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There are two kinds of white elephant gifts. The ones that get stolen three times and end up frozen in someone’s lap like a trophy. And the ones that get opened, politely laughed at, and left on a chair when everyone goes home.
This list is about the first kind. The trick: the gift needs to be funny or delightful when it’s opened, and useful enough that people actually want to take it home. All of it fits a $20 budget most of the time. Prices change daily, so check the live price before you buy.
How we pick
- Steal-worthy. It has to get a reaction when unwrapped and make someone want to take it from the person who opened it.
- Works for anyone. No sizes, no strong scents, nothing that needs you to know the person.
- Actually used afterward. A laugh is good. A laugh plus “okay I’m keeping this” is better.
- Budget-aware. Each pick is a category where you can usually find a decent option around $20 or less. Check the live price before you buy.
- No fake testing. We haven’t hands-on tested every item. Picks are based on product listings and what each item is designed to do. Brands can’t pay for a spot.
The rules in 60 seconds
White elephant goes by a few different names, and every group has its own house rules. Here’s a simple version that works. Agree on it out loud before the first gift is opened.
- Everyone brings one wrapped gift within the agreed budget. Put them all in a pile.
- Draw numbers to set the order.
- Player 1 opens a gift from the pile.
- Every player after that chooses: open a new gift from the pile, or steal any gift that’s already been opened.
- If your gift gets stolen, you open a new gift or steal a different one. No stealing straight back the gift that was just taken from you.
- Set a steal limit. A popular standard is three: Elfster’s White Elephant rules guide says the standard rule limits each gift to being stolen three times, after which it’s “frozen” and can’t be stolen again.
- Optional finale: player 1, who never got the chance to steal, gets one last turn to swap with anyone at the end.
That’s it. The only real way to ruin a white elephant is to argue about the rules halfway through, so settle them first.
Quick compare
| Pick | Why it gets stolen | Heads-up |
|---|---|---|
| Mini waffle maker | Instant “wait, I want that” | Better for people with a kitchen |
| Fuzzy throw blanket | Everyone’s always cold | Bulky to wrap |
| Bluetooth shower speaker | Useful and slightly silly | Check it’s water-resistant |
| Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza | Group game, opens to cheers | Fun once played, not as a decoration |
| Giant novelty mug | Pure comedy, still usable | Check it’s dishwasher-safe |
| Hot sauce sampler | Foodies fight over it | Not for anyone who avoids spicy food |
| Heated or plush slippers | Cozy wins in December | Pick one-size or adjustable |
| Phone tripod with remote | Group photo hero | Very ordinary-looking in the box |
| Portable phone charger | Universally useful | Check capacity for the price |
| Squishmallow | Chaotic, beloved, very stealable | Not everyone’s vibe |
The picks
1. Mini waffle maker
A tiny waffle iron that makes one small waffle at a time. Dash’s Mini Maker is one to look at. It’s ridiculous, it’s adorable, and it’s genuinely useful for breakfast or late-night snacks.
Why people steal it: it’s the gift everyone pretends not to want until it’s unwrapped.
Skip it if: your group is mostly dorm residents whose school bans small cooking appliances in rooms.
2. Fuzzy throw blanket
A soft sherpa or fleece throw. It doesn’t sound funny, but in December, in a room full of people who’ve been sitting on the floor for an hour, it gets stolen fast.
Why people steal it: cozy is the most underrated white elephant category.
Skip it if: your group strictly does gag gifts only.
3. Bluetooth shower speaker
A small speaker with a suction cup or strap, built for the bathroom. Shower concerts, podcasts while getting ready, or just background music while cleaning.
What to check: the listing should state a water-resistance rating. Don’t assume.
4. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
A fast, loud slap-the-pile card game for groups. The kind of game you can explain in about a minute.
Why people steal it: it’s the gift that turns into the after-party activity. Bonus points if you open it and play a round right there.
5. Giant novelty mug
A comically oversized coffee mug. It opens to laughs and still gets used for soup, cereal or a very ambitious amount of coffee.
What to check: whether it’s microwave- and dishwasher-safe, if that matters to you.
6. Hot sauce sampler
A small set of different hot sauces. Food people and spice people will go after this one hard.
Skip it if: your group includes kids, or you know someone avoids spicy food. Check whether anyone has food allergies before bringing food.
7. Plush slippers
Fuzzy, slip-on or adjustable slippers. Novelty versions (shaped like food or animals) get bigger laughs; plain cozy ones get stolen more. Your call.
What to check: pick one-size-fits-most or adjustable so it works for whoever ends up with it.
8. Phone tripod with a Bluetooth remote
A small, bendable or extendable tripod that holds a phone, often with a little remote shutter. Underwhelming in the box, but the moment someone suggests a group photo, it becomes the most valuable thing in the room.
9. Portable phone charger
A small power bank. Not funny, but everyone’s phone is always at 14%. Practical people will steal it without shame.
What to check: the capacity and the ports, and that they suit most phones in your group. Anker is one brand to look at.
10. Squishmallow
The very soft, round plush toys. Grown adults will get surprisingly competitive about a squishy plush avocado.
Skip it if: your group is more “practical gifts only.” Then go with the blanket.
Gifts that sink (avoid these)
- Generic candles and bath sets. Scents are personal, and some people have sensitivities.
- Joke gifts with no use. A laugh lasts eight seconds; the gift stays in someone’s trunk until March.
- Anything sized. Clothes that don’t fit the winner are dead weight.
- Alcohol, unless you know the crowd. Not everyone drinks, and some groups are mixed-age.
- Anything mean or too personal. It’s a party game, not a roast.
Wrapping tips that make it more fun
- Disguise the shape. Put a small gift in a big box, or weight a soft gift with something so it doesn’t feel like a blanket.
- Wrap it well. A gift that looks good in the pile gets picked earlier.
- Add a tiny bonus. A candy bar taped to the top makes even a basic gift feel generous.
More gift ideas
Doing Secret Santa at work too? See our Secret Santa gifts for coworkers in their 20s. For smaller budgets, try our stocking stuffers under $10 for 20-somethings, and for a little office comedy, browse funny desk gadgets under $25. If you’re ordering online, check our 2026 holiday shipping deadlines so it arrives before the party.
FAQ
What’s a good white elephant budget? Whatever your group agrees on. This list is built around $20, which is enough for something fun and useful without straining anyone’s budget.
How many times can a gift be stolen in white elephant? It’s up to your group. A common rule is three steals, after which the gift is frozen. Agree on it before you start.
Should white elephant gifts be funny or useful? Both, ideally. The gifts that get stolen most are usually funny to open and useful to keep.
Are prices listed here? No, because they change daily. Each pick is a category where you can usually find a decent option around $20; check the live price before you buy.