The best white elephant gifts aren’t the most expensive ones. They’re the ones that make the whole room laugh, or the ones three people try to steal before the night is over.
This list has 40 white elephant gift ideas sorted by type: funny gifts, cozy gifts, useful gifts, foodie gifts, and gifts that get everyone playing. Most land in the $20 to $30 range that’s typical for office parties and family swaps.
Hosting the exchange? The free printable includes a simple rules card and number cards from 1 to 30 for the draw, so you don’t have to tear up scraps of paper on the night.
In this post
Funny white elephant gifts
These get the biggest laughs when they’re unwrapped.
- A toilet golf putting set
- A pizza-shaped blanket
- Cat butt tissue holder or another delightfully weird desk item
- A “World’s Okayest Coworker” mug
- A giant gummy bear
- Socks printed with someone’s face (perfect for a team gift)
- A desk-sized punching bag
- A bacon-scented candle
- An “emotional support” stuffed animal with a funny tag
- A sound board with buttons like “That’s what she said” and a game show buzzer
Cozy white elephant gifts
Soft, warm, and almost always stolen.
- A sherpa throw blanket
- Heated slippers
- A weighted lap blanket
- A set of fuzzy socks with a hot cocoa mix
- A soy candle in a winter scent
- A wearable blanket hoodie
Useful white elephant gifts
The gifts people secretly hope to end up with.
- A portable phone charger
- A mini waffle maker
- A bluetooth shower speaker
- A heated mug or mug warmer
- A digital meat thermometer
- An insulated tumbler
- A key finder tag
- A desk organizer or cord organizer kit
Foodie white elephant gifts
Edible gifts are a safe bet when you don’t know the group well.
- A hot sauce sampler
- A gourmet popcorn tin
- A charcuterie board with a cheese knife set
- Hot cocoa bombs
- A coffee sampler from a local roaster
- A make-your-own-pasta kit
- A “build your own” s’mores kit
Gifts that get everyone playing
Bonus: the group can play them right after the exchange.
- A card game like What Do You Meme or Cards Against Humanity (for the right crowd)
- A tabletop cornhole set
- A Jenga-style tumbling tower game
- A mini basketball hoop for the office door
- A trivia card game
- A Nerf blaster with foam darts
- A jigsaw puzzle with a funny picture
- A “Who’s Most Likely To” card game (or print our free cards)
- A karaoke microphone
How to play white elephant
If your group has never played, here are the classic rules. They’re also on the printable rules card.
- Everyone brings one wrapped gift within the agreed price limit. Put all the gifts in a pile.
- Draw numbers. Each player draws a number card to set the order.
- Player 1 opens a gift from the pile and shows it to everyone.
- Each next player chooses: open a new gift from the pile, or steal an unwrapped gift from someone else.
- If your gift is stolen, you can open a new gift or steal from someone else. You can’t steal back the gift that was just taken from you.
- A gift can only be stolen three times. After the third steal, it’s “frozen” with its owner.
- At the end, player 1 gets one final turn to swap with anyone, since they never had the chance to steal.
Players: 6 to 30Time: 30 to 60 minutesYou need: One wrapped gift per person, the printable number cards
Set the price limit when you send the invite, not at the party. A clear limit like “$25 max” keeps the gifts fair and stops anyone from feeling awkward.
Fun twists on white elephant
Dice white elephant
Instead of drawing numbers, players pass dice around and follow what each roll says: 1 means open a gift, 2 means swap with the person on your left, and so on. It’s faster and chaotic in the best way.
Theme night
Pick a theme for everyone’s gifts, like “something cozy,” “something under $10,” or “something you’d find at a gas station.” Themes make shopping easier and the gifts funnier.
Re-gift edition
Everyone brings something they already own and don’t use. It’s free, it’s sustainable, and the stories behind the gifts are half the fun.
White elephant FAQ
What’s a good price limit for white elephant?
$20 to $30 is the most common limit for office parties and friend groups. For families with kids, $10 to $15 keeps it fair for everyone.
What’s the difference between white elephant and Secret Santa?
In Secret Santa, each person is assigned someone to buy for and the gifts are personal. In white elephant, gifts are anonymous, anyone can end up with anything, and stealing is part of the game.
How long does a white elephant exchange take?
Plan about two minutes per player. A group of 15 takes around 30 minutes, more if the gifts are good and people steal a lot.
What other games go well with white elephant?
Kick off the night with Christmas trivia or a few quick Christmas party games for adults, then save the gift exchange for the grand finale.
