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One of our favorite holiday traditions is a White Elephant gift exchange. We have so many fond memories with our friends, exchanging practical but slightly odd gifts with one another. It was always fun to see who would end up with the most prized gift. Without fail, there would be a swapping battle to the end until everyone ended up with their unexpected gifts.
Plus, White Elephant gift exchanges don’t put pressure on you to give every single one of your friends the perfect gift. You can choose a fun gift within a very reasonable budget, and leave the rest up to fate. However, it can be a challenge to figure out what gift to buy, when you’re looking for something any one of your friends would enjoy. We rounded up 21+ White Elephant gift ideas that are under $25 and perfect for your next gift exchange. Keep scrolling the get ideas and shop your favorites.
White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules
1. Bring a Wrapped Gift
Every friend or family member is required to bring their gift wrapped. The organizer of the gift exchange should set the rules for budget and type of gift people should bring. You can get as creative with this as you’d like.
2. Pile the Gifts and Draw Numbers
Place the gifts in a pile at the front of the room. Have each person draw a number from a small bowl or hat. This will be the number in which people will select the gifts they would like to unwrap.
3. Sit in a Semi Circle in the Room and Begin
Have everyone sit in a semi circle in number order. The first person will select a gift to open — this is the player who drew #1 from the hat.
4. Unwrap and Swap
Once the first player choose a gift, this is when the exchange begins. Here is how it will work:
5. Exchange Comes to an End
Once everyone has had a turn, the first player gets a chance to steal a gift from someone. If a gift is stolen, the person may steal from someone else (if the person hasn’t been stolen from yet). The game will end when someone turns down the option to steal.
21+ White Elephant Gift Ideas Under $25
1. Hues and Cues Game
Target
We’re calling it! This is the game of the year. Using clues from each player, you try to guess the color shade closest to what the players are saying. This game is bound to get heated since it could be any number of colors each time.
2. Dash Pocket Sandwich Maker
Target
We love giving unique miniature gifts for White Elephant exchange, and this pocket sandwich maker is one of our favorites. This sandwich maker can make a hot sandwich in no time.
3. Tea Canyon Glass Pot
Amazon
This glass teapot is perfect for the tea lovers out there. It conveniently seeps the tea in a pot for them to pour into a mug. Plus, the sleek modern design is so aesthetically pleasing!
4. Coffee Mug Warmer
Amazon
There’s nothing worse than taking a sip of lukewarm coffee. That’s why this coffee mug warmer is so convenient. It keeps your coffee heated for up to 4 hours.
5. Digital Camcorder
Walmart
This glass teapot is perfect for the tea lovers out there. It conveniently seeps the tea in a pot for them to pour into a mug. Plus, the sleek modern design is so aesthetically pleasing!
6. Glass Tumbler
Amazon
Who doesn’t love and adorable tumbler? This one is so adorable with the floral design on the outside. It’s perfect for drinking iced coffee, tea or water on the go.
7. Mug Ice Cream Maker
Target
Who knew you could make ice cream in a mug?! This mini ice cream maker makes the perfect personal portion of ice cream when you get that irresistible craving.
8. New York Ceramic Coffee Mug
Amazon
New York is known for their iconic paper “We are Happy to Serve You” cups, so when we saw this ceramic replica, we thought it was the perfect White Elephant gift.
9. Propper Popper
Amazon
There’s nothing better than homemade popcorn, and this microwavable popcorn popper makes it so easy to make the delicious snack. Once you’re done using it, simply pop it down to store in your cabinet.
10. Bonne Maman Mini Fruit Spread Set
World Market
Bonne Maman makes the BEST fruit spread out there. This adorable fruit spread set includes strawberry, orange, apricot, cherry, raspberry and red currant, so there’s something everyone would like.
11. Barefoot Dreams Cozy Socks
Amazon
If you’re looking for the coziest socks to gift for White Elephant this year, these one the ones to give. We’ve truly never felt softer socks in your lives!
12. Baltic Amber Candle
Sephora
Keep the house smelling warm and cozy all holiday long. This Baltic Amber candle is one of our absolute favorites to burn any time of year.
13. Candle Warmer
Amazon
We’re obsessed with this candle warmer lamp. The lamp heats the candle wax and safely burns the candle without a flame. Plus, we love how aesthetically pleasing this one is.
14. Gourmand Perfume
Urban Outfitters
Give the gift of elegant fragrance this year. People will be fighting over this delicious perfume at your White Elephant exchange.
15. Ice Roller
Amazon
Say goodbye to a puffy face and eyes in the morning. Use this ice roller on your face to depute and sculpt. Plus, the ice cold roller will instantly wake you up on even the earliest of mornings.
16. KISTCH Satin Heatless Curling Set
Urban Outfitters
We’re all about finding ways to curl our hair while keeping it healthy, and these satin heartless curlers do just that! Simply sleep in them at night, and the next morning you wake up with gorgeous curls.
17. Headboard Reading Light
Amazon
For all the people that love to read before they go to bed, this headboard reading light will come in handy. Clip it on your head board, choose the light setting you prefer and read without disturbing your partner next to you.
18. Sushi Making Kit
Amazon
Making sushi at home was never easier. This sushi making kit is such a fun gift that’ll make a great experience. It comes with quite literally everything you would need to roll the sushi — a bamboo rolling mat, a sushi knife, and avocado slicer and more.
19. Slick Hair Wax Stick
Urban Outfitters
The slicked back bun is the look so many people are trying to achieve these days. With this slick hair wax, all you have to do is swipe it over the stray baby hairs and it’ll give you the slick, clean look you’re trying to achieve.
20. 100 Morning Treats Cookbook
Amazon
This is the perfect White Elephant gift idea for the baker. It’s filled with 100 pastry recipes that are great for a weekend brunch, a morning treat, or a holiday gathering.
21. VAHDAM Tea Set
Amazon
VAHDAM tea is our absolute favorite tea brand. When we saw this gift set we thought it would be such a fun gift idea. Filled with teas of the herbal, chai and black variety — any tea-lover would be grateful to get this.
22. Origins Face Mask Kit
Target
This face mask set from Origins is the gift to give any skincare guru. This kit features 5 for their best-selling masks —perfect for a spa night at home.
