Taking part in a white elephant present exchange this year? Lucky you! The annual holiday tradition is a fun way to exchange gifts with coworkers or loved ones without the added pressure of shopping for a specific person.
The best white elephant gifts tend to be practical, funny or a combination of both, and there are so many different directions to take when shopping for the perfect present.
All in all, white elephant gifts should be fun, easy to purchase and affordable –many options on our list start at just $5.
Need some help? Whether you're new to the white elephant exchange or an annual pro, we've got you covered. We've rounded up several dozen ideas that are sure to win you the title of white elephant MVP.
P.S. If you're not quite sure how to play the white elephant gift game, we've also got you covered on that below.
A fun "whodunnit" fame$undefined$19.95
White elephant gag gifts
This one’s an Amazon bestseller, and for good reason. The gag gift box looks like it contains a pair of calf mule cargo socks (WTF, right?!) but it’s totally empty. In other words, you can stuff the real gift inside to give the recipient quite the surprise.
Ready for some classic laughs? It’ll be a total surprise when someone pulls this velvety bag out during the white elephant game and finds coal inside. The bag itself is reusable, though, which is a bonus.
These aren’t your average golf balls. When you hit them, they explode and turn into white smoke. The set, which comes with three balls, is sure to make the recipient giggle at your next white elephant game.
This tiny trombone will send anyone who loves to complain into a fit of laughter. It even comes in a pint-sized instrument case!
Colleague down in the dumps? Turn their bad feelings around with this pen holder that may also depict how they're currently feeling.
You’re never too old for fart jokes, and this mini machine will offer the recipient hours of laughs with its 15 fart sounds. If they’re smart, they might just use it for evil.
What’s a white elephant party without an appearance by one of the most quintessential gag gifts? The Squatty Potty doesn’t just deliver the laughs; it’s also good for your system! By repositioning your body into a more comfortable angle for bowel movements, it reduces the strain you may have by just having your feet on the floor.
White elephant gifts under $10
The nooks and crannies of our cars are filled with all kinds of junk lingering in the crevices. Fortunately, this reusable cleaning gel is easily able to pick up all the crumbs, dust, sand, dirt and other remnants lingering in tough-to-clean areas.
Biscoff cookies are a staple on several airlines, but did you know this treat is also available in a spreadable version? While we wouldn't blame you if you just ate this straight out of the jar, this cookie butter also serves as a solid base for cakes, sweet dips, lattes, fancy toast and more.
Even if they have a closet full of beanies, surely they don't have one that lights up. Available in several dozen colors, this vital winter accessory has a built-in rechargeable light and three brightness settings.
A cute gift to add to anyone’s kitchen! This little crab utensil rest will surely put a smile on their face.
White elephant gifts under $25
Tween participants won't be able to resist this night light that emits a warm yellow light — perfect for dozing off or helping them wake up with a little bit of light in the morning.
“What is the top prize of the World Rock Paper Scissor Championship?” You’ll find queries like this and nearly 200 others in this game that’s perfect for the sports fan who’s also a regular at bar trivia.
During a white elephant present exchange, you’re never sure who will pick your gift, so opting for one-size-fits-all options is always a good idea. This comfy hooded scarf comes in several colors and perfectly covers your head, neck and ears during blusty conditions.
These cute thermal socks are anything but basic. “They have just the right amount of thickness, so I can comfortably wear them with sneakers, booties and even snowboarding boots,” commerce writer Danielle Murphy said about these warm socks. “Plus, I can’t explain how cozy and warm they feel!”
No matter your age, nobody could really resist good old fashion Legos. This building kit is open-ended unlike other sets, so whoever snags this could let their imagination run wild with what they create.
We’re pawsitively sure this fierce find featuring over 100 feline stickers illustrated by artist Megan Lynn Kott will cause a cat fight or two during your white elephant party.
“My friend got this makeup brush cleaner for a while elephant and people were fighting over it," says Jen Birkhofer, Vice President of Commerce for NBC News Digital. Various handle attachments are included to fit a variety of cosmetic brushes.
Consider game night handled. Anyone who loves a good “whodunnit” will have hours of fun solving this intriguing murder mystery. Up to five players can take part in the game, which comes with everything you need to crack the case.
Your days of scouring around your junk drawer for the right battery to restart your fading remote are waning if you're able to grab this epic organizer. It's able to hold up to 180 batteries of any size, plus it comes with a built-in battery tester to ensure that you're never in possession of a dead AAA. While these don't come with batteries, you could always complement this gift with a brand new pack to get them started.
For those cold, winter days, they will definitely reach for this blanket! Not only is it comfortable and warm, but it will make it look like they are wrapped in a giant waffle.
Who doesn't want a remote-controlled crawling gecko climbing up their walls. With LED light-up eyes and realistic movements, this toy earned a Shop TODAY Gifts We Love award back in 2024.
There are bound to be a few fashionistas in your next white elephant present exchange, and they'll be thrilled to unwrap a gift card from Primark, a popular retailer that offers affordable fashions for the whole family, including the kiddos.
Anyone who loves to host game night will gladly grab this white elephant gift. The card game comes with 200 cards that ask compelling questions and can be played with three or more players.
White elephant gifts under $50
This automatic stirrer, which comes recommended by former editor Nina Bradley, does the work of stirring for you. It’s available in two designs: battery powered or rechargeable.
Novelty gifts can also be incredibly taste. Case in point, these playful, sardine-shaped sweets from the Maine-based Bixby Chocolates that come perfectly packaged inside a vintage-inspired tin.
Turn their home into their own personal planetarium with this astronaut-shaped galaxy projector that has eight nebula effects and a 360-degree rotation.
Foodies will rejoice when they stumble on this delightful gift card. In case you’re not familiar with Goldbelly, it ships tantalizing treats (both savory and sweet) across the country and has a plethora of items to choose from.
Funny white elephant gifts
If your facial expressions often give your true feelings away, you'll be psyched to claim this entertaining white elephant gift option that has the following phrase on it: “I’m sorry, did I roll my eyes out loud?”
Sure, the ornament is fun, but it’s what’s inside that really counts. This gas can ornament has room for you to stuff some cash inside so the recipient can pay for gas (or whatever else they desire).
These pens immortalize a few witty phrases, including the following hilarious contenders: “'That’s not my job', 'Per my last email', 'I’m starting to feel sick tomorrow', 'This meeting could have been an email', and 'Oh, for f---- sake'.”
Frequently asked questions
There are many variations of play, but the basic white elephant game rules are as follows:
- Each person brings a wrapped gift, typically of a similar value or category
- Players draw names or numbers to determine what order they will go in
- The first player chooses and opens a gift
- The following players can then either pick a gift from the pool or steal a gift from a previous player
- If a player’s gift is stolen, they can either choose another wrapped gift to open or steal from another player
- At the end, the first player can swap the gift they have for any other opened gift, if desired
- Each gift can only be stolen twice
- The game is over when everyone has a present
When buying a white elephant gift, it’s most important to follow the directions of the organizer, who will typically set a price point or theme for the gift swap. Traditional white elephant exchanges mostly focus on funny gifts that are more for amusement than practicality. However, as time has evolved, partygoers have added more useful and valuable items to the mix.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best white elephant gifts for the holidays. We comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the best stocking stuffers, Advent calendars, hottest holiday toys, matching pajamas and so much more.
