11 Best White Elephant Gifts For Your Next Party | Guide

Have you been invited to a white elephant party? Do you want to have the most laugh-inducing and the most fun gift for Secret Santa? Do you want to impress people with your hilarious sense of humor? Well, you have come to the right gift guide. 

Read ahead to find the best white elephant gifts you can purchase to make the party a huge success! 

Best White Elephant Gifts In 2023

1. Rainbean Burritos Blanket

Who would not love to be wrapped in a warm and cozy burrito? This Burritos blanket is the perfect gag gift for a white elephant game. It is suitable for all ages and a hilarious gift to give someone. It is available in three different sizes and other designs as well. 

Not only is the gift incredibly funny, but it is also useful. This blanket is extremely soft and warm and made of good-quality flannel fleece. It is also relatively lightweight, so the recipient of this gift can wrap it around them wherever they want, whether it is the couch or the bed. 

Why have an ordinary blanket when you can become a human burrito? 

2. FreeNFond Funny Animal Paw Socks

The FreeNFond animal paw socks are a great white elephant gift to give to someone because of their hilarity and utility. They look extremely realistic and will bring great laughs to your white elephant party. 

These socks are available in various eye-catching patterns, including dogs, zebras, cats, dinosaurs, eagles, and polar bears. So, depending on the recipient’s favorite animal (or their least favorite animal), you can give the perfect white elephant gift to them. 

Not only are the socks great gag gifts, but they also have utility. They are soft and easy to wear. Made up of 80% polyester, 10% cotton, and 10% spandex, are comfortable and have excellent elasticity. If your friend, for some reason, loves to cosplay as animals, these socks would be a very thoughtful gift for them. 

However, buy these for a person with small feet because these socks are not very big. 

3. The Original Pooping Dogs Puzzle

A perfect gag gift that is both cute and disgusting at the same time? This Original Pooping Dogs puzzle has 1000 pieces that join together to form the hilarious image of 101 dogs pooping together. Now, that is a perfect gift for a dog lover. 

Having 1000 pieces, the puzzle will take a while to get completed. But once you are finished, you get 101 cute dogs, all poised and ready to go number two. You can say the result is worth the challenge. Who doesn’t love a bunch of pooping dogs? Plus, there is no actual poop in the picture. You just see the dogs ready to go. 

Each puzzle piece is thick, large, and easy to handle. The pooping dogs are printed on the pieces with no-glare and non-toxic inks. Additionally, it is designed to have no puzzle dust. 

Perfect for all your dog-loving and puzzle-loving friends, this would be an extraordinarily hilarious and cute gift to give at your next white elephant gift exchange party. 

4. Funwares Porta Potty Shot Glasses

These porta-potty shot glasses are just what your party-lover friend needs. Shaped like outdoor toilets, these are the perfect gag gifts. Both humorous and functional, these are a great gift for any office or holiday party where you are going to play the white elephant exchange game. 

Coming in a set of 2 glasses, each glass can hold 2 ounces of your favorite liquor. It could be tequila, wine, Jack, whiskey, scotch, rum, or any other drink you want. Just remember to hand wash the glasses gently, dry them, and keep them safe until your next party.

If your friend loves to collect shot glasses, this can be a hilarious and very unique addition to their collection. Perfectly Instagram-friendly and Tiktok-suitable and the life of any party, these shot glasses are a great gift. 

The only con about this gift is that it is made out of cheap-feeling plastic instead of ceramic or silicone. 

5. Pooping Pooches Gift Calendar

Guess people really like pooping dogs? Well, here is another white elephant gift featuring cute pooping dogs. Your white elephant gift exchange party will definitely not stink with this funny white elephant gift. 

All of the 12 months feature a different dog, all graceful and ready to go number two. The photos also feature the name of the dog, along with the location of the pooping. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Perfect for your dog-loving friends, I am sure this gift will be highly appreciated and laughed at by your entire friend group. After all, who would not find a bunch of real dogs answering nature’s call funny? 

The various dogs featured in this calendar are a Dalmatian, a Poodle, a Portuguese Water Dog, a Labradoodle, a German Shepard, a Husky, and more. 

Additionally, $1 from each sale goes to help a dog in need. So, go buy this gag gift so that every dog can poop in peace. Also, be aware that the photos do feature actual poop. So, if that is something that might offend your friend, you should definitely buy it!

6. Colorful Star Pizza Blanket

If your friend is not a big fan of burritos and is more of a pizza person, then this is the perfect blanket for them! The blanket is double-sided, with each side having a different print, giving you 2 blankets in 1. It is available in three different sizes: 47 inches, 60 inches, and 72 inches. 

Made of top-quality fleece fabric of 300 grams per square, the blanket is an extremely soft and cozy addition to your home. Not only does it warm you up, but it will also act as a fun home decor piece. 

Additionally, the blanket is very lightweight, meaning you can wrap it around yourself wherever you want. Featuring vibrant colors and an exquisite pizza, the colors will not fade for a long time. Just remember to use cold water to wash the blanket and tumble dry on low when needed.

7. FunIsFun Beer Mitten Gloves

These beer-mitten gloves are a great gift idea for a white elephant gift exchange party. These gloves are made of warm knitted material and protect your hands from freezing while you enjoy any cold beverage. Whether you are drinking a chilled beer at home, going to the bar, or at a party with your friends, you can enjoy a drink without numbing your hands. 

The glove has a hole for you to put your beer (or any other drink) in. It can fit many beverages and glass, bottle, and cup sizes, even a mug! Additionally, it can be used on either hand, whether left or right. Obviously, you can also use the mitten daily for tea or milk. 

If your friend is a big beer fan or sports fan, this would be a great gag gift. I am sure it would be a hit at your white elephant exchange party. So, it is not just hilarious but also pretty functional. You can get the gloves in many different colors, including red, blue, black, green, gray, pink, etc.  

However, keep in mind that you will not get a pair of gloves. You will only get one glove, which makes sense considering the point of the gloves. 

8. JEDIST Mini Desk Vacuum Cleaner

Coming to white elephant gift ideas that are actually useful, the Jedist Mini Vacuum Cleaner is an extremely handy gift to give. It is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and can catch up with lightweight debris to keep your area clean. It doesn’t make a lot of noise, and is a great white elephant gift for a friend who is a neat freak. 

It can be used to clean desks, toaster ovens, computer keyboards, kitchen counters, couch cushions, dinner tables, car sets, stoves, etc. It can pick up lightweight and small debris like  small bits of paper, bread crumbs, glitter, stray coffee, pencil shavings, soot, eraser dust, pet fur, bird dander, hair, dandruff, metal sanding dust, lint, etc. 

Extremely compact and portable, this mini cleaner is equipped with two gears: low and high. The diameter of the suction mouth is 5.5 inches. Additionally, the vacuum has a rechargeable battery, which can be charged using a USB cable. The vacuum cleaner is also straightforward to use, having an On/Off switch for its operation. 

Thus, this is actually an incredibly useful gift for a white elephant gift exchange. It might not be hilarious like some of the gag gifts on this list, but it would surely be appreciated by the recipient. 

9. Emergency Underpants

Ever heard of a tin box containing emergency underpants? Well, now you have. These underpants are an extremely funny practical joke device that is bound to get a ton of laughs at your white elephant gift exchange party. 

These hilarious white granny panties are made of 100% cotton fabric and are very lightweight and comfortable. It will fit most men and women. Additionally, the tin container measures 3.54 x 2.36 x 0.78 inches. Being so small and discreet, you can take it out and use it anywhere without embarrassment. Unfortunate, right?

Who knew underpants could be such a funny white elephant exchange gift?

10. Beer Belly Bag

Can’t think of an excellent gift for your father? Well, this beer belly bag is here to the rescue. Using 3D printing technology, this bag realistically resembles a man’s large beer belly, complete with the hair and belly button. It looks as good as real skin. I mean, talk about true art. 

 Made of PU and nylon material, this gag gift is waterproof, durable, and non-fading. 

Apart from being a great source of laughter and jokes, this beer belly bag is also extremely handy and can store a lot of your necessities. So, you can give it to anyone in your family who would like to sport a huge beer belly. 

Would you like to make sure your stuff never gets stolen? Store it in this beer belly bag.

11. VITTYL Mini Bowling Game Set

Know someone who loves to go bowling? Then treat them to this mini bowling game set. Not only is it a great white elephant gift, but it will also serve as a great party favor and desktop game. If you are having a white elephant gift party at your office, you should definitely get it for your office tables. This will act as a fun activity and a stress reliever at the same time. 

Additionally, it is also a great gift for kids and contains a wooden base bowling lane, a bowling launch ramp, a mini steel bowling ball, and ten mini bowling bottles. 

Whether it is a Christmas gift for this year’s holiday season or a fun gift for this year’s white elephant gift exchange party, this mini-game set won’t take up too much space and will entertain you at the same time. 

Buying Guide For White Elephant Gifts

1. Budget

Most elephant gift parties have a set budget to not make the gifts too overbearing. For example, your office might allow elephant gifts under 25 dollars, or your family might set a limit of 30 dollars. I suggest following this budget to keep up with the spirit of the white elephant party. 

2. Setting

Different gifts might be appropriate in different places. You know what your office or your family is like. So, you also know what the line is between funny and offensive. You need to get a gift that is weird and unique enough to get laughs but not offensive to hurt anyone’s feelings. 

You might be able to get away with offensive gifts with your friends or family. But be sure to keep the gifts professional if it is an office party. After all, you don’t want someone to swap your job, right? 

Another thing to keep in mind is the season. These parties are generally held around Christmas, so some funky Christmas lights or funny Christmas tree decorations might also be a good idea. 

3. Utility

Does a white elephant gift have to be funny, or can it have some utility? Well, you can go either way, depending on your preferences. For instance, a white elephant party is generally meant for more ridiculous and over-the-top gifts. On the other hand, a Yankee swap features gifts with more utility. 

I suggest buying a gag gift having some sort of utility, like the Beer Belly bag or the Porta Potty shot glasses. Funny and useful. Now that is something everyone at your party will enjoy. 

You can also base the gift on the person’s preferences. A foodie would love a waffle iron or a cookie cutter. A perfume connoisseur would love a vial of essential oil having an amazing odor. And everyone would love a self-care package containing spa supplies. 

4. Quality Of Gifts

Just because white elephant exchanges are meant for small and cheap gifts does not mean you can’t get something of good quality. Even if the price limit is around $10 or $20, you can get pretty good quality gag gifts to ensure durability and laughter at the same time. The point is to get something that will induce laughter for a long time and not just a few days. 

Picture the party is at your office, and you buy a cheap gift that falls apart after a few days. It wouldn’t create a good impression, right? So, go for quality while staying within the budget. 

What is a white elephant gift game?

Is the white elephant gift game a new concept you just heard about for the party this weekend? You might be wondering what it is. Basically, everyone in the group buys wrapped gifts for each other, depending on the price limits set by the group. Put all the gifts together in a pile to start the game. 

Pick a person to go first and that person can choose any gift from the pile and unwrap it. Now, the next person can either steal the unwrapped gift from the first person or pick a new gift to unwrap from the pile of gifts. The person who gets their gift stolen can do the same- steal someone else’s unwrapped gift or pick a wrapped gift from the pile. 

This goes on until someone chooses not to steal any gift, ending the game as a result. 

Is a Yankee Swap and a White Elephant Exchange the same thing?

Both a Yankee Swap and a White Elephant Exchange consist of the same gift exchanging and stealing process- you either steal someone else’s gift or choose a new gift from the pile. The gifts at both parties are generally smaller and cheaper than regular gifts and serve as Christmas stocking stuffers. The only difference is between the type of gifts being gifted. 

White elephant gifts are meant to be more funny and ridiculous, like the Beer belly bag or the Burritos blanket. On the other hand, the gifts for a Yankee Swap tend to be more on the useful side, like the mini vacuum cleaner. 

Are there any set rules I should follow for a white elephant exchange?

Depending on the party and the settings, you might expect some rules to be followed during the exchange game. One of the basic rules is the price limit- you are advised to buy gifts only within a certain budget, which can range from cheap to expensive depending on the party. 

Another rule to keep the play fair is to assign each party member a number and then have the host pull the numbers out from a hat. That way, you can decide which person would go first without facing any blame of partiality. 

Following rules is more important in a professional setting, like an office party, to keep things fair and fun. For family and friends’ parties, you really don’t need to worry about following the rules to the T. 

What is the history of the white elephant exchange?

According to legend, the origin of the term ‘white elephant’ comes from the King of Siam- which is present-day Thailand. The King used to give a white elephant as a gift to anyone he did not like. The care and maintenance of the elephant would usually impoverish the recipient. Interesting story, but it has no basis in reality. 

Coming back to modern times, ‘swap parties’ originated in the United States sometime in the 1890s. Today, white elephant parties are also known as Yankee Swap parties or Dirty Santa parties. White elephants also shot up in popularity in the 1930s due to the Great Depression, since buying new gifts was not really an option. 

What kind of gifts should I take to a white elephant exchange?

Depending on the set price limit, you can buy many different kinds of gifts for a white elephant exchange party. You can purchase funny gag gifts to induce tons of laughter. You can also buy useful gifts that the person would actually appreciate. And then come the gifts that have both: hilarity and utility. If you find the right balance, your gift will be stolen the most at the white elephant party! 

Why is a price limit set for a white elephant exchange?

Gifts are gifts, right? Then you might be wondering why you are only supposed to buy gifts within the set budget. The budget is especially important for an office party. This is done to maintain some sort of equity and uniformity amongst the workers. The managers and executives might be able to purchase gifts that would not be affordable for the common support staff. This can lead to bitterness. 

On the other hand, the budget rule is also a good idea for family and friends events, so there is no bitterness amongst the members there either. 

Verdict

Whether it is a Yankee swap or a white elephant exchange, you definitely need the best gag gift to impress the entire group. The Rainbeans Burritos blanket is the best gag gift you can buy. It’s comfortable, and it’s funny. And…it is a burrito! 

Another great gag gift is the Original Pooping Dogs Puzzle. A 1000 puzzle pieces combine to form the great image of 101 dogs ready to go number two. However, if that one might be too offensive for your audience, you can choose the Porta Potty shot glasses, which have both utility and humor.