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Everyone has their own set of holiday traditions. You might splurge on gifts for loved ones or participate in a typical Secret Santa gift exchange with your friends or co-workers. You might even get a chance to participate in a white elephant gift exchange.
Also known as Yankee Swap or Dirty Santa, a white elephant party has different rules depending on who you play with, but, at the end of the day, typically involves the swapping — and “stealing” — of gifts.
Whether it’s your first time shopping for white elephant gifts or you’ve already experienced the chaos of this holiday tradition, an awesome present is a must. Note that some white elephant gift exchanges set a minimum or a maximum amount to spend per gift, so if that’s the case for your party, keep price in mind when selecting your white elephant gift to ensure that it’s an even exchange.
If you want to leave an impression but are not sure what to buy, don’t worry! We came up with 39 white elephant gift ideas that’ll make anyone happy to receive (or steal). Obviously, we couldn’t resist putting in a few gag gifts amongst some affordable and practical finds to make for a fun white elephant exchange. Happy swapping!
Have you ever wanted to enjoy some wine while taking a leisurely bath or a shower? Instead of teetering the glass on the side of the tub, this silicone holder sticks to the shower walls, giving you a better spot to stash your beverage when you need to take a moment to wash your hair or add more bubbles to the water.
White elephant swappers will go crazy for this nifty, space-saving gadget. It may be shaped like a wine bottle, but it actually contains eight different kitchen tools that stack together. With this affordable Japanese-made set, they’ll receive a measuring cup, lemon squeezer, grater, funnel, jar opener, egg separator, and egg masher.
No one at the white elephant exchange will be able to contain their laughter when this little goat is unwrapped. He comes with an educational book that offers interesting facts and trivia, but the real fun is hearing this goat shriek and shout — just like in the famous screaming goat videos!
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4
For ‘90s Music Fans
The '90s Mistaken Lyrics Coasters
4
For ‘90s Music Fans
The '90s Mistaken Lyrics Coasters
For a gift that doubles as a trip down memory lane, these nostalgic coasters are a great white elephant gift idea. Not only do these 4-inch cork squares protect your furniture, but they also feature mistaken lyrics from some ’90s bangers. Some of them are so clever that you might actually believe they’re the real words.
5
For Foodies
Al Dente The Singing Floating Pasta Timer
5
For Foodies
Al Dente The Singing Floating Pasta Timer
Now 11% Off
Instead of beeping, this singing pasta timer will belt out classic Italian hits such as “That’s Amore” and “Prisoners’ Choir” when it’s finished. This is a cheeky white elephant gift idea for a foodie or perhaps someone with less skill in the kitchen, as it will help ensure the pasta is cooked to al dente perfection. Buon appetito!
Ahhh, butt pads that filter your farts! Brilliant. Made with activated charcoal, these pads will neutralize any odor that passes through them, although they won’t silence the sound, unfortunately. No one will admit that they secretly want to test out this ridiculous gift, but that’s what makes it a superior white elephant gift idea!
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For Your Foul-Mouthed Co-Workers
“Things I Want to Say at Work But Can’t!” Adult Coloring Book
7
For Your Foul-Mouthed Co-Workers
“Things I Want to Say at Work But Can’t!” Adult Coloring Book
If you’ve been roped into doing a white elephant exchange at work à la The Office, this adult coloring book will be a hit. It’s filled with prints featuring profanity-laced quotes that will help any coworker crack a smile after a long day of work. Sweeten the deal by pairing it with these colored pencils.
8
Flameless Fun for Everyone
Electric S’mores Maker
8
Flameless Fun for Everyone
Electric S’mores Maker
Now 18% Off
Bring the s’mores indoors with this fun white elephant gift. From date night to family night, this electric s’mores machine will bring everyone together to make dessert. It includes four skewers, a removable serving tray for the essential ingredients, and an electric flameless heater to safely roast marshmallows to perfection.
As seen on Shark Tank, this pimple-popping toy is definitely one of the grossest white elephant gift ideas, but apparently, it can be a stress reliever!
It might seem like a gag gift at first, and it will be met with squeals of laughter upon being unwrapped, but someone might enjoy the immediate gratification of popping these toy pimples.
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This adorable battery-operated mini vacuum cleaner is great to keep at the home office or workplace. It looks cute and will help you get rid of the annoying crumbs on your desk. We suggest you splurge and gift it with the two AA batteries needed for this fun white elephant gift.
11
For Headache-Free Sips
The Original Drop It Wine Drops
11
For Headache-Free Sips
The Original Drop It Wine Drops
Wine lovers will never want to swap this white elephant gift. With just a few drops, they’ll be able to enjoy their favorite vinos in twenty seconds without those pesky headaches and other wine sensitivities. Plus, these fast-acting wine drops are made from all-natural ingredients and will not alter the taste.
This set of three pairs of fresh underwear tucked away in individual tins is a funny white elephant gift idea that will deliver laughs and spark a few jokes.
In all seriousness, this emergency kit can also be added to the packing list for your next camping trip or outdoor adventure. You never know when you might need a fresh pair.
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This will give any recipient’s eyes a well-deserved break. Made of 100% silk, this weighted eye pillow features an adjustable strap and is filled with lavender and flax seeds to help encourage you to relax. Plus, it comes with a soothing gel eye mask that’s not only great for a cooling sensation, but also helps reduce puffy eyes.
You’ll have everyone fighting over the chance of making waffles in less than minutes with this DASH mini waffle maker. It’s compact, has a nonstick surface for easy cleanup, and comes with a recipe book for tasty inspiration. It’s also available in different colors, prints, and festive shapes like this mini heart, mini gingerbread, and mini snowflake. It’s perfect for kids or for anyone who enjoys the occasional side of waffles with their breakfast.
15
For Running Late Night Errands
LED Headlight Baseball Cap
15
For Running Late Night Errands
LED Headlight Baseball Cap
This LED headlight cap was one of Oprah’s favorite things in 2022 and is sure to be a hit with your white elephant gift exchange. From keeping you visible on late-night runs to emergencies in the dark, it’s a unique, practical gift that’ll help them see and be seen. Plus, it’s washable and rechargeable for long-lasting wear.
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This useful white elephant gift allows you to pamper, refresh, and restore their feet and includes a massager roller and a double-duty brush and pumice stone tool. The roller offers a deep tissue massage for every inch of their feet, while the two-sided tool will exfoliate and soothe, especially after a long soak.
No more stubbing your toes or missing the bowl with this white elephant gift! This toilet night light has a motion-activated sensor, five brightness settings, and 16 different colors, so your family or friends can use the bathroom in the middle of the night without needing to blind themselves by turning on the harsh overhead lights.
Spare your fast food-loving friend’s car from becoming a sticky, saucy mess with this nifty white elephant gift. This dip clip has a universal mount that securely fits on air vents and will hold any fast food dipping sauce in place, making it super easy to enjoy nuggets, fries, and more without the juggling act.
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19
Just Add Milk
BomBombs Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Gift Set
19
Just Add Milk
BomBombs Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Gift Set
There’s nothing like cozying up with a cup of hot cocoa, especially during the holidays. This gift set includes 12 delicious servings of the sweet beverage, including six edible sugar cookie cups.
Consider this white elephant gift a premium upgrade from the expected tea infuser. Available in a range of colors, this two-in-one gift includes an infuser as well as a porcelain tea mug with a lid. After they steep their loose-leaf tea, they can easily remove the infuser without burning their fingers and rest it on the lid that doubles as a saucer.
Margeaux Baulch Klein
Freelancer
Margeaux Baulch Klein is a freelance writer and SEO strategist based in Los Angeles. She has written for publications like Bustle, Romper, Huffington Post, and HelloGiggles, among others.
Elisabeth Narine
Elisabeth Narine is the Associate Editor, Reviews at Best Products, where she spends her time interviewing experts and scouring the internet for the best gift ideas for every occasion. Her work can also be found on BuzzFeed and Forbes Vetted. She uses her love of shopping, pop culture, and cooking to help guide her search for the perfect gift.