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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
AmuseND | $13.89
Pack of 4 Aromatherapy Candles
FKJOL Store | $18.99
Reusable Water Bottle
Hydracy | $24.97
Nail Polish Holder
Tweexy | $9.99
Birthday Cake Bath & Body Gift Set
Uncommon Goods | $21
Fashion & Accessories
The Great Wave Tote Bag
Loqi | $17.50
Shark Socks
Uncommon Goods | $12
Mismatched Frida Kahlo Earrings
Yellow Owl Workshop | $21.50
Animal Society Temporary Tattoo Set
Tattly | $15
Animal Paw Novelty Socks
FreeNFond | $9.99
Embroidery Temporary Tattoo Set
Tattly | $15
Kitchen & Cooking
Gourmet Pizza Dough Gift Set
Uncommon Goods | $24
Cherry Measuring Spoons
Ototo | $16
Bread Baker's Handbook
Uncommon Goods | $21
Cookie House Mug Buddies
Margen Soliman | $24
Butterfly Tea Gift Set
Uncommon Goods | $25
Birds on a Wire Mug
Unemployed Philosophers Guilds | $19.95
Bartender Glasses
Kikkerland Design | $25
Agate Coaster
Anthropologie | $16
Death Star Ice Cube Mold
WiiRun | $13.97
Baby Nessie Tea Infuser
OTOTO | $14
Avocado Food Huggers
MSC International | $6.49
Fun Trinkets
Rainbow Yoga Joes
Brogamats | $25
Storm Cloud Weather Predictor
UncommonGoods | $25
Chill Beer Flannel
Tyrone Hazen | $20
Playful Sports Mugs
Uncommon Goods | $25
Page Flags Set
Girl of All Work | $7.50
Tokens of My Love: 24 Redeemable Coupons
Jordan Sondler | $12.99
Salvador Keychain
Sketch.Inc | $25.95
“Meowhaus” Enamel Pin
Niaski | $12.50
Animal Multi Tool
Kikkerland Design | $24.50
Lollipopter Kinetic Toy
John Edmark | $25
Silicone Wine Glass Holder for the Shower
30 Watt | $11.49
Puffer Fish Dryer Buddies
Kikkerland | $11.95
Louis C. Tiffany Favrile Domed Magnets
The MET | $22
Creativity Boosters
642 Things to Draw Book
Chronicle Books | $16.95
Hedgehog Embroidery Kit
Kiriki Press | $22
Flipbook Kits
Uncommon Goods | $12
Multicolored Pencils
Duncan Shotton | $15
Build-On Brick Mug
Triumphic | $11.99
This article has been edited and updated.
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