23 White Elephant Gift Ideas Too Good to Trade Away in 2025
White elephant gift ideas are the great equalizer of holiday giving. Everyone brings something, everyone laughs, and no one has to stress over finding the perfect gift.
It’s a tradition that fits the times. According to Full Focus, economists say much of holiday spending leads to “deadweight loss,” when money goes toward gifts people don’t really want. White elephant swaps turn that problem into the whole point, where a silly mug or oddly specific gadget can end up being the prize of the night.
And as Kiplinger notes, these games take the pressure off giving and make the moment itself the main event. It’s generosity without guilt, humor without waste, and proof that the best gifts don’t have to cost much at all.
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- Creative White Elephant Gift Ideas
- Foodie White Elephant Gift Ideas
- Unique White Elephant Gift Ideas
- At-Home White Elephant Gift Ideas
- DIY White Elephant Gift Ideas
- Funny White Elephant Gift Ideas
Creative White Elephant Gift Ideas
White elephant gift exchanges are all about the fun of swapping, stealing and surprising each other. They're not meant to be about showing up with the priciest present. The best gifts in this category are unexpected, shareable and easy to laugh about later.
1. Paint and Sip
Believe it or not, a gift certificate for a paint and sip class fits in the average budget for white elephant gift ideas for adults and it’s not something anyone else will think of. The beauty is that it’s not another thing to store, but an experience gift to enjoy.
Check out paint and sips in Chicago, Milwaukee or Los Angeles, or go virtual with online painting classes if you can’t find an in-person paint and sip near you.
2. Dance Classes
Let’s be honest, the most traded white elephant gift ideas are the ones everyone secretly wants. That’s what makes a dance class such a fun surprise for any white elephant party. It’s great for couples or anyone looking for something new to try.
Explore dance classes in the Bay Area, Los Angeles or Las Vegas, or gift an online dance class so the recipient can move at their own pace. Even if you're not sure which class to choose, an activity gift card keeps all bases covered.
3. Pottery Classes
If you’re going for something unique and still affordable, pottery classes make a fun alternative. They’re creative and offer that rare chance to make something from scratch.
Classes vary by city — from pottery classes San Diego and San Francisco to Boston — and online options make it easy to join in from anywhere. It’s the kind of white elephant gift idea that will actually get remembered after the holiday swap.
Foodie White Elephant Gift Ideas
Food and drink gifts are a hit in any white elephant exchange because they're popular with most people. They’re ideal for coworkers, family parties or anyone who appreciates a treat that won’t sit on a shelf.
4. Cooking Classes
Cooking classes come in many styles and sizes and make perfect gifts for foodies. Classes combine skill-building with fun and fit nicely under most price limits.
You can gift cooking classes near you — from Dallas to Baltimore — or choose online cooking classes for more flexibility. Some chefs will come to your house for a lesson. It’s a thoughtful present that turns dinner into a creative experience.
5. Dinner in a Bag and a Microplane
For a creative twist on the restaurant gift card, go with a DIY “dinner in a bag,” that way you can easily achieve your white elephant gift budget. Grab a bottle of premium pasta sauce, high-quality pasta, a block of quality Parmesan cheese and a Microplane grater to top it off. It’s the perfect mix of useful and indulgent. And it's one of the easiest white elephant gift ideas under $50 for food lovers.
6. Box of Cupcakes
A box of fresh cupcakes hits the sweet spot for white elephant gift ideas for around $30. It’s shareable and guaranteed to disappear before the night’s over. Order online from brands like Sprinkles or grab a dozen from your favorite local bakery. Either way, it’s a gift everyone will want to steal.
7. Boozy Hot Chocolate Kit
Everyone loves a hot cup of cocoa on a chilly night, but it’s a lot more fun when it’s been spiked. The Spiked Hot Chocolate Kit from The Warehouse Distillery comes complete with the spirits and the chocolate, and it’s an easy gift that's sure to cause a commotion.
8. Olive Oil Gift Set
A good olive oil can completely change the way you cook. The right bottle turns something as simple as roasted veggies or a slice of crusty bread into a full-on experience.
This olive oil gift set from Round Pond Estate in California is a little above the typical white elephant budget, but it’s a splurge worth making. Each oil has its own depth and aroma, and it’s the kind of gift that quietly steals the spotlight once everyone tastes it.
9. Local Honey
Local honey might be a small idea, but it packs a flavorful punch and that fits the minimalist mindset. It supports local beekeepers and comes in many unique varieties and flavors, making it one of the easiest white elephant gifts under $25. Plus, it’s the rare item everyone will actually use.
10. Air Fryer
You don’t need to spend a fortune to impress. Many great air fryers fall in the $50 range, especially if you find a good sale. It’s a useful, space-saving kitchen upgrade that instantly wins over anyone who hasn’t tried one yet. If you bring this to a white elephant exchange, expect some friendly competition.
11. Hot Sauce Basket
How do you spice up a white elephant party? Bring a basket of outrageous hot sauces. Pick bottles with funny names or extra-spicy blends and watch everyone’s curiosity take over. It’s budget-friendly, bold and a guaranteed conversation starter.
Unique White Elephant Gift Ideas
The best white elephant gifts are the ones no one sees coming. They’re quirky, clever and often start the kind of good-natured chaos that makes the game memorable.
12. Online Mixology or Wine Tasting
An online mixology class or virtual wine tasting feels a little fancy but still fits most white elephant budgets. It’s ideal for coworkers or adult parties where experiences beat more stuff. Throw in a mini bottle of wine or mixer if you want to make it even more festive.
13. Scratch Tickets
Scratch tickets are exciting and unique Christmas gifts. Depending on the dollar amount you’ll be spending, you can get a mixture of one-dollar, five-dollar or even $20 scratch-off cards.
The best part is that this gift has the potential to turn into something a lot more valuable! This white elephant gift idea for adults will be a huge hit.
14. Photography Classes
Everyone thinks they’ve mastered their smartphone camera until they see what a real photographer can do. That’s what makes this such a unique white elephant gift idea. You can find photography classes near you or online that teach everything from lighting to composition, helping anyone turn casual snaps into frame-worthy shots. It’s the kind of unexpected gift that makes people say, “Wait, I actually want that.”
15. Tarot Card Deck
For white elephant gift ideas that surprise and entertain, a tarot card deck is a hit. They come in tons of different styles, so find one that’s not too fringe and add a beginner’s guide so everyone can join the fun — skeptics included.
At-Home White Elephant Gift Ideas
At-home white elephant gift ideas are ideal for cozy types and anyone who’d rather relax than re-gift. Think simple pleasures, creative moments and things that bring people together without taking up space.
16. Fun and Games
Vintage board games are a pretty typical gift idea, so why not do something a bit more modern? Skip the old classics and go for online trivia games, virtual escape rooms or virtual scavenger hunts. These white elephant gift ideas for work make great gifts for employees that get everyone laughing.
Since many white elephant gifts often get re-gifted, a gift card for virtual game nights might save someone who needs ideas for that teen who is notoriously hard to buy for.
17. Flower Arranging
If you’re searching for a white elephant gift idea for someone who loves to garden, virtual flower arranging classes are a beautiful fit. Even if they’ve never arranged flowers before, they’ll have fun creating something colorful and personal. They might even discover a new hobby in the process.
18. Homemade Gingerbread House Kit
This homemade gingerbread house kit will be impossible to resist for all of those craft fanatics out there. With plenty of designs and difficulty levels to choose from, it’s a fun project the whole family can enjoy together over the holidays, and it smells as good as it looks.
DIY White Elephant Gift Ideas
DIY gifts are the sweet spot for white elephant exchanges. They're personal without being pricey and creative without being complicated. They show effort and often end up being the most talked-about white elephant gift ideas of the night.
19. Craft and DIY Classes
Sometimes the best gift you can give is teaching somebody a new skill. Whether it be local or online, there are lots of interesting class options that make great white elephant gift ideas. From sewing classes to woodworking classes, or even glass blowing classes, you’ll find as many options that appeal to men as to women.
20. Poo Pourri Toilet Spray
Are you supposed to buy something for white elephant parties that will make people laugh? Absolutely. And that's what makes Poo Pourri toilet sprays a hit at every white elephant exchange. They balance humor with usefulness. It’s a gag gift people secretly love to keep, making it perfect for office parties or casual get-togethers.
Funny White Elephant Gift Ideas
The best funny white elephant gifts walk the line between ridiculous and clever. They make people laugh, get everyone trading and usually end up being the star of the swap.
21. Retro Hot Dog and Bun Toaster
It’s hard to beat the absurd appeal of a Retro Hot Dog and Bun Toaster. It’s the kind of gift no one buys for themselves but everyone secretly wants to try. Affordable, unexpected and oddly useful, it’s a guaranteed crowd favorite at any white elephant gift exchange.
22. Christmas Pickle Ornament
This quirky little tradition always gets people talking. In German folklore, whoever finds the hidden pickle ornament on the Christmas tree gets an extra gift or good luck for the year. No one really knows why they chose to use a pickle, but it makes for a funny white elephant idea either way. It’s the perfect mix of funny and charming — ideal for white elephant gift ideas under $20.
23. Dog Treat Stocking
There’s a good chance that many people at your party will be dog lovers. Stop by your local pet supply store and grab a couple of chew toys and treats, plus a stocking for your four-legged friend. When it comes to white elephant dog birthday ideas, this one will have their tails wagging. It’s a fitting white elephant gift idea for work or neighborhood parties where pets are practically part of the family.
If you’re wondering, “Does everyone get a gift at white elephant parties?” the answer is yes. And usually, the person who picks first has the option to make the final steal, which keeps things exciting until the very last gift.
To get the most laughter going, a party should have a mixture of white elephant gift ideas that are highly desirable as well as some that are just downright funny. Rule of thumb? Be bold, not conservative. Be the person who brought the gift everyone is still talking about next year.
For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!
