The Best Yankee Swap or White Elephant Gifts That Are Guaranteed to Impress Anyone
’Tis the season for holiday gift giving! And what’s the best kind of holiday gift giving? White elephant, of course! (Don’t @ us.)
In case you’re not familiar with the concept (you scrooge!), allow us to give you the gist. Each participant brings a wrapped present and anonymously puts it into a pile, so no one knows who brought what. Everyone draws a number to determine when each party-goer gets to pick a present. The first person chooses a gift, opens it and shows it off for everyone to see. The next person has a choice: steal that gift or pick a new one to open. The higher the number you pick, the more gift options you have to snatch away.
Whether you call it a White Elephant, Yankee Swap or Dirty Santa, the objective is the same: to take home the best gift. And with a generally small budget, that’s not always the easiest feat. This year, be the clear winner by bringing the gift that everyone fights to get their hands on. And if you take home your own present at the end? Well, then you played it right.
Any self-respecting white elephant aficionado knows that the more obscure the gifts, the more fun the game. So with that in mind, behold our good-time-guaranteed picks for your holiday party needs.
RELATED: Gifts Under $25 for All the Everyday Heroes in Your Life
1. New Phone, Who Dis? Party Game
If Cards Against Humanity existed inside your texts, you’d have this—your new favorite party game. Players take turns being the judge by drawing an “inbox" card while everyone else tries to pair it with the funniest "reply" card. Hilarity—and many uncomfortable moments—inevitably ensues.
2. Wine Bottle Glass
We could all use one of these once in a while (or once a week).
3. Wacky Waving Inflatable Tube Guy
This 18-inch waving tube man makes for the perfect addition to precisely nobody’s desk, which is exactly what makes it the ideal white elephant gift.
4. Office Desk Nameplate
We mean...it’s true.
5. World’s Smallest Vacuum
At first glance, this insanely tiny vacuum looks like a great joke present. But when they realize how much of a messy desk-eater you are, the joke will be on them. (And the several months’ worth of crumbs that were festering in your keyboard.)
6. Electric Wine Bottle Opener
Unnecessary? Maybe. A total blast to use? Completely.
7. Confetti High-Five
Up somebody’s high-five game with bursts of glitter and confetti. Then call upon the recipient of the tiny vacuum cleaner to tidy up the mess!
8. Avocado Toast Christmas Ornament
Remind the millennial in your life of the house they could’ve purchased if it weren’t for all those extortionate breakfast choices*.
*crippling student loan debt, general ineffectiveness of modern-day capitalism.
9. Paint by Sticker Book
For those who love artistic activities as much as they love David Bowie.
10. Santa's Cookies
Can’t go wrong with white chocolate-coated gingerbread bites.
11. Sticky Note Set
To help keep her super organized into the new year.
12. Royal Deluxe Emoji Slippers
A pair of ultra-comfy slippers just in time for the winter weather? Always! A bright yellow emoji design and probable safety hazard? Only for white elephant.
13. Oxygenating Deep Cleanse Mask
The buzzy brand is usually out of price range, but this foamy sheet mask fits the bill.
14. Cozy Socks
You really can never have enough.
15. Tri-Coastal Design Drinking Bingo Tabletop Game
Because you’ll need something to liven up the party once all the white elephant fun’s over.
Additional reporting by Emily Brozyna.
PureWow may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from PureWow's editorial and sales departments.
