17 Best White Elephant Gifts (2024): Legos, Desk Accessories

White Elephant Party present a unique challenge: Can you find something beautiful or funny enough within a set budget that a group of people – who are potentially strangers – will fight to take home?

If you’re headed to your first white elephant gift exchange, here’s a quick rundown of what’s going to happen. Everyone will bring a wrapped gift (often under a certain price, like $25) and put them in a pile or a central place, and then each person will draw a number to show the order. When your number is called, you can choose and unwrap a gift from the pile, or steal one that has already been unwrapped by someone. Most exchanges will have a limit on how often you can steal a gift – usually about three times – because if you have the best gift in your hands, there is no guarantee that you will keep it. If your gift is stolen, you can either redeem a new one or steal a different gift (no retribution, sorry).

The real thrill comes from finding something great in a pile of who knows what. Some bring joke gifts, some bring alcohol to be safe, and some gifts will feel like trash to you, but gems to others. Here are some gifts I recommend you bring, ranging from quirky to cool. There is also something in this guide for every potential price point.

Looking for more gift ideas? Don’t miss our other great ones gift guidesincluding The best gifts for under $30, The best gifts for colds, The best gifts for mothersand The best gifts for outdoors people.

Updated December 2024: We’ve added sauce dishes, a camera, THC spirits, and some cozy koozies, removed an out-of-stock gift, and updated links and prices.