'Tis the season of White Elephant gifts. Some are funny, some are quirky, and some are just practical. But what to choose? The bottom line is that you ideally want the gift you contribute to be the one others covet and trade to get. And, at least, you don't want it to be the dud the recipient leaves behind when they go home.
The problem is that you probably don't know everyone involved in the gift swap, which can make choosing the right gift especially challenging. And with all of the pressure you face picking out gifts for your family and friends, the white elephant gift can be an afterthought.
Don't Miss These Top-Rated White Elephant Gifts
The bounty of holiday gifts makes choosing a white elephant gift difficult. You don't want to bust your budget, but you want the gift to be appreciated by the party-goers. We're here to help. Below we listed the 15 best white elephant gifts we found. As always, the prices listed may fluctuate over time.
1. Tyrone Hazen Cold Beer Coats
The Tyrone Hazen Cold Beer Coats are great for those that love brew, but they are equally suitable for cans filled with soft drinks and other beverages. Choose navy/yellow, olive/orange, black/tan and red/tan. Each is made of nylon, cotton and aluminized paper and measures 3.25 inches by 6.5 inches. Don't worry if a beverage spills on it; you can just wipe it with a damp cloth to keep it clean.
Buy at Uncommon Goods for $13.
2. The Negg Hard-Boiled Egg Peeler
OK, we'll call this a quirky gift, but it's practical, too. The Negg Hard-Boiled Egg Peeler is fun, too. All you do is fill the cylinder with a quarter cup of water, place the egg inside, snap on the top and shake. Four to 12 shakes later, and the shell easily peels off. Each egg peeler measures 3.75 inches by 2.88 inches. Choose from among seven colors. You can buy a single peeler or a set.
Buy at The Grommet starting at $14.95.
3. Dakota Fields Elephant Figurine
What about giving a white elephant as a white elephant gift? Dakota Fields Elephant Figurine is a glossy baby elephant that's sure to get a laugh and then become a much-wanted gift. This ceramic elephant has a patchwork pattern and an upcurled trunk for luck. Choose size 7 inches by 7.25 inches by 3.5 inches or 9 inches by 10 inches by 4.75 inches.
Buy at Wayfair starting at $25.74.
4. Sharper Image Rock Glass
Anyone who enjoys spirits (but, really, any other cold beverage) will find the Sharper Image Rock Glass. The "rock formation" in the bottom of the 8-ounce glass not only keeps the beverage cold but increases the beverage's aroma. The glass comes with a silicone freezer mold that creates a long-lasting ice ball that chills your drink evenly without watering it down. Cheers!
Buy at Sharper Image for $29.99.
5. Burt's Bees Gift Set
We can't think of anyone who wouldn't like Burt's Bees Gift Set. Items include travel-size containers of Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream, Hand Salve, Milk & Honey Body Lotion, Coconut Foot Cream and Beeswax Lip Balm. Burt's Bees are known to be superior moisturizing for dry, cracked, rough skin.
6. ICUP National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Moose Mug
You don't even need to be a fan of the 1989 movie to get a chuckle out of the National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Christmas Mug. The brightly colored box with a photo of the film's main star, Chevy Chase, is enough to make almost anyone smile. The mug is glass, holds 8 ounces of beverage, and is fun in a mug.
Buy at Kohl's for $18 with code SHOP25.
7. Artisan Owl Store World's Okayest Employee Mug
The Artisan Owl Store World's Okayest Employee Mug is bound to get plenty of laughs whether the White Elephant swap is at work or elsewhere. This white and black mug measures 5 inches by 3.25 inches by 4.6 inches and holds 15 ounces of liquid. It has an easy-grip handle, and the slogan is printed on both sides of the mug. That way, it's ideal for left- or right-handed users.
8. The12-piece Cuisinart Advantage Color-Coded Professional Knife Set
The 12-piece Cuisinart Advantage Color-Coded Professional Knife Set is a welcome addition to any kitchen. They each have a non-stick color coating designed to make slicing easy and help avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen. The set includes six knives and six colored blade guards.
9. Gotcha Covered Forgetful People Notebook
The 8.5-inch by 11-inch Gotcha Covered Forgetful People Notebook has 120 sheets of paper, perfect for plenty of on-the-go note-taking. Both the soft and hardcover versions are thick and durable. The 9/16 inch metal wire-o spiral binding allows the notebook to lay flat. Choose among four different notebook styles, 10 different design options and seven different spiral colors. Note-taking never looked so colorful.
10. Porter Glass
Anyone who likes to sip iced coffee, chilled wine, lemonade, or other beverages—so basically everyone—will enjoy the Porter Glass. Each Borosilicate Glass has a plastic lid and is dishwasher and microwave safe. The 4.3 inch by 3.6 inches by 3.6-inches glass holds 15 ounces and is available in your choice of nine colors. If you know the recipient, have it personalized, too.
11. The Burlap Bag Holiday Candle
The Burlap Bag Holiday Candle that declares Tacky Christmas Sweater Soy Candle seems to have been made for a White Elephant party. The 9-ounce candle has a gingerbread cookie scent. It burns for 70 hours, so it'll last throughout the holiday. Despite the funny saying, this candle is elegant, and it's hand-poured to ensure quality.
Buy at Macy's for $14 with code FRIEND.
12. Harry & David Tinsel Town House Box
We bet this Harry & David Tinsel Town House Box will keep people popping up to claim it at the White Elephant gift exchange––or anywhere else it's given. The package shows a festive home scene, and inside it contains three types of tasty popcorn––1.6 ounces of cheese popcorn, 6 ounces of caramel popcorn and 4 ounces of cinnamon sugar popcorn. That makes for a great taste of a gift.
Buy at Harry & David for $19.99.
13. Savvy Infusion FlipTop Fruit Infuser Water Bottle
You've likely seen the popular Savvy Infusion FlipTop Fruit Infuser Water Bottle in homes and workplaces. This bottle is made of shatterproof Tritan plastic, sized to fit into cup holders. Of course, the real excitement over this bottle is that you can fill it with still or sparkling water and add fruit to the center cylinder. The fruit will naturally flavor the water. Use it with lemon water and tea, too. It's even dishwasher safe. Choose from among four colors. We bet this 24-ounce bottle will be the hit of your party.
14. The LL Bean Wicked Plush Throw
It doesn't matter if your gift recipient lives in Maine or Florida; we bet they'll love the warm, cuddly LL Bean Wicked Plush Throw. It's made of 100 percent polyester with plush on each side for extra comfort. It's available in Large (50 inches by 60 inches) and Extra Large (60 inches by 80 inches). Choose from among eight colors. You can bet this gift will make for a warm holiday.
15. Nostalgia MyMini Egg Cooker
The Nostalgia MyMini Egg Cooker makes it easy to make poached, hard-boiled and scrambled eggs with little fuss. Just follow the step-by-step instructions to make eggs or steam veggies or other foods. The cooker automatically heats the eggs for the perfect amount of time. The box includes an egg piercing tip, an egg tray, and an egg separator. It measures just 7.17 inches by 6.34 inches by 6.34 inches and comes in various colors.
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Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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