40 Best White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $20 – 2023
Up your white elephant gift giving game with these funny, quirky, and surprisingly useful gift ideas! These are the best white elephant gifts under $20, just in time for all your white elephant parties this holiday season!
If you have holiday parties coming up, you’re bound to have at least one white elephant gift exchange (or you should, because they’re way more fun!). Cue the weird, quirky, and wholly unnecessary.
These funny and unique white elephant gift ideas are perfect for an office holiday party, college students, or a group of your closest friends. There’s something for everyone!
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What is a white elephant gift exchange?
The basic concept of a white elephant gift exchange (also known as Yankee Swap or Dirty Santa) is for each person to bring one wrapped gift to the exchange, and after playing the game, go home with someone else’s gift.
To play, gather in a circle and set all the gifts in the middle. Draw numbers out of a hat to determine what order players will go in. (You can then have everyone shuffle around so they’re in the order they’ll go in, if that’s easier, but it’s not necessary.)
The first player chooses a gift from the middle and opens it, letting everyone see what it is. The next person to go can choose a new gift to open or they can steal from anyone else who has already opened a gift. If a player’s gift gets stolen, they can then choose a new gift to open or steal from someone else, then play continues to the next number person.
Gifts can only be stolen once per turn, so if player 2 steals player 1’s gift, player 1 can’t immediately steal it back (they would have to choose a new present out of the middle).
Continue playing until all the gifts are open and everyone has a gift. Player 1 then gets a chance to steal any of the other gifts if they want (since they were the first to go and didn’t have that option). Depending on how you want to play, they could then put their discarded gift in the middle or give their gift to the person they stole from. The game ends when the last person to have their gift stolen declines to steal again (keeping the previous person’s discarded gift).
To keep the game from going on forever, you can place additional limits, like gifts can only be stolen 3 times. Just be sure to determine these rules ahead of time with your group so everyone knows what to expect.
What makes a good white elephant gift?
This is ultimately up to you and how you want to play the game. I recommend coming up with gift criteria (what kind of gifts and a price limit) beforehand so people aren’t upset when they end up with, I don’t know, a roll of toilet paper after spending $40 on a nice wine bottle.
While a funny gag gift seems to be the most common option for a white elephant exchange, you can also go with a practical gift, a re-gift (something random you find at home, like that ceramic cat figurine your great aunt gave you for Christmas two years ago), or something a little nicer that any recipient would enjoy (still within the set price range, of course).
If you want to get a little more specific, here would be some fun gift themes for a white elephant game:
- only handmade gifts
- favorite book (or specify “children’s books” or “coffee table books”)
- no spending allowed: only found, recycled, or “borrowed” items bummed off a friend or family member
- Christmas tree ornaments (I love looking through all the unique ones at Hobby Lobby during Christmas time!)
- craft supplies or a craft kit (my dream white elephant exchange!)
- favorite recipe baskets: bring a copy of your favorite recipe and fill a basket with the ingredients to make it
- only gift cards: you choose the place, just make sure everyone follows the price point (“bring any gift card for $20”)
- favorite childhood toy or game (I’m bringing a Bop It!)
- wearable gifts (scarf, awkward t-shirt, Snuggie, etc.)
- kitchen gadgets (lots of fun options below!)
- after receiving the party invite, the next product recommended to you on social media that’s under the price limit
- most hilarious gag gift you can find (and maybe even reward the “winner” with an extra gift provided by the host)
- an actual white elephant: each person must find something that resembles an actual white elephant (could be an elephant figurine or a crazy construction of white-painted toilet paper tubes with Wint-O-Green Life Savers glued to it)
Now, let’s get to my top picks for white elephant gifts!
The Ultimate List of Steal-Worthy White Elephant Gifts
These are in no particular order, mostly because there’s no way I could ever choose a favorite.
1. Dino Chicken Nugget Pillows
I didn’t know I needed these pillows in my life until now. There’s several different sizes and styles to choose from, depending on your spending limit.
2. Iridescent Fanny Pack
When did fanny packs become so stylish? There’s a whole lot more color and pattern options to choose from, too.
3. Pizza Wheel
This pizza wheel is the perfect gift for pizza lovers (so…basically everyone). It has so many things going for it: disassembles for cleaning, is dishwasher safe, and has a blade cover for storage.
4. Adult Achievement Stickers
Leg-shaving and bra-wearing are huge achievements in my house, and I often feel I deserve a sticker after. Or a cookie, but that takes more effort.
5. Dinosaur Therapy
Who better to give therapeutic advice than the prehistoric (especially when told through the adorable cartoons from @dinosaurcouch)? This book is totally relatable and one I’d want on my bookshelf.
6. Microfiber Mop Slippers
If you want the phrase “come on kids, time to mop the floors” to be met with cheers all around, then this is the gift for you. My dirty floors and I would be keeping this gift.
7. Monster Pasta Servers
Can’t you just picture those adorable little eyeballs poking out of your bowl of spaghetti? I own the Nessie ladle set, but now I kinda want to add these pasta servers to my collection too.
8. Oddly Specific Apology Cards
These seem like a great idea—all the apologies you never knew you needed (to voice or receive).
9. Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper
This microwave popcorn popper has some awesome reviews, so much so that I’m adding this to my regular Christmas gift list.
10. Poetry for Neanderthals Card Game
This game looks hilarious! I especially love the part where you get to hit your family members or friends with an inflatable club, all under the guise of the game (haha).
11. Toilet Night Light
There’s a certain person in my household who would totally benefit from this (ahem, and it’s not my son). This nifty light is motion-activated and rotates between 8 colors. It’s like a light show for your bum, now who doesn’t want that?
12. The Worst Alphabet Book
This might be my new favorite book. And I kind of want to buy it for every baby shower I ever go to. That, or All My Friends are Dead, another classic children’s book…that’s not really a children’s book.
13. French Fry Holder for Car
I feel like everyone could benefit from a french fry holder in their car. Something you might never actually buy for yourself but probably pretty handy!
14. I Pee in Pools Hat
I could see this pool hat being awesome for when you want the public pool all to yourself. At the very least, you’ll be entertained by everyone’s reactions!
15. Moon Lamp
This pretty moon lamp night light has 16 color options with the included remote control. You can also control the brightness, perfect for all your low-light ambiance mood needs.
16. Reusable Licorice Straws
All the cool kids sip their sodas through a Red Vines straw. But, psyche! These are made of silicone. You can still look cool but without the soggy licorice at the end.
17. A Hypochondriac’s Guide
You should really just go to the product listing on Amazon to read about this book, because they’ll do a much better job of selling you on why this would be a fabulous white elephant (or everyday) gift. Sometimes it’s just nice to know what might kill you. You know, just in case you start exhibiting any symptoms.
18. Piranha Plants Slippers
I love these slippers so much! Perfect white elephant gift for Mario fans.
19. Eyeglasses Holder
I actually love this glasses holder and totally want one for myself. This is bound to get stolen a few times (at least by all your four-eyed friends).
20. Clip-on Pot Strainer
Okay, I’m totally including this as one of the more functional white elephant gifts because I have this strainer, absolutely love it, and now want to give one to everyone I know.
21. Lite Bright Toy
A little bit of nostalgia always goes over well at white elephant gift exchanges. (I always wanted one of these as a kid but never got one, so I’d definitely steal this.)
22. Jumbo Playing Cards
Because that just seems useful and necessary. And I kinda want a deck for me.
23. T-Shirt for the Unathletic
I may or may not have this in my cart right now…also for me.
24. Yodeling Pickle
Another instance where you just need to read the product listing. People are so creative. Or weird. But nearly 11,000 customer reviews on Amazon are voting for creative.
25. Poop Emoji Mini Waffle Maker
Chocolate waffles, anyone? A little homemade fudge sauce, some whipped cream and berries? Yum! And look at that, your waffle is even smiling at you!
26. World’s Smallest Violin
For all the times when people want to share their tales of woe…but you really just don’t care. This would have been amazing at my desk job, back when I had one of those.
27. People of Walmart Adult Coloring Book
Gone are the days when you have to actually go to the store to people-watch. Now you can stay home and color them instead! Your eyes may never be the same, you have been warned.
28. Archie McPhee Handi Squirrel
The item description says “Your hand will climb trees and forage for nuts.” Sounds like a good time.
29. 6.5″ Cast Iron Skillet
You might be wondering why this seemingly-boring houseware item made the list. But then you obviously haven’t had a skookie (skillet cookie) before and I’m not really sure how you find meaning in life. This is for the person who can’t stand giving traditional white elephants and wants to give a gift that actually might be desirable (pair it with a cookie mix or your Grandma’s coveted recipe for her chocolate chippers, and this is sure to get stolen a few times).
30. Bathroom Guest Book
All the best bathrooms have one, right next to the Poo-Pourri. Just one question…do we have to share the same pen?
31. The Fidget Snake
I saw someone playing with one of these at church once. Actually, what I saw was a parent take it from their kid so they could play with it themselves. (I was tempted to ask if I could have a turn.) These come in a pack of three, so feel free to gift two at your white elephant party and save one for yourself. I won’t tell.
32. Magnetic Puzzle Cube
This is another fun fidget toy that adults also like (ask me how I know).
33. Lightsaber Chopsticks
The chopsticks every Star Wars fan needs. Did I mention they light up?
34. Tearless Onion Goggles
No one ever told me these were a thing! Like the other night when I cut up the onions of death. I have a feeling this is the white elephant gift that would actually get used regularly…
35. The Screaming Goat
This seems like a white elephant gift Taylor Swift would be proud of. (YouTube that if you don’t know what I’m referring to, I still laugh every time, even if that was “so last decade.”)
36. Supper Hero Tray for Picky Eaters
Need some encouragement to get through a less-than-palatable meal? It’s okay, I get it. Simply divide the inedible (lima beans, broccoli, kimchi–whatever it may be) between the first eight compartments and make your way to the hidden reward (a cookie, sliver of cake, or candy bar) in the last compartment. Your mom (or spouse) will be so proud of you! Rewards not included.
37. Fifty Shades of Chicken Cookbook
Okay…I’ve tried to keep this list pretty clean…but I couldn’t resist this one, because I think it’s hilarious. Just maybe don’t take this to your family party where your grandma could end up with this gift.
38. T-Shirt Folding Board
This is for all the OCD people at your white elephant party (because you’re probably related to a few).
39. Denture Ice Cube Tray or Dessert Mold
Ah, people. Just when you think they can’t get any weirder and then they come up with this. Ew. Just ew. But also, I want to win the award for “Best White Elephant” this year.
40. Shakespearean Insult Bandages
The only thing better than getting band-aids for Christmas? Getting band-aids with Shakespearean insults on them. Now, away, you three-inch fool!
The Best Gifts for a White Elephant Gift Exchange
Hopefully this list gave you some great white elephant gift ideas to take to this year’s holiday party. I’m totally filing away a couple of the more unique gift ideas for other occasions, too!
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