While you might be tempted to go with a gag gift, it’s always better to spend money on something useful. To give you some ideas, we spent hours researching and compiling a variety of fun and clever gifts. We also consulted Jodi R. R. Smith, etiquette expert and author at Mannersmith, for more advice on how to choose the perfect white elephant gift. “There [are] some things that you can’t go wrong with in general: beeswax candle sticks, pretty stationery, a box of chocolates, lottery tickets, a small bottle of rum if it’s the right crowd to give alcohol to,” says Smith. “There are certain general things that can make for really fun gifts.” Here, the best white elephant gift ideas to spark some friendly competition at your next gift exchange. Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: $43 for 2-pack Just note that using Foodie Dice requires a bit of culinary knowledge (particularly cooking techniques like braising, grilling, and sautéing) since no recipes are included. But for those comfortable in the kitchen, this creative dice set will inspire creativity and help brainstorm flavorful meal ideas. Price at time of publish: $32 Price at time of publish: $26 Coffee connoisseurs will appreciate the notes of black cherry and dark chocolate that permeate each sip—and it won’t taste bitter or acidic thanks to a small-batch roasting process. Price at time of publish: $19 Since there’s no flame, this wind-resistant lighter is ideal for firing up a grill and lighting birthday candles at an outdoor party. It’s also useful for candle lovers who don’t like dealing with bulky, plastic lighters and flimsy matches. Each charge lasts about 500 uses, but when the battery runs low, you can replenish it via the USB-C cable. Price at time of publish: $17 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $46 Price at time of publish: $55 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: From $12 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $27 for 3-pack Price at time of publish: $18 Price at time of publish: $35 Price at time of publish: $29 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $13 Stores vary by city, but Instacart supports many major grocery stores, like Wegmans, Whole Foods, and ShopRite, as well as other retailers like CVS and Bed Bath & Beyond for everyday essentials. However, if your crew prefers to shop local (or they’re all diehard Trader Joe’s fans), they may not get as much use out of this gift card. Price at time of publish: From $25 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $43 Since it can be grown indoors or outdoors, it’s compatible with people with outdoor gardening spaces and those who live in urban environments alike. While it’s easy to get started, growing a bonsai tree does require more care and effort than something like a snake plant—so be mindful of how plant-savvy your group is. Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $24 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: $10 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $32 Price at time of publish: $22 Price at time of publish: $28 Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $16 Price at time of publish: $29 Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: $29 for 6-pack Price at time of publish: $21 Price at time of publish: From $36 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $28 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $40 Price at time of publish: $15 Price at time of publish: $23 Price at time of publish: $17 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: From $20 Whoever selected “1” gets to pick a gift first, unwrapping it in front of everyone so all can see what’s inside. During each subsequent person’s turn, they have the option to pick a wrapped gift or “steal” one from someone else. To keep things moving, only three steals are allowed per gift. Once everyone has a gift, the first person gets the opportunity to steal a present from someone else. If they decide to keep their original gift, the game is over. If they steal, it ends when someone else finally declines to steal a gift. Keep in mind that there can be variations to these rules depending on the group you’re playing with. Some people prefer to hold the gift exchange in January, after the holiday season, to help get rid of unwanted presents. Participants will bring in “something that was given to them that’s not their taste, but that somebody else might like,” as opposed to a new gift, says Smith. Other ideas are to only bring in homemade items or gifts under $10. Since there are so many different ways to play, Smith says that “if your host hasn’t thought this stuff through, this is a perfect opportunity for you to give them a call,” so you can find out exactly what to bring.
How much money should you spend on a white elephant gift?
There isn’t one set answer to this question as it will depend on the guidelines of your gift exchange and who else is invited. Be sure to take into consideration everyone’s lifestyles and income range when setting a spending limit for your gift exchange—especially if you’re participating with your office colleagues. “You might have an executive director who has lots of available income to be able to spend on a gift for a white elephant exchange versus the support staff who might not have as much disposable income,” Smith says. “You want to be really conscious of different people’s budgets when setting that dollar amount.”
Does a white elephant gift have to be funny?
Not necessarily! In fact, it’s better if you tailor your item to the people who are attending the gift exchange. If you’re stuck, think about the things you have in common. “You know the people that are going to be at the party, and you can play to the crowd,” Smith says. After all, a thoughtful gift that’s reflective of your relationship with those at the party will be appreciated by all.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Jen Woo, a design, lifestyle, and culture writer and content strategist with over 10 years of experience. To write this article, she spent hours researching white elephant gift ideas to make the best possible recommendations. She also spoke with Jodi R. R. Smith, etiquette expert and author at Mannersmith, for expert insight on choosing a white elephant gift.
