White elephant gift ideas: 50 funny and useful picks

A good white elephant gift gets stolen at least twice. The trick is something funny or useful that almost anyone would want. Here are 50 ideas, plus the rules if you’re hosting.

How white elephant works

Everyone brings one wrapped gift within a set budget. Draw numbers. Player one opens a gift. Each next player can open a new gift or steal one already opened. A gift can usually be stolen only three times. The last player gets a final steal.

Funny white elephant gifts

1. A giant chocolate bar

2. A rubber chicken

3. A ‘world’s okayest’ mug

4. A pizza-shaped blanket

5. A toilet golf set

6. A desk punching bag

7. A bacon-scented candle

8. A potato with a face (a real one, with googly eyes)

9. Inflatable unicorn horn for a cat

10. Socks with the host’s face on them

11. A screaming goat toy

12. A ‘do not disturb’ sleep mask with eyes on it

13. A giant puzzle of a single colour

14. A singing fish wall plaque

15. A book of terrible dad jokes

Useful white elephant gifts

1. A cosy throw blanket

2. A portable phone charger

3. Wireless earbuds case or a cable organiser

4. A good insulated water bottle

5. A reading light

6. A plant in a nice pot

7. A mini Bluetooth speaker

8. Fuzzy slippers

9. A cast-iron mini pan

10. A scented candle set

11. A set of nice playing cards

12. A desk organiser

13. A hot water bottle with a knit cover

14. A smart plug

15. A travel pillow

Food and drink gifts

1. A hot sauce sampler

2. A coffee or tea tasting set

3. Gourmet popcorn

4. A cookie decorating kit

5. A cocktail or mocktail kit

6. Fancy chocolate truffles

7. A make-your-own-hot-chocolate jar

8. A local snacks box

9. A spice set

10. A mini waffle maker

Gifts for the office swap

1. A desk plant

2. A mug warmer

3. A fun calendar for next year

4. Noise-cancelling foam earplugs and a sleep mask

5. A notebook and good pen set

6. A mini whiteboard

7. A stress ball set

8. A ‘meeting bingo’ card set

9. A snack drawer box

10. A cable organiser kit

Hosting tips

• Set the budget clearly. Everyone feels it when one gift is way above the rest.

• Cap the steals. Three steals per gift keeps it moving.

• Send one invite with the rules. Date, budget and rules in one place means nobody shows up confused.

Make it happen on 8club

• Send one invite. Create a Hotspot, share one link, and see who’s coming.

• Run a poll. Let your guests vote on the date, the theme or the playlist.

• Get a group chat, made for you. 8club opens one for everyone going as soon as you create the Hotspot, and people can message each other directly.

• Play card games. Teen Patti and other card games are right in the 8club app.

Quick answers

What is a good white elephant gift?

Something funny or useful that almost anyone would want: a cosy blanket, a hot sauce set, a giant chocolate bar or a fun game.

What’s the difference between Secret Santa and white elephant?

In Secret Santa you buy for one person you drew. In white elephant gifts are anonymous and players can steal from each other.