These white elephant gift ideas are budget-friendly and so much fun. Discover the white elephant gifts everyone will fight for — choose one of them, and you’ll have the most popular gift at the party!
‘Tis the season for holiday parties, which means you need plenty of white elephant gift ideas in your tool belt. White elephant gift exchanges are popular for a few good reasons.
They are affordable, festive, and oh-so-much FUN!
However, there’s always a little bit of pressure to show up with a truly awesome gift. There’s nothing like that glow of pride when you have the white elephant gift everyone fights over!
It can be difficult to brainstorm awesome gift ideas that will be universally loved and fit into your specific budget. Luckily, I did the work for you.
I’ve compiled a plethora of white elephant gift ideas that are practically guaranteed to make your gift the most popular one at the party.
Choose between funny gag gifts, functional items, and just plain awesomeness!
White Elephant Rules
First of all, if you haven’t been to a white elephant gift exchange before, you will want to familiarize yourself with the rules before you go. While each party may be slightly different, the general rules of a white elephant gift exchange are:
- Everyone brings a wrapped, unmarked gift to the party. Typically the host will let you know what the price range is. Around $15 – $20 is average from my experience. The host may also give you a theme to follow, but this is most of the time, you are free to choose what to bring.
- Draw numbers to decide what order to go in. This is truly luck of the draw. Usually, this is done by literally pulling numbers out of a hat (or basket/bowl/whatever), but there are also some handy apps that can help assign numbers too.
- Player one picks a gift from the pile and unwraps it. Everyone should have a chance to see what the gift is—this is where it pays to pay attention!
- Player number two can decide to steal player one’s gift or open a new one.
- If a player has his or her gift stolen, they can then decide whether to open a brand new gift or steal from someone else. This continues until everyone has had a chance to choose a gift.
- Once a gift has been stolen by two people, it can no longer be stolen. For example, if person one opens a gift, then person two steals it, person three can steal it, and then it is officially theirs.
- Player one ends the game by getting to select a gift to swap if they want. If they opt not to, the game is over. If they decide to take a gift, the person that is stolen from then gets to go. The game continues until the person declines to swap out their gift.
There are also several variations to this game and alternate rules you can adopt. Take a look at the official white elephant rules for more info.
Other Names for White Elephant
Also, it’s important to note that this game can go by other names. If you’ve never heard of a white elephant game, you may have experienced one of their pseudonyms! A few of these include:
- Yankee Swap
- Dirty Santa
- The Grinch Game
- Thieving Elves
- Machiavellian Christmas
- Cutthroat Christmas
Whatever it’s called, the general white elephant rules apply (with, perhaps, a couple of exciting variations!).
Note: this post contains affiliate links. You pay the same exact price, but I get a small “thank you” from the company for sending you their way.
The Best White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas
Trust me, you don’t want to be the one person whose gift is sadly left in one person’s hand all night (talk about agony!).
These gifts are the creme de la creme of the holidays – each item here is going to edge your cool factor forward just a bit this year.
Choose one of these, and you are guaranteed to have a white elephant gift everyone will fight over.
White Elephant Gifts for Everyone
These white elephant gift ideas will make you the most popular person at the party! Plus, everything on this list is decidedly awesome and under $20.
Watch everyone fight over your gift during your next Christmas party!
All Edges Brownie Pan
If you want a white elephant gift people will fight over, this is the winner! This brownie pan has dividers with it so that every single piece has 4 crispy edges with a perfectly gooey inside.
Scratch-Off Movie Poster
If you attend a white elephant party, you’re sure to mingle with some amateur film critics. They’ll go nuts for this awesome scratch-off poster that allows them to ensure they’ve worked through the 100 essential movie list.
Dino Taco Holders
It honestly does not get any cuter than these dino taco holders! Not only will it keep your table looking cute, but this little guy will hold your taco upright, so your fillings don’t all fall out.
Wireless Earbuds
No one wants to be tethered to chords these days. For those who haven’t splurged on AirPods, these wireless earbuds are sure to be one of the white elephant gifts people fight over!
Dwight K Schrute Figure
I mean, can it get any cooler than Dwight K. Schrute? Everyone will want the Hay King for their own!
This is a great white elephant gift idea for a party with co-workers. He even comes dressed in an elf costume if you want it to be extra festive.
Microwave Air Popcorn Popper
Popcorn is universally loved, but traditional microwave popcorn is loaded with unhealthy chemicals and oils.
This microwave air popper is definitely a white elephant gift everyone will fight over, especially if you pair it with popcorn kernels and some popcorn seasoning!
Portable Power Bank
There are few things worse than being out and about and watching your phone battery slowly drain away. This slim, powerful power bank will keep electronic devices charged wherever you are!
Cocktail Shaker Set
It’s hard to find a better white elephant gift idea than a cocktail shaker set! Especially when you pair it with a few mini-bottles of liquor. 😉
Funny White Elephant Gift Ideas
Funny white elephant gifts tend to be the ones most people like to bring. Everyone enjoys a good chuckle! Here are some of the best options to choose from.
Book of Useless Information
Want a gag gift with lots of browsing potential? Look no further than the Book of Useless Information.
Recipients will love sharing their useless facts with the party, like the legend of Dracula or the most unusual tourist destination in America!
Beyond a gag, people that love fun facts will absolutely get a kick out of this gift.
Umbrella Flask
Heading to a concert can bring up the age-old dilemma: how do you avoid paying $20+ for booze?
This clever flask disguised as an umbrella makes it easy to sneak in your drink of choice, making it one of the best white elephant ideas.
People of Walmart Coloring Book
This coloring book is sure to elicit a chuckle (and probably a few groans). It’s no secret that Walmart certainly has its share of interesting customers.
You can pair this gift with a set of inexpensive colored pencils if your budget allows.
Pair of Tiny Hands
This pair of tiny hands is sure to make the whole room laugh! They’re one of those white elephant gift exchange ideas that just keep giving.
Get ready for an entire night of silliness and laughter with this highly prized gift idea!
Dogs Pooping Calendar
Let’s face it: it doesn’t get much cuter than a bunch of pups. That is, of course, unless they are pooping. This hilarious gift pairs cute dogs, scenic views, and…poop.
You get a different photo each month in this 2023 calendar, so the fun will last all year!
Poo Pouri Toilet Spray
Speaking of poop, everybody does it. So, by simple logic, everybody will absolutely be able to use this spray-before-you-go toilet spray.
Practical White Elephant Gifts
As fun as gag gifts are, most guests will appreciate going home with a gift that they can actually use! Try these useful white elephant gift ideas for practical (for popular!) options.
Night Light
This agate night light is super pretty! I think anyone would be excited to open up their white elephant gift and see this beautiful agate looking back at them.
Beyond decoration, this stone acts as a nightlight that is suitable for kids and adults alike!
Waffle Maker
I am beyond obsessed with this mini waffle maker! It is so cute (and functional).
This white elephant gift makes for delicious waffles and tons of breakfast fun, all in a compact form. This would definitely be my pick at a gift exchange!
Electronic Foot File
Let’s be real…we all could use a little help softening the calloused, tough skin on the bottom of our feet. This handy gadget will make your feet feel silky and smooth.
Cozy Knit Socks
In the cold winter months, there are few things cozier than wool socks like these! Everyone will love these super cute and unisex socks.
Coconut Body Scrub
The lack of humidity in the winter months makes skin dry and flakey. A sugar scrub will smell amazing and keep skin hydrated and smooth.
Reusable Straws
Eco-friendly items are thankfully more in than ever! Straws are wreaking havoc on our oceans, and these stainless steel straws are an easy way to enjoy drinks of any shape or size, guilt-free!
Tea Mug with Infuser
This tea mug with infuser and lid is equal parts practical and pretty. Don’t forget to toss in some delicious tea in the package, too, to make it an extra useful white elephant gift.
There you have it! White elephant gift ideas that everyone will love (all for under $30!). Have fun at your next holiday gift exchange. 🙂
More Christmas Gift Ideas:
- Awesome Stocking Stuffer Ideas
- How to Throw a Gift-Wrapping Party
- DIY Dog Toy + Pet Holiday Basket Ideas
- Free Printable Christmas Cards
- Best Last-Minute Christmas Gifts
Thanks for the interesting tips. It’s a good game, although I’ve never heard of it before. I probably prefer computer games like Argentics. In any case, thank you for the article, it was very interesting to read it.