The holiday season is here, and white elephant gift exchanges are all the buzz. These fun events bring people together, all eager to beat out friends and family for the most unique gifts. I remember my first white elephant party, full of excitement and anticipation. Would I get a laugh-out-loud gag gift or something more practical?
As I went looking for the best white elephant gifts for 2024, I found endless options, both fun and functional. From quirky kitchen tools to classic games, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re on a tight budget or want to splurge, this list has you covered. Get ready to shine at your next white elephant party!
Key Takeaways
- White elephant gift exchanges are popular holiday party games where participants bring untagged wrapped gifts.
- Most hosts set spending limits under $50, with many preferring gifts under $25.
- The goal is to have fun and walk away with something unexpected and unique.
- Popular gift ideas include funny desk accessories, gag gifts, nostalgic items, scented candles, and gift cards.
- This list features a wide range of budget-friendly and unique white elephant gift ideas for 2024.
Understanding White Elephant Gift Exchanges: Rules and Traditions
White elephant gift exchanges, also known as Yankee Swaps, are a fun holiday tradition. They bring laughter, surprises, and a bit of friendly competition. These games have their own set of rules and etiquette, making them both fun and unpredictable.
Setting Gift Price Limits
One important part of a white elephant party is setting a price limit for gifts. The usual limit is around $20, but it can change based on the group. Some parties stick to a $25 or even $10 limit, encouraging creative and inexpensive gifts.
How the Game Works
In a white elephant gift exchange, everyone brings a wrapped gift to share. Players then draw numbers to decide who picks first. The first person opens a gift, and others can either pick a new one or “steal” an already opened gift. Stealing is limited to three times per gift, after which it’s considered “frozen.”
While the game is meant to be fun, there are some guidelines to follow. Gifts should be funny, weird, or useful, not just unwanted items. It’s also key to respect the “three-steal” rule and not get too competitive. The goal is to keep the atmosphere light and fun.
The joy of a white elephant gift exchange comes from the surprise and laughter that comes from opening each package.
Budget-Friendly Kitchen Gadgets That Spark Joy
White elephant gift exchanges are all about finding fun, affordable items that your friends and family will enjoy. Small, unique kitchen gadgets are definitely a category that fits the bill. The Dash Mini Waffle Maker, for example, is just $10 and makes fluffy and delicious 4″ mini waffles on a high quality nonstick surface. Not only is this unique kitchen gadget easy on the budget but it’s fun, useful, and has nearly 200,000 Five Star ratings on Amazon.
If you are looking for something a bit more unique, Avacado Huggers are both fun and useful! These dishwasher-safe, premium silicone ‘huggers’ keep your unused portions of avacado safe from the trashcan! Keep your Avacados fresh and useable after cutting with this inventive kitchen gadget. Coming in at $13.99 your girlfriends are sure to fight over this fun taco Tuesday night gamechanger.
The Saucemoto Dip Clip is another hit holiday party gift this year. Priced at $9.99, these condiment packet-sized containers clip to your air vents to make eating fast food with your favorite sauces easier and mess-free. They come in sets of two and four, and can be purchased for the backseat as well if that is something you are interested in.
If you want to impress your friends and family with something more posh and sophisticated, consider grabbing the MoMA Bodum Caffettiera French Press, which is stylish and affordable. It comes in several colors, including a festive Holiday green for just under $30 — not to mention Bodum is iconic for their their high-quality coffee products, so even if somehow you end up with your own gift, (it totally happened to me last year) — you won’t be disappointed.
Quirky Home and Office Accessories
Most adults, myself included tend to spend way too much time working. Whether it’s a home office or your workplace office space, these places are an extension of our personality. Having some quirky and functional office accessories can make that space your own. Here are a few of our top White Elephant gift exchange ideas in this category, still coming in under that $50 mark that will definitely get fought over during your holiday party game.
Desktop Pickleball
Desktop games and decor can transform any boring workspace into a fun, interesting place to relax on a break. Pickleball anyone? Snag this Tabletop pickleball set from Amazon and challenge your friends to a game while you brainstorm your next project.
Novelty Lighting Options
Change the mood with unique lighting that sparks conversations. The Absiya Sunset Lamp, priced at $9, creates a cozy atmosphere. Used for indoor photography, atmospheric lighting and ambiance, this lamp can be purchased with or without a remote and can product I number of different colored light settings.
Office Organization Options
Give your giftee a way to organize their space with fun products. Stylized organization products can bring a sense of calm to your deskspace chaos while also infusing it with your personal spark and personality. Surprise them with a gift that’s both practical and entertaining. this Cayxenful spinning desk organizer will add a fun pop of color to any office space while keeping all of your work necessities at your fingertips.
Funny Food-Themed Gifts
Who doesn’t love a fun food-themed novelty gift? Make your next white elephant gift exchange fun with these hilarious and cheap food-themed gift-items. Imagine a cereal bowl that’s actually a candle or a key chain that looks like a fried chicken leg. These gifts will make everyone laugh and may even end up being the most popular gift of the lot.
I wasn’t kidding about that cereal candle. Snag this super cute Apple Jacks /Apple Cinnamon scented candle for under $20 and let the scent smother you in a wave of sugary breakfast nostalgia.
Be the talk of the White Elephant gift exchange when you smuggle in this 40″ baguette lumbar pillow from Wepop. Still under the budget at $30 this oversized snuggleable bread loaf will have your friends fighting in a horrible French accent.
If you’re partying with 420-friendly herbologists, this set of oven mitts and potholders will certainly steer people away from your special snacks. You can snag these on Amazon for well under the $20 mark.
Nostalgic Games and Puzzles
Looking for unique white elephant gifts? Nostalgic games and puzzles are perfect. They bring joy and gently bring your best memories back to life.
The 101 Pooping Puppies Jigsaw Puzzle is a fun twist on puzzles. It has 1,000 pieces of dogs in funny poses. Fun for a raindy at alone or take on the challenge with a friend! The 1000 piece version is available for less than $25 on Amazon.
Wanna give the gift that will entertain your friends for hours? Snag the Bop it Micro Series and play the game that filled us millennials with command anxiety. Produced by the popular Hasbro toy brand, this toy is available on Amazon for under $10.
Self-Care and Wellness Items
Most of us very rarely stop to do self-care like we should. This is why some of the best White Elephant gift ideas for 2024 fall in the self-care and wellness category! These types of gifts can include luxury relaxation aids and stress-relief products. They fit into wellness trends and add a thoughtful touch to your holiday gathering. Here are a few of our favorite picks for self-care-related White Elephant gifts.
Relaxation Essentials
Want your loved ones to sleep like royalty? The Asutra Silk Eye Pillow is a great choice for $20. It’s filled with lavender and organic flax seeds. This eye mask helps ease tension and promotes calm. This super silky soft weighted eye mask comes in several colors and varieties, but their basic model is a great option for just under the $20 mark.
Stress-Relief Products
The Lemme Chill Stress Relief Gummies are a tasty way to relax for just under the $30 mark. They taste good and help you unwind with all natural ingredients. Don’t worry these are not a CBD or hemp-based product – just a good ole fashioned blend of everyday herbs you know, the less spicy kind. These make a great gift and can be found on Amazon.
Offer your friends and family the opportunity to have a relaxing spa-like experience at home, and to come away with soft, supple feet. The Baby Foot Exfoliation Foot Peel is available for under $25 bucks and can save you a trip to the salon for a fancy pedicure.
Tech and Gadget Gifts Under $50
Looking for gifts under $50 for a white elephant exchange? Tech and gadget gifts are always a hit. They’re useful and fun, will definitely get fought over. Here are a few of our top gift swap picks in this category.
Smart Home Accessories
An Amazon Alexa device is a go-to for me when I need a gift that I know will be a crowd-pleaser. And, if you are sticking to a budget for your white elephant gift exchange, an Alexa Dot is a cheap and easy option. In fact, Amazon recently released their newest and most compact version of the dot, The Echo Pop. Prices are fluctuating due to holidays and sales at the moment – but when not on sale these come in just under the $50 mark.
Phone and Tablet Accessories
Unique accessories for phones and tablets are always a hit. Think about a stylish pop socket or a handy multi-tool pen. For those who love tech, a top-notch portable charger or a screen magnifier is perfect. They keep devices charged and make viewing easier.
The product we picked for this category is the Lisen retractable car charger. Coming in at the $20 mark, this car charger features retractable charge cords that work for both Apple and Android devices. Never worry about leaving home without your charge cable again, these stay attached to the device and are ready whenever you need them.
![LISEN Retractable Car Charger 4 in 1 [69W USB C Car Charger Adapter] iPhone 16 Car Charger Fast Charging, Gift for Men Women, Car Accessories USBC Car Charger for iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 Android, Gray](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41l3VqtfD-L._SL500_.jpg)
There are many tech gifts under $50 to choose from. Just pick something that’s universally useful and you can’t lose. Whether it’s a smart home gadget or a phone accessory, these gifts are both affordable and appealing.
Creative and Artistic Gift Options
Encourage your friends and family to dig into their creative side with artistic gift options for your white elephant gift exchange. From tiny cross-stitch projects to paint-by-number masterpieces, these gifts will bring joy and inspiration. Here are a few of our top picks for options in this category.
Check out this Kawaii Cross Stitch Kit. It’s a small but delightful way to dive into needlework. These tiny projects are perfect for crafters of all levels, offering a fun creative outlet. Comes with a 32 page book and all the supplies you need for your first project, and it comes in aound the $10 mark.
The Faber-Castell Paint by Number Museum Series is great for aspiring artists or for someone with too much free time on a Sunday afternoon. Recreate famous works, like Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.” This gift combines the fun of painting with the beauty of classic art. The single project kit, featured below will come in the $10-$15 dollar range, but also comes in 4 pack project size as well.
Gourmet Food and Beverage Gifts
White elephant gift exchanges can be a great way to introduce your friends and loved ones to fancy and exotic treats and beverages that they may have never thought to try. Guests love to fight over specialty coffee, tea, and unique snacks. These gifts add a touch of class and indulgence to your holiday party.
Specialty Coffee and Tea Items
Make your white elephant exchange special with premium coffee and tea. Try the Sayso Espresso Martini Instant Cocktail Tea Bags for $15. They mix classic cocktails with a twist. For tea lovers, choose artisanal blends or a sleek teapot set.
Unique Snack Collections
Excite your guests with gourmet snack sets. Fancy pastas, artisanal chocolates, small-batch popcorn, and exotic spice blends are great choices. These unique presents are inexpensive gifts that everyone will want in the white elephant gift ideas game.
If you are looking to broaden a loved ones snack horizons, we recommend the Japanese snack box from Saura Box that features 30 different specialty snacks and candies from Japan. Available on amazon, this gourmet snack option comes in under the $30 mark.
Unique food and drink gifts are perfect for white-elephant exchanges because they are an easy selection and you never have to wonder whether they are going to be snapped up.
Entertainment and Gaming Options
Entertainment and gaming options are always a hit at white elephant gift exchanges. They range from classic party games to modern gaming accessories. These gifts bring laughter and friendly competition to your gatherings. Here are some amazing options that will add pizzaz to your party without breaking your budget.
Classic Party Games
Bananagrams is a great example of a game that combines word-building with fast play. It’s perfect for white elephant exchanges. Its travel-friendly design makes it fun for all ages. Other favorites include:
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Modern Gaming Accessories
Modern gaming accessories are also great for white elephant gifts. They can include unique items like novelty controllers or gaming-themed decor. Some examples are:
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These gifts are loved by many because they appeal to different ages and interests. Whether it’s a classic game or a new accessory, these white elephant gift ideas will be a hit at your next event.
Reliable, Low-Effort White Elephant Gift Ideas
You want your coworkers to fight over your gift, but you don’t have the time or energy to be the cool creative one? Gift cards are always the way to go. Try pairing a Starbucks gift card with lottery tickets. Who doesn’t love the chance to win big? Or, present an Amazon gift card in a unique way. You could put it in a small desk organizer or in a box covered in layers of tape, making it hard to get into.
You can grab a Starbucks Digital gift card HERE
Or, grab an Amazon Gift Card, you can’t go wrong with that either.
Conclusion
The best white elephant gift ideas mix humor, usefulness, and something unique. You might pick a funny kitchen gadget, a classic game, or a creative take on something common. The aim is to bring joy and laughter to the gift exchange.
No matter what you select, we hope that your next holiday party is full of joy and a full heart as you spend time with family and friends.
Do you have a go-to gift for White Elephant gift exchanges? Tell us in the comments.
