Editor's Note: Products featured on Wide Open Country are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The holiday season is nearly upon us — and as exciting as November and December can be, they can also be overwhelming when it comes to finding all those gifts for friends, families and colleagues. Sometimes the most stress-inducing gifts aren't the big-ticket items but those smaller items for the classic staple of any holiday party — that's right, the white elephant exchange.
Sometimes called "Dirty Santa" or "Yankee Swap," the white elephant exchange allows participants to "steal" others' gifts. And let's face it — it's pretty thrilling when everyone wants your gift. So if you want to be a hit at your company party or family gathering, we've got you covered. We've rounded up 30 white elephant gifts that will have everyone fighting over them (in a heartwarming holiday manner, of course).
The Best White Elephant Gifts Under $25
White Elephant Gifts For: A Family Gathering
Cards Against Humanity — Family Edition
Amazon
Finally: A family-friendly version of the popular-but-NSFW card game. This has 600 new cards and can be played with up to 20 people (for anyone over 8!), so this white elephant gift is great for a family gathering.
Yoga Sleep Rohm White Noise Machine
Amazon
If you're visiting family for the holidays, you'll probably need to drown out some of the ... noise. This portable sound machine is small but mighty — it has three preprogrammed natural sounds with volume control, and it'll give you some peace and quiet wherever you are.
Cryosphere Massage Cold & Hot Massage Ball
Amazon
Are the holidays stressful? Well, maybe not with this massage ball: You can put it in the freezer for hours of muscle relief, or place it in warm water for 10 minutes for a warming massage. It combines the benefits of a foam roller massage with cryotherapy and is great for everything from sore necks and calves to aching backs and shoulders.
Bonne Maman Assorted Preserves
Amazon
If jam is, well, your jam, then this set is a great gift to give. The sampler set includes eight flavors of fancy fruit spread from the popular brand Bonne Maman — including strawberry, orange, cherry, grape and raspberry — so you can be sure there is at least one flavor that your gift recipient enjoys. The preserves are made with natural ingredients and the finest quality fruit: It's a great gift that will please anyone who loves a good piece of toast in the morning or as a snack break.
Rechargeable Book Light for Reading in Bed
Amazon
All the family bookworms will want this rechargeable book light. The battery-powered light is dimmable, adjustable and water-resistant.
Chia Pet Bob Ross with Seed Pack
Amazon
Embrace nostalgia with this Chia Pet Bob Ross. Whether you have "happy little trees" superfans in the fam or just someone who loves novelty gifts, this one is sure to be a hit.
Funny Retro Record Coasters for Drinks with Vinyl Player Holder
Amazon
The music lover who insists that "everything sounds better on vinyl" will be thrilled to get their hands on these adorable vinyl record coasters, complete with a record player-shaped holder.
Avocado Huggers by Food Huggers
Amazon
This one's for the avocado toast fans. These reusable silicone avocado savers will ensure that your avocados stay fresh and delicious.
Moon Lamp
Amazon
For the family members who are way into astrology and always talking about the moon phases, this LED moon lamp will make their day (and night).
Amazon
This is for your dad, for new dads — really, for anyone who just enjoys a great (read: terrible) dad joke. Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes even has a page in the front for a personalized note to the man who's kept you laughing (and groaning) for years.
White Elephant Gifts For: A Work Holiday Party
Unigear Rechargeable Hand Warmers
Amazon
If your office is always involved in a war over the thermostat, this electric hand warmer is one of the best gifts to give. Charged via USB with multiple levels that go all the way up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit, this will keep your cold co-workers toasty warm.
S'Well Water Bottle (9 ounces)
Amazon
This one is perfect for the colleague who loves coffee in the morning followed by water all day. This popular stainless steel bottle keeps cold drinks cold for over a full day and hot drinks for as long as your work day. Although it's only 9 ounces, it'll allow your co-worker to get up and stretch those legs on the way over to the water cooler (and it'll fit easier in their work bag!).
Scented Candles Gift Set (4-Pack)
Amazon
Candles are always a welcome gift, and this beautifully packaged set with rich-scented candles will light up the recipient's life. The candles can fill anyone's home with a relaxing and soothing aroma to relieve work-related stressors — and come in beautiful decorative tins to boot. The four-pack has scents including lavender and orange.
Amazon
Do you have a co-worker who talks incessantly about their dog? If not, that co-worker might just be you. Either way, this hilarious "dog shaming" 2024 desk calendar — made up of hilarious signs people have placed on their dogs after a furry friend has wrought absolute havoc onto their home — is a winner.
French Fry Holder and Sauce Holder Set
Amazon
Who among us hasn't taken a lunch trip to McDonald's, only to realize you have no place to put your french fries? Fries must be consumed within seconds of hitting up the drive-thru — everyone knows this. This handy french fry and sauce holder is the answer to our carb-loving prayers.
Extra Large Picnic Blankets Dual Layers Beach Blanket
Amazon
This is for the co-worker who opts to eat lunch outside rather than in their car or huddled in the break room. This durable picnic blanket is ideal for outdoor dining or for taking to sporting events and concerts. It's waterproof and even comes with a handy strap for convenient transportation.
Desktop Vacuum Cleaner
Amazon
The office neat freaks will be clamoring for this adorable — and quite honestly brilliant — desk vacuum cleaner. Powered by two AA batteries, this will take care of any pesky crumbs left over from a lunch spent huddled over your computer. It's the perfect example of something your co-workers would never think to buy for themselves but will appreciate every time they use it.
PowerLix Milk Frother Handheld Battery Operated Electric Whisk Beater
Amazon
Not to be cliche, but we need coffee to survive the workday. There are days when the break room sludge is just not cutting it. And buying Starbucks every day in this economy? Forget it. For the coffee snobs, let us introduce the battery powered handheld milk frother. Whichever lucky co-worker scores this will be able to make their own delicious lattes — perfect for that 3 p.m. crash.
Lumsburry Build-On Brick Coffee Mug
Amazon
Sure, we might be "adults" in the "work force," but that doesn't mean we grew out of playing with toys. This LEGO-esque build-on-brick coffee mug is for the kid in all of us.
Ecolution Patented Micro-Pop Microwave Popcorn Popper with Temperature Safe Glass
Amazon
Can you say midafternoon snack? This microwave popcorn popper is the definition of cute and functional.
White Elephant Gifts For: A Group of Friends
The Republic of Tea Beautifying Botanicals Tea
Amazon
Coffee is certainly delicious, but consumers increasingly are gravitating toward tea for a caffeine-free cup in the afternoon and evening. This lovely blueberry and lavender herbal blend has collagen-boosting pea flower, which is said to boost the skin's complexion. For the beauty lovers in your group of friends, this will be a welcome gift — and with it coming in at under $20, you'll have some money left over to purchase a cute mug, too.
Chums Floating Phone Protector
Amazon
This floating phone protector will be a fan favorite in preparation for that next group vacation by the beach or the lake. And in case someone has too many hard seltzers, it keeps your device safe and dry on water-filled adventures with a watertight seam and easy-to-use dual locking. There are over 10 designs to pick from, including solid colors and bright patterns.
Swank Sunglasses - Tifosi
Tifosi
If you have friends who are constantly in search of a sturdy and fashionable pair of sunglasses, this gift is exactly what they have been looking for. The light and durable design known as Swank is described by the brand as "a retro-value for modern times." The modern coloring and classic shape will work for anyone and can fit any style or look. Furthermore, the pair comes in additional colors, some bright and some more neutral. The frames are also shatterproof and have scratch-resistant lenses, too.
HB Life Charcuterie Set
Amazon
Maybe this is a subtle way to encourage your friends to host the next dinner party or happy hour — but trust me, it works. This charcuterie set and cheese board is made of acacia wood, so it is timeless and sturdy. Plus, it can hold crackers, nuts, cheese and fruit in a way that makes entertaining look easy and fancy. The board is also easy to clean and to maintain (just hand-wash with mild soap and warm water) for endless wine-and-cheese nights. Best of all, it comes with four serving utensils, too.
LED Glowing Light Saber Star Wars Chop Sticks
May the force be with you — and your dinner. Your Star Wars fan besties will go wild for these light saber chopsticks. They're also the perfect way to liven up a dinner party.
ABSIYA Sunset Lamp — Color Changing Projector
Amazon
Every hour can be golden hour with this color changing projector. It's perfect for any room where you need a welcoming, warm glow.
Amazon
This hilarious coloring book is the perfect white elephant gift to keep your friends laughing. Featuring pages depicting life's small annoyances (broken shopping bags, lost contact lenses, stepping on LEGOs with bare feet), it serves as a reminder to laugh in the face of minor misfortunes.
'The Crystal Bible'
Amazon
This one's for your geology besties. Whether they're just getting into crystals or their home is covered in gems, The Crystal Bible — "a comprehensive and beautifully illustrated guide to crystals" — is sure to be a hit.
Are you the Rose of your friend group or the Blanche? Either way, your fellow Golden Girls will love this adorable magnet set, featuring characters from the timeless sitcom as well as set pieces from the series.
Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone
Amazon
Are your friends constantly dragging you to karaoke or taking over the aux cord to perform their favorite Olivia Rodrigo jam? If so, this bluetooth karaoke microphone is the perfect gift. Every wannabe diva will want this sleek mic to feel like a pop superstar or a country queen.
This article was published in November 2022. It was updated in October 2023.
