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It’s been an unpredictable year — but let’s finish it off with some amazing surprises.
White Elephant gift exchanges, Secret Santa parties or Yankee swaps, as they’re known in some families, are a great opportunity to do some re-gifting, unique gag-gift shopping and to share some holiday spirit with your closest friends and family.
The premise is simple: Get a group together and each bring a small wrapped gift to the exchange. How you switch and swap varies from tradition to tradition, but in the end, everyone ends up with a mystery gift to open.
Secret Santa is similar, with a bit more preparation. After drawing names and setting a spending limit, bring your gift to the party and present it to your secret recipient, revealing yourself to be the best gift-giver ever.
Those who have been participating in the gifting game know the types of things usually found in the White Elephant pile — and likely have enough fuzzy socks and coffee table books to last until Christmas 2050. Easy to gift for a surprise recipient, sure. Creative, maybe not.
Give the gifts your friends and family will actually want — nay, fight over — with our recommendations for every budget. It’s the thought that counts, but isn’t it better if they actually like it?
White Elephant gifts for $15 and under
“From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen” (Snoop Dogg Cookbook)
What’s cookin’, Snoop?
“From Crook to Cook” comes to you from the rapper and icon Snoop Dogg. A perfect gift for current chefs or those who just want a tried-and-true mac ’n’ cheese recipe, this ranks high for most crowds. But, don’t worry, not that kind of “high.”
“No, there is no ‘special’ ingredients, just amazingly delicious food. Was actually thinking of doing a Snoops Thanksgiving this year! Would DEFINITELY recommend and would absolutely gift this to family and friends,” reads a review on Amazon.
“I’m Dreaming of a Wine Christmas” Adult Coloring Book
There’s no better way to lift holiday spirits than with a coloring book of holiday spirits.
Adult coloring books are one hot trend, but combine them with the pandemic and a glass of wine, and you have the perfect present for everyone.This pick from Amazon has 30 pages of holiday cheers, with yet-to-be-colored images of wine, beer and cocktails, each with holiday patterns and sayings.
Beard Bib Apron for Men
Ideal for the jokester or grooming enthusiast, this bib reduces mess while trimming. Its quirky yet practical nature makes it a hilarious White Elephant or cheeky Secret Santa gift, perfect for injecting humor into the holidays.
Scattergories: Classic Game
A timeless game that fosters laughter and creativity, perfect for family gatherings or office parties. Its versatility and entertainment value make it a great gift, encouraging bonding and fun competition during the festive season.
Taboo: Classic Game
A game that sparks excitement and challenges communication skills. Its interactive and engaging nature makes it a fantastic gift, ideal for parties or gatherings to bring people together for festive fun and laughter.
“The Avocado Book,” by Ron Simpson
If they eat just about everything with avocado, they’ll totally love “The Avocado Book” which features over 60 different avocado recipes from breakfast to dessert.
The Screaming Goat Figurine
If they have a good sense of humor and you don’t want to spend a lot of cash, consider buying them this hilarious screaming goat figurine that screams with just a click of a button.
Haute Soiree Women’s Novelty Socks
Calling all wine drinkers! These fun socks that read, “If you can read this bring on some wine,” are perfect for anyone who loves a nice glass of vino after a long day.
XL Wine Glass
This massive wine glass is both a funny gesture but also extremely useful. They can easily fit an entire bottle of wine in this baby!
Glossier Swiss Miss Balm Dotcom
Who doesn’t like chapstick? This isn’t just ordinary lip balm either, as it is a limited edition Swiss Miss flavored from Glossier, making for a perfect Secret Santa gift everyone will love.
Party Flasks Santas Flask
If everyone in your party is 21+ this is an amazing gift for Secret Santa. The stocking doubles as a flask, allowing you to pair it with a bottle of wine for an even nicer gift.
Barbie The Movie UNO
Just because the summer’s over doesn’t mean you have to stop celebrating July’s biggest blockbuster, “Barbie.” Have fun with the whole family when you gift this “Barbie”-themed UNO game, now available for under $7.00 on Amazon.
White Elephant and Secret Santa gifts for $25 and under
UncommonGoods Urban Map Glass
These unique cocktail glasses are a great present for the Secret Santa who loves to rep their hometown or favorite city. They come in many popular cities includes New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and more.
“Canines of New York” by Heather Weston
If you’re on the hunt for the best gift for a dog lover you can’t go wrong with this adorable coffee table book on the lives of NYC dogs.
Giant Flour Tortilla Blanket
This gift takes a Chipotle addiction to a whole new level.
The photorealistic replica of a flour tortilla is actually an extra-warm blanket. Turn yourself into a human burrito with the 71-inch flour tortilla blanket from Amazon retailer Casofu. The flannel wrap comes in four different sizes and four other patterns as well, in case your group prefers corn tortillas, pizza or waffles.
Dash Mini Holiday Waffle Maker
Everyone loves waffles! This mini waffle maker with holiday decor is bound to be a hit since it has over 96,000 on Amazon.
SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
Luxurious and indulgent, this cream is a treat for the skin. Its unique name and pampering qualities make it a fun and unexpected White Elephant or Secret Santa gift, adding a touch of luxury to the holiday season.
15-Inch Wooden Chess & Checkers Set
A classic game set that exudes elegance and offers hours of entertainment. Its sophisticated appeal and timeless gameplay make it an excellent gift choice for someone who appreciates strategy and relaxation during the holidays.
Hiware Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board
Practical and stylish, this cutting board is a kitchen essential. Its durability and generous size make it a thoughtful gift for cooking enthusiasts, perfect for those who love to prepare meals with precision and style.
VOBAGA Coffee Mug Warmer
A useful gadget for keeping beverages warm during the chilly season. Its practicality and convenience make it an excellent office Secret Santa gift, ensuring everyone enjoys a hot drink while working.
YETI Rambler 14 oz Mug
Known for its durability and insulation, this mug is perfect for both hot and cold beverages. Its rugged design and functionality make it a great gift for outdoor enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates quality drinkware.
Newtons Cradle Balance Balls Desktop Decoration
A mesmerizing desk ornament that adds a touch of science and art to any workspace. Its intriguing motion and decorative quality make it a unique and intriguing gift for office colleagues or physics enthusiasts.
Fullstar Compact Vegetable Chopper
The Fullstar Compact Vegetable Chopper streamlines meal prep with efficiency and ease. Its practicality and time-saving features make it a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves cooking but wants to simplify their kitchen tasks during the busy holiday season.
Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie
Keep ’em warm all winter in this cozy, chic Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie. Stylish and casual enough to be worn just about anywhere, this Carhartt Beanie is the perfect seasonal gift to give that won’t break the bank.
“Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Cookbook” by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel
This galaxy-themed cookbook makes for the perfect “Star Wars” gift. It includes dozens of recipes like braised shaak roast, nerf kebabs, mustafarian lava buns and much more.
Ind. For Them Unisex Fragrance
This smells like a great gift for anyone in your group.
The unisex perfume from Ind. is sold at Urban Outfitters and comes in three gender-neutral scents: Salt, Skin and Fresh. Vague as those may be, they’re perfectly suited for any body and smell fresh and light. The bottle is 1.35 ounces, so try just one or gift them all.
UncommonGoods Vintage Succulents Puzzle
With the weather getting colder again, puzzles are a great way to pass the time indoors. This trendy succulent option is colorful and time-consuming, as it comes with 1,000 pieces.
TableTopics Original
In some cases, you may have run out of things to talk about. Help your Secret Santa avoid awkward situations by gifting them this convenient stack of TableTopics that includes cards to start great conversations.
White Elephant gifts for $50 and under
GiiKER Electronic Bluetooth Speed Cube i3s
Dubbed the next generation of cube games by MoMA, the GiiKER Electronic Bluetooth Speed Cube i3s brings the Rubix Cube into the 21st century with real time tracking technology, unlocking a whole new world of learning & improving, mini games, online battle and Cubers’ community.
LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Cozy House Toy Set
Gift a loved one a cozy afternoon in designing their dream house this holiday season. This LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Cozy House Toy Set promises three different options to customize their beautiful, miniature home, now available for under $50 on Amazon.
Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler
Durable, insulated, and stylish, this tumbler is perfect for on-the-go hydration. Its functionality and sleek design make it a practical and trendy gift for travelers or those who prioritize staying hydrated.
VOPLLS 1080P Full HD Mini Projector
A portable entertainment powerhouse for movie nights or presentations. Its versatility and compact size make it an impressive gift for tech-savvy friends or family members who love cinematic experiences.
KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender
Versatile and powerful, this blender simplifies cooking tasks. Its convenience and efficiency make it an excellent gift for culinary enthusiasts, offering a helping hand during holiday meal preparations.
Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
A luxurious hair care product that restores and strengthens hair, Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner contains high-quality ingredients and reputation for hair health make it a thoughtful and pampering gift for anyone who values self-care during the holiday season.
Milk Bar Assorted Cookie Tin
It’s a fact: Everyone loves a good cookie.
The Milk Bar tin of assorted cookies is a great gift for white Elephant, as it takes the guessing out of figuring out a favorite flavor. Choose between a pack of six with one of each flavor, or double it with a 12-pack. Flavors include cornflake chocolate chip marshmallow, blueberry and cream, chocolate confetti and more, and each is individually wrapped.
The best part is that if you are having a remote gift exchange this year, Milk Bar will ship the tin to any doorstep of your choosing, making it a great contact-free present.
Cards Against Humanity Family Edition
Since the original Cards Against Humanity game can get a bit scandalous, consider this family edition that is a bit more PG-13 but still tons of fun.
Baked by Melissa 25-Count Box
Bite-size cupcakes make for a full-size festive gift.
Baked by Melissa specializes in the teeny tiny treats, and for the season they are releasing a few different holiday-inspired flavors and boxes.
TRUFF White Truffle Hot Sauce
TRUFF’s White Truffle Hot Sauce is a great present for the Secret Santa who loves spicy condiments and trying new products. This truffle inspired hot sauce is great on just about any food and comes in a fancy gift box. Back in 2019, it was included on Oprah’s Favorite Things list.
Gravity Sleep Mask
Give the gift of a good night’s sleep and you will be the favorite friend in your gifting group.
From Gravity, the company responsible for the cult-favorite weighted blanket, the weighted eye mask packs the same calming punch. The mask puts about 1 pound on your facial pressure points, designed to relax your eyes before you drift off to sleep. It also blocks out light, making it perfect for a quick nap at your work-from-home desk.
The Comfy Original Blanket Sweatshirt
Make sure they’re warm and cozy all winter long with this fun Comfy blanket sweatshirt. It’s bound to be oversized but fits all ages, genders and sizes.
Homesick Night In Premium Scented Candle
Looking to gift the perfect accompaniment to a cozy evening spent curling up with a good book (or maybe just binging some Netflix?) Try this Night In Premium Scented Candle from Homesick, available for under $40 this season from Amazon.
ICHIRAN Instant Noodles
Imagine their surprise and delight when they open their gift and inside is a package of delicious ramen? This is a unique and great idea for foodies, plus makes their post-holiday meal prep even easier.
Terrarium Candle
These candles are almost too pretty to burn, but perfect to wrap and put in the gifting pile. Choose from different succulents, starting at $27.
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