The festive season brings about a completely different kind of party spirit. The kind where ridiculousness thrives, and people take the time to relax and have fun. A holiday classic and favourite for many is the White Elephant Gift Exchange.
In case you don’t know what we’re talking about, White Elephant is when all guests at a party are requested to bring a gift that falls within a specific theme and budget. At the party, each guest will be given a number that will dictate the order in which gifts are selected – but there’s a catch (of course!).
Whoever is selecting a gift is allowed to steal a gift that has already been opened. The game progresses until everyone has a gift.
So, what kind of gifts are eligible for White Elephant? For starters, they’re usually light-hearted and can occasionally be slightly inappropriate – depending on the crowd of course.
If you’ve been invited to join a White Elephant gift exchange, we’ve got some great ideas, from the subline to the ridiculous!
Related Reading: What are the Rules for White Elephant Gift Exchange?
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- Kitchen Gadgets
- Coal Beauty Products
- Games
- Bath Time Treats
- Potty Mouth
- Go Green
- DIY Toys
- Novelty Mugs
- Decorative Towels
- Socks
- Drinking Glasses
- Colourful Lights
- Novelty Coasters
- In A Pickle?
- Adult Colouring Books
- Music Sleep Mask
- PopSockets
- Tools
- Smaller Is Better – And Funnier
- Ready To Fight?
- Card Games
- Hot Sauce
- A Not-So-Helpful Walking Aid
- Car Shaped Trinkets
- Pick a Perfect Elephant
Kitchen Gadgets
What would a kitchen be without a few random odds and ends? How about a cookie baking kit with a mini skillet? You could even buy a Sundae Making Kit. Anyone with a sweet tooth will love this gift option and you could get pretty creative with this.
Coal Beauty Products
Every child’s worst nightmare on Christmas morning – coal. Have your family and friends been naughty or nice? Only one way to find out. Plus, coal’s actually good for your body and overall health so it’s not actually that bad. We love Lush’s range of coal products, and your skin will too.
Games
When it comes to White Elephant, a game is a gift that keeps on giving so consider finding a game that everyone can play. How about a Beer Pong Apron to play, well, beer pong, or a Senior Moments memory game to truly put everyone to the test? If you’re looking for a random but addictive game to play, we recommend Awkward Moment.
Bath Time Treats
Everyone enjoys a good soak in the tub making bathroom themed gifts most welcome. The classic rubber duck will suffice. Novelty soaps and creative bath bombs are also a good choice. If you feel like splurging – and your budget allows it – try a relaxing therapy pack.
Potty Mouth
Bathroom related jokes are always funny. From novelty signs to some light reading material, there are some creative options out there. You can even take on a round of golf while getting down to business. Some poo pourri to help these gifts come across as less of a stinker.
Go Green
When in doubt, buy a novelty plant-related gift. Herb planters are versatile and can often add some personality to your kitchen. For something a little bit stranger but still able to get your hands dirty, try an avocado sprouter vase. Of course, a bonsai tree will do just fine in a pinch. Sometimes gifts really do grow on trees.
DIY Toys
We’re all kids at heart and let’s face it, there’s no greater satisfaction than building something and then playing with it. Give your gift winner the option to build their own buggy, a retro pinball machine or even the epitome of cool gadgets – a robot. Personally, we think that these will have guests stealing each other’s gifts in an attempt to relieve some childhood excitement.
Novelty Mugs
A good mug is hard to come by, more so when they’re creatively designed and aimed at getting a reaction. You can opt for a television themed mug or a mug with a snarky quote. You can kick it up a notch and get a hot chocolate mug kit – a tasty treat and a holiday-themed mug – a win in our books.
Decorative Towels
They may sound like something you buy your grandma, but there are some unique towels available that would be a great addition to anyone’s home. For a cheat guide to wine pairing or to discover the chillies of the world, look no further.
Socks
For a one-size-fits-all approach to gifting, socks are one of the safer options. We know they’re not the most imaginative gifts, but they don’t have to be boring! How about Star Wars themed socks? Or a pair of cosy footwarmers for the cold winter nights?
Drinking Glasses
They’re not limited to drinks of the alcoholic variety, it can be everything from sippy cups to water bottles, although those aimed at alcoholic beverages tend to be a bit more thought-provoking – perfect for White Elephant. A novelty gin glass can be over the top and lavish, while a light-up beer glass is more of a playful option if you’re looking to go that route. A personalised Happy Christmas beer boot may also be the perfect choice!
Colourful Lights
Who in their right mind would want a set of colourful underwater lights for Christmas? Everyone! Well, in the spirit of White Elephant, we thought that underwater party lights would be an acceptable, ridiculous gift choice.
Novelty Coasters
For a good laugh and a side of practicality, Mistaken Lyric Coasters are a great choice for White Elephant – guaranteed to have the masses fighting over who gets to keep it. Another unique coaster option is Protect the Planet’s Upcycled Record Coasters, perfect for a music lover or anyone looking to embrace retro décor.
In A Pickle?
This gift is 100% ridiculous, but also 100% fun. A yodelling pickle is strange and spot-on for White Elephant. It’s perfect for the person who has everything – or the person you have no clue what to buy for but want to make laugh!
Adult Colouring Books
From the therapeutic to the less than polite, there are so many different colouring books for adults that you can choose from. We adore Waterstones range that covers everything from Tolkien to The Great British Bake Off!
Music Sleep Mask
Everyone loves a bit of shut-eye, but how about choosing a sleep aid that also sings you to sleep? The music sleek mask has integrated earphones to use with your phone, so you can choose your favourite soothing tunes to drift you off to the land of slumber. A festive Christmas lullaby perhaps?
PopSockets
They’re handy to have and give phones some personality. Of course, there’s the generic flowers and colourful variations, but how about taking it a step further with Rick and Morty’s Pickle Rick?
Tools
A good tool can change the world, and a pocket-sized set makes it so much easier. A fix-it kit should cover the basics while a multi-tool can take on a whole lot more. Of course, a ratchet head screwdriver is also a great addition to any toolbox.
Smaller Is Better – And Funnier
While we can argue that bigger is better, there’s something to be said about ridiculously small things. From the world’s smallest game of catch to the world’s tiniest table tennis, you can keep almost anyone entertained. Another tiny option worth buying ornaments of famous people to hang on a Christmas tree.
Ready To Fight?
You may want to buy two of our next recommendation because everyone is going to want to take a turn tackling one another in a sumo suit. It’s a relatively safe way to fight with family and friends while giving your audience quite the show to enjoy.
Card Games
They’re about as versatile as any game comes and with the right variety, can be an interesting set to “deal” with. You can opt for a deck of cards featuring camping survival tips or cards that embrace female empowerment. You can go for something completely different and buy a deck dedicated to dead celebrity trivia.
Hot Sauce
If you want to light up someone’s life in a whole new way this Christmas, hot sauce makes an excellent White Elephant gift. We love the superb range available at The Hot Sauce Emporium and we know that many recipients will too. This is one spicy gift worth fighting over.
A Not-So-Helpful Walking Aid
When it comes to the holiday season we tend to overindulge in all sorts of things. A walker – of the inflatable kind – will poke fun at this and have everyone interested in giving it a shot.
Car Shaped Trinkets
Cars are cool and everyone wants to have the latest and greatest. Take a spin on this by buying a car-shaped Christmas candle or even a car packed with lotions and soaps. You could also buy a money box for someone to store their riches.
Pick a Perfect Elephant
When it comes to White Elephant, the point is to have fun and get caught up in the spirit of the game. The only real limit in terms of selecting a gift will be the budget – assuming there is one. The rest is completely up to you – and how adventurous you’re willing to be.