18 White Elephant Gift Ideas That'll Entertain Guests — All For $50 or Less

Target
Photo illustration: Ava Cruz
Target
Photo illustration: Ava Cruz
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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.

Best White Elephant Gift For the Bar
urbanoutfitters.com

Best White Elephant Gift For the Bar

A Shop of Things Cowboy Boot Shot Glass ($10)

These cowboy boot shot glasses are too cute and make for a celebratory white elephant gift idea. Depending on your group's set price point, you can buy a couple of them or add on a small bottle of your favorite spirit — just so you know they'll be put to good use.

Best White Elephant Gift For Brainiacs
amazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Brainiacs

"The New York Times Supersized Book of Sunday Crosswords" ($13)

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 Gift For (Ahem) Plant-Lovers
amazon.com

Best Gift For (Ahem) Plant-Lovers

"From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes From Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen" ($14)

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 Retro White Elephant Gift
amazon.com

Best Retro White Elephant Gift

The Original Slinky Brand Collector's Edition Metal Original Slinky ($14)

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 Board Game to Gift
target.com

Best Board Game to Gift

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 DIY Gift
amazon.com

Best DIY Gift

Gnome Chia Pet ($16, originally $27)

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 gnome beard.

For the Friend With a Grade-School Sense of Humor
amazon.com

For the Friend With a Grade-School Sense of Humor

1000 Piece Puzzle, 101 Pooping Puppies ($20)

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 Aspiring Soms
amazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Aspiring Soms

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."

For the Human Shazam
amazon.com

For the Human Shazam

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 Home White Elephant Gift
amazon.com

Best Home White Elephant Gift

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 Card Game For Gifting
amazon.com

Best Card Game For Gifting

We're Not Really Strangers Card Game ($22, originally $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.

Best Cozy White Elephant Gift
target.com

Best Cozy White Elephant Gift

Threshold Microplush Bed Blanket ($25)

Anyone would be excited to receive this plush blanket, which is a great white elephant gift that'll actually go to use. Plus, it comes in several different colors, including festive options.

Best Party Gift
amazon.com

Best Party Gift

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 Self-Care White Elephant Gift
amazon.com

Best Self-Care White Elephant Gift

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 Cooks
amazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Cooks

Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker with Egg Cooker Ring ($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.

A White Elephant Gift Guests Will Swear Breaks the Budget
amazon.com

A White Elephant Gift Guests Will Swear Breaks the Budget

Victrola Bluetooth Portable Suitcase Record Player ($50, originally $90)

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.