
White Elephant gift exchanges are severely underrated, if you ask me. Not only is it a total blast to watch your tipsy friends and family members fight over the best White Elephant gifts, but it saves you from having to buy a gift for every person on your list. The holiday season is expensive enough, so gift exchanges like these are where it’s at IMO.
Although it might sound similar, don’t get White Elephant confused with Secret Santa, where you choose gifts specifically for one particular recipient. This isn’t your average gift exchange, but if you’re looking to add some zest to your holiday get-together, it’s the perfect solution.
With any White Elephant gift exchange, the trickiest part is choosing a gift that could work for anyone in the room. If you’re struggling to find that crowd-pleasing gift everyone will want to steal, keep reading for the best assortment of White Elephant gifts—all of which won’t cost you more than $25.
How a White Elephant Gift Exchange Works
In a White Elephant gift exchange, each person places one wrapped gift in the center of the room. To keep things fair, the organizer will often set a price limit, or you could choose a theme for the gifts to make it extra fun. Then, have everyone draw a number to determine the order they will go in. The game starts when the first person chooses a gift from the pile and opens it. As the game progresses, players can either choose a gift from the center of the room or steal a gift from someone who has already opened one. Anyone who gets their gift stolen has the opportunity to steal from someone else or pick a brand-new gift. Sounds fun, right?
The Best White Elephant Gifts Under $25
Perfect for grocery runs, farmers’ markets, thrift finds, and beach days, my Baggu always just gets it. They adapt to pretty much any daily function, which makes them the perfect white elephant gift.
If your friend group is the kingdom of Irish goodbyes, throwing this adorable keychain into a gift bag is a playful nod to the one who loves going to a party just as much as leaving one.
My favorite food in chic clothing item form? Yes please. Socks are always a reliable white elephant gift if you’re in a pinch, and this salted butter pair is such a cute standout.
Made up of 100 pieces, this mini puzzle is perfect for a quick brain break and easy enough for non-puzzle-enthusiasts to enjoy, too.
Take it from our fashion editor: Triangle scarves are the must-have winter accessory these days. This timeless striped pattern is sure to be the fought-over gift, but don’t worry, it also comes in two other colors, so you can snag one for yourself too.
Sometimes your plants need some tender love and care too. If the holiday season always has you on the go, this playful, IV-style watering system makes sure your plant children stay happy and healthy while you’re away.
If you speak fluent sweet treat, nothing beats a box full of delicious Swedish candies from Bonbon. Candy is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at a holiday function, and the pale pink gift packaging makes it feel extra thoughtful, too.
Anyone who travels frequently or has trouble sleeping will want to snatch this gift up right away. Made from 100% mulberry silk, this not only blocks out light, but can reduce the appearance of fatigue and dark circles. The matching pouch makes it extra special.
Four ultra-smooth lip balms that make you look hydrated, glossy, and feel high-end without the price tag? Sign us up. And with its limited-edition mini sizing, this adorable set will be an automatic steal at the gift swap.
This sleek and compact pill organizer is a game-changer for anyone who loves to stay prepared. It’s perfect for keeping a variety of medications, vitamins, or supplements organized and easy to access.
Cozy socks are something everyone can appreciate, and these are some of the softest socks out there. The one-size-fits-all design works for shoe sizes 5-9, so you’re covered no matter who opens them.
Your favorite OPI shades in this adorable miniature version. Featuring the iconic Funny Bunny, Bubble Bath, Big Apple Red, and Lincoln Park After Dark , this OPI set has a classy shade for every giftee.
This compact, roll-up tool bag keeps tools organized and protected on the go—ideal for keeping in the car. All of the handy people in the room will surely be fighting over this one.
This in-shower phone holder allows them to keep watching videos while they take their everything shower. This is a pick everyone will fight over!
Who knew achieving gorgeous locks could be so easy? This heatless curling set helps to create effortless yet polished curls or waves. The best part? The satin construction keeps hair frizz-free and prevents breakage. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t snatch this gift up!
Buying perfume can be a difficult find for other people, but if you want something that feels extra chic for your gift exchange, this Kyoto in Bloom body lotion and perfume makes choosing a scented gift feel easy. Plus, it’s already wrapped!
Hate when your $7 latte starts to condensate absolutely everywhere? This neoprene insulated sock solves that problem instantly. It’s available in multiple colors and sizes, and with over 30,000 reviews, it’s clear everyone loves it.
With multiple zippered compartments and tons of interior mesh pockets, this organizer can fit all the cords, cables, and other tech accessories you could possibly need on the go.
Looking to heat up the party? Get to know your guests better with these playful after-dinner trivia prompts. From philosophy and wine to literature and cars, there is a host of get-to-know-you questions for you to toast to.
I’ve literally never met anyone who doesn’t love the scent of Capri Blue Volcano. As a universal crowd-pleaser, you can’t go wrong with this White Elephant gift—especially among people you don’t know very well.
Once you try a candle warmer lamp, you’ll never go back to lighting candles the old-fashioned way. The warmth from the lightbulb gently melts the wax, safely releasing the fragrance without an open flame and making candles last way longer. This one has dimming capabilities and timer settings for extra convenience.
The perfect weekend-mode attire, these vintage-style burgundy socks are made for cozying up with your favorite read and late-night comfort movie watches.
Craftmix’s skinny cocktail mixes allow you to have restaurant-level cocktails without any of the fuss. Simply add vodka, ice, and sparkling or still water and enjoy.
Are you even from the Midwest if you don’t let out a little “Ope! Excuse me” every now and then? I always love a cheeky gift buy, and being from Illinois, this corny keychain is a fun option I’m definitely eyeing this season.
Mark this down as a gift that seems boring, but will have the room fighting over. These dryer balls are made from 100% sustainably sourced New Zealand sheep’s wool, and can reduce laundry drying time up to 30%.
This detergent went viral on TikTok for its irresistibly luxurious scent that makes laundry feel like a treat. A little goes a long way—just add a small amount to your regular detergent, and you’ll enjoy its heavenly fragrance for months to come.
This cute, compact waffle maker makes a fun gift that’ll fit in anyone’s kitchen. With a 4-inch-wide nonstick cooking surface, it’s perfect for single-serving portions.
For the board aficionado or the charcuterie newbie, this deck of cards offers 50 creative ideas for styling and presenting food platters for any occasion. What’s more, the boards range from budget-friendly to fancy.
Solve the great “What should I make for dinner?” debate with this cookbook. It features 100 easy and delicious recipes, all of which require no more than 15 minutes of meal prep—perfect for nights when you just can’t be bothered to cook.
This adorable cocktail-themed ornament is sure to be a hit. The hardest part will be deciding whether you want to keep it for yourself or actually gift it to someone else.
If you’re in a room full of beauty-lovers, this is definitely the gift to bring. Dry brushing has a million benefits, including lymphatic drainage, improved circulation, and exfoliation.
This sticky ball is designed to roll around inside your bags, picking up dust, dirt, and crumbs. It’s small, practical, and reusable, making it a great gift for even the pickiest White Elephant participants.
Anyone who prefers every meal doused in hot sauce will appreciate this sampler pack of Hot One’s signature heat. With spice levels ranging from 2/10 to 11/10, it’s the perfect splash of flavor for any kind of meal.
This game takes truth or dare to the next level, making it perfect for a wild Friday night. The truth cards are so juicy, you’ll be reaching for the fiery hot sauce just to avoid spilling your secrets.
It’s cozy season, which means a fuzzy blanket is always a must. This gorgeous throw comes in tons of colors, is two-sided, and looks way more expensive than it is. That’s a winning gift in my book!
Say goodbye to that clunky corkscrew. This electric wine opener uncorks bottles in seconds with the simple push of a button. It can open up to 30 bottles in a single charge and comes with a foil cutter for easily removing seals.
Anyone who likes to read at night will appreciate this wearable reading light. It slips around your neck to provide hands-free lighting at the perfect angle for reading in bed, on planes, and beyond.
This might be marketed toward kids, but gift recipients of all ages will love it. With the ability to instantly print photos, it’s especially great for crafters and scrapbookers!
This iced coffee (or anything else) tumbler from Corporate Natalie‘s collaboration with Reduce is both stunning and functional. The removable, vacuum-insulated sleeve keeps drinks cold for eight hours.
There is something about pebble ice that just hits different. This set of two compact cylinders makes 100 mini cubes each, and you simple squeeze the silicone molds to get all of the cubes out.
There’s nothing worse than ending up with a gift you’ll never use, but whoever ends up with this sticker book will be forever thankful you brought something both practical and beautiful. It includes 24 sheets of stickers that will help them plan everything from appointments and deadlines to birthdays and more.
A label maker is the ultimate “I never knew I needed this, but now I can’t live without it” gift. It’s the perfect tool to help them get effortlessly organized for the new year.
File this under problem-solving products you didn’t know existed. The next time you need to use half a fruit or vegetable and stash the rest in the fridge, grab one of these reusable silicone sleeves. They stretch over the cut side to create an airtight seal that helps prevent browning and keeps food fresher longer.
This all-in-one sushi-making kit basically counts as an experience gift. It comes with everything you need to roll your own sushi at home, including a sushi knife, bamboo rolling mats, a rice paddle and spreader, an avocado slicer, and even a sushi bazooka that helps you push out the perfect roll.
For those around the White Elephant circle who love a cold seltzer, this slim can insulator will be a highly sought-after gift. The insulation keeps your drink super-cold while keeping your hands dry.
Featuring 50 holiday-inspired cocktail recipes, this card deck is all the inspiration they need for a festive at-home happy hour. The pretty packaging will have everyone fighting over it for their own bar cart.
This tiny vacuum cleaner is the desk essential they didn’t know they needed. It’s compact, easy-to-use, and perfect for those hard-to-reach messes around your workspace.
This sleek, compact jewelry organizer looks so luxurious, no one will believe it’s under $25. It keeps necklaces tangle-free and ensures your earrings and rings stay perfectly organized and secure.
A rechargeable lighter is one of those handy gadgets you won’t want to live without once you’ve tried one. It’s fueled by electricity instead of chemicals, so it never runs out, there’s no smell, and it even works in windy conditions.
Sometimes you just need a glass of wine in the bath (or the shower), and I think everyone knows that feeling well. This gift screams relaxation so it is sure to be stolen from the original gift-opener.
This is one game you’ll want to break out as soon as your gift exchange is over. Great for a group of family or friends that know each other well, it entails voting on superlatives like “who’s most likely to get a ticket for driving too slow” or “who would win a hot dog eating contest.” It’s a staple for any board game collection.
This handy screen cleaner is perfect for anyone who’s glued to their phone. About the size of a tube of lipstick, it features a microfiber exterior with spray cleaner housed inside, so you can easily spray and wipe any screen clean.
This is one of those White Elephant gifts that might sound silly, but it actually has a practical real-life purpose. With holes to portion out from one to four servings of spaghetti, this kitchen tool ensures you’ll always make the perfect amount of pasta.
A foldable tripod that takes up less space than an umbrella and has a remote? Yes please! Whoever ends up with this gift is in charge of taking the group picture at the end of the night.
This mug warmer from Amazon will keep your coffee at the perfect temperature all day long. The universal design works with most types of mugs, and the one-touch button makes it super easy to use.
A meat thermometer is the perfect mix of practical and fun for a white elephant gift exchange. Whether they’re a seasoned grill master or just trying to avoid overcooking chicken, this gadget will have everyone eyeing it for their next meal masterpiece.
This is the type of gift that feels a lot more expensive than it is. For anyone who loves to romanticize the simple things, this glassware set makes those simple sips taste sweeter.
Everyone could use an upgrade to their old $3 nail clippers they’ve had since college. This handy set comes with nail clippers, an ear pick, nano glass nail files, tweezers, and facial scissors.
Shop All of The Everygirl’s Holiday Gift Guides
- Gifts for The Quiet Luxury Girl
- Gifts for The Homebody
- Gifts for The Traveler
- Gifts for The Wellness Expert
- Gifts for The Classic Femme
- Gifts for The Cool Girl
- Gifts for The Corporate Girlie
- Gifts for The Book Lover
- Gifts for The Coastal Grandma
- Gifts for The Person Who Has It All
- Gifts for Guys
- Gifts for Moms
- Gifts for Dads
- Stocking Stuffers for Women
- Stocking Stuffers for Men
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has published our beloved gift guides for 12+ years. Whether you’re shopping for a gift for your work wife, an insanely cool cousin, or your significant other’s dad (why are dads so hard?!), we have an idea they’ll love. The Everygirl editorial team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible and affordable list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.

Hailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor
As the Assistant Managing Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Tagliarino oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitching stage through publishing, she works alongside the team to ensure that the content that our readers see every day is inspiring, relatable, and timely.
Madigan Will, Contributing Writer
As a contributing writer and former Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Madigan has written and edited content across every topic under the digital media sun. As the oldest of four siblings, she brings a big-sister perspective to her work, helping readers discover new ways to maximize their everyday.
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