40 Quirky Products for a White Elephant Gift Exchange That Are Under $25

White Elephant Gifts

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Every year, people are putting a fun spin on the conventional holiday gift exchange with a white elephant party. The rules lend themselves to a playful environment and even some light-hearted shenanigans.

So, what is a white elephant gift exchange? Also called a Yankee Swap, there are a few basic rules. Essentially, each person in the swap contributes a wrapped present to a gift pool. Usually, the event organizer has stipulations on the price and type of gift. Some white elephant exchanges, for instance, encourage people to re-gift something they never wanted in the first place. Other variations encourage people to purchase gag gifts or to shop with a spending limit in mind.

Once the items are in, players draw numbers to determine the order they’ll select a gift. Then, all of the participants sit in a circle so they can all see the presents. The first player picks their gift and opens it. Here’s what makes the white elephant exchange different from something like a Secret Santa: the following players can take an item from the pool or steal a previous player’s unwrapped gift. If someone has their present stolen, then they can either choose a new gift or steal it from someone else. This continues until everyone has had a turn.

If you’ve been invited to participate in a white elephant game this Christmas, it can be tricky to pick a gift. You’re not buying for a specific person; instead, you’re purchasing something that would appeal to at least several people. To help you in this endeavor, we’ve selected a variety of quirky and creative gifts that are each $25 and under. We’re sure that there’s an art lover, tea enthusiast, and cat lover in your group! See our entire selection, below.

Need something for a white elephant gift exchange? Here are quirky and creative gifts that are each $25 or less!

Health & Beauty

 

Cactus Cool Mist Humidifier

White Elephant Gift Ideas

AmuseND | $13.89

 

Pack of 4 Aromatherapy Candles

Aromatherapy Candles

FKJOL Store | $18.99

 

Reusable Water Bottle

Reusable Water Bottle

Hydracy | $24.97

 

Nail Polish Holder

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Tweexy | $9.99

 

Birthday Cake Bath & Body Gift Set

 

Fashion & Accessories

 

The Great Wave Tote Bag

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Loqi | $17.50

 

Shark Socks

 

Mismatched Frida Kahlo Earrings

 

Animal Society Temporary Tattoo Set

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Tattly | $15

 

Animal Paw Novelty Socks

Animal Novelty Socks

FreeNFond | $9.99

 

Embroidery Temporary Tattoo Set

Embroidery Temporary Tattoo Set

Tattly | $15

 

Kitchen & Cooking

 

Gourmet Pizza Dough Gift Set

 

Cherry Measuring Spoons

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Ototo | $16

 

Bread Baker's Handbook

 

Cookie House Mug Buddies

 

Butterfly Tea Gift Set

 

Birds on a Wire Mug

 

Bartender Glasses

 

Agate Coaster

 

Death Star Ice Cube Mold

White Elephant Gift Exchange

WiiRun | $13.97

 

Baby Nessie Tea Infuser

White Elephant Gift Ideas

OTOTO | $14

 

Avocado Food Huggers

 

Fun Trinkets

 

Rainbow Yoga Joes

Creative White Elephant Gifts

Brogamats | $25

 

Storm Cloud Weather Predictor

 

Chill Beer Flannel

 

Playful Sports Mugs

 

Page Flags Set

 

Tokens of My Love: 24 Redeemable Coupons

 

Salvador Keychain

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Sketch.Inc | $25.95

 

“Meowhaus” Enamel Pin

Meowhaus Pin

Niaski | $12.50

 

Animal Multi Tool

 

Lollipopter Kinetic Toy

 

Silicone Wine Glass Holder for the Shower

White Elephant Gift Ideas

30 Watt | $11.49

 

Puffer Fish Dryer Buddies

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Kikkerland | $11.95

 

Louis C. Tiffany Favrile Domed Magnets

List of Gifts Under $25 for a White Elephant Gift Exchange

The MET | $22

 

Creativity Boosters

 

642 Things to Draw Book

 

Hedgehog Embroidery Kit

 

Flipbook Kits

 

Multicolored Pencils

 

Build-On Brick Mug

White Elephant Gift Exchange

Triumphic | $11.99

 

This article has been edited and updated.

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Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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