Every year when white elephant season hits, I swear I’m not going to be that person who shows up with a boring, last-minute white elephant gift… and yet somehow I’ve been there before.
Like when I went to a chaotic 60-person gift exchange that lasted four hours. Or another exchange where everyone fought over my gift, and I was stuck with a box of pancake mix and syrup… But I have had it good. (Oh man, those times when you are last to pick are the best!)
So this year, I put together a list of superb white elephant gift ideas. Like, the white elephant gifts people will actually fight over. The ones you secretly hope get stolen from you because that means you picked a winner.
What Exactly is a White Elephant Gift Exchange?
A white elephant gift exchange is a group gift swap where people bring wrapped gifts, then take turns choosing one or stealing from someone else. It’s chaotic in the best way and occasionally goes off the rails. I’ve seen friendships tested over blankets… It’s also called Dirty Santa or Yankee Swap and in my opinion, a less-personable and more dramatic version of Secret Santa, but this one is way louder and way more competitive.
This is how the White Elephant Gift Exchange typically works:
- Everyone that wants to participate brings one wrapped white elephant gift.
- Usually under a certain price point ($25-35 is most common), or sometimes following a theme.
- Gathered around the Christmas Tree, players draw numbers from a hat to pick order
- Going in order, each player then chooses a new gift or steals an already opened one.
- HOWEVER, gifts can usually be stolen a limited number of times. Normally set by the host.
- The most important and chaos-inducing rule of them all: the first person that draws (#1) gets a final steal option.
Best White Elephant Gift Ideas of 2025
Below, I sorted everything with a mix of funny white elephant gift ideas, genuinely useful ones, and a ton of white elephant gift ideas under $25 – $35. These work for every type of exchange too:
- Work white elephant gift exchange.
- Dirty Santa with the unhinged cousins.
- A classy-ish Yankee Swap.
- Even Secret Santa if you need something foolproof.
And because I’m picky, I used my personal rule for choosing everything on this list. Would I be excited to open this in front of a room of people? Would I steal it back during a swap? If the answer was yes, it made the list. If not, it was out.
1. The Iconic Squatty Potty Everyone Wants
I love to bring this White Elephant gift to the holiday party exchange. I’m a huge fan of the product and swear that everyone needs one. Plus, it’s sure to get laughs!
2. Cozy Luxe Throw Blanket for Serial Nappers
If you get the chance, find the softest, must fluffy blanket you can find. Everyone needs a throw blanket and a luxe one will leave everyone “oohing” and “ahhing”.
3. Candle Warmer Lamp for the Aesthetic Friend
I’ve been to a few White Elephant Gift Exchanges recently where this lamp style candle warmer was THE top gift! I myself have try to swap for it! There are tons of different styles and price points, all perfect for White Elephant gift idea under $25.
4. The Ridiculous “Shart Kit” Nobody Expects
Omg this is just funny. Since this “Shart Kit” comes empty, add a $20 gift card to a fun spot!
5. Travel Jewelry Case for the On-the-Go Girlies
Shop for a jewelry case online and include some thrifted pieces inside, or a fancy piece from Anthro or something. It’ll be easy to stay under a $35 price limit. Plus, you know the girls will love this White Elephant gift idea!
6. Sol de Janeiro Mini Kit for Smell-Good People
This top-selling brand is so fun to bring to as a White Elephant gift. It’s a decent size for the price point and the scent is irresistible!
7. Mini Karaoke Machine for Office Extroverts
I love this adorable little karaoke machine. I think it would be a great gift to bring to your office’s White Elephant exchange. I could totally see the HR team or office manager wanting this for all the company events!
8. Tiny Stanley Cup for the Obsessed
I physically cannot resist miniature items, especially ones that are tiny replicas of the most well-loved items or most popular brands. You’ll probably notice a theme within all of my holiday gift guides lol… So of course when I found out about the mini Stanleys, I had to include it!
9. Childhood Bop It for Instant Chaos at the White Elephant Gift Exchange
Shoutout to one of my favorite childhood games! Bop It is such a fun gift for White Elephant exchanges. I would definitely be fighting for this one!
10. Rechargeable Hand Warmers That Feel Bougie
One of the hottest winter items right now are rechargeable hand warmers. I honestly can’t believe it took this long for them to invent this! Anyways, there are so many cool types of styles of these hand warmers out there, and most fall under the $25 limit!
11. NFL Team Gear for the Superfan
If you have a local NFL team or any major league team really, grab some fun gear that is under the price limit. It’s a great gift to bring for fellas at the exchange!
12. Kate Spade AirTag Holder for Bougie Pet Parents
Designer at a White Elephant Exchange? Oh you know all the dog moms and dads will be wanting this gift.
13. Classy NEST Candle for Your Fancy Friend
Again, I feel like, when in doubt, just bring a fancy brand to the exchange. People will be wanting it, and it’s something that most likely won’t get regifted.
14. Portable Crock-Pot for the Office Hero
Another great White Elephant gift for the office party! This little crock-pot is super functional and comes in a bunch of cute colors.
15. Lucky Charms Candle for the Nostalgic One
I love a good novelty candle, and a decent candle is always a smart (last minute) white elephant gift idea. These novelty cereal candles smell so good, it will automatically take everyone back to their childhood.
16. Pair Together Locally Made Art and a Thrifted Frame
If you love thrift shopping, keep an eye out for a pretty, poster-ish size frame. Once you find one, you can easily head to Amazon and find a beautiful print that matches. Or find something from a local artist! Either way I think this is very lovely and unique White Elephant gift idea to bring.
17. Hilarious Wall Calendar for Daily Giggles
Okay, it doesn’t have to be this specific wall calendar, but bringing a funny, and goofy calendar to the exchange will be a hit. I promise!
18. Hot Dog Toaster (Because Everyone Wants One LBR)
Let’s be real, everyone is going to be fighting over this one at the White Elephant gift exchange. Depending on the price limit, you can add a grocery store gift card, or some local bread, make some fancy mustard. Definitely a lot of fun to be had with this one!
19. Emergency Glass Case with a Surprise
For this White Elephant gift idea, you could bring it empty, or put something fun and relevant to your group inside. Either way, you know this one will bring the laughs and be involved in a lot of swapping!
20. Chic Planter for the Plant-Obsessed
Bring a chic planter (buy one new or go thrifting) with an easy to care for plant inside. You could shop locally for one or create a prop from one of your own faves. Some easy plants include Pothos, Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, and Philos.
21. Classic Chia Pet for Peak Silly Energy
Finally, who doesn’t want a Chia Pet? Especially one so memeable?? The brand itself has a few different kind these days, and they’re pretty much all within the typical price limit of these gift swaps.
Looking for More White Elephant Gift Ideas? Check These Blogs!
If you take nothing else from this list, let it be this: the best white elephant gift ideas are the ones people actually want to steal. Funny, useful, a little unexpected, and never something that screams I panicked and this is a regift.
Every gift above is something I’d happily unwrap myself, which is my ultimate test.
If you’re still shopping or need a last-minute save, I’ve linked a few more of my favorite gift guides below. And yes, most of these are easy Amazon finds (Make sure to check out my Storefront here!) because sometimes convenience wins during the holidays. Happy swapping, and may your gift get stolen at least twice.
- 50+ Alcohol Gifts at the Top of Every Boozehound’s Wish List
- Best Gifts for Beer Lovers: Guide to the Top Beer Gifts of the Year
- Best Wine Gifts: 31+ Unique Gifts for Wine Lovers
