These Fun White Elephant Gifts Are All Under-$20, And A Click Away On Amazon

    Alyssa Hardy

    It's that time of year again. Workplaces and families everywhere are starting to plan their annual holiday parties which inevitably means a White Elephant gift exchange is in your near future. For those who may be embarking on this fine tradition silly but joyous gifting game for the first time, there's a whole website dedicated to the rules if you need an explainer. Basically you're encouraged to wrap a super random gift — usually no more than $20 —and the guessing, stealing, and swapping begins. A gift pile mixed with both gag and useful items makes for healthy competition.

    Simple enough, sure, but what to buy that will entertain and delight that's still under $20 is where things get a little more difficult. Now enter Amazon's endless categories and hidden gems that have been dormant to your eyes all year long, just waiting to be uncovered for this very moment.

    Amazon is essentially the perfect place to shop for this exact occasion. With so many options on the site, ahead we picked some of our favorites that are sure to get a smile.

    At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission

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    We all know everyone is going to take the selfie anyway, there might as well be good lighting.

    Ourry Selfie Light Ring for iPhone and Camera, $, available at Amazon
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    Even though a polaroid has a built-in frame, sometimes you want a frame for your frame.

    AmazonBasics AmazonBasics Photo Frame, $, available at Amazon
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    For the half of your office that insists they have the highest tolerance to spice.

    Pashal Vegetable and Fruits Resin Dangle Charm Dangle Earrings by Pashal, $, available at Amazon
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    A puzzle with an end result that everyone can get behind.

    Cozytime Puzzles Difficult Donuts Jigsaw Puzzle, $, available at Amazon
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    Now here's a gift idea we can get bri-hind. ("Brine"? Anyone?)

    Rainbow Socks Pickles Jar Socks, $, available at Amazon
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    2019 was a stressful time. For 2020, give the gift of a daily dose of tranquility with the official Bob Ross day-to-day calendar, which features 365 days of landscape paintings and bon mots from America's most iconic purveyor of painting.

    Bob Ross Bob Ross: A Happy Little Day-to-Day 2020 Calendar, $, available at Amazon
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    Because you can never be too, er, prepared when it comes to preserving the quality of your vino.

    Wine Condoms Wine Condoms - Set of 6, $, available at Amazon
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    Never underestimate how exciting it is to get film developed after forgetting about it for three months.

    Weddingstar Inc. Single Use Camera, $, available at Amazon
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    It'll cushion your phone from accidental drops, scratches, and more...but mostly, a plush case with a corgi caboose is just plain adorable.

    UnnFiko Puppy Plush Animal Cat Butt Corgi Tail iPhone Case, $, available at Amazon
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    Cocktail recipes (that can be made without alcohol) for the literature nerd in all of us.

    imusti Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist, $, available at Amazon
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    Succulents and candles are an easy win, so why not get a little weird with a two for one.

    Sanseng SanSeng Cactus Tealight Candles,, $, available at Amazon
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    No more scrambling for a strainer once your lentil pasta is done cooking — this clip-on colander makes draining your pasta a total breeze.

    Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Strainer, Clip On Silicone Colander, $, available at Amazon
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    In other kitchen-related White Elephant gifts, this highly-rated oven mitt is the perfect affordable present for the aspiring chef who loves to cook with big, meaty claws.

    Boston Warehouse Lobster Claw Oven Mitt, Quilted Cotton, $, available at Amazon
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    Get all the benefits of staying dry in the rain (or sun, for the avid gardener) with an umbrella hat that is truly goals.

    Luwint 36'' Diameter Elastic Fishing Gardening Folding Umbrell, $, available at Amazon
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    Is it covert Motts or a pint of Coors Light? The world may never know.

    Funny Guy Mugs Might Be Apple Juice 16 Oz Pint Glass, $, available at Amazon
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    A nostalgic item that will keep you entertained (until the pet's untimely and unreasonable death).

    Tamagotchi Tamagotchi Electronic Game, $, available at Amazon
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    If you need something that's practical and classic, you can't go wrong with a jewelry dish.

    SOCOSY SOCOSY Marble Ceramic Ring Dish, $, available at Amazon
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    A gift to destress one person and at the same time annoy everyone around them.

    RP Minis Desktop Tetherball, $, available at Amazon
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    The karaoke microphone is some ways a gift, and in others a real party starter when put to use right away.

    Amazon Wireless Karaoke Microphone, $, available at Amazon
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    Who doesn't love a gift thats also sort of a job? Still, this planting set is the gift that keeps on giving.

    Amazon Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit, $, available at Amazon
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    “My grandson always played with green Army men when he was young,” said a satisfied customer named Shirley. “Now that he has grown up, I thought this would be a hoot. He's a hero with his friends for the best bottle opener of the group. Hahahaha. Grandma wins again.” Do like Grandma did and make sure you’re the winner of your white elephant.

    One Hundred 80 Degrees Army Man Bottle Opener, $, available at Amazon
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    All of your co-workers are going to be fighting over these cuter-than-cute Narwhal thumbtacks at your office’s white elephant. (Just make sure they get put away before you start bar-hopping — we don’t want anyone to get hurt.)

    Fred & Friends Fred Narwhal Pushpins, $, available at Amazon
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    “Hello! Are you going to be opening some wine tonight? Hooray!” That’s what this penguin-shaped corkscrew is going to say to you every time you need his help uncorking that new bottle of Pinot. (He will say this all silently, of course. This gift does not talk.)

    True Zoo Kingsley Winged Corkscrew, $, available at Amazon
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    Chickens are extraordinary animals, damn it; and they don’t often get the recognition they deserve. This year, skip the puppy and horse calendars in lieu of a fowl-glorifying yearly log that will most definitely get stolen repeatedly throughout the night.

    Amazon Extraordinary Chickens 2020 Wall Calendar, $, available at Amazon
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    Don’t worry, Sophia isn’t the only Golden Girls cast member available on socks — you can choose from Blanche, Dorothy, or Rose, depending on your allegiances.

    Bioworld Golden Girls Socks, $, available at Amazon
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    Everyone — not only Star Wars fans — can delight in using miniature versions of a laser-powered sword to enjoy their sushi or rice bowl.

    ChopSabers LightSaber Chopsticks, $, available at Amazon
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    This classic tome has been updated with tips on some particularly 21st-century disasters, such as “How to survive if your smart home outsmarts you” and “How to identify fake news”.

    Chronicle Books The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, $, available at Amazon
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    This hungry dude will swallow all of your pens, pencils, and other assorted desk clutter alive!

    ZIPIT Grillz Pencil Case, $, available at Amazon
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    The act of cutting paper is made exciting thanks to these scissors’ resemble to an exotic tropical bird.

    Kikkerland Toucan Scissors, $, available at Amazon
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    Will these Shakespeare-likeness lip balm tubes resonate with everyone at the gift swap? Not necessarily — but will they resonate very strongly with a small handful of extreme nerds? Definitely.

    Accoutrements Shakespearean Lip Balm Set, $, available at Amazon

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