Are you looking to spice up your holiday gift exchange party this year? Secret Santa is always a great go-to gift exchange game because you know the person you will be giving the gift to and can get them something they would really enjoy. But why not switch things up this year and try a white elephant gift exchange?
It’s very simple to get a good white elephant gift, even at the last minute, because anyone might end up with it. During the exchange, guests can steal gifts from each other, which makes the game more enjoyable, exciting and fun.
Last-Minute White Elephant Gifts
It’s just a few days prior to the white elephant gift exchange that you signed up for weeks ago, and you still don’t have a gift. It’s time to figure out what to buy as a last-minute White Elephant gift for that bestie, annoying cousin or handsome coworker.
If you run with a crowd that likes to cook a lot, kitchen towels or an apron may be the perfect gift for the next Rachel Ray. Unlike a clothing gift, you never have to worry if a candle is going to fit or if it will be the right size. A beautiful and relaxing scented candle may just be the perfect last-minute gift for a white elephant exchange!
Worst case scenario… a gift card or some cash will always make a great last-minute gift!
What is a white elephant gift exchange?
You may have encountered a white elephant gift exchange at some point in your life. They’re usually associated with office parties and small gatherings, and they’re focused solely on exchanging funny gag gifts. The presents are simply tossed into a pile, from which everyone snags one. It’s an age-old tradition that no one really questions, but where exactly did this unusual gift exchange concept come from?
Legend tells of a Siamese king who would give those who dared disappoint him a white elephant. Although the gift itself was not horrible, the costly care and maintenance required of elephant ownership would set the recipient back financially for years to come. There’s some question as to the veracity of this tale, but it paints an intriguing picture of a gift that was both beautiful and distressing.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that white elephant gift exchanges became common. Outdoor markets and churches would hold sales in the name of the white elephant, an idea that invited donors to part ways with their unwanted items.
Over time, the white elephant evolved into its current form: a popular gift exchange game typically played at holiday parties. Traditionally, a white elephant gift is a funny gift or a ‘gag’ gift.
Now that you know where the white elephant phrase came from, how to play the traditional gift exchange game, and what kind of gifts to buy, you can start planning your own white elephant party with friends, coworkers, and family!
Shop for White Elephant Gift Exchange Invitations
How do you play the White Elephant game?
All you need is a group of friends, family, or coworkers who are up for a fun, festive affair and unwrapping gifts. Before the gift exchange, be sure to inform all of the participants of your game rules and gift guidelines, like spending max or gift themes, so everyone shows up with something to give. Then, once everyone arrives, pour some eggnog, turn on holiday music, and let the games begin!
While there are a number of variants, this is how a traditional white elephant gift exchange works:
White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules
- Everyone brings one anonymous wrapped gift.
- Write one number on each piece of paper for every person who brought a white elephant gift.
- All gifts are placed together in a pile anonymously.
- Each person draws a number from a hat to determine the order.
- The first person to go selects a gift from the pile and unwraps it for everyone to see.
- Each person to follow can either pick a gift from the pile or steal an unwrapped gift from one of the previous players.
- Once everyone has completed their turn, it returns to the first person, who can swap their original gift for another person’s gift or keep their first pick. If a player’s gift is swapped, that player may swap with someone else or keep the gift they picked. The game ends when there are no gifts left and a player chooses not to swap for another gift.
White Elephant Gift Stealing Rules
- No more than one gift can be stolen per turn.
- Each gift can only be stolen three times throughout the entire game – it automatically stays with the last player after the third steal.
- A player may not have more than one gift at a time.
- If Player A steals from Player B, Player B can choose to steal someone else’s white elephant gift or choose from the pile during that turn.
Don’t forget, the point of a White Elephant gift exchange is to have fun with friends by creating memories, not necessarily to end up with the best gift. Sure, it would be great to score that cool golf ball flask that you could show off at the driving range with your buddies, but if you don’t get it, don’t sweat it.
A wise, green, and extremely hairy fellow (shop our officially licensed Grinch merchandise!) once taught us that the Christmas holiday isn’t about the gifts, right? Not everybody will get to walk away from this White Elephant gift swap with awesome new swag, but everybody will most certainly be happy!
What are the best white elephant gifts?
The best gifts in a white elephant gift exchange are funny or bizarre, but should still be appealing enough to tempt others into stealing it during their turn. There are thousands upon thousands of clever white elephant gift ideas to consider, but to help you this holiday season, we’ve put together some fun gift ideas that are all destined to bring a smile to a recipient’s face.
1. Under $25 White Elephant Gift Ideas
You can have tons of fun without spending a fortune. In fact, that’s usually the easiest way to find white elephant-appropriate gifts.
“It’s Wine O’Clock” Corkscrew and Bottle Opener
A bottle opener is a practical choice for the wine lover.
Thinking Cap
This trucker hat is perfect, which is why it’s one of our Editor’s Picks. The Thinking Cap is available in 12 color combinations, including white/navy, tan/brown, and yellow/yellow.
Funny Barbecue Grill Apron
How about a funny cooking apron? This apron says, “Why you all up in my grill?”
2. White Elephant Gift Ideas for the Office
The office happens to be an amazing source of inspiration for white elephant gifts, making it rather easy to track down fun finds that everyone should enjoy.
Sad T-Rex Mouse Pad
A mousepad adorned with a T-rex is only too likely to bring a smile to that overworked employee’s face.
“Believe In Your #Selfie” Phone Ring Stand
Do you have a few coworkers who’ve had a couple of close calls by almost dropping their phone into their morning cup of joe? A phone grip just may be the perfect gift and one that someone may want to try and steal!
“Whatever, I’m Late Anyway” Wall Clock
This funny clock is vibrantly printed with AcryliPrint®HD process to ensure the highest quality display of any content.
3. Retro White Elephant Gift Ideas
Make your gen-X and millennial friends and coworkers cackle with these retro gift ideas.
“I Run for Bacon” T-Shirt
Remember that it’s all about having fun and being a little silly, so an “I Run for Bacon” shirt would be pretty appropriate!
Red Cherry Party Shades
This pair of retro sunglasses with cherries is destined to turn into their favorite thing for a few weeks.
Space Cat with Taco and Pizza Fanny Pack
Bring the 90’s back at this gift exchange party with this useful fanny pack.
Realistic Unwrapped Chocolate Bar iPhone Case
Help keep your clumsy coworker’s iPhone ultra sleek and stylish with this form-fitting featherlight Case-Mate iPhone case that provides full coverage and protection.
Old school cassette tape Case-Mate iPhone case
Bring the Walkman era back with this iPhone case that looks like a classic cassette. Made of lightweight plastic, this iPhone case wraps around the back and sides of the phone without adding bulk.
4. White Elephant Gift Ideas for Family
It’s best to stick with gifts that anyone in the family will enjoy.
“Come Back with Tacos” Funny Personalized Family Doormat
If everyone loves tacos, it’s pretty likely that this family doormat would be suitable for anyone in the group.
“WTF/OMG” Clean/Dirty Dishwasher Magnet
One side of the magnet has a sign that goes, ‘OMG, the dishes are clean’ to indicate the dishwasher is free. The other says, ‘WTF, the dishes are dirty’ to indicate that there are dirty dishes to be cleaned.
“You’re Going to Lose” Playing Cards
These cards are a great pick if your family is hyper-competitive. They’re easy to shuffle with a smooth cardstock finish. This deck comes in a simple and elegant custom Zazzle cardboard box that is easy to wrap and gift.
5. Boozy White Elephant Gifts
Toast the wine lovers in your life with these unique white elephant gift ideas.
Rustic Red & Black Buffalo Plaid Pattern Monogram Wine Tote
Your wine-loving friends can use this tote to keep a wine bottle cool and safe. Get it monogrammed their favorite type – M for merlot, C for chardonnay, or R for rosé.
“You Had Me at Merlot” Corkscrew
If you are looking for a unique wine accessory gift to give someone who likes to entertain, a fancy corkscrew are both whimsical and practical gifts that any wine lover would appreciate.
Funny Prescription Wine Label
Gift a personalized “prescription” wine label to a cheap bottle for a little levity.
Funny Black Tuxedo Suit Custom Monogram Text Wine Bag
Your friend can dress up their favorite bottle of wine in style with this tote that keeps the bottle cool and safe. The wine totes can be printed edge to edge in full color for fully custom designs that will stand out.
“Joy Peace Vodka” Holiday Hip Flask
Gift a stainless steel flask with an attached screw top lid this holiday season. “Joy Peace Vodka” is printed on high-quality vinyl that is securely wrapped tight. This is the perfect gift for those who are hunting for a Christmas tree or are Christmas caroling because it can fit perfectly in a jacket pocket.
Funny Prescription Strength Beer Can Cooler
Keep your friend’s hands warm, their cans cold, and their holiday spirit 100% chill this season. Not only is this can sleeve fully customizable on the front, back, and bottom, but it is also made of a special high-density material for extra toastiness.
6. White Elephant Gifts for Coffee Lovers
You can never have too many coffee mugs at home or in the office. The mug will probably be used happily and often.
“With Coffee All Things Are Possible” Quote Tote Bag
Gift a “With Coffee All Things Are Possible” tote bag that could be used for running errands, school or for the office.
“You’re on Mute” Funny Quote Mug
This is the perfect, snarky mug for a friend or coworker who hates remote meetings.
Mustache Mug
This frosted glass mug turns every cup of coffee into a laugh. The 10-ounce mug is an outstanding choice for tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. The 16-ounce frosted mug is styled as a beer stein and is ideal for a cold pint of brew.
“I Want to Believe” Unicorn Mug
This funny coffee mug is just as good for unicorn haters as it is for unicorn lovers. It’s available in 11-ounce or 15-ounce.
7. Last Minute White Elephant Gift Ideas
It’s just a few days prior to the White Elephant gift exchange that you signed up for weeks ago, and you do not have a gift to exchange still. It’s time to figure out what to buy as a last-minute White Elephant gift for that bestie, annoying cousin or handsome coworker.
If you run with a crowd that likes to cook a lot, kitchen towels or an apron may be the perfect gift for the next Rachel Ray. Unlike a clothing gift, you never have to worry if a candle is going to fit or if it will be the right size. A beautiful and relaxing scented candle may just be the perfect last-minute gift for a White Elephant exchange!
Worst case scenario… a gift card or some cash will always make a great last minute gift!
Now that you know where the ‘white elephant’ phrase came from, how to play the traditional gift exchange game, and what kind of gifts to buy, start planning your own white elephant party with friends, coworkers, and family!
Make this holiday season memorable with a night of fun games, Christmas gifts, and loud laughs!
Need more gift ideas? Check out these gift guides!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in October 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Nicole is our Content Strategist. She enjoys long walks to Taco Bell, rollerblading into the sunset, and eating Reese’s Cups for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Find her writing about iPhone cases, holiday card messaging and even music festival tips!
Those are all really great ideas. 😀
Thanks for the inspiration!
I enjoyed every second of reading this blog. This was so entertaining. Loved the gift ideas and the elephant game especially. Nicely written. Looking forward to more such posts from you side.
Fun and cool gift ideas!