Are you looking for the best white elephant gift for the holidays? Finding the perfect white elephant gift can be challenging since you need to choose something that caters to many different preferences, and they often need to stay within a small budget.
If you’re having a difficult time deciding which one to buy, we’ve compiled some of the best white elephant gift ideas under $25 and $50 in this list! From fun to sentimental to utility gifts, you’ll surely find one that is suitable.
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What is White Elephant?
White elephant gift exchanges give a fun twist to gift-giving for the holidays or a special occasion. Each person brings a single wrapped gift, usually under a specific budget. All gifts will be placed in one area, and everyone will take turns selecting a gift.
However, one can choose to either unwrap a new gift or steal another person’s already unwrapped gift. A gift can only be stolen twice. This is where the fun part starts, as the ultimate goal is to leave the party with the best gift there is.
How to Choose the Right White Elephant Gift?
Be considerate of everyone’s humor levels.
While it may be tempting to buy the funniest gag gift to fill the room with laughter, it’s always best to consider everyone’s humor levels.
You wouldn’t want to be the person bringing a gag gift when no one else does. If you decide to get a gag gift, just ensure it won’t make people uncomfortable.
Stick within the budget.
When it comes to white elephant gifts, there is usually a budget for how much you can spend on them. We’ve compiled a list of recommended white elephant gift items below $25 and $50.
Make sure to factor in shipping times.
If you’re buying online, don’t forget to factor in shipping times. A white elephant gift exchange won’t be enjoyable if one person doesn’t get a gift due to an unfortunate circumstance.
Unless you have Amazon Prime, make sure to order ahead of time.
White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $25
1. Desktop Boxing
The perfect desk accessory for fun and effective stress relief, Desktop Boxing is the best gift for a boxing fan or someone who has to deal with a lot of unfortunate mishaps.
This mini boxing kit includes a mini punching bag with a suction cup base and two small boxing gloves for the pointer fingers. Don’t let your co-workers take out their stress on you; give this to them!
Great/Best For:
- Great to keep stress away while at work
- Best for a boxing fan or someone who works in HR and customer service.
2. Finger Weightlifting
The Finger Weightlifting set is a one-of-a-kind miniature kit that lets you pump iron with your fingers. It includes a mini metal barbell, mini rubber weight plates, a mini metal kettlebell weight, a mini resistance band, a finger sweatband, and a 32-page mini book as a guide.
Someone’s fingers are about to get ripped with this one!
Great/Best For:
- Great way to exercise the fingers for someone who types a lot (kidding)
- Best for someone who loves the gym
3. Bob Ross Heat Changing Mug
A Bob Ross Heat Changing Mug is a funny yet sentimental gift for a Bob Ross fan.
Once a hot beverage is poured in, Bob Ross’ painting will appear from the initially black background, making it seem like a self-painting mug. This mug will make someone think, “it’s a good day to be alive” or dream about “happy clouds” every time they use it.
Great/Best For:
- Best for loyal fans of Bob Ross or artists
- Great to lift spirits while drinking tea or coffee
4. Portable Karaoke Microphone
This Portable Karaoke Microphone can be used as a microphone, speaker, recorder, and mini KTV. Easily connect to a smartphone, tablet, computer, or TV and play music anywhere. This is the best white elephant gift to unleash the singer in someone you know.
Great/Best For:
- Best for someone who loves to sing
- A fun activity for gatherings
5. Scalp Head Massager
This Scalp Head Massager has 20 prongs for hair stimulation and body relaxation. Hold the handle, put the product on your head, and slowly move it up and down. A perfect gift to transport someone to a relaxing place, especially if they’re constantly stressed.
Great/Best For:
- A great way to increase blood circulation and provide deep relaxation.
- Best for someone who suffers from headaches and migraines
6. Desktop Vacuum Cleaner USB Charging
The Desktop Vacuum Cleaner comes with a universal USB charging cable and can last up to 4 hours. Easily clean up the dust found on desktops, computers, keyboards, and other objects for better concentration.
Who doesn’t want a clean environment?
Great/Best For:
- Ideal for cleaning dust in small corners.
- Best for someone who wants everything spotlessly clean
7. Dash Mini Waffle Maker Machine
Easily make your favourite breakfast classics with the Dash Mini Waffle Maker Machine. It is a must-have for people who live in small apartments, dorms, or anyone who’s always on the go that loves waffles for breakfast.
Simply plug this machine in and store it effortlessly in a kitchen cabinet or drawer once the waffle-making magic is done.
Great/Best For:
- Creative way of making waffles, hash browns, cookies, and more!
- Best for someone who is too busy to make a proper breakfast
8. 100 Things to Do For Your Wellbeing
The 100 Things to Do For Your Wellbeing is an excellent gift to remind someone to take time for themselves and practice self-care by doing things they normally wouldn’t do. It is a bucket list scratch-off poster that contains fun ideas promoting self-care.
Make it a goal to complete the bucket list before the year ends and let it inspire similar mindful activities in the future.
Great/Best For:
- A fun list of ideas to nourish one’s body, mind, and soul.
- Best for someone who prioritizes or needs to care more about self-care.
9. Cold Beer Coats
Cold Beer Coats are cool and unique gifts that allow not just beer but any kind of canned drinks to stay cool and prevent sweating. It is a mini puffer jacket with soft nylon on the outside and metallic fabric lining on the inside.
Clip this to any backpack or belt loop and enjoy cold drinks anytime.
Great/Best For:
- A great way to ensure canned drinks won’t sweat and stay chilled.
- Best for someone who likes ice-cold beer
10. Spreadsheet Shortcut Mug
The Spreadsheet Shortcut Mug is a code-covered cup designed with spreadsheet functions and formulas so someone can have a cheat sheet on their workstation. With more than a dozen shortcuts, from functions and formatting to filters and formulas, this is a lifeline for beginners who may have difficulty excelling at Excel.
Simply pour a beverage of choice and jump into those spreadsheets headfirst with no fear.
Great/Best For:
- A clever way to remember spreadsheet functions and formulas.
- Best for someone who works with excel all day
12. Rosebud Candle
A rich and creamy scent is infused with cedarwood, tonka bean and just a hint of rose water.
If you know someone who’s really into scented candles, you obviously know that their mantra is “there’s no such thing as too many candles!”.
The Rosebud candle emanates a rich and creamy scent, with a hint of rose water to captivate the senses. This is not just a candle but rather a luxurious and sophisticated gift!
Great/Best For:
- Great for someone who loves lighting up a candle regularly
White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $50
1. AvoSeedo Bowl Grow Your Own Avocado Tree
The AvoSeedo Bowl Grow Your Own Avocado Tree is an easy and convenient tree-growing kit that allows anyone to grow an avocado at home. It includes a small plastic pit with a hole where the avocado pit is inserted. Instead of throwing away an avocado seed, why not try growing it?
Great/Best For:
- Easy and convenient way to plant an avocado
- Best for every avocado lover
2. 3D Simulation Bread Shape Pillow
The 3D Simulation Bread Shape Pillow is basically a baguette in pillow form. This French bread design is made of high-quality plush fabric with cotton lining, making it soft and comfortable.
Use it as a back cushion, bolster, or pillow— just make sure not to drool when sleeping on it!
Great/Best For:
- Great for snuggles on the couch, bed, or when on the go.
- Best for boys, girls, and adults (even pets) of all ages who love bread.
3. Drawing Without Dignity
Drawing Without Dignity is a twisted, funny adult version of the classic drawing game. This pits you and your friends against each other in a race to draw and guess sketches that the rest of humanity will wish never came across their eyes.
Sometimes, you need to know “some” things, so consider this education.
Great/Best For:
- Hilarious game to play with close friends
- Best for witty and sarcastic adults (not for the faint of heart)
4. YETI Rambler 14 oz Mug
The YETI Rambler 14oz Mug is a BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, double-wall vacuum-insulated mug that keeps drinks hot or cold. This mug is perfect for on-the-move adventures or long days in the office as it keeps your beverage of choice at the temperature you like.
A great product to keep your coffee hot until the very last sip, this is an excellent gift for a colleague or friend.
Great/Best For:
- Protects hands from hot or cold contents while keeping drinks well-insulated.
- Best for a coffee lover
5. Tokyo Treat
Get the sweet taste of Japan without the use of a passport or a plane ticket!
TokyoTreats is famous for curating Japanese snacks that change selections every month. These candy boxes are shipped fresh from Japan right to your doorstep for you to enjoy the taste of Japan through their snacks!
Great/Best for:
- Great sweet treat with many surprises
- Best for someone who loves Japanese culture and snacks
6. Chameleoncan can Covers Sleeves
The Chameleoncan Can Covers Sleeves is a reusable silicone can cover that fits all standard 12 oz or 16 oz cans. Simply put the cover from the top of the can and drag it down for the perfect disguise.
Turn any kind of canned drink into a soda can with this Chameoleoncan!
Great/Best For:
- Great for camping or outdoor travels
- Best for someone who may want to enjoy a beer at an inappropriate time
7. Bonsai Tree Seed Starter Kit
The Bonsai Tree Seed Starter Kit is a DIY beginner bonsai growing kit that has everything you need to grow four types of miniature bonsai trees. It contains four tree seed packets: the Colorado Blue Spruce, Loblolly Pine, Siberian Elm, and Black Spruce.
This can fall into the right hands of someone who loves gardening or become someone’s new hobby!
Great/Best For:
- Grow seeds indoors or outdoors at any time of the year.
- Best for someone who needs more zen in their life
8. Wine Chiller Set
A Wine Chiller set has a drip-free pourer and aerator function that keeps pre-cooled wine at perfect drinking temperature. All you need to do is store the chill rod in the freezer for about an hour, then screw the aerating pourer onto the chill rod.
Once inserted onto your preferred wine bottle, enjoy perfectly chilled wine for up to two hours without worrying about stains. Wrapped nicely in an elegant box, this makes a lovely and unique present to a woman who enjoys her wine.
Great/Best For:
- Enjoy pre-cooled wine longer
- Best for women who can’t live without wine
9. Magic Bullet Blender
The greatest single-serving item to make your favorite smoothies and snacks.
This is a high-speed blender & food processor that can easily become a person’s best friend and personal assistant in the kitchen. From smoothies to dips to sauces, the Magic Bullet Blender makes meal prep easy and would be a heedful gift for someone who loves cooking or you know would appreciate a practical gift that makes their everyday meal prep quick and easy.
Great/Best For:
- Great for a busy working person who has little time or a passionate cook
10. 1 Gallon Motivational Water Bottle
With our hectic lifestyle today, everyone needs a little motivation even to drink water. Behold, the Motivational Water Bottle! This 1 gallon bottle has time markers and motivational quotes to help improve one’s daily water intake and stay on track to meet their health goals.
Available in numerous attractive colors, this gift is suitable for everyone of all ages.
Great/Best For:
- Great for someone who needs a reminder to drink more water
- Best for someone who sits all day in front of the computer or is active
11. Dinosaur Crochet Kit
A cute and fun beginners crochet kit, fit for someone who wants to learn a new skill!
Custom-made for beginners, the Dinosaur Crochet Kit from The Woobles comes with a pre-started crochet piece so users can get straight to practicing the main crochet stitch.
Great/Best For:
- Great for someone who is a bit artsy or wants to learn a new skill
- Best for someone who is into hands own activities
12. Neck & Shoulder Therapy Pillow
Though an unusual gift idea, a neck & shoulder therapy pillow can be a boon to someone constantly suffering from pains in those areas. With just 10 to 20 minutes of use each day, this pillow can provide relief from soreness and reduce pain and stiffness.
Great/Best For:
- Great for someone who is into sports or experiences upper body soreness
13. Bubble Tea Candle
Tired of finding a bubble tea place every time you go out with that boba-obsessed woman in your circle? Your next gift for her should be a Bubble Tea Candle. The essence of this candle closely resembles that of the popular boba or bubble tea, and will certainly please any boba lover as a gift.
Great/Best For:
- Great to tell the person to stop spending money on bubble tea by lighting this up instead
- Best for a bubble tea addict
14. Saje Pocket Farmacy
The Saje Pocket Farmacy is an all-in-one solution essential oil kit. It features the top 5 best-selling relieving roll-ons of Saje: Peppermint Halo, Fortify, Gutzy, Stress Release, and Pain Release.
Great/Best For:
- Soothe head, stomach and stress with this convenient kit wherever
- Best for someone who are all for relaxation on the go
14. Oversized hoodie blanket
Best for someone who likes to be cozy and warm
Women, generally, love stealing hoodies from their boyfriends or brothers due to their huge size and comfortability. Why not give an oversized hoodie blanket that can cover the whole body?
Clothes as gifts can be a hit or miss when you don’t know someone’s style. Fortunately, an oversized hoodie blanket is always a safe and practical choice, especially for women.
Great/Best For:
- Suitable for all body shapes and sizes
- Best for women who like to be cozy and warm
White elephant gift exchanges are a fun and enjoyable way of getting something you never thought of. With no wishlists and specific information about your recipient, you may need to do a lot of research for the best gift ideas. Head on to our gift guide section for more recommendations.