The Best White Elephant Gift Ideas For $50 or Less
21 White Elephant Gift Ideas That'll Entertain Guests — All For $50 or Less
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White elephant gifts are in a league of their own. The holiday tradition allows players to unwrap a present and either keep what they got or "steal" an item from someone else. Most participants secretly hope to contribute a steal-worthy item, but coming up with a good white elephant gift on a budget is easier said than done.
The ideal pick is the perfect combination of fun and useful, something your gift's recipient would genuinely be excited to receive and unwrap in front of everyone. Since you don't know who will choose your item in the end, it also needs to be suitable for anyone in your circle, playing to a wide range of personalities and ages. A goofy gift is sure to get a reaction, but you also want it to be something people will actually want to take home. (Does anyone really need more unusable trinkets to stuff away in the corner of their closet?)
To help you find the perfect, budget-friendly white elephant gift, we rounded up 18 items that'll entertain your family or friend group for $50 or less. Our ideas span the gamut, from delightfully random gifts like a puzzle covered in pooping dogs, to more practical selections like handy wine gadgets and a comfy-cozy blanket they'll use all season long. Which will you decide to buy: a fun gag gift, or a present that everyone will want to steal? Check out our picks ahead.
— Additional reporting by Anvita Reddy
Best White Elephant Gift For Motivation
Decodyne Funny Sloth Coffee Mug ($15, originally $25)
This sloth mug will be something they reach for everyday for their morning brew. It's relatable and adorable, what more could you ask for?! Depending on your group's set price point, you can buy a set of tea bags, hot cocoa powder, or some coffee as an add-on to make it a whole experience.
Best Cozy White Elephant Gift
Catalonia Wearable Blanket ($20)
Anyone would be excited to receive this plush blanket, which is a great white elephant gift that'll actually go to use. It features two sleeves and a pocket so they'll be able to truly get cozy with a few snacks on hand. Plus, it comes in several different colors, including festive options.
Best White Elephant Gift For the Green Thumb
Chia Pet Bob Ross with Seed Pack ($26)
There's bound to be a plant parent in your white elephant group, and they won't be able to resist adding to their collection. This Chia Pet kit comes with everything you need to grow a bushy green Bob Ross, and they'll notice growth in just one to two weeks.
Best White Elephant Gift For Gamers
Tamagotchi Game ($30)
Tamagotchis are back and better than ever, and if you and your friends loved caring for them while growing up, there's no better gift to give. They'll be able to attach it to their keys or bag, so they can play with it on the go.
Best White Elephant Gift For Art Enthusiasts
"Museum Bums: A Cheeky Look At Butts In Art" By Mark Small & Jack Shoulder ($20)
The "Museum Bums: A Cheeky Look At Butts In Art" will surely garner a few laughs in your group, but we can ensure that it'll be the one that most art enthusiasts are eyeing for their collection. This is a fun coffee table book that'll add a cheeky flair to the receiver's home, plus they'll actually learn a thing or two about classical art.
Best White Elephant Gift For Fashion Lovers
'90s Silver-Plated Main Character Charm Necklace ($20)
If your group is filled with main character energy, this necklace will be the most sought after gift. The silver plated necklace can be worn alone, but it's iconic enough to stand out when it's layered with other pieces.
Best White Elephant Gift For the 4/20 Friendly
"From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes From Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen" ($14, originally $25)
Snoop Dogg's cookbook is a bestseller on Amazon and sure to make a great white elephant gift. It'll delight the group when it's unwrapped, with recipes like fried bologna sandwiches, easy orange chicken, and shrimp po'boys.
Best White Elephant Gift For the Target Shopper
Monopoly: Target Edition ($15)
Someone's bound to be Target-obsessed, so what's better than this Target Monopoly board game? Instead of buying properties, players browse for items from the retail store.
Best White Elephant Gift For Bakers
Brentwood Cake Pop Maker ($19, originally $40)
Bite-size desserts can be made in minutes with this cake-pop maker. It's not limited to cake pops, either: recipients can use it to whip up doughnut holes, cinnamon buns, and other tasty treats.
Best Retro White Elephant Gift
The Original Slinky Brand Collector's Edition Metal Original Slinky ($16)
A slinky is a wonderfully random white elephant gift idea. This one is from the original Slinky brand, which has been making slinkies for 70 years in the US.
Best White Elephant Gift For the Friend With a Grade-School Sense of Humor
1000 Piece Puzzle, 101 Pooping Puppies ($30)
As far as white elephants go, it's hard to beat the randomness that is this puzzle of pooping puppies. The funniest part of this gift is that it's bound to take them hours to put together.
Best White Elephant Gift For Wine Lovers
Ozeri Nouveaux II Electric Wine Opener ($20)
Surely there's a wine-lover in your friend group or family. This snazzy wine opener takes the grunt work out of popping bottles. One of many shoppers said it "made the perfect gift" and "works great on synthetic or real corks."
Best White Elephant Gift For Shower Singers
Atomi Portable Bluetooth Shower Speaker ($20)
Who doesn't like blasting tunes in the shower? Those who don't already have a shower speaker will be excited to listen to their favorite feel-good music while soaping up.
Best White Elephant Gift For the Home
Thausdas Dimmable Touch Lamp ($22, originally $32)
This portable little touch lamp has five brightness settings and 13 different colors. Having a party? Turn on the strobe mode. If anyone at your white elephant is a fan of mood lighting, this will be right up their alley.
Best White Elephant Gift For Friends
We're Not Really Strangers Card Game ($25)
This game — a deck of questions to help people really get to know each other — is the fast track to deeper conversations, and it's a great tool for anyone to have in their party arsenal. Guaranteed, someone in your white elephant has been wanting to buy it and will do whatever it takes to bring this gift home. "Since the answer to the questions will likely change over time, you'll never get bored of playing the game. Consider it a long-term investment into your social or love life," one of our editors says. Read more in this We're Not Really Strangers Card Game review.
Best White Elephant Gift For Foodies
Bella Cotton Candy Maker ($25, originally $40)
This cotton-candy machine will level up movie nights and be a hit for entertaining, for kids and grownups alike. It works with with granulated sugar, sugar-free and hard candy, plus most of the parts are dishwasher safe. This is perfect for the one who loves sweet treats.
Best White Elephant Gift For Karaoke Lovers
Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone ($26)
The singer of the group needs this karaoke mic. It has a long battery life and features a voice changer that'll send listeners into hysterics. We'll place our bets on this being put to use at your party immediately after white elephant is over.
Best White Elephant Gift For Brainiacs
"The New York Times Supersized Book of Sunday Crosswords" ($13, originally $26)
This "New York Times" crossword book contains a whopping 500 puzzles that will keep puzzle-lovers occupied throughout the holidays (read: at least until next year). Family members and tote-bag girlies alike will definitely have their eye on this one.
Best White Elephant Gift For Self Care
HoMedics Bubble Mate Heated Foot Spa ($30)
Give them a spa experience at home with this HoMedics gift. They'll look forward to using it after a long day of work and/or to complement their DIY mani.
Best White Elephant Gift For the Lazy Chef
Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker ($24, originally $30)
We're calling it now: your friends are bound to get in a fight over this breakfast sandwich cooker. They'll be able to customize their sandwich with their choice of bread, cheese, eggs, meats, and more.
Best White Elephant Gift For a Retro Vibe
Victrola Bluetooth Portable Suitcase Record Player in Gray ($45, originally $60)
When it's time to steal another player's gift, this sleek record player will be a hot commodity. It's the perfect fusion of vintage and modern, featuring a three-speed turntable with built-in Bluetooth technology to wirelessly stream music.
