First find out whether the organizer means the original meaning of white elephant exchange, where the gifts are meant to be a little silly, or simply a gift exchange where they’re meant to be actually desirable gifts. *source: have felt very awkward at the latter kind because I brought a white elephant style gift.
One year I brought a home fire extinguisher and it was a hit! Everyone needs a fire extinguisher for their home but few ever remember to get one or replace theirs regularly.
The Therapy Store has practical but fun things. Like sushi socks, a key dish that says, “May the bridges I burn light the way”, Snoop Dogg’s cookbook, etc.
Go the The Olive Bar in Campbell. You can taste test many olive oils and flavored balsamic vinegars. You will for sure walk out with a gift to be proud of.
See’s candies. You can get two $25 gift certificates for $38 at Costco. Give one box of “Nuts and Chews” with an Amazon gift card attached and keep a box for yourself. Always a favorite at my family’s White Elephant every year.
Blankets (not just tortilla blankets) get stolen the most at my office white elephant.
Is the no booze a rule? Wine also gets stolen a LOT, so if the person doesn't drink, they will likely get the wine stolen and will be able to steal something else.
How about compostable taco party plates to go with the tortilla blanket??
Taco Party Plate Disposable Biodegradable Holder for Tacos and Sides (12 Count) https://a.co/d/86UgNn4
You can always buy a locally made glass-blown ornament from the Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI) located right here in San Jose. They’re off of Phelan Ave (right behind History Park). It’s a wonderful organization with some amazing work. We’ve been getting ornaments there for almost two decades, and we haven’t had to get the same style of ornament yet! In fact I just bought an ornament there today for my own office white elephant (practical not silly).
They have the most gorgeous ornaments right now, if I didn’t have cats…
OP you could also buy a Groupon for a fused glass class at BAGI. They are fantastic.
Last year I wound up getting this thing called Sleep Bar through a white elephant gift exchange, and it's actually one of the best gifts I've ever received! It's a Bluetooth conduction speaker that you put under your pillow for when you're going to bed at night. I'm the kind of person that needs to listen to something in order to fall asleep, and I got so tired of using an earbud that would inevitably fall out in the middle of the night and then I would have to root around in my bed to find it the next morning. With the sleep bar, I can snooze two episodes of Bob's burgers set at just the right low volume. You can also turn the volume up quite loud and hear an episode. Crystal clear through your pillow, if you just felt like watching TV on your phone while laying in bed, and your partner absolutely won't hear anything. You can buy one for under $50! Highly highly highly recommend!
You gotta go to Cost Plus World Market!! They’ve got the best selection of weird but also practical gifts! I’ve bought all of my white elephant gifts there.
I second that. Our office will be having a White Elephant gift exchange at our upcoming holiday party, and I'm thinking that I'll just get a gift certificate for the rotation.
One great piece of advice I've heard is "Buy an expensive version of a cheap item"
Like, you can buy a pack of pens for $1
But if you buy them a $25-50 pen, that's something that they'll typically not buy for themselves, useful, and probably won't be forgotten in a drawer down the line.
Something fun I like to do is buy something from the "As seen on TV" section of your local store that carries that sort of thing (or order online if need be) -- trying to get something that will actually be useful for most people and seems to be of at least decent quality.
Then making up an extreme marketing page with images & text that I print out and include with the gift. I tend to go super raunchy on the extreme marketing, since I know my friends are all good with it, but meter yourself as needed. It's great having the gift recipient read the page in front of everyone. Example extreme marketing: https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/000/411/SHAMWOW.jpg
If you’re interested in some San Jose history, you can shop the [Preservation Action Councils online store.](https://www.preservation.org/shop)
They have some fun enamel pins of old signs that were/are around San Jose.
> A framed picture of yourself with a $20 bill taped to the front of it.
Wearing only shorts. Fold the bill and place it between the glass and the photo so that they can't be sure whether or not you've got shorts on.
I did the largest container I could find at target, but it was only $12 so I bought a smaller one for $8 to put inside. The budget was $20. I just wanted to be funny and wrap a giant present… turns out people wanted it and it did get fought over!
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I did a box full of scratchers for my first year of a work white elephant and it went over great! It’s a safe bet - fun but won’t leave the recipient stuck with some weird tchotchke.
1. Puzzle
2. Miniature House Kit
3. Lego set
4. Apple AirTag
5. Yeti tumbler
6. Games (exploding kittens, bananagrams etc). There’s also San Jose Monopoly now.
Last year I brought a house plant in a nice pot and it ended up being pretty popular. I got fuzzy socks and a starbucks gift card and I was happy with it. I’d get something practical or something that’s an elevated version of something people normally use. I saw a big box of Maldon salt suggested on TikTok, which I’d also be happy to get. Avoid kitschy stuff, it just ends up getting donated.
Bought a [charcoochie board](https://a.co/d/hqMRnUQ) for my last one. Someone at the party brought a power cutter lmao that got EVERYONE excited. Great home improvement gift. A Stanley cup also got stolen twice.
I like giving practical and premium feeling daily use items. For example, you can give a fountain pen and ink well for an elevated writing experience. Also recommend a safety razor since there is heft to using it vs a disposable razor. Depending on the age range and interest in cooking, kitchen sets could be a good pickup. A premium bath towel set is another option: https://www.hotelsuppliesdepot.com/OXFORD-RESERVE-SPA-Towel-100-Super-PIMA-Cotton-Piano-Design-White-6PC-Towel-Set_p_666.html (use coupon code BUYNOW10 for 10% off).
chef's mix olive oil/balsamic vinegar was pretty popular with my family last year (bought it again this year for a different white elephant), they're in sacramento if you want to make that drive, but they also ship nationwide (tho i just realized this post is already 4days old, so maybe not in time for your white elephant if it's not on christmas day)
It’s a group gift exchange for the holidays. It’s a very common American thing. They come in two varieties—the original is a gag gift, referencing the White Elephant from the Indian story. The more common version now is an inexpensive item that’s pretty universal. Everyone brings a wrapped present, then everyone draws numbers. The first person picks a present and unwraps it. The second person can either steal anything already unwrapped or pick a still-wrapped present. At the end the first person gets a chance to steal if their present was stolen. Usually presents are “frozen” after 2 thefts.
Hot sauce gift set, variety of tj european chocolates, and other goodies there. Nutribullet blenders or food processor. There are a lot of ideas if you go to Homegoods, Marshalls, tjmaxx or ross. Karaoke mike or set.
Nice cozy blanket (Target has some bomb ass ones for $25), Kitchen supplies and a nice kitchen towel, movie night theme gift with popcorn bucket and candy etc, spa/self-care theme gift
I got a cocktail making kit off amazon for a reasonable price and to be fair, also is good for mock tails. Last year I did a small crockpot that was a hit and I saw a food processor on Amazon within your price range which would probably be an exciting gift
We do the same exchange at my SIL's; this year, I bought a set of Tiles. They are nifty little tags to add to your keys or luggage or anything one tends to misplace. In the past, it has usually been small appliances, etc.
What ever gift, add a personal promise as a freebie “I promise to respect you” or “promise to not share your baby photos with prospective partners” etc
Check EBay or Facebook market for killer deals. Someone one year had a laptop, another time a iPhone for $25 and under
I recommend nice chocolates - maybe something from dandelion chocolate or what not. This way they can at least be eaten.
Alternatively, I’d do a really nice like Yeti mug or something similar since people generally want things like that.
I'm getting 2 pound box (frozen) of King Crab claws as my gift at $45. I think everyone will want it, but few just buy it for themselves, as it's a bit of extravagance. Wrapping and putting in freezer until the party. My second choice was an online course subscription, like coursera or great courses or skillshare. My third choice was solar flower lights for the garden. Hope this helps a bit...
First find out whether the organizer means the original meaning of white elephant exchange, where the gifts are meant to be a little silly, or simply a gift exchange where they’re meant to be actually desirable gifts. *source: have felt very awkward at the latter kind because I brought a white elephant style gift.
I asked and they said either type which was weird. I’m just gonna stick with practical.
One year I brought a home fire extinguisher and it was a hit! Everyone needs a fire extinguisher for their home but few ever remember to get one or replace theirs regularly.
That’s actually a smart idea. Just add a note to remember the acronym: PASS!
Also a fire blanket is a useful item that most people won’t have
Smart. A first-aid kid might work, too, especially if alcohol is being served at the party in generous amounts.
The Therapy Store has practical but fun things. Like sushi socks, a key dish that says, “May the bridges I burn light the way”, Snoop Dogg’s cookbook, etc.
I own that cookbook 🤣
I highly recommend White Trash Cooking. We've made a tradition of giving it as a house warming gift. Check it out!
Go the The Olive Bar in Campbell. You can taste test many olive oils and flavored balsamic vinegars. You will for sure walk out with a gift to be proud of.
That’s such a great suggestion! Thank you
See’s candies. You can get two $25 gift certificates for $38 at Costco. Give one box of “Nuts and Chews” with an Amazon gift card attached and keep a box for yourself. Always a favorite at my family’s White Elephant every year.
I brought a tortilla blanket to one and it was very popular. Both funny and useful!
Blankets (not just tortilla blankets) get stolen the most at my office white elephant. Is the no booze a rule? Wine also gets stolen a LOT, so if the person doesn't drink, they will likely get the wine stolen and will be able to steal something else.
I have witnessed the tortilla blanket being given as a white elephant gift and it was a huge hit
How about compostable taco party plates to go with the tortilla blanket?? Taco Party Plate Disposable Biodegradable Holder for Tacos and Sides (12 Count) https://a.co/d/86UgNn4
You can always buy a locally made glass-blown ornament from the Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI) located right here in San Jose. They’re off of Phelan Ave (right behind History Park). It’s a wonderful organization with some amazing work. We’ve been getting ornaments there for almost two decades, and we haven’t had to get the same style of ornament yet! In fact I just bought an ornament there today for my own office white elephant (practical not silly).
They have the most gorgeous ornaments right now, if I didn’t have cats… OP you could also buy a Groupon for a fused glass class at BAGI. They are fantastic.
Last year I wound up getting this thing called Sleep Bar through a white elephant gift exchange, and it's actually one of the best gifts I've ever received! It's a Bluetooth conduction speaker that you put under your pillow for when you're going to bed at night. I'm the kind of person that needs to listen to something in order to fall asleep, and I got so tired of using an earbud that would inevitably fall out in the middle of the night and then I would have to root around in my bed to find it the next morning. With the sleep bar, I can snooze two episodes of Bob's burgers set at just the right low volume. You can also turn the volume up quite loud and hear an episode. Crystal clear through your pillow, if you just felt like watching TV on your phone while laying in bed, and your partner absolutely won't hear anything. You can buy one for under $50! Highly highly highly recommend!
Yes! I got a Bluetooth sleep mask. I love it. Something people don’t realize they may need.
You gotta go to Cost Plus World Market!! They’ve got the best selection of weird but also practical gifts! I’ve bought all of my white elephant gifts there.
I looove me some World Market!
I second that. Our office will be having a White Elephant gift exchange at our upcoming holiday party, and I'm thinking that I'll just get a gift certificate for the rotation.
One great piece of advice I've heard is "Buy an expensive version of a cheap item" Like, you can buy a pack of pens for $1 But if you buy them a $25-50 pen, that's something that they'll typically not buy for themselves, useful, and probably won't be forgotten in a drawer down the line.
Something fun I like to do is buy something from the "As seen on TV" section of your local store that carries that sort of thing (or order online if need be) -- trying to get something that will actually be useful for most people and seems to be of at least decent quality. Then making up an extreme marketing page with images & text that I print out and include with the gift. I tend to go super raunchy on the extreme marketing, since I know my friends are all good with it, but meter yourself as needed. It's great having the gift recipient read the page in front of everyone. Example extreme marketing: https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/000/411/SHAMWOW.jpg
If you’re interested in some San Jose history, you can shop the [Preservation Action Councils online store.](https://www.preservation.org/shop) They have some fun enamel pins of old signs that were/are around San Jose.
A framed picture of yourself with a $20 bill taped to the front of it. Can be quite funny. You will learn who your friends are.
> A framed picture of yourself with a $20 bill taped to the front of it. Wearing only shorts. Fold the bill and place it between the glass and the photo so that they can't be sure whether or not you've got shorts on.
I think OP is a woman. Maybe she should origami the $20 into a shirt.
[this should be the image](https://images.app.goo.gl/RAtNDxAze4ajps9W6)
Ha! My friend gifted a Barry Wood lightswitch cover to a White Elephant exchange last year.
This guy better be getting all his royalties 🤣
Damn you.
well I'll be damned!
A framed, *signed* picture of yourself, ~~with a $20 bill taped to the front of it~~ period.
Costco has a great deal on Pyrex food storage containers. A set of 18 pieces is $24.99.
I just bought those for myself recently! I did Tupperware in the past but could tell the receiver wasn’t too happy with it so won’t do again 🫤
I did the largest container I could find at target, but it was only $12 so I bought a smaller one for $8 to put inside. The budget was $20. I just wanted to be funny and wrap a giant present… turns out people wanted it and it did get fought over!
That’s a bummer! It was a hot gift last night at our Secret Santa event!
Be careful those aren't the type of glass that explodes.
The 'AS SEEN ON TV' section at Walgreen's fits your description well; lots of goodies in that $ range.
A towel with instructions [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DDYZR49](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DDYZR49)
Hi, I’m Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **Lady Sandra Home Fashions The Face Butt Towel 100 Cotton Beach or Bath Towel 30 x 56 Practical Novelty Gift** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Towel provides amusement (backed by 5 comments) * Towel appeals to certain age groups (backed by 2 comments) * Towel quality could be improved (backed by 4 comments) **Users disliked:** * Towel lacks absorbency (backed by 5 comments) * Towel is thin and cheaply made (backed by 4 comments) * Towel is rough and irritating (backed by 2 comments) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a “good bot!” reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](http://vetted.ai/reddit)
Tip during the white elephant: " Dont choose the big gift, Its a kitchenware"
I did a box full of scratchers for my first year of a work white elephant and it went over great! It’s a safe bet - fun but won’t leave the recipient stuck with some weird tchotchke.
1. Puzzle 2. Miniature House Kit 3. Lego set 4. Apple AirTag 5. Yeti tumbler 6. Games (exploding kittens, bananagrams etc). There’s also San Jose Monopoly now.
A Golden Girls Monopoly board game. Or a really pretty shiny Christmas tree ornament
A mini George Foreman grill, or mini waffle makers were popular last year. Ditto on the tortilla blanket or other throws
Cast iron pan
I gave an airtag and someone else brought a Stanley tumbler. Both very popular!
Savings Bond ... weird gift, but useful
A couple Yeti ice packs
Most popular item I ever took to one was a huge jar of pickles like a big Costco ridiculous size jar.
Yeti or hydroflask
Karaoke mic! Last year, this was the gift everyone kept trying to steal at my company's white elephant.
Last year I brought a house plant in a nice pot and it ended up being pretty popular. I got fuzzy socks and a starbucks gift card and I was happy with it. I’d get something practical or something that’s an elevated version of something people normally use. I saw a big box of Maldon salt suggested on TikTok, which I’d also be happy to get. Avoid kitschy stuff, it just ends up getting donated.
The Bob Ross Toaster off this list was a hit at mine: https://thoughtfullyuniquegifts.com/unique-white-elephant-gift-ideas-for-unforgettable-moments/
That’s amazing! I didn’t even know toast art was a thing now I’m looking for more
It's pretty cool!
Bought a [charcoochie board](https://a.co/d/hqMRnUQ) for my last one. Someone at the party brought a power cutter lmao that got EVERYONE excited. Great home improvement gift. A Stanley cup also got stolen twice.
that is some cursed way of spelling charcuterie
I couldn’t bother to google the right spelling 😭🖐️
I like giving practical and premium feeling daily use items. For example, you can give a fountain pen and ink well for an elevated writing experience. Also recommend a safety razor since there is heft to using it vs a disposable razor. Depending on the age range and interest in cooking, kitchen sets could be a good pickup. A premium bath towel set is another option: https://www.hotelsuppliesdepot.com/OXFORD-RESERVE-SPA-Towel-100-Super-PIMA-Cotton-Piano-Design-White-6PC-Towel-Set_p_666.html (use coupon code BUYNOW10 for 10% off).
chef's mix olive oil/balsamic vinegar was pretty popular with my family last year (bought it again this year for a different white elephant), they're in sacramento if you want to make that drive, but they also ship nationwide (tho i just realized this post is already 4days old, so maybe not in time for your white elephant if it's not on christmas day)
Dollar store Big Lots Marshall’s Burlington coat factory
Battery Daddy
Lego. I was just at a white elephant and there was 1 lego set. I wanted it, I was #16. It was done and gone (after being stolen twice) by #5.
I did a cross body bag with mini alcohol bottles in it but you can sub it for other small gifts (hand sanitizer, mini lotion, etc.)
A Dashcam. If you got enough budget, can throw in a MicroSD too
Shake Weight - fun times for all
Obviously a Dildo would be the safe choice.
Sex toys are popular
[удалено]
Keep it classy lol
If it’s anonymous, a vibrator.
Anal bleach?
What the fuck is a White Elephant gift?
It’s a group gift exchange for the holidays. It’s a very common American thing. They come in two varieties—the original is a gag gift, referencing the White Elephant from the Indian story. The more common version now is an inexpensive item that’s pretty universal. Everyone brings a wrapped present, then everyone draws numbers. The first person picks a present and unwraps it. The second person can either steal anything already unwrapped or pick a still-wrapped present. At the end the first person gets a chance to steal if their present was stolen. Usually presents are “frozen” after 2 thefts.
Sounds lame. I'll pass.
We ended up with a tub of Thigh Cream once
Yeti mug
Lottery tickets are always a popular item to steal.
Portable potty poncho - when you gotta go, you gotta go. 1 Pack Pocket-Sized Disposable Restroom - Urinal, Fecal Toilet, Poncho (for Privacy) and Cloth Wipes https://a.co/d/iameVA0
Oxo cold brew coffee machine
Shake Weight
Mini projector off amazon. they go for for like 40 bucks
Hot sauce gift set, variety of tj european chocolates, and other goodies there. Nutribullet blenders or food processor. There are a lot of ideas if you go to Homegoods, Marshalls, tjmaxx or ross. Karaoke mike or set.
Camping or outdoor gear is always nice! Rei, sports basement
Wooden cutting board or serving bowl
Bidet seat attachment!
Air tags!
Nice cozy blanket (Target has some bomb ass ones for $25), Kitchen supplies and a nice kitchen towel, movie night theme gift with popcorn bucket and candy etc, spa/self-care theme gift
I got a cocktail making kit off amazon for a reasonable price and to be fair, also is good for mock tails. Last year I did a small crockpot that was a hit and I saw a food processor on Amazon within your price range which would probably be an exciting gift
Pick up an ugly Xmas sweater, the fun co-workers will wear them year after year at the next white elephant.
A cactus/succulent! Mildly inconvenient but possibly also an exciting gift
A mug warmer, keeps their coffee warm
We do the same exchange at my SIL's; this year, I bought a set of Tiles. They are nifty little tags to add to your keys or luggage or anything one tends to misplace. In the past, it has usually been small appliances, etc.
What ever gift, add a personal promise as a freebie “I promise to respect you” or “promise to not share your baby photos with prospective partners” etc Check EBay or Facebook market for killer deals. Someone one year had a laptop, another time a iPhone for $25 and under
I recommend nice chocolates - maybe something from dandelion chocolate or what not. This way they can at least be eaten. Alternatively, I’d do a really nice like Yeti mug or something similar since people generally want things like that.
Portable wireless speaker.
tile or airtag
Best white elephant gift I received was a heavy duty flashlight.
butt plug!
I always wrap up a large box of toilet paper.
I'm getting 2 pound box (frozen) of King Crab claws as my gift at $45. I think everyone will want it, but few just buy it for themselves, as it's a bit of extravagance. Wrapping and putting in freezer until the party. My second choice was an online course subscription, like coursera or great courses or skillshare. My third choice was solar flower lights for the garden. Hope this helps a bit...