20 White Elephant Gifts Under $50 That Are Anything but Ordinary

5 days ago 11

Updated on Oct 21, 2025 at 12:30 PM

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White Elephant gifts are truly in a league of their own. The holiday tradition lets players unwrap a present and either keep it or "steal" someone else's, which is where the fun (and chaos) begins. Everyone wants to bring the most steal-worthy gift, but finding something that's both fun and affordable isn't always easy.

The best White Elephant gifts strike that perfect balance between funny and actually useful, something anyone in your group would be excited to open (and maybe fight over). Unlike Secret Santa, you don't know who's getting your gift, so it has to appeal to just about everyone. Sure, a silly gag gift will get a laugh, but the real win is something people actually want to take home.

To help, we rounded up 20 clever, budget-friendly gifts under $50 that'll entertain your whole crew. From delightfully random finds (like a puzzle covered in pooping dogs and a giant toilet paper roll) to practical picks (hii, cozy blankets and luxe hand soap), there's something for every personality. Keep scrolling to find your steal-worthy pick.

Best White Elephant Gift For Art Enthusiastsamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Art Enthusiasts

"Museum Bums: A Cheeky Look At Butts In Art" By Mark Small & Jack Shoulder ($10, originally $20)

The "Museum Bums: A Cheeky Look At Butts In Art" will surely garner a few laughs in your group, but we can ensure that it'll be the one that most art enthusiasts are eyeing for their collection. This is a fun coffee table book that'll add a cheeky flair to the receiver's home, plus they'll actually learn a thing or two about classical art.

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Best White Elephant Gift For Motivationamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Motivation

Decodyne Funny Sloth Coffee Mug ($10, originally $13)

This sloth mug will be something they reach for everyday for their morning brew. It's relatable and adorable, what more could you ask for?! Depending on your group's set price point, you can buy a set of tea bags, hot cocoa powder, or some coffee as an add-on to make it a whole experience.

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Best White Elephant Gift For Brainiacsamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Brainiacs

"The New York Times Supersized Book of Sunday Crosswords" ($14, originally $26)

This "New York Times" crossword book contains a whopping 500 puzzles that will keep puzzle-lovers occupied throughout the holidays (read: at least until next year). Family members and tote-bag girlies alike will definitely have their eye on this one.

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Best White Elephant Gift For Comfortamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Comfort

What Do You Meme Emotional Support Nuggets ($15, originally $17)

These emotional support plush nuggets are perfect for the one who can't survive without chicken nuggets. It comes with five personable nugget plushies, all housed in a red plush container worthy of display. You can also get them in other fun motifs like lattes, hot dogs, and even mushrooms.

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Best White Elephant Gift For the Homeamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For the Home

Thausdas Dimmable Touch Lamp ($19, originally $28)

This portable little touch lamp has five brightness settings and 13 different colors. Having a party? Turn on the strobe mode. If anyone at your white elephant is a fan of mood lighting, this will be right up their alley.

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Best White Elephant Gift For Gamersamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Gamers

Tamagotchi Original ($20)

Tamagotchis are back and better than ever, and if you and your friends loved caring for them while growing up, there's no better gift to give. They'll be able to attach it to their keys or bag, so they can play with it on the go.

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Best Cozy White Elephant Giftamazon.com

Best Cozy White Elephant Gift

Catalonia Wearable Blanket ($20)

Anyone would be excited to receive this plush blanket, which is a great white elephant gift that'll actually go to use. It features two sleeves and a pocket so they'll be able to truly get cozy with a few snacks on hand. Plus, it comes in several different colors, including festive options.

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Best White Elephant Gift For Karaoke Loversamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Karaoke Lovers

Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone ($20, originally $26)

The singer of the group needs this karaoke mic. It has a long battery life and features a voice changer that'll send listeners into hysterics. We'll place our bets on this being put to use at your party immediately after white elephant is over. Plus, it comes in so many different colors.

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Best White Elephant Gift For the Friend With a Grade-School Sense of Humoramazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For the Friend With a Grade-School Sense of Humor

1000 Piece Puzzle, 101 Pooping Puppies ($20)

As far as white elephants go, it's hard to beat the randomness that is this puzzle of pooping puppies. The funniest part of this gift is that it's bound to take them hours to put together.

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Best White Elephant Gift For Shower Singersamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Shower Singers

INSMY C12 IPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker ($20, originally $35)

Who doesn't like blasting tunes in the shower? Those who don't already have a shower speaker will be excited to listen to their favorite feel-good music while soaping up. Plus, it has up to 12 hours of playtime, and it comes in several different colors.

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Best White Elephant Gift For FriendsPS Photography | Shelcy Joseph

Best White Elephant Gift For Friends

We're Not Really Strangers Card Game ($25)

This game — a deck of questions to help people really get to know each other — is the fast track to deeper conversations, and it's a great tool for anyone to have in their party arsenal. Guaranteed, someone in your white elephant has been wanting to buy it and will do whatever it takes to bring this gift home. Read more in this We're Not Really Strangers Card Game review.

Editor Quote: "Since the answer to the questions will likely change over time, you'll never get bored of playing the game. Consider it a long-term investment into your social or love life." - Shelcy Joseph, former associate editor, Fashion

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Best White Elephant Gift For Wine Loversamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Wine Lovers

Secura Electric Wine Opener, ($25, originally $35)

Surely there's a wine-lover in your friend group or family. This snazzy wine opener takes the grunt work out of popping bottles, and it comes with a foil cutter too. One of many shoppers said it "made the perfect gift" and "works great on synthetic or real corks."

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Best White Elephant Gift For Bakersamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Bakers

Brentwood Cake Pop Maker ($30)

Bite-size desserts can be made in minutes with this cake-pop maker. It's not limited to cake pops, either: recipients can use it to whip up doughnut holes, cinnamon buns, and other tasty treats.

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Best White Elephant Gift For Self Careamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For Self Care

HoMedics Bubble Mate Heated Foot Spa ($35)

Give them a spa experience at home with this HoMedics gift. They'll look forward to using it after a long day of work and/or to complement their DIY mani.

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Best White Elephant Gift For the Practical Jokeramazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For the Practical Joker

Charmin Toilet Paper Ultra Soft Forever Roll ($38)

Not sure if this has popped up on your TikTok feed yet, but Charmin's new "Forever Roll" is having a moment on mine. Each one is the equivalent of 64 regular rolls, meaning you can go weeks (maybe months?) without restocking. I can't take credit for this genius idea, though. Someone in a comment section called it the perfect White Elephant gift, and honestly, I couldn't agree more. Whoever you are, this one's for you.

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Best White Elephant Gift For the Lazy Chefamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For the Lazy Chef

Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker ($38)

We're calling it now: your friends are bound to get in a fight over this breakfast sandwich cooker. They'll be able to customize their sandwich with their choice of bread, cheese, eggs, meats, and more.

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Best White Elephant Gift for the Friend Group That’s Always Taking Picsamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift for the Friend Group That’s Always Taking Pics

CAMKORY Digital Camera ($40, originally $50)

ICYMI, digital cameras are back. Creatives are obsessed with the flashy, nostalgic, yet polished look of a non-iPhone photo (sorry, iPhone), so I have a feeling someone who's been eyeing one will be quick to try and steal it.

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Best White Elephant Gift for Your Hard-to-Shop-For FriendsPS Photography | Marisa Petrarca

Best White Elephant Gift for Your Hard-to-Shop-For Friends

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash ($46)

If you're stumped on what to bring to your next White Elephant exchange — or the group decided on a slightly elevated version this year — you can't go wrong with Aesop's hand soap. It's the definition of practical luxury: it cleanses, gently exfoliates, and smells so good they'll be tempted to buy a backup immediately. They say the best gifts are the ones people actually use, and this one nails that idea. Learn more about it in our Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash review.

Editor Quote: "Even though I initially worried the exfoliating granules might leave my skin feeling dry, I can report after a week of using it exclusively at one pump per wash that my hands feel as soft as ever." - Marisa Petrarca, contributing shopping editor

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Best White Elephant Gift For a Retro Vibeamazon.com

Best White Elephant Gift For a Retro Vibe

Victrola Bluetooth Portable Suitcase Record Player ($50, originally $90)

When it's time to steal another player's gift, this sleek record player will be a hot commodity. It's the perfect fusion of vintage and modern, featuring a three-speed turntable with built-in Bluetooth technology to wirelessly stream music.

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Marisa Petrarca (she/her) is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has over seven years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. She was previously the senior beauty editor at Grazia USA and the style and beauty editor at Us Weekly. Now freelancing, her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, Marie Claire, and more.

Anvita Reddy (she/her) is a former assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and reviews home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. At PS, she tested skin care, makeup, and hair care, plus countless other beauty products.

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