16 Great White Elephant Gifts For Christmas 2019
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Great White Elephant gift ideas that everyone will want to steal!
A White Elephant gift exchange game can be a fun way to change things up this holiday season. What's a White Elephant gift exchange? Basically, it involves a group of people each buying one gift and putting them all in one pile. Then, one by one, they pick out one gift from the pile, unwrapping them. After the first person selects their gift, however everyone else has the option to instead take an unwrapped gift from someone else instead of picking one from the pile, prompting the person who originally had the unwrapped gift to grab another from the pile of wrapped gifts.
It can be a funny way to exchange gifts without the stress and pressure of finding that perfect gift for a particular person. And yet there's no reason not to try--there's a distinct difference between good White Elephant Gifts that people want to steal (a great book, breakfast sandwich maker, or Game of Thrones box sets) and bad ones that might be fun to open, but not so much to take home. (Socks? Floppy disk coasters? Awkward family photos? An ugly sweater? Cards Against Humanity... AGAIN?) A gag gift or two is fine, but not every person finds novelty toilet paper hilarious or wants to end up with a coloring book they're probably never going to use.)
You want a gift that's appropriate for the setting (whether it's an office, family party, community event, or just among friends) and still appealing for a wide variety of people. Depending on the group, you may want funny gifts that will be entertaining to open in front of others but still a somewhat useful or desirable gift to take home. It's all about striking a balance so everyone has fun but still has something nice to bring back from the party. You could be safe and just bring wine, bath bombs, a card game, or a gag gift, but why not make this White Elephant gift exchange or Secret Santa worth it for the participants? The person who gets your gift will be thankful!
If you're struggling to find the perfect White Elephant or Secret Santa gift for that upcoming office party or family gathering, we got you covered. You'll find gifts for every price range, starting at $50 and decreasing in price, but if you just want the most affordable White Elephant gifts ideas, here they are:
Top 10 Best White Elephant Gifts For 2019
- The Hungoevr Cookbook - $8.93
- Star Wars Millennium Falcon LEGO Kit With Chewbacca - $10
- Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer - $11
- World's Smallest Vacuum From WestMinster - $18
- Portable USB-C Power Bank From Aukey - $20
- The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia - $21.10
- Sherpa Fleece Throw From Bedsure - $25
- DIY Wooden Crossbow Kit - $27
- Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker - $49
- Tamagotchi On - $54.99
Want more great gift ideas? Check out our holiday gift guide hub for the latest finds, including the best gifts for Star Wars fans, the best tech gadgets under $50, and the best Nintendo Switch gift ideas.
Tamagotchi On - $54.99
Did you know they released a new Tamagotchi game this year? Tamagotchi On is the next generation of handheld virtual pets from the famous brand--it's in color and has a ton of new game features and ways to interact with its adorable little characters. These are usually $60. The new Tamagotchi is perfect for both kids and adults in White Elephant group because kids will love it and adults who grew up with it will probably want one too… hopefully not enough to steal from a kid, though.
Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker From JBL - $55
This is a highly-rated and top-quality Bluetooth speaker that has the additional benefit of being waterproof, making it perfect for poolside parties, listening to music and podcasts in the shower, or, you know, White Elephant parties where someone might end up spilling a drink or two. You never know! It comes with a clip that makes it easy to hang up anywhere you want, whether that's in your house or even on a backpack if you're cycling. It would make a great, higher-end gift for music fans and people who enjoy outdoor activities.
Sega Genesis Mini - $60
The Sega Genesis Mini is one of the more highly-rated miniaturized retro game consoles, which have been a growing trend in the last couple of years. This tiny console comes with a whopping 42 game library including Sonic the Hedgehog and Street Fighter 2, two wired controllers, a USB power adapter, and its own HDMI cable. It's one of the pricier things on this list, but it's a fantastic gift for people of all ages, no matter how often they game.
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker - $80
An Instant Pot might not seem like the most festive of gifts, but it's an insanely popular kitchen tool for a reason. These are essential in anyone's kitchen, no matter what level of cook they are--they're so versatile and easy to use, but some people just can't justify spending money on big appliances, especially one they've possibly never used before… which would make a free Instant Pot a pretty good gift. Also, everyone loves to see those giant, wrapped gifts at a Yankee Swap party. Be the person who brings it this year. It's certainly better than that survival kit you were planning to bring. No one's going to use that. (To make this feel a little more festive, pair it with a cute holiday-themed oven mitt or a nice bottle of cooking wine. Other popular appliances this year are those mini waffle maker and s'mores maker kits.)
Fun fact: A White Elephant gift exchange and a Yankee Swap are technically different! According to some people, a White Elephant gift exchange is meant to be more gag gift-focused, while Yankee Swap exchanges are about bringing more useful things--like an Instant Pot. You're more likely to find that perfect gift at the latter if you're not in it for a laugh, but people tend to use the two interchangeably, so really who cares--it's all about having fun.
Google Chromecast (3rd Generation) - $35
It's a Google Chromecast. What more do you need to know? Give friends, family, or coworkers the gift of instant streaming video, from YouTube to Netflix to HBO. If this feels a little too boring and tech gadget-y, throw in a wine bottle and call it the holiday binge-watching set. How is that not the perfect White Elephant gift?
DIY Wooden Crossbow Kit - $21
Office nerf guns are out. If you're looking for a funny white elephant gift, step it up with a wooden crossbow you built yourself. This counts as both a 3D puzzle and a working (totally harmless) crossbow that shoots little wooden "rockets." It looks cool and it's sure to annoy the hell out of anyone who has to deal with the person who got it. Turn your office or family Christmas party into a medieval siege by bringing TWO of these to the gift exchange. You'll definitely be popular and absolutely nobody will hate you.
Sherpa Fleece Throw From Bedsure - $25
Who doesn't love being wrapped up in a soft blanket? Instead of getting socks, prepare your friends, family, or coworkers for the cold holiday season with a super soft 100% microfiber fleece throw. Depending on how much you want to spend, this one comes in different sizes, but the throw is the perfect size and price for a casual gift that's sure to be popular no matter who ends up with it. Want to be extra cute? Throw in a bottle of wine and maybe a nice pillow and you're gonna really make someone's night!
The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia - $29.32
A gorgeous hardcover art book from one of the most popular video game series of all time--that's a pretty solid gift for even the most casual Zelda fan. It looks great on a shelf or coffee table. Released in 2013, the Hyrule Historia includes artwork from the game series and an official chronology of the game, though the timeline leaves room for future game releases--and there have been a few since. Despite its age, it's still a must-have and great addition to a more gamer-friendly gift exchange.
Portable USB-C Power Bank From Aukey - $20
A good portable phone charger is essential no matter who you are, but it's one of those things that certain people will just never buy for themselves. Those tend to be the best kinds of gifts--nothing flashy or fun, but practical and useful. This one probably won't visibly "wow" people at a White Elephant party, but don't be surprised when people try to snag it.
World's Smallest Vacuum From WestMinster - $16
If you want a funny White Elephant gift that isn't totally tasteless, this adorable, USB-charged vacuum cleaner is perfect. It's great for people who eat lunch at their desks or people who just love cute, tiny things. The cute factor makes this a better White Elephant gift even if it's not totally practical, but it's better to avoid this for Secret Santa unless you're trying to send a rude message to a coworker… still, it might be good for a laugh of the person has a sense of humor.
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening Amiibo - $16
Amiibo are popular collector's items even if you're not a huge gamer. This Legend of Zelda figure featuring Link from Nintendo's new Link's Awakening remake is the perfect one to bring to a White Elephant party in 2019 because not only is it from an iconic series--it's also adorable. Who wouldn't want this little guy on their shelf?
Cute Cactus Humidifier - $15.89
A humidifier is one of those small luxuries that almost everyone can use, but only a handful would buy for themselves. With the heater running in the house or office all day, it's dry air season. Help someone breathe easier with this cute USB-powered humidifier, which doubles as a night light.
Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer - $11
OK, this one is just over $10, but it's good enough to justify the extra dollar. Who doesn't hate it when their coffee or tea goes room temperature, especially in the morning? Give the gift of consistently-warm-caffeine-infused-beverages this holiday season. Of course, this is basically an electric hot plate, so make sure the gift receivers are a responsible, age-appropriate group. (Bonus gifts: If you're looking for a safer option with the same sentiment and you're willing to spend a bit extra, consider a nice stainless steel thermos like this one, which will keep beverages hot for up to 3 hours. You can also pair the mug warmer or the thermos with something like a nice tea infuser to make it a thoughtful gift set.)
Star Wars Millennium Falcon LEGO Kit With Chewbacca - $10
Who doesn't love a simple Lego set? This is a 92-piece Star Wars kit featuring the Millennium Falcon "Microfighter," a smaller, simpler version of the iconic ship. It also comes with a tiny Chewie figure. Find more Star Wars gift ideas in our Holiday Gift Guide.
Kylo Ren Funko Pop - $8.97
Funko Pop figures make pretty good gifts: for one, they're affordable, but there are also a million of them, so the options are endless. People of all ages are sure to recognize these characters. We chose to feature Kylo Ren because a new Star Wars is coming up, but we have a list of the best Funko Pop gifts if you want more options. (Check out the best Star Wars gifts for even more ideas.)
The Hungoevr Cookbook - $8.93
The best White Elephant gift ideas mix the funny with the practical. Prepare your friends, family, or coworkers for the New Year with a cookbook dedicated to alleviating one of the most common holiday afflictions: hangovers. This is a funny, affordable gift with some genuinely good-looking recipes that keep it from being just a joke. If you want to turn this into the perfect gift, try pairing it with a little bottle of something... another hilarious pairing would be a second book of fun drinking games for the holidays.
More Awesome Holiday Gift Ideas
We have a ton of great holiday gift guides to help you find the best gift ideas for friends and family this holiday season. Check out a few of them below or hit up our holiday gift guide hub, which we'll be updating in the next few weeks with more great finds.
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