Invited to one of those white elephant gift exchanges (also referred to as Yankee swap or Dirty Santa) that you had only vaguely heard about before?
Stop dreading it, let your hair down and enjoy! With a hand-picked list of the best white elephant gifts and the most commonly asked white elephant questions (with answers, of course!) we have got you covered.
P.S. If you haven’t played White Elephant before, you might want to go through some frequently asked questions here, before you run through these unique and ridiculous white elephant gift ideas.
Table of Contents
Here are a bunch of funny gag gifts for white elephant at your next office party, Christmas party or any other fun party –
Most Popular ideas for White elephant Gift Exchanges 2025
Usually, most participants at the white elephant gift exchange are told about the budget limit before the party by the organizer, so that they don’t have to wonder – How much should I spend on my white elephant gift? This way it is easier for everyone to stick to the budget and not be embarrassed by over-spending or spending too little. In any case, the white elephant gift exchange is supposed to be all about having fun and some good laughs together, not about getting the “most expensive” white elephant gift!
White Elephant Gift Ideas for $20 – $25
There are plenty of really good white elephant gifts for $20 to $25. So if you have been worrying about sticking to the specified budget, you can relax, we’ve got you covered.
This funny cup is designed for White Elephant! So how can you go wrong with this one?
Offensive? You decide! Not safe for work? Depends where you work! Love it or hate it – you can’t ignore this hilarious pooping dogs calendar. A funny white elephant gift that everyone will be talking about all through next year.
You are sure to have everyone fighting over this white elephant gift.
If you are looking for a gag gift for white elephant that promises to be the most-talked about gift, this liquor dispenser fits the bill for sure! If you want a White elephant Christmas gift, then try the similar irreverent Santa Claus one.
Looking for funny white elephant gifts under $10? This is perfect! Who wouldn’t relate to this survivor’s tale? “I survived another meeting that should have been an email”.
Pint Glass embedded with a golf ball
A 16 oz pint glass with a (new) golf ball embedded. Each glass is made by hand, fully manufactured in the USA by a family-run business.
Of all the white elephant gift ideas for $20, this ‘un-inspirational’ calendar is my favorite! This one will make them laugh every day, all through 2026!
Clear winner, from the immensely popular @unspirational Instagram account.
This giant tortilla blanket is cute-meets-comfort!
Anyone who ends up with this quirky white elephant gift, is sure to thank you for it.
Looking for funny gift ideas for white elephant? Then this is just the thing for you. Two pairs of light saber chopsticks – that really says it all! Sushi with lights, food wars, fencing, anything else that livens up the office lunch table…
This should end up with a yoga lover. Then again, maybe not?
Vacuum Insulated Glitter Tumbler
Cutesy tumbler that’s perfect for white elephant gift exchanges. Maintains the beverage temperature – will look good on office desks too! And the quote on it “Your argument is irrelephant” , well, seals it as the best white elephant gift under $20.
Snarky, witty and funny – all rolled into one. If you are looking for gag gift ideas for white elephant exchanges, this is the most hilarious – will keep them laughing all through next year.
If you are okay with gift ideas for white elephant in the toilet humor category, then this one is hilarious! Replace phones with this gag gift in the toilet!
Here’s one white elephant gag gift that puts an end to long toilet breaks.
This is a funny whiskey glass that says ‘I hate everyone equally’. One of the funniest gift ideas for white elephant!
A set of 3 disposable underpants for real emergencies! One of the most hilarious gift ideas for white elephant.
These urinal shot glasses are sure to be the talk of the party, much after the white elephant gift exchange is over!
A fun gag gift for white elephant – that can’t offend. This barbarian helmet-beard-wig is sure to get loads of laughs.
This roach mug is a good gag gift for white elephant exchange parties at work or with friends.
Yet another hilarious gag gift for white elephant under $20.
This is a fun gift for white elephant that is sure to draw attention wherever it is used – outdoors on a cold winter night, while riding a bike at night or just about anywhere.
A set of 10 rubber chicken slingshots – a light-hearted white elephant gift.
Make writing fun and add some humor to someone’s daily routine, with this fun white elephant gift.
A hilariously fun yodelling pickle gift for white elephant. You’ll have everyone fighting over this one.
This coffee mug is one of the funniest and practical under $15 white elephant gift ideas for an office party.
A set of four 100% cotton kitchen towels that have funny sayings on them. Best white elephant gift that can be used every day.
A 6 piece coaster set with 3 funny phrases. Not safe for work (or at least not in most work places) ! Not the most suitable gift ideas for white elephant exchanges at work…but it’s by far the best white elephant gift under $15!
Here’s another funny white elephant gift that is perfect for co-workers, family or friends who are okay with toilet humor!
Gag Gift Alert! Dehydrated Water 16oz Can
This has got to be the most harmless and hilarious gag gift for white elephant. Good for office laughs! By the way, it’s not a useless gift – the steel can is good for storage, so whoever gets it, can use it (to store water?).
A funny gag gift for white elephant if there ever was one! Play in the office or with family and friends at Christmas.
$10 White elephant gift ideas
The past few years have been all about masks – so tip a hat to it with this funny white elephant gift under $10.
This fake prank box is designed to look like an absolutely incredulously funny ‘Hatch your own spider’ gift. The best funny white elephant gift under $10.
A silly and fun gift for white elephant, this well-knitted mitten can be used to hold cold beer bottles.
A little something to liven up your office desk or work-from-home desk.
Looking for a gag gift for white elephant – then this is sure to surprise the one who manages to grab this can of ‘crisps’.
Gag Book Gift – 52 Things to Do While You Poo
Full of poo-themed trivia, puzzles, mazes and searches, this book is perfect if you are looking for funny gift ideas for white elephant under $10.
Get this pair of animal paw socks for your white elephant gift exchange – and this will keep getting snatched!
Desktop Boxing – Mini Punching Bag
A small punching bag for stressed out co-workers at your white elephant gift exchange. Bear in mind, it is quite small though – a perfectly funny white elephant gift, but can’t really be punched (except perhaps using your finger).
This is one of the funniest $10 gift ideas for white elephant. A silly wind-up toy that can be even sillier if it ends up with someone who has dental issues!
If you are looking for funny gifts for your colleagues at work as a Secret Santa or white elephant gift, then this $8.95 gift is perfect. And no, they are not just for laughs, your beer loving friend can get good use out of them too. These are made of a super soft blend of 5% elastic, 10% spandex, and 85% cotton.
Nicolas Cage Reversible Pillow
One of the silliest $10 white elephant gift ideas, nice for a good laugh! This reversible sequin pillow is the right kind of funny!
Let’s hope this ends up with the one co-worker in your team who keeps forgetting stuff…
This 3-inch goat can be a fantastic stress-buster for a tough day at work. Hilarious gag gift for white elephant under $10.
An empty prank box that is the perfect gag gift for white elephant. You can choose to put in another “real” gift inside it though.
A 4 inch bobbing Bob Ross RP mini that plays 10 different witty phrases.
A stress-buster for someone who could do with some laughs at work. A ‘finger-weight’ white elephant gift.
Who doesn’t like fanny packs? Especially this one? It is the ultimate gag gift for white elephant that everyone will fight over!
White elephant gift ideas $50
Here’s a list of white elephant gift ideas for $50 or under, that everyone will fight for and snatch over and over again!
Mini-fridge for the office, car, home desk or dorm room
You are right, this is not one of the usual white elephant gag gifts, but it is a good practical one that can be useful for whoever gets it. And you can always add a humorous flavor to it, by playing around with the gift wrapping, to add suspense!
If you don’t have time to skim through the list, go for these popular, funniest white elephant gifts – these are bound to be the ones that everyone will be fighting over!
Sasquatch Research 12 Can Coolies
This drink cooler is a funny white elephant gift perfect for office parties. Hope it ends up with a Big Foot hunter!
10 delicious beef jerky flavors in a tie-shaped box. A good choice if you are looking for office white elephant gift ideas for $50 or under.
Stemless Aerating Wine Glasses
A pair of beautiful stemless aerating wine glasses – easily the best white elephant gift for $50 that everyone will want!
A 7.1 inch moon lamp to bring a little bit of the night sky indoors. It’s a white elephant gift that has universal appeal – since you don’t know who the final recipient of your gift will be!
One of the most appropriate gift ideas for white elephant, since you don’t know who will end up with your gift and what they like or dislike. But, hey, you can’t go wrong with coffee -especially Starbucks!
If you are looking for fun white elephant gift ideas that are below $50, then this quirky vacuum cleaner does the trick. Can clean small pieces of rubbish like pencil shavings, bread crumbs. Like the sound of it already?
This ‘shock’ inducing ball can be tossed around on game nights or at work when you can take a break with your co-workers!
A lightup marquee that can be personalized. Something that any one at your white elephant gift exchange party will be glad to end up with!
Rules for white elephant gift exchange
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How to do a white elephant gift exchange?
This is a popular party game often played at an office Christmas party. Before the game starts, each participant brings one gift each and all the gifts are then pooled together in one place. Each participant then unwraps a gift from this collection or steals a gift from another participant. You can choose to buy this Christmas themed White Elephant card set to add to the fun!
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What are the basic rules of the white elephant game?
1. Every person who intends to play, brings one wrapped (yes, it MUST be wrapped) gift
2. All the gifts are collected and kept on one single table or common area.
3. The order in which the participants get their turn is decided, usually by drawing numbers. You can come up with any other fun way to determine the sequence of turns.
4. When it is time for a participant’s turn, he or she comes to the gifts area and either unwraps a gift from the pile of wrapped gifts or steals an already unwrapped gift from another participant.
5. This usually goes on until all the gifts are opened.
6. When the game ends, each one takes home the gift that they end up with.
7. There are a number of variations and options that you can use to make this white elephant game more interesting. -
What is a good white elephant gift?
Usually, the gift budget is pre-decided by the party organizer who lets everyone know before-hand. You should try your best to stick to that budget. A typical guideline is to keep it under $20- $25 or at times under $50.
If you are invited for a white elephant gift exchange, but haven’t been advised the budget by the party organizer, then it might be best to stick to a white elephant gift that costs under $25.
White elephant gifts are usually gag gifts, funny, prank, gifts that are supposed to be entertaining. But do bear in mind that the gift you choose will finally end up going to someone at your party, so it shouldn’t really be something trashy or of poor quality. -
How do you do a white elephant gift exchange online?
Wondering how do you do a white elephant gift exchange virtually on Zoom or Microsoft Teams? You can choose to simply ask each participant to send you a link to a product and an image. You might want to use an online tool like White Elephant Online to make it easy to exchange white elephant gifts virtually. The best way to keep up your holiday spirits and continue partying safely during the pandemic.
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What is white elephant gift exchange
White Elephant gift exchange is a fun game that is played often at office Christmas parties. It is also known as Yankee swap or Dirty Santa. Everyone gets a not-so-expensive gift ( budgets usually communicated before-hand) and swaps them.
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What is the difference between Secret Santa and White Elephant?
Secret Santa is only slightly similar to White Elephant, except that there’s no stealing involved. You are pre-assigned the person for whom you need to buy the gift. However, you are not allowed to let them know until it’s gifting time.
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Is white Elephant the same as Yankee Swap?
Both White Elephant and Yankee Swap are similar because they both involve exchanging inexpensive gifts. However, while White Elephant gifts are usually hilariously funny gag gifts, Yankee Swap gifts are fun, but more useful. The gifts are usually wrapped (so that the contents are not visible) and kept at one common place – on a table or under a tree.
The main difference between White Elephant and Yankee Swap though is that White Elephant involves ‘stealing’ while Yankee Swap involves ‘swapping’. -
Is White Elephant the same as Dirty Santa?
Yes, White Elephant is largely the same as Dirty Santa, where both involve stealing ridiculous or fun gifts from each other.
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Why do they call it White Elephant?
The now familiar White Elephant gift exchange is a time-honored tradition where participants bring delightfully obscure presents, all up for grabs. Intrigued about why it’s named the “White Elephant”? Well, in Southeast Asia, white elephants were considered divine creatures, coveted but burdensome to care for. Thus, the term “White Elephant” became synonymous with something luxurious yet impractical.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve adopted that same concept to create our offbeat gift-swapping game.
Classic case of history influencing our modern-day shenanigans!
In Conclusion
Dirty Santa / White Elephant games are usually played around Christmas time at offices or with friends, so go on and grab a unique white elephant gift that everyone will snatch from each other. While you are at it, check out our list of Christmas gifts as well.
I hope these hand-picked suggestions for white elephant gift exchange have helped you. If not, check out some more gifts for White Elephant on Amazon.com.
Did we miss anything? Leave a comment and tell us about your favorite white elephant gift or share your funny experiences.
Have fun!
Featured Image by TheUjulala from Pixabay
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