The Best White Elephant Gift Ideas for 2020

Good gloves are a must—especially if plenty of outdoor gatherings are in the future—and this reviewer-loved pair also has touchscreen-friendly fingertips, so whichever lucky person gets to take them home can hang outside with warm hands without giving up their scrolling habit.

If your gift exchange crew has refined tastes, tickle their tastebuds with this high-end set. These two condiments are made with premium ingredients—and they come in a beautiful gift box—so they’re sure to be a hit from presentation to the last drop.

One can never have enough hand sanitizer. Give your White Elephant gift exchange attendees something they’ll really use—and something they’ll really fight over—with this pack of six portable hand sanitizers.

Creative types and the bored-at-home alike will scramble to snag this white elephant gift. This clever paint by numbers kit is made to entertain adults for hours, and this scene of umbrellas on a beach will soothe anyone. The kit includes everything they need to paint their own work of art, so it’s an all-in-one gift, too.

If you and your pals have already binge-watched Friends on Netflix, this commemorative ornament will be a hit at your next gift exchange. Reminisce on all the days the Friends crew hung out at the Central Perk cafe—without having to relive Phoebe’s infamous “Smelly Cat” song.

These laser-cut handheld mazes are perfect for fidgeting during a video call or a Netflix binge-session. As a white elephant gift idea, mazes and handheld toys are fun, interactive, and sure to draw out some competition—everyone will be scrambling to claim this gift and take it home.

People might be shocked that you brought this to the gift exchange, but they shouldn’t be—the Google Nest Mini is available at a super affordable price point and is sure to be the best white elephant gift. Let everyone think of you as the incredibly generous friend who brought a smart home assistant to the exchange—you can ride that reputation all the way to next year’s gathering.

Be prepared to bring the most stolen item at your white elephant party. Both practical and funny, using this shower wine glass holder is an easy way to relax after a long day.

Pet-owning friends will love this feeding tracker, which easily mounts on a refrigerator (it’s magnetic) or sticks to a wall to demonstrate if the dog has or has not received food. Anyone without a pet might not understand, but those with a dog—especially those with multiple household members charged with feeding the dog, or those with not-so-great memories—definitely will.

Donut fans and New Yorkers alike will be eager (hungry?) to bring this white elephant gift idea home from the exchange—and, once they’ve had some of the donuts, they’ll be begging you to bring more next time.

Everyone at the white elephant exchange will get a good laugh out of these adorable hair clips—and then they’ll all be jealous of whoever gets to take them home. Contribute this gift to the exchange, and this year’s celebration will always be remembered as the year of the pasta barrettes.

Any dog-lover will be itching to get their hands on this fresh, all-natural candle. First, because it smells great, and second, because of the adorable dog-themed branding and candle label. The Corgi scent is a lightweight mix of lemongrass, wildflower, and jasmine, but candles are available in many different dog breeds—and there’s a Rescue dog candle—so you can pick the right candle for the dog-owners in your circle.

These flexible, putty-like magnets are sure to be a sought-after item at your white elephant gift exchange, especially if there are thumb-fiddlers and fidgeters in the group. They can be an office tchotchke or a tool to keep in the car for spare moments of zen at stoplights; wherever they go, whoever brings them home at the end of the day will love playing with them.

Any puzzle-fan at your gift exchange will love taking this white elephant gift home. Colorful and challenging enough to provide a few hours’ entertainment (at least), this 500-piece puzzle will be snapped up before you know it.

If there aren’t any allergy sufferers among your white elephant exchange group, bring this spoon to the mix. It’s likely that everyone indulges in a jar of PB—or, even better, Nutella, or their spread of choice—every so often, and this handy spoon just makes that indulgence easier. And if they’re constantly making peanut butter sandwiches for little ones (or themselves), not eating the stuff straight from a jar with a spoon, they’ll appreciate the ability to get every bit out.

Making decisions is hard, but fortunately, this little paperweight makes it easier. They can keep it on their desk or the kitchen counter for keeping mail, notes, and other odds and ends in place, and when they need to decide if they’re going to the store today or tomorrow or picking between pizza or Chinese takeout for dinner, this little white elephant gift can help. Just give it a spin, and it’ll make any choice so much simpler.

Pair this set of hanging planters with two mini plants to make the ultimate white elephant gift. It’s a stylish option that’s still reasonably priced—perfect for staying under a price limit.

When it comes to gift exchanges, you can’t go wrong with a practical gift that’ll be put to good use, and that’s exactly what we love about this bedside shelf that has more than 1,100 five-star reviews on Amazon. Simple in design, the BedShelfie is a game-changer for small rooms that don’t have space for a full night stand. Available in four different sizes, the compact shelf can hold up to 15 pounds and has built-in groves along the sides so you can keep your devices connected and your cords organized.

This coffee mug warmer with more than 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon is the desk accessory you never knew you needed. For those times your coffee gets cold too quickly, this handy, portable, and on-budget gadget was made for coffee lovers who are in constant need of a warm cup of Joe. Plus, the indicator light lets you know when your beverage is warm and ready to drink.

This silicone nail polish holder will probably elicit some confused looks upon opening. This ring slash nail polish holder slash drip catcher will actually come in handy when there is no flat surface around—once the person figures out its intended purpose, of course.

Saving the planet isn’t just cool—it’s also super important and, with these reusable straws, super easy. Slip these into your Yankee swap, and everyone will be scrambling to take these portable, bendable, colorful straws home. It includes 10 straws in irresistible colors, so everyone could get one … if their lucky final owner decides to share.

A lightbulb? Just hear us out: This lightbulb doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, turning any lamp or light fixture into a music machine. Let your contribution be the sleeper agent of the gift exchange by putting the bulb in different packaging and waiting to explain what makes it special, then watch the audiophiles scramble to take it home.

Anyone and everyone at your white elephant exchange will be scrambling for this clever phone case, which is sleek and good-looking but also super practical, thanks to the attached fabric wallet that can hold three cards plus cash. The case is available in different colors and phone sizes, so you can tailor it for your gift exchange audience.

The winner of this powerful, portable speaker can turn anywhere they go into a party. The speaker is splash-proof, with surprisingly powerful volume—a great gift for anyone (and affordable, too).

Bring this one to the white elephant gift exchange among your yoga-going, matcha-drinking friends. This deck of 50 cards includes prompts and exercises that encourage peace of mind and body. Your strung-out or peace-seeking friends can pull out a card whenever they’re feeling stuck, but someone has to win the deck in the gift exchange first.

This pocket-sized gizmo holds twelve stainless steel kitchen tools, including a spoon, a grater, and a peeler—perfect for your gathering with outdoor enthusiasts, chronic picnickers, or on-the-go foodies.

For the nostalgic types—or those who feel like the last five years have just flown by—introduce this journal to your next gift-sharing gathering. Your more literary acquaintances will be scrambling to keep it by the end of the Yankee swap (and there’s a good chance whoever doesn’t take it home will be picking it up for themselves the next chance they get).

Raise a perfectly chilled glass of bubbly where ever you go with this insulated flute, which looks great in any setting and keeps your celebratory drink of choice cool for hours. In your white elephant gift exchange, this one’s sure to get stolen and make the rounds a few times until the game is done.