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White Elephant, what a rush! The holidays are always heated, but this turns all that angst into something actually fun. Coworkers (even the boss), brothers, sisters, father-in-laws, grandpas—anyone is a welcome addition to a game full of treachery and back-stabbing. That's a beautiful thing.
So, what exactly are these wild gift swaps? We'll break it down. The White Elephant game requires each participant to bring a single wrapped gift. The presents can range from funny to earnest to sh*tty on purpose. The wrapped gifts are put in a pile anonymously so you don't know who brought what. Participants draw numbers, and then participant number one selects a gift from the pile and unwraps it. Each participant afterward then decides if they're going to steal an already-unwrapped gift from someone else or gamble on opening a still-wrapped gift from the pile. The game continues with mad swapping and stealing of gifts until everyone has something to go home with.
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Those are the general rules. It's like Secret Santa but evil. The best part of all is that cheap is the way to go. A budget of $25 is plenty, but there's a lot of sh*t out there. So, we sorted through it all and found these 63 best White Elephant gifts for your 2023 festivities.
'From Crook to Cook'
Snoop writes a hell of a cookbook, no matter if you're stoned or totally sober.
Portable Mini Vacuum Cleaner
Dysons are nice, sure, but this tiny little vacuum is well within any budget. It's great for cleaning desk spaces, computer keyboards, and more.
'A Christmas Story' Leg Lamp Nightlight
Someone—not you—will get a kick out of this leg lamp plug-in. Pun intended.
Rambler 4 oz Stackable Cups
Yes, a little over the $25 budget (inflation, sorry). These YETI espresso cups are so adorable, they're worth breaking the rules.
Orca Plush Toy
Orcas: absolutely terrifying. Orca plushies: absolutely adorable.
Custom Face Socks
Read the room here, but these are our suggestions of who to put on these custom socks: The beloved family pet, your boss, the office coffee machine, or yourself.
25 Foot C9 Ceramic Christmas Lights
I thought the other day: What happened to all those old school ceramic Christmas lights? You know? Like, they used to be everywhere? Now, not so much. Spread some retro holiday cheer.
Busch Light Cardboard Bass Mount
Sorry it's over budget, this one is just too insane to not include.
"Work Sucks I'm Going Fishing" Pillow
Amen brother!
Concrete After Lightning
Not a wintery smell, but one that everyone has such a visceral memory of.
Joeski
For a morning shower, it can hold a cup of coffee. For an evening shower, it can hold a beer or co*cktail.
White Elephant Mug
I mean c'mon. The joke is just too funny not to do.
Wooden Mini Violin
Every White Elephant exchange needs at least one gag gift. A mini violin for the loser is a great visual.
Harmonica
Add a caveat to this one: Whoever ends up with it has to learn the harmonica riff from Billy Joel's Piano Man before the party ends.
Joint Carry Case Keychain
A cheeky little keychain that carries one, single joint.
FreeSip
If you get it on sale, it makes it within the $25 budget. And since it's the best water bottle of all time, you might just steal it back yourself.
"Drizzle" Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Artisanal olive oil, anyone?
New River Gorge National Park Candle
Those country roads John Denver sang about, this is what they smell like.
Pour Over Coffee Maker
Bean snobs swear this is the best way to make your cuppa.
Cold Brew Jug
Or, go for a great looking cold brew jug.
Double Wall Bear Mug
Insulated bear mug. What more do we have to say?
Small Toaster Timer Clock and Lamp
Get ready to watch fully grown adults fight over this little clock/night light.
Eve Coupe co*cktail Glass
A pair of these come in waaayy under $25, but they look like they cost $100.
Cheese Shaped Candles, 5-Piece
Perfect for a charcuterie board pairing.
Homemade Bagel Making Kit
Schmear not included.
Dachshund Shaped Ice Tray
Weiner dog ice cube tray is absolutely causing some fights this year.
Puffy Jacket Koozie
I'd steal this from someone even if it wasn't a White Elephant party.
Candle Wick Trimmer
This is everyone's chance to take their candle maintenance a bit more seriously.
Storm Cloud
This gift might just be what your friend needs to brighten up their work day or their WFH desk. How it works is that where there are changes in barometric pressure, this special liquid will crystallize into different patterns.
Sparkling Water 12-Pack
Sparkling water never looked so hardcore. But yes, it is just sparkling water.
Espresso Martini Infusion Kit
Maybe they are an aspiring bartender and need some help. This will be sure to give them a little kick in the right direction.
Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag
Fill it with jelly beans, peanuts, edibles—really whatever your heart desires. We won't judge.
Popcorn Set
Movie nights are getting an upgrade, and we are here for it. And if you need two gifts to get, keep scrolling for the mini popcorn maker we are obsessed with.
"Fifty Shades of Chicken: A Parody in a Cookbook"
Who knew that cooking chicken could be so hot? This book will have you laughing, starting from the cover.
Thanos Bottle Opener
Almost immediately after using Thanos's Infinity Gauntlet to open a bottle, half of the beer inside it will be gone. Funny how that works.
Desktop Cornhole Game
This option is especially good for a gift exchange among coworkers. Better yet, coworkers who went to state schools. Whoever ends up with it can turn their desk into an intra-office cornhole tournament playing field. Everyone wins.
Coacktail Kit
Desperate times call for desperate measures. This little on the go Pocket co*cktail Kit is perfect for travel.
co*cktail Grow Kit
If you want to inspire a co*cktail lover to develop their green thumb.
Acacia Steak Serving Board
If they like to eat meat regularly, they will love the convenience of this serving board. When they're ready to carve up their filet, this board has a special groove that'll keep the juices from spilling out.
World’s Smallest Beer Pong Game
Hahaha, that's so cute and funny! Unless you start playing shot glass pong with liquor... then it's downright sinister, probably illegal.
My Pint Ice Cream Maker
If they have a sweet tooth, they'll be all about this mini ice cream maker. It can whip up fresh, homemade ice cream in under 30 minutes. Got a spoon?
Pico Player Arcade Game
A classic handheld mini-game... who wouldn't fight for it?
Wine Condoms
These wine condoms are definitely good for a laugh. Plus, they're super useful. If you have an open bottle of wine, just pop one of these bad boys on top and they will shrink to create a water- and air-tight seal that is fully reusable!
Bandai America
A real throwback of a present, let's see if they can keep their Tamagotchi alive this time around.
Yodeling Pickle Ornament
Why does it yodel? Who's to say! But yes, this pickle yodels well.
Head Massager
A head massager is great for erasing all that work stress after a long day of thinking too hard. Almost as great as a spa retreat.
LightSaber Chopsticks
May the food be with you.
V3 Shirt Folding Board
This might be the most useful, yet insulting gift to give a family member. If your brother folds his shirts like a mess, he deserves to know right?
Funny Memo Pads
This notepad has little sayings like, "I'm not even trying anymore," for the optimist among your friend group.
Beer Mitt
No matter the temperature, we need to always make it work for alcohol.
Personal Water Filter
This personal water filter is the gift that truly keeps on giving. It has the ability to remove 99.999999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.999% of waterborne parasites. How about that for the outdoorsman?
Milk Frother
Latte addiction made a little bit more cost efficient.
The Daily Mood Desk Flipchart
A daily mood (47 of them) board will let their partner, colleagues, parents, siblings, or pets know what is up, when to shut up, and when to spice things up.
Spreadsheet Shortcut Mug
We all know someone who is struggling with Excel right now as we speak. Do them a favor and buy them this mug to keep handy on their desk.
Whiskey Wedge
"On the rocks" gets an avant-garde upgrade with this silicone ice mold and old fashioned glass set.
Truegrit Coffee
A bag of exquisite Vietnamese roast will have all the coffee fiends in the group duking it out for dibs.
Palo Santo Sticks
Best for an office White Elephant, where everyone might need some cleansing energy at their desk.
Single Origin Anamalai Mace
Who cares if no one knows how to use mace in their cooking. A jar full of it looks too cool to pass up.
Tube Socks
They'll never afford that $300/month Equinox membership.
Micro-Popcorn Popper
A mini-popcorn maker is ideal for movie nights or everyday snacking. No sharing required.
'You Are Special'
On an earnest note, wisdom from Mr. Rogers will never go amiss, no matter your age.
Misfortune Cookies
Inject some dark humor—and black pastry—into the festivities with this twisted take on fortune cookies.
"Gone with the Gin: co*cktails with a Hollywood Twist"
A little twist on a classic novel, but focuses on co*cktails. What more can we ask for?
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