30 Crowd-Pleasing White Elephant Gifts Everyone Is Going to Steal (2024)

A mix of funny, practical, and fabulous—mostly under-$50!

By Vanessa Powell
30 Crowd-Pleasing White Elephant Gifts Everyone Is Going to Steal (1)

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

White elephant gift exchanges are a fun and exciting approach to gift giving during the holidays. The entire event creates light-hearted drama full of revenge and suspense about what everyone’s going to walk home with. There are plot twists and turns where one round you could have the most coveted beauty gift of the season in your hands, and the next you could end up with a dust-collecting regift. In every white elephant gift exchange, there are crowd-pleasing items and the not-so-exciting flop gifts everyone wants to trade. The range makes for a competitive camaraderie turned delightful bonding experience.

Whether you have a white elephant gift exchange with co-workers, your extended family, or with your besties, bringing a highly sought-after and entertaining item is always the goal. The best white elephant gifts touch upon humor, practicality and style. The trick is to find something with a universal appeal that will draw laughs and attention.

How to Find the Best White Elephant Gift

White elephant gift exchanges can have the reputation of a collection of knick-knacks that might get a few laughs, but when all is said and done they end up in the back of your closet holding no true purpose. The best white elephant gifts, however, are funny items that serve a purpose. If you’re stumped on what to get for a white elephant gift exchange, fear not. We have 30 of the best white elephant gift ideas ahead that everyone will want to steal, under-$50 and under-$20. Pro tip: Send this article around to your crew, so you have a higher chance of walking home with one of these highly coveted items.

An Eco-Friendly Fix

BAGGU Standard Reusable Shopping Bag

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An Eco-Friendly Fix

BAGGU Standard Reusable Shopping Bag

At first glance, you might think it’s your typical plastic bag from the convenience store, but with a closer look, it’s actually a Baggu. If you’re unfamiliar, they are the best, most stylish reusable shopping bags in the game and make a great stocking stuffer.

A Sweet and Savory Treat

SaucyBitch Sweet Heat Hot Sauce

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A Sweet and Savory Treat

SaucyBitch Sweet Heat Hot Sauce

Hot sauce lovers are always looking for new versions of their favorite condiment to try. This one throws shade, gets laughs and is delicious, mixing sweet with spicy.

A Helpful Planner

Brass Monkey Professional Procrastinator Pen & Planner Set

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A Helpful Planner

Brass Monkey Professional Procrastinator Pen & Planner Set

Do you have someone in mind who is always perpetually late? Or that one friend that is constantly procrastinating? Poke fun at them with this planner, that will actually be quite useful.

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A True Luxury

LOUIS XIII THE DROP

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A True Luxury

LOUIS XIII THE DROP

Surprise your white elephant crew with these luxurious cognac droppers from LOUIS XIII. Ending up with this set up five is like winning the lottery.

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An Accessory for the Wine Lover

8 Oak Lane Wine Bottle Carrying Clutch Bag

This wine bottle-carrying case will be a hit for the vino connoisseur. It has a spot for your license, credit cards, and 750ml bottle...the essentials. P.S. it makes a great hostess gift, too!

An Ironic Candle

Homesick White Elephant Candle

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30 Crowd-Pleasing White Elephant Gifts Everyone Is Going to Steal (8)

An Ironic Candle

Homesick White Elephant Candle

If you’re truly stumped on the idea of a white elephant gift, go for a literal and ironic candle from homesick. It smells amazing and won’t leave anyone disappointed.

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An Influencer-Approved Wellness Gift

Bala Bangles

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An Influencer-Approved Wellness Gift

Bala Bangles

Bala bangles are the hottest accessory to hit the wellness scene. Whoever walks out with these babies is lucky.

A Surprising Sweet Treat

Beekman 1802 Goat Poop Timeless Chocolates

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A Surprising Sweet Treat

Beekman 1802 Goat Poop Timeless Chocolates

From caramel to pretzel, cookies, butterscotch, and more, what sounds gross (but funny) is actually a surprisingly delicious treat. This tin of decadent chocolates actually has nearly 500 hundred perfect reviews.

A Sparkling Accessory

BaubleBar Holiday Spirits Statement Earrings

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A Sparkling Accessory

BaubleBar Holiday Spirits Statement Earrings

Now 50% Off

If there’s someone in your crew that’s a martini lover, these earrings are a must-include white elephant gift. They are sparkly, festive, and fun.

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A Practical Joke

Native Naughty Deodorant Collection

A Practical Joke

Native Naughty Deodorant Collection

Deodorant is actually a useful gift to open during a white elephant exchange. This collection by Native offers scents of spiked eggnog, fresh mistletoe, and our favorite—a lump of coal.

The Collab You Didn’t Know You Needed

Sugarfina Truly Hard Seltzer Gummy Bears

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The Collab You Didn’t Know You Needed

Sugarfina Truly Hard Seltzer Gummy Bears

These gummy bears offer more than just a sugar rush. Part hard seltzer, part sweet treat, this bento box is the collab you didn’t know you needed.

A Self-Care White Elephant Gift

Cotsoco Electric Scalp Head Massager

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A Self-Care White Elephant Gift

Cotsoco Electric Scalp Head Massager

It might seem funny at first, but with just one stroke on the scalp everyone becomes instantly hooked on this head massager. This particular one from Cotsoco was a part of Google's Holiday 100— 100 gift ideas and insights based on the most trending searches of the year.

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A Woo Woo Home Accessory

Attune Collective Aurora Floral Sage Wand

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A Woo Woo Home Accessory

Attune Collective Aurora Floral Sage Wand

Saging your home brings in positive vibes and clears the negative energy. The nonbelievers will become hooked when they end up with this beautiful bundle on a white elephant stint.

Editor’s Pick

VoChill Stemless Wine Glass Chiller

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Editor’s Pick

VoChill Stemless Wine Glass Chiller

Wine drinkers know there’s nothing worse than a warm sauv blanc or rose. VoChill’s solution keeps your stemless glass chilled for over an hour.

A Vintage Indoor Planter

Uncommon Goods Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden

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A Vintage Indoor Planter

Uncommon Goods Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden

This mason jar herb garden uses a passive hydroponic system that makes it easy for anyone to grow their own basil, even if they don’t have a green thumb.

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A Fun Bar Accessory

Urban Outfitters Bootle Opener

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A Fun Bar Accessory

Urban Outfitters Bootle Opener

Now 22% Off

Urban Outfitters had us at the name. This cowgirl boot bottle opener is a fun way to start your weekly happy hours.

A Useful Selfie Gadget

Auxiwa Selfie Ring Light

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A Useful Selfie Gadget

Auxiwa Selfie Ring Light

It clips right to your phone, adding ring light power to the palm of your hand. It drastically improves your selfies and IG stories.

The Remote Worker’s Inside Joke

KellyLovesType “Sorry, I Was On Mute” Mug

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The Remote Worker’s Inside Joke

KellyLovesType “Sorry, I Was On Mute” Mug

It’s the WFH joke corporate America is faced with on the daily. This mug will be a hit for any office white elephant exchange.

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An Internet Meme IRL

Dude With Sign 2023 Wall Calendar

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An Internet Meme IRL

Dude With Sign 2023 Wall Calendar

It’s the most relatable place on the internet to vent about pet peeves in people. This wall calendar brings everyone’s favorite meme to life with a new funny each month.

Most Useful White Elephant Gift

Apple Apple AirTag

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Most Useful White Elephant Gift

Apple Apple AirTag

Now 17% Off

The Apple AirTag will track anything you lose on the regular, so you can kiss the panic goodbye and find it via your iPhone.

30 Crowd-Pleasing White Elephant Gifts Everyone Is Going to Steal (2024)
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