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Urban Outfitters; Target
If you’re looking for a fun way to ring in the holiday season with friends and family, you can’t go wrong with a white elephant party.
For those not familiar, a white elephant is a gift exchange where everyone brings the most random, quirky, funny gifts they can find. Usually, there’s a set price range, while some parties encourage everyone to bring the gifts they’ve received but never used. Partygoers can swap and steal gifts, making for a fun game and a great gift-getting experience all rolled into one.
Since the goal of a white elephant party is to just have fun, finding gifts for the exchange is an exciting pursuit. That totally random kitchen gadget you really don’t need but always kind of wanted? Go for it! The ridiculously punny t-shirt that made you laugh? Why not! A white elephant party makes you forget everything you know about holiday gifting. And funny enough, everyone always leaves with something they love.
Below, we outlined 35 white elephant ideas from clever knick-knacks to quirky decor — all under $50.
Target
Dash Mini Waffle Maker, available at Amazon, Target, and Williams Sonoma, from $10
This teeny waffle maker makes mini, heart-shaped waffles. It’s a cute gift for anyone who loves spending time in the kitchen and is sure to yield a lifetime of delicious and adorable breakfasts to come.
Kanjo
Kanjo Pain Relief Ice Roller, available at Kanjo and Optum, $25
We’re not saying this ice roller will fix all of your problems, but you’ll probably forgot about them while basking in the cool, refreshing feeling on your skin. It helps relieve aches, pains, migraines, tension, and all-around just feels wonderful.
Urban Outfitters
UO Pool Table, available at Urban Outfitters, $46
The ultimate gift for your favorite pool shark. With mini cues and balls included, this portable pool table has everything they need to practice their shots wherever they go.
Amazon
Genuine Fred Sauced Up Ravioli Spoon Rest, available at Amazon, Walmart, and Fred, from $9.50
A spoon rest is an essential for keeping countertops clean while whipping up soups, pastas, sauces, and more. This one, shaped like a pillowy-soft ravioli, looks good enough to eat.
Uncommon Goods
Adulting Merit Badge Mug, available at Uncommon Goods, $15
Adulting is hard! This funny mug will remind them of all their small wins while they sip their much-needed morning coffee.
Amazon
Shrimp Neck Pillow, available at Amazon, $15.99
Comfortable but unabashedly bizarre — the perfect white elephant gift.
Uncommon Goods
Embroidered Thank You Tote, available at Uncommon Goods, from $38
Quirky, nostalgic, and practical — this tote is one of the sweet spot gifts. Inspired by the 2007 plastic bag ban in San Francisco, it’s made from recycled taffeta and is machine-washable and reusable.
Amazon
Tweexy Wearable Nail Polish Bottle Holder, available at Amazon, $8.99
If you’ve ever painted your nails, you can sympathize with the hassle of finding a safe spot for an open bottle of gooey, brightly colored polish. This $10 nail polish holder looks gimmicky, but it’s actually useful.
Uncommon Goods
Wind Down and Relax Kit, available at Uncommon Goods, $32
Who doesn’t love a relaxing night in? This gift set has everything they need for a treat-yourself evening at home including a silk scrunchie, cooling facial towelette, facial roller, lavender shower steamer, bookmark, eye mask, and a zippered pouch to keep all their self-care essentials safe.
Amazon
Knock Knock Make-A-List Pad, available at Amazon and Knock Knock, from $6
Anyone who dreads creating their to-do list each morning will appreciate this colorful pad that makes the chore a bit more entertaining.
Uncommon Goods
Bluetooth Banana Phone, available at Uncommon Goods, $40
Give the comedic friend an extra excuse for another dad joke with this humorous banana phone. This Bluetooth phone eases any tension or awkward silence with the help of their phone’s voice assistant, too.
Nordstrom
Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Socks, available at Amazon, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue, from $14.40
These plush socks, made of the iconic Barefoot Dreams CozyChic material, will probably be one of the most-wanted items at the swap.
Uncommon Goods
Himalayan Salt Tequila Glasses (Set of 4), available at Uncommon Goods, from $20
These salt glasses give a mezcal or tequila shot a nice, salty kick.
LitFriends/Etsy
LitFriends Custom Prayer Candle, available at Etsy, from $24.99
You tell your friends you love and respect them, but what have you done to prove it lately?
FunSucculents/Etsy
FunSucculents Sitting Planter with Dangling Legs, available at Etsy, $24.99
This sweet little ceramic planter features a smiley face and rope legs that can be crossed or dangled off the table. It’s the perfect home for the plants they’re sure to receive.
Amazon
The Voting Game Adult Card Game, available at Amazon and Target, from $19.95
This card game basically asks you to anonymously answer “Who’s the most likely to…” out of your friends — perfect for the next low-key night or pregame. You may also want to check out “Who in the Room” or the card version of “Never Have I Ever.”
Uncommon Goods
Golfers BBQ Set, available at Uncommon Goods, $40
This golf BBQ set is a game-changing gift for the grill master of the friend group. These stainless steel barbecue tools come with soft insulated handles that resemble golf club grips.
Amazon
Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker, available at Amazon, Walmart, and Macy’s, from $29.98
This wildly popular breakfast sandwich maker surprisingly works. It speeds up the process and makes a delicious, consistently warm sandwich with meat, cheese, eggs, and bread.
Amazon
Death Wish Ground Coffee, available at Amazon, $17.48
Death Wish claims to be the world’s strongest coffee, with about double the caffeine of your average cup. The added kick is attributed to a unique blend of Arabica and Robusta beans and a slow roasting process. It’s Fair Trade, has no additives, and makes a pretty good cup of coffee!
Uncommon Goods
Tabletop Cornhole, available at Uncommon Goods, $50
If they have a hankering for games that fit inside their home these cold days, this tabletop cornhole game is easy to store and not at all weather-dependent.
Urban Outfitters
Sriracha Sauce Keychain, available at Amazon, $9.99
Perfect for the friend who asks for hot sauce before even tasting the food.
Amazon
Raining Men Clear Bubble Dome Umbrella, available at Amazon, $25.95
The perfect accessory for days when it’s “raining men.”
Amazon
Maldom Salt, available at Amazon, $14.45
This isn’t just any random bucket of salt. Malton’s is revered by cooks as their preferred sea salt — and it’s been harvested along the coastal town of Malton, England since the mid-1800s.
Amazon
Chia Pet Bob Ross with Seed Pack, available at Amazon, Walmart, and Blick, from $21.99
Just because they’ve never asked for a live plant in the shape of an angelic cultural giant doesn’t mean they won’t love growing one.
Amazon
Amazon Alexa-Enabled Smart Plug, available at Amazon, $24.99
Give couch potatoes what they want: The ability to control the lights, TV, stereo, and other appliances without needing to get up from the comfortable spot they fell into.
Amazon
Adult coloring has had a resurgence in recent years as a great de-stressor (Kate Middleton was one notable fan). But before then, humans used swearing as the next best thing. Why not pair the two together for a truly balanced catharsis?
Uncommon Goods
Bathtime Essentials Wine Holder, available at Uncommon Goods, $38
Despite being a simple vehicle for enjoying wine in a bathtub, they can feel proud to display this holder: It’s accented with hand-picked beach stones, and the ash wood looks nicer than transparent plastic. It also comes with a BPA-free plastic wine glass for safety.
Amazon
“What the F*@# Should I Make for Dinner?: The Answers to Life’s Everyday Question” by Zach Golden, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, from $14.40
This popular cookbook was derived from the website of the same name, and it’s a choose-your-own-adventure book of 50 solid meal ideas for the nights when they have no clue what to make.
Barnes and Noble
Pinch Provisions Binge-Watching Survival Kit, available at Pinch Provisions, $22
This TV marathon survival kit is especially perfect for the friend who’s always complaining about the thinly-veiled disapproval in Netflix’s “Are you still watching?” notification.
Uncommon Goods
Automatic Pan Stirrer with Timer, available at Uncommon Goods, from $25
Like the wearable nail polish holder, this is another product they didn’t know they needed. It’s a great way to make sure everything is perfectly cooked, without hovering over the pan and stirring continually.
Headline Shirts
Nicholas Cage Mood T-Shirt, available at Headline Shirts, $15
A national treasure in its own right.
Amazon
“Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide to Great Music and Mixed Drinks” by André Darlington and Tenaya Darlington, available at Amazon, Walmart, and Target, $15.99
Combine two great pastimes into one with a guide of 70 albums from the ’50s through the ’00s, paired with an A-side and B-side cocktail for each one. They’re organized by mood, so they’ll know just what pairing to use.
Amazon
Tile Mate, available at Amazon, Target, and Walmart, $17.99
For the friend who has invested far too much money in key duplicates.
Amazon
BigMouth Inc Toilet Mug, available at Amazon, $14.99
This ceramic gag gift mug has become a bit of a mainstay in the genre, and it holds up to 12 ounces of their favorite drink.
Amazon
RAISEVERN Unisex Funny Print Ugly Christmas Sweater, available at Amazon, from $23.19
Merry Slothmas to all and to all a 20-hour sleep cycle, goodnight.