50 Of Our Favorite White Elephant Gift Ideas

White Elephant, Yankee Swap, Dirty Santa—it doesn’t matter what you call it. There’s a party and you need to bring a gift.

In each variation, the exchange process is generally the same: you bring a present and everyone draws numbers to determine the order in which people get to choose a gift that's caught their eye. But the key difference is that unlike a Yankee Swap, in which people typically exchange useful gifts, the point of a White Elephant is to bring something more unique or even outlandish to the table. And therein lies the challenge: You want to find something that will surprise and delight, but you can’t always guarantee you’ll know everyone’s likes and dislikes. And don’t forget about the typical price cap.

When a Visa gift card feels too impersonal and a pair of boring white socks simply won’t do, it can be discouraging to try to find a gift that is both thoughtful and fun, not to mention budget-friendly. The good news is, whether it’s a burgeoning home chef or just a big fan of The Great British Baking Show, The Bear, and Guy Fieri, everybody has one thing in common: We all love food! We’ve done the heavy lifting to ensure your food-related white elephant gift is a recipe for success. Read on for our recommendations for the 50 best White Elephant gift ideas that you should absolutely get for your next party.