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Best White Elephant Gifts

Updated December 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Buzzfeed Social Sabotage
Buzzfeed
Social Sabotage
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Fun for Parties
Bottom Line

This gift is bound to bring the most laughs to any gift exchange party.

Pros

Each round challenges the players to send or post embarrassing things in order to "sabotage" their online digital persona. Lots of fun for those who are willing to take the risks. Great for friends getting to know each other.

Cons

Not for the faint of heart, and probably not the best game to take out at a work party.

Best Bang for the Buck
Meik Wiking's The Little Book of Hygge
Meik Wiking's
The Little Book of Hygge
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Great Advice
Bottom Line

Send your gift-receiver into the New Year with tips straight from the Happiness Research Institute.

Pros

Hygge has been a buzzword in recent years and we don't see it going away anytime soon. This useful book has tips on decor, fitness, and eating. Everyone can find a little something useful in the book.

Cons

On the lower end of a white elephant budget, so might be worth pairing it with another gift.

Little Blue House by Hatley Fair Isle Bear & Moose Family Union Suits
Little Blue House by Hatley
Fair Isle Bear & Moose Family Union Suits
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Family Comfort
Bottom Line

This collection of cheerful fair isle-style union suits can outfit the entire family, including the pet.

Pros

Made of soft, 100-percent cotton. Tag-free for heightened comfort. Button closure for adults, snap closure for kids and infants. Cute and cheerful fair isle pattern with a moose motif for the winter season.

Cons

The sizing seems inconsistent. May wear quickly in the wash.

SCS Direct Oversized Giant Wine Glass, Set of 2
SCS DIRECT
Oversized Giant Wine Glass, Set of 2
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Makes a Statement
Bottom Line

These giant-sized wine glasses can each hold a full bottle of wine and make a funny gift.

Pros

Each glass can hold a full 750 ml of wine, the equivalent of a standard bottle. Made from handblown glass. Measures 9 inches tall with a 3-inch rim and 4-inch bowl. Can also hold other drinks.

Cons

Hand-washing recommended.

Joined Clear Box Grater & Zester
Joined
Clear Box Grater & Zester
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Very Useful
Bottom Line

A cheese grater that shows you how much you've grated? Perfection!

Pros

This useful gift is under $25 and appeals to all sorts of people. It comes with removable grating surfaces so you can change them out as needed. Marks on the side measure how much you have shredded.

Cons

Some find the plastic to be a little flimsy.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
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We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

32
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Updated December 2023
Written by Melinda Harris Melinda Harris

Buying guide for Best white elephant gifts

Around the holidays, many offices and friend groups realize it’s too expensive to buy individual gifts for everyone. While some do “Secret Santa” gift exchanges, many others hold “White Elephant” parties instead.

White elephants, also known as yankee swaps, are when everyone brings a wrapped gift to exchange but the gift is for no one in particular. Instead, everyone draws a number and whoever gets number one starts by opening a gift of their choosing. The next person can either open another gift, or steal a previous person’s gift. This goes on until everyone has a present. Typically, gifts can only be stolen twice in order to keep the game moving.

White elephants are a great way to give gifts when not everyone knows each other or knows what other participants may like. The ability to steal gifts also makes the exchange more exciting, but choosing the perfect white elephant gift can be difficult – you’ll want to buy something that is both useful but also fun for whoever unwraps it. Even better, you might supply the gift that everyone wants to steal!

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Our go-to rule of thumb for white elephant gifts – don't gift anything that you would be disappointed to receive.

FAQ

Q: Should white elephant gifts be funny or serious?

A: This depends on who is hosting the white elephant and who the participants are. If you’re having a white elephant party with a group of friends, it can often be more fun to get gag gifts that will get the guests laughing. But if it’s an office white elephant, you might want to lean toward something more practical. We think the best gifts are ones that both have a little humor but are also useful.

Q: How much should a white elephant gift cost?

A: Again, this should be up to the host. However, most white elephant parties have a price range between $15 to $25. This is a perfect price point for gifts that aren’t cheap quality but won’t break the bank for someone you might not know too well.

Q: What happens if I get something I don’t like?

A: Unfortunately, when the game ends you’re stuck with the gift you get. But since many people attend more than one gift exchange per holiday season, you can always regift it. We have found that a good rule of thumb for white elephants is to get a gift you would be excited about receiving. If you don’t like the gift you supplied, chances are other people will feel the same.