21 White Elephant Gift Ideas
White Elephant gift exchanges—a time-honored holiday tradition where friends, family, and coworkers gather to unleash their inner chaos agents.
You know the drill: one minute you’re cackling over a pair of pickle-shaped socks, and the next, you’re fiercely defending a surprisingly fancy bottle of wine from Aunt Carol, who’s wielding her number-one pick like a gladiator.
As a seasoned veteran of these exchanges, I’ve learned two things:
(1) no gift is too ridiculous, and
(2) there’s always one person who takes it way too seriously (I see you, Todd).
But fear not, fellow gifter!
Whether you’re aiming to be the life of the party or the sneaky hero of the game, I’ve got your back.
Here are some hilarious, quirky, and oddly practical White Elephant gift ideas to keep the spirit light and the drama minimal—or, you know, as minimal as holiday gatherings allow.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
White Elephant Gift Ideas
1. The Burrito Blanket
Ever dreamed of wrapping yourself in the warm embrace of a giant tortilla?
No?
Well, now you will. The burrito blanket is a life-changing invention that lets you channel your inner carnitas by literally becoming a burrito.
This gift is the perfect combination of cozy and absurd, ensuring laughter as someone gets wrapped up in the holiday spirit. Bonus: It’s way less controversial than a Snuggie.
Pro Tip: Pair it with a jar of salsa to confuse people. Is it a gift, or a snack? The mystery adds to the fun.
2. A Nicolas Cage Sequin Pillow
Why give someone a pillow when you can give them art? Scratch that—interactive art.
This magical pillow features the glorious face of Nicolas Cage hidden under sequins. One swipe reveals the legend himself, and it’s oddly mesmerizing. Watching someone discover it for the first time? Priceless.
Warning: This might trigger a deep dive into Cage’s entire filmography. Handle with care.
3. Emergency Underpants
Nothing screams “practical gag gift” like a pair of emergency underpants. Packaged in a cute little tin, this is the ultimate backup plan nobody knew they needed.
Sure, it might seem ridiculous at first, but one day, when someone’s flight is delayed or their burrito blanket backfires, they’ll thank you.
And isn’t that what the holidays are all about?
4. The “Bathroom Guest Book”
We’ve all been there: sitting on the porcelain throne with nothing to do but scroll through Instagram for the 784th time.
Enter the Bathroom Guest Book, a delightful hardcover journal where visitors can leave their mark (figuratively, of course). It’s weird, it’s random, and it might just make your bathroom the most talked-about room in the house.
Optional Add-On: A fancy pen, because why not elevate the bathroom experience?
5. A Tiny Hands Set
Big hands are overrated. The tiny hands set is a pair of creepy little appendages you can strap onto your fingers, instantly transforming you into the most unsettling person at the party.
Watch as your friends use their new “hands” to eat chips, hold drinks, or awkwardly shake hands. The comedic potential is endless.
Bonus Round: Bring a second set so everyone can duel. Tiny slap fights are highly underrated.
6. Bob Ross Chia Pet
Who doesn’t love Bob Ross?
His soothing voice, iconic perm, and endless optimism have made him a cultural treasure. Now, you can gift the joy of growing a tiny forest on his head with a Bob Ross Chia Pet.
Watching those green sprouts slowly emerge is oddly therapeutic and a little creepy, which makes it a perfect White Elephant pick.
Side Effects: An uncontrollable urge to paint “happy little trees” after a few eggnogs.
7. Scream-Activated Scream Machine
Ever wish you could scream and have something scream back? (Okay, maybe not ever, but stay with me.)
The scream-activated scream machine does exactly that. You yell, and it yells back. It’s like an emotionally validating echo. This gift is perfect for anyone who loves chaos, pranks, or just needs a little stress relief.
Imagine someone unwrapping this, trying it out, and suddenly realizing their life will never be the same.
Pro Tip: Bring earplugs if your friends are competitive screamers.
8. A Coffee Mug That Says “World’s Okayest Employee”
Move over, “World’s Best Boss.”
This mug captures the true essence of adulting: not being great, not being terrible, just existing.
It’s the perfect passive-aggressive gift for coworkers or that one overachiever friend who needs to be taken down a notch. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe, because nobody has time for handwashing ironic mugs.
9. A Mini Wacky Inflatable Tube Guy
If you’ve ever wanted to bring the energy of a car dealership to your desk, this is your moment.
The mini inflatable tube guy is exactly what it sounds like: a tiny version of those flailing balloon dudes powered by a small fan. Plug it in, and let the wackiness commence.
This gift guarantees joy (and maybe some confusion) wherever it lands.
Ideal For: People who already have everything but definitely don’t have this.
10. A Mystery Box of Random Amazon Finds
Feeling adventurous?
Order one of those infamous “mystery boxes” from Amazon filled with the most random items imaginable. You might end up with a phone case, a kazoo, and a pair of socks with avocados on them. Or a unicorn-shaped tape dispenser.
Nobody knows!
The randomness is the gift, and watching someone unwrap it is half the fun.
Pro Tip: Open it beforehand to make sure it’s appropriate, unless you enjoy living dangerously.
11. The “Pick Your Poison” Party Game
Because nothing says holiday spirit like debating whether you’d rather fight a horse-sized duck or duck-sized horses.
“Pick Your Poison” is a hilarious adult card game where players choose between ridiculous, uncomfortable, and sometimes borderline existential dilemmas.
It’s the perfect gift for someone who enjoys dark humor and awkward conversations.
Bonus: It doubles as an instant icebreaker for after-dinner fun!
12. The Avocado Slicer
This is for the one person at the party who takes avocado toast very seriously—or anyone who’s tired of battling slippery pits.
The avocado slicer is hilariously specific, yet shockingly useful. It’s one of those gifts that will leave people saying, “Why does this exist?” while secretly wanting to try it out.
Pro Tip: Throw in an actual avocado. Watching someone awkwardly unwrap produce is worth every penny.
13. A Wine Glass That Holds an Entire Bottle
Let’s face it, holiday parties and wine go hand-in-hand.
This oversized wine glass is perfect for the person who’s tired of getting up for refills—or just wants to make everyone laugh. It’s both ridiculous and practical, which is really the sweet spot for White Elephant gifts.
Optional Pairing: A bottle of cheap wine to complete the package.
14. “How to Traumatize Your Children” Book
Okay, hear me out—this one’s a joke (obviously). This hilarious faux self-help book is filled with satirical advice for parents, from minor embarrassments to major overreactions.
It’s the perfect gift for the new parents in your friend group or anyone who appreciates a bit of dark humor.
Caution: Maybe don’t give this to your actual parents unless you want to revisit some awkward childhood memories.
15. Inflatable Dinosaur Costume
Why settle for a boring gift when you can give the gift of instant hilarity?
An inflatable T-Rex costume is the ultimate statement piece for any party. Imagine someone unwrapping this, inflating it, and stomping around the room roaring.
This gift practically guarantees viral videos.
Pro Tip: Pair it with a tiny Santa hat for seasonal flair.
16. Bacon-Scented Air Freshener
Who doesn’t want their car, office, or bathroom to smell like a sizzling plate of bacon?
This absurdly specific air freshener is sure to get laughs, and it’s a great conversation starter.
Plus, it’s perfect for that one friend who believes bacon is a personality trait.
Optional Add-On: A pack of real bacon, because why not?
17. “Exploding Kittens” Card Game
This wildly popular, slightly chaotic card game is a gift that keeps on giving. It’s easy to learn, highly addictive, and involves cats, explosions, and a bit of backstabbing—all in good fun.
It’s the kind of gift that can turn a quiet holiday evening into a full-blown laugh-fest.
Bonus: It’s family-friendly, so everyone from kids to grandma can join in.
18. A Banana Phone
No, seriously—a banana phone. This Bluetooth-enabled device lets you answer calls on what looks like a literal banana.
It’s absurd, it’s silly, and it’s surprisingly functional. Perfect for that one person who’s always complaining about how boring modern technology is.
Pro Tip: Call them during the party so they can answer with their banana. Comedy gold.
19. Shark Slippers
Why walk around the house in boring old socks when you can shuffle around in slippers that look like sharks are eating your feet?
These cozy, plush slippers are both hilarious and practical.
Plus, they work for all ages—kids will love them, and adults will love pretending they don’t.
Bonus: Add a rubber duck for a full aquatic theme.
20. Toilet Night Light
If you’ve never heard of a toilet night light, prepare to have your mind blown.
This motion-activated LED light clips onto the toilet bowl, making midnight bathroom trips infinitely more entertaining.
Choose between various glowing colors, including a festive red and green.
Best For: That friend who takes their bathroom decor way too seriously—or not seriously enough.
21. A Cheese Printer
Okay, this one’s a little more niche but stay with me.
A cheese printer lets you “print” edible messages on slices of cheese.
Want to leave passive-aggressive notes on someone’s sandwich?
Done. Want to turn cheese into your personal holiday greeting card? Why not? It’s absurd, impractical, and totally unforgettable.
Pro Tip: Include a pack of cheese slices so the fun can start immediately.
How to Win at White Elephant
Now that you’ve got some killer ideas, here’s the secret sauce to dominating the White Elephant game:
- Presentation is Key: Wrap your gift like it’s worth a million bucks. Glitter, ribbons, maybe even a riddle. The better it looks, the more likely people are to steal it.
- Know Your Audience: If your group leans toward practical gifts, go with something semi-useful like the Bathroom Guest Book. If they love chaos, unleash the scream machine.
- Play the Long Game: Don’t reveal how amazing your gift is right away. Let someone else pick it up and experience the joy (or confusion) firsthand.
- Stealing is Strategy: Remember, the best gifts always get stolen. Play it cool, but don’t be afraid to snatch that burrito blanket when the time is right.
At the end of the day, White Elephant isn’t about the gift itself—it’s about the laughs, the memories, and that one guy who always brings a can of baked beans as a joke.
So, grab one of these ideas, get ready to laugh until you cry, and let the holiday shenanigans begin!
