63 Delightful, Surprising, Actually Useful White-Elephant Gifts
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One of my favorite holiday events is the white-elephant gift exchange, where everyone brings one wrapped present and gets a turn at choosing a mystery gift from the pile or stealing one from someone else; chaos and fighting usually ensue. However, even though white elephant gifts are traditionally supposed to be somewhat impractical or silly, I hate the idea of giving people junk. It’s a tough balance to strike, finding wacky or surprising items that are at least somewhat useful, not to mention appealing to a wide range of people. Even a goodgag giftrequires a bit of thought.
To that end, I combed through our archives, shopped around, and polled my colleagues to find dozens of truly good white-elephant gifts — unexpectedly delightful things that lots of people might actually want and that won’t become instant clutter once the party is over. Below, you’ll find a steal-worthy array of crowd-pleasing games, interesting sampler sets, fun versions of everyday necessities, and useful gadgets. And since whatever you bring should obviously fall within the budget your particular group has set, I’ve organized everything by price. If you’re on the hunt for more gift ideas (white elephant or otherwise), take a look at our guides to thebest gifts under $50,the best non-boring gifts for anyone, andthe best gifts for hosts.
Updated on December 18, 2025
Ahead of last minute shopping and holiday shipping schedules, we’ve updated our favorite white elephant gifts with the latest availability. For more information about holiday shipping times in general, check out ourbrand-by-brand breakdown.
$10 and under
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Strategist writer Erin Schwartz recommends this money-manifesting soap as a tried-and-true white-elephant offering. I recommend pairing it with a scratch-off lottery ticket.
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I would absolutely try to steal a holiday-themed pack of these extremely addictive Nerds-coated gummies.
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A seemingly silly but actually useful cooking gadget that senior kitchen and dining writerEmma Wartzman swears by.
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Blind boxes are a doubly surprising white-elephant gift — exactly what’s inside will be a reveal to both you and your recipient. These cat-shaped desk clocks thatsocial media editor Kathy Li recently discoveredare equal parts cute and weird.
[Editor’s note: This gift ships in three-to-seven business days with standard shipping. Express and overnight shipping are available. In-person pickup is also available in New York.]
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This travel-size body butter comes in a delicious and seasonally appropriate sugar plum scent. I have the candle, and it smells amazing.
[Editor’s note: This gift ships in five-to-seven days with standard shipping. A range of faster shipping options are available as well.]
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They can use this measurement-marked glass for taking actual shots or to dole out the proper amount of vanilla extract. Multifunctional!
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This gambling game is similar to blackjack; you can hit or stay, so the rules are simple enough to learn. But it’s so compelling to play that for a few months this year it became a total obsession for me, my partner, and everyone we introduced it to.
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This possum air freshener is banana scented; it’s a funny and technically useful gift.
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A unique and nostalgicsmell-forward giftthat’s less obvious than a scented candle.
[Editor’s note: Order with priority or two-to-three-day shipping for the best chance of receiving this gift by Christmas.]
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These boba-milk-tea-flavored jelly beans are surprisingly good — and a bit more subtle than a typical Jelly Belly.
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This stress-ball-like fidget looks like an ice cube and can be squished, stretched, and smushed in every direction.
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They say the pen is mightier than the sword … but what if the penisa sword?
[Editor’s note: Orders ship in two-to-seven days and are typically in transit for two-to-six business days. Shipping times are not guaranteed.]
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Senior editor Ailbhe Malone reports that this guess-the-song game in which everyone plays a kazoo was “astonishingly good fun” at her family’s previous Christmas gathering.
[Editor’s note: Order this gift by December 17 to ensure delivery by Christmas.]
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Here’s a funny gift with a practical use — and yes, it really works!
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Sunprint Kit
Here’s a lo-fi excuse to get outside and make some sun-powered art.
[Editor’s note: This gift arrives before Christmas if ordered from Amazon.]
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Make every reminder more fun with these bread-and-pastry-themed sticky notes.
[Editor’s note: This gift may arrive after Christmas, depending on where you’re shipping it.]
$15 and under
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Just a giant bucket of salt that’s sure to get a laugh while providing your recipient with several years’ worth ofchef-approved finishing salt(which is also one of our favoritefood gifts).
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Thisgoofy gamewill get everyone laughing, says Strategist contributor Mark Marino.
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Dutch Blitzis a fast-paced, solitaire-adjacentcard gamethat, likeFlip 7,is simple enough to learn — and chaotic enough thatno one will want to stop playing.
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Etekcity Digital Luggage Scale
A handydoodadthat’ll keep them from paying overweight baggage fees.
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In this fast-paced game, players compete to be first to get through their deck of cards by finding other players with matching cards and performing actions like high-fives. Expect things to devolve into madness and hilarity.
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Ferrero Pocket Coffee
Instead of an easy but predictable bar of “fancy” chocolate, bring a pack ofPocket Coffee. Each individually wrapped piece is filled with liquid espresso for a delicious and zippy treat.
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Regular paper clips are boring. Pasta-shaped paper clips? That’s amore. (They also work as bookmarks.)
[Editor’s note: This gift ships in five-to-ten days.]
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Metal Pen Clips
Another solid choice from the novelty-stationery space: thejumbo paper clipsthat senior writer Lauren Ro uses to hold pens on the outside of a notebook.
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Artisanal marshmallows dipped in dark cocoa powder — a unique and yummy treat.
[Editor’s note: This gift arrives after Christmas.]
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Everyone needs a ruler sometimes — why not one that’s shaped like a dachshund?
[Editor’s note: Worldwide delivery in five-to-seven days.]
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Setting an actual timer is so much more pleasant than reaching for your phone to find the clock app while cooking. Even better is when the timer is shaped like a frog.
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Or for another animal-shaped gift: pigeon chip clips. Unlike real pigeons, these ones won’t try to steal your giftee’s snack.
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Candy is a classic, but keep it interesting by bringing something they probably haven’t tried, like these German gummiesJake Shanetold us he can’t live without.
$25 and under
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A cheeky martini-glass-shaped tumbler feels much more stylish than your standard cylindrical number for sipping drinks at the pool or beach.
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TheraFlow Foot Massager
Their feet will thank you.
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In this game, you use one- and two-word clues to help your fellow players guess which color you’re describing from the grid. It can be surprisingly divisive — but in a fun way.
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Nothing against swans, but origami shrimp are much more on trend. This kit will make 75 paper crustaceans in pretty, gradient colors.
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Glow-in-the-dark stars to add a celestial vibe to any wall or ceiling.
[Editor’s note: This gift ships in three-to-seven business days with standard shipping. Express and overnight shipping are available. In-person pickup is also available in New York.]
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Thisteeny-tiny Hydro Flaskholds just 6.7 ounces — enough to tide them over without weighing them down.
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An existence rendered free of sand sticking to your skin would truly be a gift. This little gadget gets you close.
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A handcraftedshoehorncould be the life upgrade they didn’t know they needed.
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A funkyornamentis always a delight. I suggest bringing one that’sslightlyoff-kilter but still display-worthy, like this fancy scallion.
[Editor’s note: Order by December 17 for the best chance of delivery by Christmas.]
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This kit includes everything they’ll need to make New York–style pizza — including a bottle of unfiltered NYC tap water.
$50 and under
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Plastic-free carb storage (whether they baked it themselves or not).
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A DIY hot-sauce kit is a good indoor activity for wintertime.
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A luxurious, chocolate-scented goat’s-milk bodywash — disguised as a bottle of Hershey’s — is sure to get a laugh.
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How about a paint-can-size tub of the “best potato chips,” according toAmy Sedaris?
[Editor’s note: Order with expedited shipping for the best chance of delivery by Christmas.]
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There are tons of funny or kitschy candles that would be amusing to open at a white-elephant party; just be sure to pick one with a reasonably crowd-pleasing scent. Thisfauxbowl of Lucky Charms has a simple vanilla aroma.
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Strategist contributor Emma Firth, whose family has beensoaking in this old-school bath geléefor three generations, says the nostalgic scent is “a great escape in a bottle for the holiday deprived, Instagram overexposed.”
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This ultraslim card will give them a sleek way to keep track of their wallet and comeshighly recommendedby senior writer Michael Zhao.
[Editor’s note: Standard shipping takes three-to-five business days; expedited shipping is also available in two-to-three business days.]
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For even fancier gummies than the German ones above, tryLily Rabe’sfavorites:actually SwedishSwedish fish made with natural flavors.
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Or go with a food sampler like this trio set of holiday-inspired popcorn flavors from Poppy.
[Editor’s note: Order with expedited shipping for the best chance of delivery by Christmas.]
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Speaking of popcorn,Ana Gasteyersays this stovetop popcorn maker is a good for-anyone gift. Pair with special seasonings or artisanal kernels for maximum effect.
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Perfect for when you’re stuck inside due to inclement winter weather.
[Editor’s note: This gift will arrive after Christmas.]
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This mini-umbrella can be packed into almost any bag and comes in lots of very nice colors.
[Editor’s note: This gift may not arrive in time for Christmas.]
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Writer Katherine Gillespie swears by herice-cream thermosto transport pints on long subway rides and walks, whether she’s traveling to pick up her favorite flavor or bringing dessert to a friend’s place.
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Baggu’s minimalist penguinbag charm(or “key chain,” if you’rebag-charmed out) has a zipper pocket to store small items like AirPods or a lip gloss.
[Editor’s note: Order by December 17 with priority shipping for delivery by December 22.]
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Save them a trip to the chiropractor with the back-massage toolOttessa Moshfeghcan’t live without.
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According toJosh Hart, a spa gift card is the best gift, even for someone you don’t know well, which is exactly the white elephant brief.
$100 and under
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Senior editor Winnie Yang bought thisscreen-free digital camerafor her daughter to take to camp but discovered it’s just as much fun (if not more) for grown-ups. The disposable-film-camera vibe adds to the charm.
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A set of quality magnetic travel toiletry containers will make packing less of a headache.
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If you want to bring more of a luxury gift,six famous people have told usthis Diptyque candle is their favorite.
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Or go with a silk eye mask, one ofLaufey’s favorite gifts. It’s a nice little upgrade anyone could appreciate.
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TheHoptimist desk toyis aStrategist favoritethat was a hit at ourstaff Secret Santa last year; this LED lamp version levels up the function to bring extra joyandlight wherever needed.
[Editor’s note: This gift ships in three-to-seven business days with standard shipping. Express and overnight shipping are available. In-person pickup is also available in New York.]
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Three liters of genuinely good Greekolive oil?Opa!
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Jell-O but make it fancy.
[Editor’s note: Standard shipping takes three-to-four days; express and overnight shipping are also available.]
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Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla says she and her fellow employees fought over these ultra-cozy blankets when she worked at Anthropologie. Surely everyone at your white-elephant party will fight over one too.
[Editor’s note: Standard shipping takes four-to-five business days; express and overnight options are also available.]
More Christmas Gift Ideas
- The Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
- The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds
- The Best Father’s Day Gifts for Outdoorsy Dads, According to Outdoorsy Dads
- The Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Dads, According to Outdoorsy Dads
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
