You’ll Win Every Game Of White Elephant With These Hilarious Gifts
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If there's no way you can get out of the yearly White Elephant gift exchange, you're probably freaking out about the perfect present to delight your friends, horrify your family, and prank your colleagues—especially if you're anticipating the game will get a bit, ahem, competitive. Totally understandable. It's super hard to find the right balance between an actually useful gift and something funny that gets a solid laugh from the crowd, all on a budget.
ICYMI, White Elephant is a holiday game in which everyone brings a gift—usually with a designated price limit around $20 or $25. One person starts the game by picking a present at random. From there, everyone else has the option to steal any available gifts or pick a new one. Prepare yourself for *chef's kiss* glorious chaos. (Or a touch of awkwardness, idk.)
Instead of wasting your holiday spirit anxiously scouring the internet for affordable, fun, unique gifts, you could just check out this list of the 45 best White Elephant gifts that are all under $25. Yup, that means you can feel free to gift yourself guilt-free, too.
Holiday parties have already been planned. It's time to get the gifts in order, too. Shopping now means faster shipping times and less stress—because as your boss says: work smarter, not harder.
Read on and you'll find llama wine charms, cactus coasters, a self-watering panda planter, and more fabulously outrageous gifts that are all just as hilarious as they are adorable—all very White Elephant-esque (or Yankee Swap, or Secret Santa, whatever your deal!).
Plus, some of the items are pretty darn useful and are practically guaranteed to score you some good laughs. Whether you're at your office soireé, your BFF's ugly sweater party, or your parents' house during the holidays, there's a winning present below:
1. Cactus Flower Coasters
These aren't regular coasters; they're cool coasters. Why? They literally stack into a super cute and quirky decoration, too.
2. Potty Putter Toilet Time Golf Game
Whether the recipient plays mini golf or the full-size game, everyone could use some extra putting practice. And this, ahem, handy game is such a time-saver!
3. Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings 2022 Day-to-Day Calendar
Your co-workers will totally fight over a gift that offers helpful tips for how to look on-point in stand-ups. From new buzzwords to office hacks, this little desk calendar has all the makings of a useful and well-loved gift.
4. Green Elephant Mug
Sure, this gift might be a bit on the nose, er, trunk, but you gotta admit it's super cute. Even better—it's practical and cheap (though it doesn't look it).
Get ready for everyone to fight over this little guy.
5. Desktop Yoga
Remember that #iconic scene in The Office when Andy punches a hole in the wall? If only he'd had this desktop yoga to relieve his stress, things might've turned out differently.
Fingers crossed your most frazzled coworker ends up with this gift when the game ends.
6. Wine Ornaments
Nobody's going to wine (get it?) about these ornamenst on the tree. Don't be surprised if this turns the night into a debate over who the biggest wino is. Cheers!
7. Friends Peephole Picture Frame
Curious what your 2021 holiday season will look like? It'll be the one where you have the winning White Elephant present when you bring this little frame.
8. Mimosa Bar Kit
Your coworkers will definitely fight over this useful gift if they're major brunch lovers. This mimosa bar kit is perfect for setting the upbeat mood at just about any occasion, whether it's a virtual bachelorette party or an at-home happy hour with their S.O.
9. 'Things I Want To Say' Notebook
This hilarious gift is perfect for that funny coworker or friend who desperately needs to speak their ~truth~ but is also low-key terrified of HR—even if that coworker/friend is you.
After all, everyone could use a healthy outlet for their aggro thoughts about Karen from accounting.
10. Bear Self-Watering Planter
Grab a gift that will brighten any coworker or friend's desk (yes, even their WFH desk/kitchen table). It's so cute, everyone will be fighting over it within minutes. Even non-animal lovers will get a kick out of this one.
11. Disinfect Me Phone Case
Consider this game of White Elephant won. It's the gift of the year.
12. Poo-Pourri Set
When you gift someone an elegant set of Poo-Pourri, you also gift yourself a clean-smelling bathroom. It's a funny and useful win-win, for sure.
13. LED 'Get Lit' Beer Mug
One beer + one punny, festively lit-up mug = their favorite drink. If you're looking for a unique gift that no one else will bring to the party, this is it.
14. The Blushed Rose Eyeshadow Palette
Going to a White Elephant party that's filled with makeup lovers? A gorgeous eyeshadow palette with a few universal shades will delight anyone who opens it.
15. Llama Drink Markers
A gift that's just as useful as it is adorable, this pack of tiny llama drink markers is sure to be a hit. Plus, they'll fit on any glass—so no matter what type of drink the recipient prefers, these little llamas will still do the trick.
16. Snowflake Beard Ornaments
Someone with facial hair (or someone dating a proud beard owner) will love choosing this gift. It's going to get a whole lot of love on the 'gram.
17. Nugs Not Drugs Sticker
This sticker will be a hit no matter who's playing the game, but especially with your coworker who shamelessly orders nugs for lunch every time you eat out for team lunches.
18. Might Be Makeup Cosmetic Bag
It's the ultimate question: makeup or snacks? For a crowd who knows both are equally important, this present will be an absolute hit.
19. Mini Desktop Cornhole
Okay, so you're not supposed to play drinking games at work, but it's just nice to have the option, ya know? After all, an after-hours tournament totally counts as team bonding.
20. Holy Mother Adult Coloring Book
Fans of The Good Place and adult coloring books alike will go batshirt crazy over this forking cool coloring book. Just make sure no one acts like a son of a bench if the game gets heated.
21. Awkward Turtle Card Game
Wanna make a whole room cringe? This purposefully awkward version of Taboo can help you do just that—no matter which friend/coworker gets stuck with it.
I mean, just try describing the word moist without a shudder. Sorry, but it just can't be done!
22. Cartoons, Confessions, Rejected Ideas and Secret Sketches
With more than 150 cartoons from The New Yorker cartoonist Joe Dator, this book covers everything from love and dating to politics to even shyness and sadness. That means pretty much everyone (including that Angela-esque office mate) can find something ~relatable~ on its pages, making it an instant hit at a White Elephant party.
23. Classy Sassy And A Bit Smart Assy Mug
This mug is so insanely tacky (I mean, isn't that the typewriter font murderers use? Who thought that was a good idea?!), and thus the perfect White Elephant gift.
Trust me on this—just think about Kevin from the marketing department unwrapping it...and then using it every d*mn day. Priceless.
24. 'The Only Gift Worth Giving' Wine Stoppers
Because a bottle of wine might be too on the nose (and frankly, a little boring), opt for this funny gift pack of five rubber wine-bottle toppers instead.
And, the best part is that each comes with its own groan-worthy hilarious wine pun.
25. Mustache Ice Cube Tray Mold
Fact: You can never have enough mustache novelty items. You just can't. And, if you're lucky, the cocktail snob in the office will unwrap this White Elephant gift.
26. Poop Emoji Slippers
Finally, stepping in sh*t will make someone sigh with relief, rather than scream in horror. Best part? These won't ruin the lucky giftee's favorite pair of shoes.
27. Watermelon Earrings
These dangly earrings are funny because, duh, they're in the shape of watermelons. But let's be real, these are also, like, the perfect quirky accessory to any outfit!
28. Crafting with Cat Hair Book
This book is a one-of-a-kind White Elephant gift that cat owners will love. But, it's even funnier if your dog-loving friend ends up opening it. This little gem teaches you "how to transform stray clumps of fur into soft and adorable handicrafts," like tote bags and picture frames.
And yes, you can really make these.
29. Brontosaurus Dinosaur Paper Towel Holder
Just imagine their face unwrapping a dinosaur and then realizing what it actually is.
30. One-Touch Kettle
Ok this list had to have one functional idea that was a bit pricier than others, just in case this gift is for your work place that has a more *serious* vibe. Anyone would love displaying this gorgeous, easy-to-use kettle on their kitchen counter. Designed by Drew Barrymore herself, it's a total win.
31. Pizza Scissors
Any pizza lover (so, basically everyone) will be jealous when they get their sights set on these pizza scissors. Chop up a pie without breaking a sweat—and then serve your perfect slice on the nonstick spatula base.
32. Looney Tunes Ankle Socks
Whoever said socks don't make a great gift clearly never saw these babies. I mean, who can resist these retro Looney Tunes socks?
33. Doug The Pug 2022 Wall Calendar
The person at the party who considers celeb-loved Doug The Pug their spirit animal will do whatever it takes (but, like, in a chill way) to end up with this White Elephant gift at the end of the night.
34. On-The-Go Makeup Train Case
Remember this little guy? Any '90s child will—and will legit flip over the chance to store their makeup in one of these train cases again.
35. Mini Panda Stapler
This cute-as-can-be stapler strikes the perfect balance between fun and functional—a winning combo for a White Elephant present. It's sure to start a conversation at any party.
36. Marshmallow Skewers
For the resident s'mores aficionado. You're welcome.
37. Henry Googly Eye Planter
Fingers crossed this gift gets picked by your coworker who has a literal forest on their desk. Because, how cute are these little guys?
38. Squatty Potty
People swear these stools help them go number two more comfortably. But also...lol...poop.
39. Christmas Candle
Candles are always a solid standby that you know will always get used. This one makes a safe bet for any holiday parties, and is appropriate for more formal work environments.
40. Weiner Dog Wine Corkscrew
Wine night is already fun, sure, but a dachshund-shaped corkscrew will take it to the next level. This downward-facing dog wine opener is the kitchen kitsch your friend never knew they desperately needed.
41. Blending Eggs Carton
Okay, so this gift is funny because it looks like a normal egg carton, but it's actually filled with a bunch of high-quality makeup sponges. So yeah, the packaging is ~silly~, but it's also legit useful. Win!
42. The Hungover Cookbook
Be a local superhero with this White Elephant gift that will definitely come to the rescue the morning after your holiday party.
43. Dirty Word Search Book
For the Stanley Hudson in your life, this word search book contains tons of puzzles overflowing with naughtiness.
It's, uh, definitely a change of pace from your office mate Priya's daily New York Times crossword (which is what makes it even funnier when she opens the gift wrap).
44. I Talk To Myself Mug
This mug tells it like it is—no matter which one of your coworkers receives it. It's a great way to poke fun at that person who you often hear talking to themselves in the office.
45. Funny Kitchen Towel
Cheese makes everything better, even in kitchen towels. This one is sure to put a smile on everyone's face (and probably inspire a little food envy, too).
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