The holiday season brings festive gatherings filled with laughter, surprises, and the ever-popular white elephant gift exchange. This playful tradition has evolved from simple gag gift swaps to creative exchanges that blend humor with practicality. Whether you're gathering with loved ones on Christmas Eve or joining colleagues for an office holiday party, finding the perfect gift can make these exchanges truly memorable.
We've curated this comprehensive gift guide to help you discover the ideal white elephant gift for any occasion. From budget-friendly finds under $15 to premium picks under $50, you'll find options that match both your budget and party vibe. Our suggestions are organized by price point and category, making it easy to find the perfect gift for your next exchange.
What Makes a Great White Elephant Gift?
A white elephant gift exchange (aka Dirty Santa) puts a one-size-fits-all spin on traditional, personalized gift-giving. Participants bring a wrapped gift that could end up going home with any attendee.
The fun comes from the element of surprise, and sometimes, guests get the opportunity to "steal" other people's gifts during the exchange. If that's the case, the perfect white elephant gift has either practical value or entertainment appeal. This adds a little competition and motivation to swap gifts.
White elephant exchanges work best when everyone brings gifts of similar value. Choose items that anyone would be happy to receive, and that are age- and setting-appropriate. For workplace celebrations, stick to items that maintain professionalism while adding fun to the exchange. When kids are involved, keep it clean and avoid adult themes. The goal is to contribute something that participants will playfully compete to claim during the exchange.
White Elephant vs. Yankee Swap
In a white elephant exchange, each participant brings one wrapped gift, and each will leave with one gift. When it's your turn, you must decide: either steal an already-opened gift from someone else, or open a new wrapped gift from the pile. If your gift gets stolen, it's now your turn again with the same choice: steal or open a new one.
Yankee swap reverses this. When it's your turn, you first open a new wrapped gift, then decide if you want to keep it or swap it with someone else's already-opened gift. If someone swaps with you later, you keep whatever gift you received in the swap.
White elephant builds more suspense since you must choose to steal before seeing what else you might get, while Yankee swap lets you compare your new gift to the available options before deciding.
White Elephant Gifts Under $15
Many popular stocking stuffers and everyday items fall into this budget-friendly price range. Whether you choose a clever gag gift or a more useful item, there are plenty of options that won't break the bank. Many retailers offer gift card options starting at $10. Simple treats like gourmet cookies can also be desirable gifts when packaged thoughtfully.
Here are the most popular gifts idea that cost under $15, by category:
- Office: Brighten up the workspace with a mini desk vacuum, a funny desk calendar, or a desktop punching bag for stress relief.
- Kitchen: A microwave popcorn popper or lightsaber chopsticks are great for gift swappers of any age.
- Personal care: Pamper someone with a travel-sized hand cream collection, aromatherapy shower tablets, hand warmers, or cozy unisex socks.
- Funny finds: Get laughs with a yodeling pickle or a toilet golf putting green.
- Games: Keep them entertained with a card game, travel-sized magnetic chess set, or mini desktop bowling set.
- Tasty treats: Share holiday cheer with gourmet cookies, hot chocolate bombs, or a festive coffee sampler. Flavored popcorn or international snack boxes are also well-received.
- Lottery tickets: Give the chance to win big with a set of lottery tickets or scratch-offs. You can even arrange them in a festive wreath shape.
White Elephant Gifts Under $25
This price point opens up possibilities for quality kitchen gadgets, entertaining games, and practical home items that could be the best gift at your next white elephant gift swap. Here are some top options for under $25:
Kitchen: Make cooking fun with a mini waffle maker, hot cocoa gift set and mug, electric egg cooker, Snoop Dogg's cookbook, gourmet spice set, hot sauce kit, or unique salt and pepper shaker set.
Entertainment: Keep the fun going with a portable karaoke microphone or classic board game.
Home: Add style to any space with a desktop mood indicator, essential oil diffuser, plush throw blanket, reading pillow, or mini scented candles from The Glow Co. (get 3 for just $17.)
White Elephant Gifts Under $50
Holiday gifts in this price range will surely become coveted items at any white elephant exchange. From practical tech gadgets to unique home decor, these items bring holiday cheer to any celebration. Many of these presents combine functionality with entertainment value, making them perfect for both office celebrations and family gatherings.
Here are the most popular categories for gifts under $50:
Tech: Power up the gift exchange with a portable charging bank, deep tissue massage gun, or mini desktop humidifier. For a funny white elephant gift, consider a Bluetooth banana-shaped handset.
Home: Transform any space with a tabletop fire pit, weather-predicting storm cloud, gilded agate coasters, or a sustainably-made scented soy candle from The Glow Co.
Kitchen: Enhance mealtime with a mini ice cream maker, gourmet pasta gift set, or premium travel tumbler.
Nail Your Next White Elephant Gift Swap
A successful white elephant party has gifts that are both practical and offer entertainment value, so every participant walks away happy with their choice. Keep an eye out for items that offer genuine value while maintaining the playful spirit of the gift exchange. Consider how your contribution will be received in the moment of reveal, and how it will create fond memories long after the exchange ends.
For more gift-giving inspiration, check out The Glow Co.'s sustainable scented soy candles and home fragrances that everyone on your list will adore. Choose from premium scents in sparkling reusable glassware they'll appreciate long after the flame is out, or give your loved ones and coworkers a Candle Discovery Set to introduce them to their next favorite scent.