The Ultimate 2023 White Elephant Gift Guide
The holy grail of gift guides is here: look no further for a full roundup of our favorite White Elephant gift ideas for any group. There’s something for everyone so you can cross one thing off your to-do list ASAP.
*Note that prices as are of the time of publishing and subject to change; we may earn Amazon affiliate income
White Elephant Gifts Under $10
Bob Ross Paint by Number
Everyone’s favorite public access television painter is a popular gift theme when it comes to White Elephant exchanges. This time he’s here with a paint by numbers kit sure to make even the least talented in your group shine.
Desktop Ping Pong
We all need a little mental break during the day. Whether you’re working from your home office or the office office, this little set will bring a smile to anyone’s face. You’ll just need to find someone to play with…
Tiny Cactus Magnets
Everyone has a magnetic surface somewhere in the office or house, right? These miniature cactus magnets would look really cute on a filing cabinet and you don’t have to worry about killing them.
Desk Dumpster Pencil Holder with Note Paper
For the next time you’re on a Zoom meeting and you think “this is a dumpster fire”. You can look at this and have a little chuckle to yourself.
Frog Sponge Holder
We’re into novelty here, if you can’t tell. Aside from being functional in keeping your sponge off of your counter or from collecting germs in the sink, this guy is just adorable.
Sushi Pushpins
Sushi lovers unite! These little pushpins designed to look like salmon roe will bring you a little piece of delight every day.
White Elephant Gifts from $10-$20
Fantastic Cities Adult Coloring Book
Everyone needs to zen out now and then. Some adults find coloring peaceful? This is for those people.
Ramen Sticky Notes
The name says it all but these are sticky notes that look like a pack of ramen. They might make you hungry whenever you look at them but it’s worth the risk. Bonus points if the winner during your gift exchange thinks this is real ramen.
Lightsaber Chopsticks
These bad boys were in our top 10 gifts on White Elephant Online last year so they had to make the cut for our ultimate gift guide. They speak for themselves, really.
Circular Saw Pizza Wheel
While we’re on kitchen gadgets, this pizza wheel that looks like a circular saw really casts a wide net: pizza lover? Check. Handy person? Check. Into novelty things? Check. etc etc.
Meeting Mug
Another favorite from last year, especially with the professional crowd. Because let’s be honest, we have all been there.
Build-on Brick Coffee Mug
Okay another mug, but bear with us. This one is also a toy, but for adults. The perfect distraction during that meeting that should have been an e-mail.
Car Cleaning Gel
Maybe not super popular for the city-dwellers out there, but for all the car-owning folk: this is a slime-like substance that you can use to clean all the nooks and crannies of your car. You can also use it to spruce up your computer keyboard.
Bear Microfiber Mop Slippers
Okay hear us out on this one: clean floors just by walking around your house. These clearly fit the White Elephant bill.
Stumptown Coffee
If you are a coffee lover you may have heard of Stumptown. Even if you haven’t, it’s sure to be a hot item at your virtual holiday party because who couldn’t use a little extra caffeine this time of year.
Nesting Mushroom Measuring Cups
More kitsch for your kitchen. These little measuring cups go from 1/4 cup to 1 cup and honestly even if you don’t bake, they would still look cute in your kitchen. So there are no losers here.
Vinyl Coasters
Perfect for the audiophile in the group. These vinyl coasters come with a miniature record player holder for when they aren’t keeping your drink from damaging your furniture.
Digital Pedometer
There’s nothing fussy about this pedometer but for the person that doesn’t yet have a smart watch/fitness tracker it’s probably exactly what they’re looking for. There is beauty in simplicity.
Wireless Charging Pad
A lot of devices can be charged wirelessly these days so this wireless charging pad is sure to be a popular White Elephant gift. It’s universal so Apple and Android faithfuls alike will be clamoring.
Bananagrams Game
Games are always a popular White Elephant gift and Bananagrams has become a classic. Everyone draws letter tiles and then makes their own crossword grids, Scrabble-style.
USB Clock Fan with Display
All of the techies in the group will be interested in this one (unless they already have one). This little fan plugs into a USB port and has an LED clock display.
Label Maker
Perfect for the organized one in your group. Because labeling things makes some people feel better.
Avocado Seed Starter Vase
Who doesn’t want an avocado tree in their backyard? This one is a little where-do-you-live dependent but still looks fun: you take an avocado pit and watch it sprout in front of your eyes.
Holiday Turkey Slippers
Every gift guide has room for two pairs of slippers, right? These are perfectly on theme for a White Elephant holiday party so we just couldn’t resist.
Portable Power Bank
This one is just practical: a portable power bank that you can throw in your bag for when the planned obsolescence kicks in on your cell phone. We all know what we’re talking about.
Ice Roller
We always have to throw a few self-care items in because everyone loves a little self-care. You can stick this ice roller in the freezer and use it on your face for de-puffing. It also works for headache and migraine relief.
Rhino Knife Sharpener
Another kitchen gadget because everyone has a kitchen, right? This cutie knife sharpener is functional and sparks joy aka Marie Kondo approved.
Coffee Pot Coffee Mug
Here is another mug, we told you they were popular. This one looks like a coffee pot and is sure to spark a chuckle or two in your group’s gift exchange.
Cold Brew Coffee Maker
We are told there are some people who drink iced coffee year round? If you know any of those people, maybe they would like this cold brew coffee maker in the middle of December.
White Elephant Gifts from $20-$30
YETI Rambler Mug
A perennial White Elephant favorite. Yes, it’s another mug on the list, but we just couldn’t leave this one off.
Kodak Film Camera
There’s a lot of nostalgia going around and this film camera fits the bill. It’s not too fancy but it’s nice to look at and takes 35mm film so you can pretend its the old days again.
White Noise Sound Machine
Another tick in the self-care column. This sound machine has 25 sounds and 10 light choices and is sure to help you sleep a little better tonight.
Sushi Making Kit
This honestly sounds like a super fun night in. Everything you need to try your hand at making sushi at home. We have a feeling this is a memory maker, regardless of how it turns out
Wine Chiller with Aerator
This Corkcicle 4-1 in gadget is impressive: it is an iceless wine chiller, aerator, pourer and stopper all in one. The consummate host in your group is sure to scoop this one up.
Throw Throw Burrito Game
Another White Elephant classic here: this game was on our top gifts list a few years back. It’s described as a dodgeball card game but instead of dodgeballs its soft, foam burrito toys.
Tony’s Chocolonely
Assortment
A few people in your group are bound to love chocolate and be fighting for this assortment of the milk variety. Sometimes simple is best.
New York Times 36 Hours Book
This USA and Canada edition of the classic book is filled with weekend getaway ideas across the two countries. Perfect for the one who is always looking for their next adventure.
Mug Warmer
The single most popular White Elephant Online gift last year was a mug warmer. A pretty practical gift that pairs well with the mug you won during last year’s gift exchange.
Apple AirTag
Another top gift from the 2022 White Elephant Online season: the Apple AirTag. This thing connects to your phone and helps you keep track of the things you’re always losing. They have also become a very popular thing to pop in your luggage before checking a bag in case in gets lost.
Smartphone Screen Magnifier
We didn’t know these existed until just now and it’s already in the shopping cart. This little gadget is just a fancy magnifying glass for any smartphone, taking it from handheld to a 14-inch screen. And it packs flat for travel.
Cards Against Humanity
You’ve probably heard of this card game by now since its been popular for quite some time. The original version is NSFW, so this family edition is a safer bet.
Roku Streaming Stick
This portable little USB stick turns any TV into a smart TV. And anyone who doesn’t already have one will be going for the steal at this year’s White Elephant party.
White Elephant Gifts over $30
Candle Warming Lamp
We’re getting into fancy territory here. This pretty-to-look-at lamp is designed to sit above a candle as an alternative to lighting the wick. The lamp heats the candle and has several adjustments to control the level of fragrance.
Bamboo Charcuterie Board
Another one for the hostess in your group: this bamboo charcuterie board is complete with a tiny drawer that stores all the utensils you need to serve the perfect spread.
Stanley IceFlow Tumbler
In case there is someone in your group who has yet to jump on the water bottle with straw train. This thing keeps water ice cold overnight, comes with a flip up straw and is leakproof.
Electric Wine Opener Set
Electric wine openers were another popular gift last year but this set takes it to another level. It comes with an aerator, two vacuum stoppers and a foil cutter to round out the set.
Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press
Another one for the caffeine lovers in the group - this portable aeropress combines french press, pourover and espresso without the grit or bitterness. Perfect for travel and camping.
JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker
With up to 10 hours of playtime, this adorable little bluetooth speaker comes in a variety of colors and has a unique clip design, allowing you to attach it to just about anything.
Victrola 3-Speed Bluetooth Record Player Suitcase
This little record player in a suitcase does it all: it has it’s own built in speakers for when you’re listening to a record, but it also has bluetooth capability so you can stream music from any device.
Mini Drone with Camera
Okay for the person who has it all in your group - maybe they don’t have a drone yet? Sure to bring out the kid in you for a few hours.