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The best White Elephant gifts everyone will want to steal at the Christmas party — all under $50
From an adorable duck lamp to a desktop vacuum cleaner, these crowdpleasers strike a balance between funny gags and functional finds.
Believe it or not, there's a trick to getting the white elephant gift selection right. Sure, a gag gift is always a good option. And yeah, you can probably just find some random thing gathering dust in your house and call it a day. But the secret to a lively white elephant exchange is bringing a gift that's highly steal-able. After all, the whole point of this kind of gift swap is for the game — the stealing is the point!
From gag gifts to more thoughtful buys, I've rounded up a list of the best white elephant gift ideas for different groups, party settings and budgets (most fall under $25). Hoping to bring the laughs at a holiday party with friends? Snoop on the Stoop will help you get the job done. Eyeing something more practical and office-friendly? Wrap up a coffee mug warmer and prepare to see your coworkers duke it out. These are just some of the highlights — keep scrolling for even more gift ideas that'll steal the show.
Have a Secret Santa gift exchange on the books, too? These Secret Santa gifts are perfect for whoever you pick. And since you're checking things off your holiday shopping list, I'll give a not-so-shameless plug to our main Christmas gift guides, including special finds for the men, women and parents you love most.
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Funny white elephant gifts
Now, here's something that'll really quack them up. Give this light-up duck a pat on the back to adjust between three brightness levels or set a 30-minute timer. "Battery life is still running high after a week of buying without charging," one five-star reviewer raved. "You also get to sit your phone in its legs and it turns into a phone holder!"
In a pinch? Pick up this two-in-one kitchen gadget and claw it a day. This crustacean cutie pulls double duty as a steam releaser and spoon holder, with one happy customer writing that the silicone legs "expand to hold different thicknesses of spoon handles."
Because you are what you eat. This plush blanket looks like just a tortilla, so they can wrap themselves up like a burrito — literally. Opt for one of the longer lengths to cover them from head to toe.
Elf on the Shelf, who? Celebrate the holidays in the Dogghouse with this mini plush made to look just like Snoop, gold bling and all. If you've got a bigger budget, pair it with Snoop's best buddy, Martha on the Mantel.
Chances are, whoever ends up with this gift already has a "big dumb cup." But on the off chance that they don't, it's probably a good idea to pair these silly (yet stylish) straw covers with a tumbler in a complementary color. Stanley is the brand, but you can always go with this similar style from Simple Modern if you're working with a tighter budget.
Bring some life to the party — quite literally! Leave this friendly-faced planter in the box or put a real (or faux!) plant inside, so the recipient can stick it on their shelf, stat. If you go with a real plant, make sure it's a hard-to-kill, low-maintenance type like succulents or cacti.
Don't get any ideas — this candle looks good enough to eat, but it's not edible. Nope, it's all for show. It's also unscented, which, ya know, wards off any temptations.
What a hot frisbee of fun! The culinary twist on a classic will take them straight to Flavortown with properties and game pieces inspired by the spiky-haired Food Network star, including a '68 Chevy Camaro and his signature sunglasses.
If they're the type to put hot sauce on their hot sauce, then this seven-piece sampler will be a real treat. But if they don't? Then these mini bottles, ranging from a smoky bourbon to a fiery habanero, will be too hot to handle.
Thoughtful white elephant gifts
Readers, crafters and tinkerers can't get enough of this wrap-around light. They can switch between three different color temperatures and brightness modes until it casts the perfect glow. More than 10,000 Amazon shoppers picked it up last month, with one writing that they originally bought it "so I could crochet at night when my husband wanted the room dark for TV" but found it especially useful to "have on hand in case there's a storm when you lose electricity."
This is one of those nifty inventions you didn't know you needed ... until you need it. Relieve headache pain with this compression cap, which can be heated or cooled to your liking. This five-star review says it best: "I have struggled with chronic migraines for 25 years, and it feels as if I have tried every ice pack. This hat is amazing! It stays soft and comfortable, making it easy to sleep with. And it gets so cold very easily — I leave mine in the refrigerator, no freezer needed."
Everyone's been singing snail mucin's praises recently — including Senior Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini. She put the brand's bestselling serum to the test and wrote that "my skin was more supple, my fine lines appeared less deep and my face appeared generally more even and had a sort of glow." These sheet masks are infused with the same slimy goodness to help achieve the "glass skin" that we're all after.