it leaves hands moisturized but not greasy.
For the tinkerer
OWC 72-Piece Advanced Toolkit
Anyone who tinkers with computers and other small electronic devices will be delighted to receive this all-in-one device repair kit. It comes with 72 pieces, including a screwdriver with 58 interchangeable bits. And they won’t have to worry about losing pieces since this kit comes in a convenient nylon tool case.
For the stressed friend
Jade Roller & Gua Sha
Give someone the chance to indulge with this at-home jade roller and gua sha set. Using the face massage tools just a few minutes a day helps relieve muscle tension, reduce puffiness and firm skin, creating a fresh, dewy look and a more relaxed friend.
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For the relaxed friend
101 Pooping Puppies Puzzle
This puzzle is infamous in the puzzle world–and it’s hilarious. The 1,000-piece jigsaw features 101 adorable dogs getting ready to do their business in the park. Surprisingly challenging, it may be one of the hardest puzzles you can get on Amazon, but it’s also one of the most fun. It’s impossible not to smile while piecing together these canine cuties caught in the act.
For the tea drinker
Tea Forté Cold Brew Sachets
Looking for interesting gifts for tea lovers? Designed specifically for iced tea, these Tea Forté cold brew sachets make the most refreshing drinks. Simply place one sachet in a 12-ounce glass of cold water and infuse for seven to 10 minutes. Add ice, or enjoy it as is, and they’ll have the ultimate gift for tea lovers.
FAQ
What kind of gifts do you get for white elephants?
Part of the joy of white elephant parties is the whimsical nature of the gifts. This is your chance to get something fun, weird, wild, etc. that you might not usually get for a specific person. Typical gifts include candles, chocolates, lottery tickets, small bottles of alcohol, etc. Just make sure you’re keeping the crowd in mind; you wouldn’t want to get something inappropriate for the occasion (like alcohol when some of the participants are children).
Is it OK to give a gift card as a white elephant gift?
Yes, getting a gift card as a white elephant gift is absolutely acceptable. Just ensure you’re staying within the price range the host sets. Otherwise, it might be considered rude.
How much should I spend on a white elephant gift?
Most white elephant gift exchanges have a set budget—typically in the range of $10 to $25. Ask the host what the price limit is if you’re unsure, and never go beyond the price limit, as this can be frowned upon.
Is it OK to pick your own gift in a white elephant?
As white elephant gift exchanges are typically done anonymously, you could theoretically pick your gift and nobody would be wise to your sneaky grab. That being said, the other guests and even the host might consider it rude if you do. Plus, part of the fun is receiving one of the other surprise gifts!
With additional reporting by Marisa Hillman.
