If you’re participating in a white elephant gift exchange and need affordable white elephant gift ideas, check out this list of fun (and actually useful) white elephant gift ideas ($20 or less)!
The white Elephant Gift exchange is a holiday classic for parties and workplaces. It’s a great way to participate in a group event and exchange gifts without blowing your budget sky high!
Secret Santa is another gift exchange option that many workplaces and large families do. With Secret Santa, one person draws the name of another and buys a gift each day for a week (or just one gift, depending on how you set it up ahead of time). There’s usually a spending cap to keep it fairly even and prevent people from spending too much.
Secret Santa exchanges are done covertly so that no one knows who’s giving them their gift(s).
The white elephant is structured a little differently. Also called the “dirty Santa” or a “Yankee swap,” this is an event structured more like a party. Guests bring a wrapped gift (that costs below a pre-determined price point) with them.
The goal: leave with the best gift, as determined by striking a good balance between funny and practical.
DISCLAIMER: all of these white Elephant Gift ideas were priced under $20 at the time of publishing; however, prices can fluctuate.
How does a white elephant exchange work?
The concept of a white elephant party is simple. Here’s how it works:
- Everybody brings a wrapped gift to a get-together.
- Each person draws a number which determines the gift-picking/receiving order.
- One by one, guests select either an unwrapped gift from the pile or steal someone else’s already opened white elephant gifts.
- The first person to pick also gets the final pick and can trade their item for ANY item!
Helpful White Elephant Gift Exchange Notes And Tips
Historically, a white elephant party was a fun way to rid yourself of useless gifts you got during the holidays.
Now, however, this event is usually held before Christmas, so unless you regift an item from the year before, you’ll likely be purchasing your white elephant gift.
In that case, the idea is to bring funny, unique, and gag-type gifts. Having a variety of gifts ranging from ridiculous to enviable really makes for a good time once the trading and competition begin!
Most groups set a price limit for white elephant gifts – often around $20, give or take.
Opened gifts are fair game for partygoers to trade. You’ll likely end up with a completely different gift than the one you first opened by the end of the party.
White Elephant Gifts FAQs
Yes! Half the fun is guessing what might be inside the package and trying to decide whether to take a risk on a wrapped gift or pick an opened gift.
Some people will take it to another level by wrapping their gifts in a deceptive way to throw off the other guests. One example would be to wrap a small gift in a large box.
Secret Santa is great for a workplace to make sure everyone gets a gift without spending a ton of money to buy each person a separate gift.
White Elephant is more of an activity or a game, perfect for a party, large family, or friend gathering. It’s so much fun!
This fun holiday activity goes by multiple names, including Dirty Santa and Yankee Swap.
A great gift doesn’t have to be useful. Useful gifts will probably be highly sought-after, but useless gifts can make everyone laugh!
In general, these types of gifts should be relatively budget-friendly.
Each group will dictate a price limit so that all guests have an equal-value gift.
What is a good white elephant gift?
Most importantly, a great white elephant gift is a conversation starter. It’s something that will make people smile, laugh, groan, or green with envy. It can be sentimental, practical, or a gag gift.
Nearly anything goes – as long as it fits within the state budget!
You can never go wrong with a gag gift! But true White Elephant gift gold are items that are both useful AND funny – in other words, something participants actually want.
Are you participating in a white elephant gathering this year but aren’t sure what to bring with you? I’ve got you covered with the best white elephant gifts under $20.
30+ Drool-Worthy White Elephant Gift Ideas $20 Or Under
Use these ideas as inspiration for the best $20 white elephant gifts for this year’s gift exchange!
NOTE: Many of these items are available on Amazon. Prime members can receive free shipping in 2 days or less, as well as MANY other benefits. Not a Prime member? Give it a try!
1. Elephant-Shaped White Ceramic Succulent Planter
If you love puns, this ceramic planter is the perfect white elephant gift under $20! It checks practically all boxes as it’s practical, funny, affordable, and appropriate for anyone.
Want more affordable gift ideas? Check out our Thoughtful Inexpensive Christmas Gifts!
2. Electric Wine Bottle Opener
If you want to bring a gift that everyone will fight over, this electric wine bottle opener is a winner. Believe it or not, it’s one of those best-kept secrets that most people don’t even know exists. Definitely puts it on the list of the best $20 white elephant gifts!
3. Elf Movie Ornament
Anyone who has seen the movie Elf will LOVE this funny ornament. This idea soundly checks the “funny” category and also happens to be useful as it adorns the Christmas tree.
4. Mrs. Meyers Kitchen Basics
Mrs. Meyers products are some of the best-smelling, most Earth-friendly cleaning products around. They contain essential oils for effective, great-smelling cleaning products. I know several people who would fight for this affordable white elephant gift $20 or under!
5. Unicorn Pool Float Tea Diffuser
Funny? Randon? Quirky? Yes, yes, and yes! Tea lovers will find this idea useful, while others will likely give a baffled, confused look after opening this gift. Either way, it’s a perfect white elephant gift under $20!
6. Fleece Wearable Blanket Poncho
A plush blanket poncho will have everyone clamoring to get their hands on it. This poncho blanket is available in eight colors and has the option of having a hood. This white elephant gift idea is under $20 and will be a hit!
7. Journal And Pens
At the office, gag gifts can often be inappropriate. Journals and pens make great office-appropriate white elephant gifts under $20. These pens are my favorite because they produce a dark and delicate line with ink that won’t fade.
8. I Should Have Known That Trivia Game
Games often make affordable white elephant gift ideas $20 or less! This hilarious trivia game is filled with questions such as ‘Is starboard on the left or right side of a boat?’ ‘Is a penguin a bird?’
There are more than 400 bits of trivia and useless knowledge (that you should know) that will get laughs guaranteed.
9. Reusable Groccery Tote Set
Anyone who goes home with this tote set will love how easy it suddenly is to carry their groceries. And they’ll also appreciate how many single-use plastic bags they don’t use (or pay for) anymore.
10. Mini Sea Urchin Planters
Ok, here’s a little bit of a random white elephant gift idea for $20 or under, but it’s still GREAT.
This decorative sea urchin shell air plant holder has interesting colors and textures for awesome home decor. These planters are perfect for easy-to-care-for air plants. Who wouldn’t love a nice piece of home decor that takes practically no effort?
11. Mini Waffle Iron
Good white elephant gifts are a little unexpected but useful. This mini waffle iron is available in several colors and is crazy convenient for whipping up a weekend brunch.
12. Red the Crab Silicone Utensil Rest
I always need a place to rest my utensils when I’m cooking, so I would definitely fight for this as one of the best white elephant gifts under $20. This fun crab will hold everything you need and keep the mess at bay while cooking!
13. swaggr Crew Socks
The cool thing about these socks is that they are made from recycled plastic bottles, making them cozy on your feet and good for the Earth too!
14. Bad Cat Page-A-Day Desktop Calendar
Bring this hilarious desktop calendar to your white elephant exchange and be the star of the party! The recipient can start each morning with a hilarious cat meme to set the right mood for the day.
15. Star Trek Mug
Boldly go where few others have dared to go by bringing this awesome white elephant gift idea. Under $20 and bursting with sentimental value for any Trekkie, this mug will be highly sought after by participants to enjoy their morning java!
16. Fruit Infuser Water Pitcher
This gorgeous 2.9-quart fruit infuser pitcher will encourage kicking the soft drink habit by enjoying a delicious fruit-infused alternative! It includes a removable hollow that holds fruit, vegetables, or herbs.
17. Bob Ross By The Numbers Kit
Even the least artistically inclined can delight in painting with this mini paint-by-numbers art set! Featuring classic, beautiful Bob Ross paintings, “there are no mistakes, just happy accidents.”
18. Famous Painting Socks
These socks are the perfect finishing touch to any outfit! They’re perfect for the office (or school) crazy sock day! Anyone with a sense of humor at the white elephant party will want to grab them.
19. Harry Potter Playing Cards
The beautifully detailed embossing and gold foil accents feature characters and moments from the famous Wizarding World. These cards appear much more expensive than they really are, making this white elephant gift idea under $20 a hit!
Love Harry Potter? Check out 40+ Magical Harry Potter Gifts For The Ultimate Fan!
20. Pun Calendar
Pun Intended will have the recipient snickering and rolling their eyes while groaning at the same time! Gift someone punny day-to-day pages with this unique and witty Pun Calendar.
21. Sloth Mug
Coffee is never really coffee unless it’s in your favorite mug! Gift someone their favorite new funny mug for mornings and tea breaks.
22. Charcuterie Board
Everyone needs a Charcuterie Board in their household for parties or even movie night. Find out who the entertainer of the group is when they fight for this $20 white elephant gift idea!
Want ways to use this charcuterie board? Check out our Christmas Charcuterie Board and Valentine’s Day Dessert Charcuterie Board!
23. Taco vs. Burrito Card Game
This wildly popular family-friendly game is one of the most hilarious white elephant gift ideas $20 or under! The gameplay is easy to master, but special Action Cards shift the game into unpredictable territory. It’s a fun game right up to the very last play and perfect to have on hand for any game night.
Love the idea of gifting card games but want other options? Check out Top 15 Fun And Easy Card Games!
24. Table Top Bowling Game
This Mini Bowling Game Set makes a fun and exciting white elephant gift idea. Anyone who needs a simple stress-relieving game to keep on their desk will want this set!
Actually, it’s so addictive, you may want to buy a spare (get it?) or two as affordable gifts for the adults who want to steal it.
25. Adult Coloring Book White Elephant Gift Ideas $20 Or Less
Adult coloring books are GREAT unisex white elephant gift ideas under $20! And they’re great for people going through struggles such as cancer, the loss of a loved one, depression, etc.
There are MANY to choose from, like this one filled with four-letter words. It’s one of those funny white elephant gifts people talk about for years!
26. Succulent Plants Potted Diffusers
Fill this lovely diffuser with essential oils to add much-needed zen to any space, making it ideal for good white elephant gifts. It also doubles as a cute piece of decor, and the realistic faux succulents are ideal for people who love flowers but don’t have a green thumb.
27. Stojo Collapsible Travel Cup With Straw
Stojo’s collapsible mug is one of the best white elephant gifts under $20 for coffee lovers. It holds 16 oz and collapses into a two-inch disk that fits anywhere. It comes with a removable straw, and the mouth tab creates a leakproof seal.
28. 1,000 Places To See Before You Die
1,000 Places to See Before You Die is a source of inspiration no matter what kind of traveler you are. It’s impossible not to feel a sense of wanderlust while thumbing through its pages of fun facts and gorgeous images. One of the best white elephant gifts $20 or less? I think so.
29. Woven Wall Hanging
Gift a woven wall hanging for an effortless piece of eye-catching decor that goes with EVERYTHING. Hang it in the bedroom, a nursery, the kitchen, or spruce up a boring office space.
30. The Child Stand
Calling all Star Wars fans! There’s hardly a fan out there that hasn’t enjoyed watching Baby Yoda (a.k.a., Grogu) use the force and look mischievously adorable too. This is the way.
White Elephant Gift Ideas $20 Or Less Final Thoughts
Participating in gift exchanges can be both affordable and fun! I hope this list of good white elephant gifts under $20 inspired you to find the perfect item for your gift-giving event this year!
More Gift-Giving Inspiration
If you love these great white elephant gift ideas $20 or under, be sure to check out some of our other popular gift ideas posts!
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The post White Elephant Gift Ideas ($20 or less) They’ll Fight For appeared first on Made In A Pinch.
