- Attn: Grace Daily Renew Body Oil
- Oster Electric Wine Opener
- Blissy Silk Pillowcase
- Extra Large Picnic And Outdoor Blanket
- French Fry And Sauce Holder Caddy
- Testa Vineyards Black — A Red Wine Blend
- Purdy's Chocolate Hedgehogs
- LED Toilet Night Light
- Kula Cloth
- Pull Start Fire Pull String Firestarter
- We're Not Really Strangers Card Game | Amazon
- Goodfit Taco Truck Puzzle
- Goodr Tortoise Sunglasses | Amazon
- The SOFTEST Throw Blanket | Etsy
- Baggage Claim Eye Masks | Wander Beauty
- Rocketbook Core Reusable Planner Journal | Amazon
- Tile Pro | Amazon
- Drinking Buddies Glass Drink Markers, Set Of 6 | Amazon
- Silpat Perfect Cookie Baking Mat | Sur La Table
- Pyrex Grab Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set | Amazon
- Blue Q Shoulder Tote | Amazon
- Tirrinia 2 Bottle Wine Tote Carrier | Amazon
- Aqua Original 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Pool Float and Water Hammock
You may have another name for it, but White Elephant gift exchanges are a holiday tradition for families, friends, and co-workers.
Videos by TravelAwaits
White Elephant Rules
- Everyone brings a wrapped gift (usually under a previously agreed-upon price point) to pile in the middle.
- Next, draw numbers to see what order you’ll go in.
- Whoever goes first selects a gift to unwrap.
- The next player can either steal that gift or unwrap a new one. If your gift is stolen, you can either select a new gift to unwrap or steal someone else’s.
- A gift can only be stolen once per turn, so if someone stole your gift, you can’t take it right back.
- The turn is automatically over after three swaps.
- When a gift is stolen for the third time, the person who stole it last gets to keep it and no one else can steal.
There are several White Elephant rule variations. Some people play where you cannot steal the gift you brought. We don’t think that’s any fun, but your group can come up with its own rules.
Need a great gift for your White Elephant exchange this year? Below, TravelAwaits writers and staff share gifts they’ve witnessed fights over (okay, maybe not actual fights) and the most steal-worthy products of the year. No matter which of these White Elephant presents you spring for, it is sure to be a hit at this year’s gift exchange!
Attn: Grace Daily Renew Body Oil
Buy Now $25“Move over body lotion! Attn: Grace’s Daily Renew Body Oil may be your new best friend. It has an earthy, fresh scent, but not overpowering. At first, I applied it on dry hands, which would be great at night. It went on pretty thick and took some time to absorb. Then I applied the oil to damp hands and wow! It went on super smooth and my hands felt great and not greasy. The oil is made up of vitamins and essential fatty acids that will protect your skin against sun damage. It also helps boost collagen production. This oil is the perfect gift for the dry winter season and could be the best White Elephant gift at your holiday party.” — Michelle Shockley, Project Lead
Pro Tip: Attn: Grace ships free when you spend over $45, so it’s the perfect excuse to grab one as a White Elephant gift and one for yourself!
Oster Electric Wine Opener
Buy Now $33.99“My friends love wine — we rarely get together without opening a bottle or two. While I am a fan of the tried and true corkscrew style, the new electric wine openers are so much easier. There is no twisting, pulling, or leveraging — you simply push a button. Over the years; we have tested many wine openers; many require a certain amount of hand strength to operate. The electric opener’s corkscrew slides into the cork with the push of a button and extracts the cork. Then the opener goes in reverse to unscrew the cork. It’s almost as much fun as enjoying a glass of wine — almost.” — Sandi Barrett
Extra Large Picnic And Outdoor Blanket
Buy Now $25.99“This is perfect for all those times you find yourself at outdoor events. Whether you’re at an outdoor concert or spending the day beachside, this extra-large blanket comes in handy — it’s a nice spot for our four-legged friends to hang out as well. This blanket is water-resistant, so if the grass is a little dewy, no worries, and it folds up nicely so it’s totally portable. You just never know when you’re going to need a large, lightweight blanket!” — SJ Morgensen
Testa Vineyards Black — A Red Wine Blend
Buy Now $30“My favorite White Elephant gift is family wine. Testa Vineyards Black is the 10th bottling of their signature red blend. The exact composition is a secret but it is organically farmed fruit and is handcrafted from 100 percent grapes with no additives that have been aged for three years in neutral French oak. It also has a 90-point rating from Wine Enthusiast. I am proud to give it as a gift because I know what is in it and know the love and care that goes into making it from farm to bottle. I love it as a White Elephant gift because it is an outstanding wine at a much-less-than-expected price point. It is definitely a popular steal item. Our family White Elephant is adults only so wine is perfect.” — Peggy Cleveland
Purdy’s Chocolate Hedgehogs
Buy Now $22“Things can get downright nasty when a box of Purdy’s Chocolate Hedgehogs is in the mix for a White Elephant gift exchange. There may be less-than-friendly sidelong glances, aggressive switching, and even downright theft. And who can blame the players? Each ridiculously cute hedgehog is filled with dreamy-creamy, extra-nutty hazelnut mix tucked inside a milk chocolate shell. I stock up for the holidays, for those last-minute gifts, but if the truth be told, about half my stock never makes it out the door. These treats are made in Vancouver, Canada, and ship into the U.S., thank goodness.” — Shel Zolkewich
LED Toilet Night Light
Buy Now $13.78“This is a fun White Elephant gift, gag gift, or stocking stuffer. This LED motion toilet light sits on the rim of your commode and activates as soon as you approach the toilet. It is LED, so the colors are vivid. You can change to different colors with the flip of a switch. If you have ever tried to go to the bathroom in the dark, you know it can be a pain, and turning on bright lights hurts your eyes. This toilet light will glow and make your life — and if you’re a man, ‘your aim’ — easier. It is also a great conversation starter when people visit your bathroom and use your glowing bowl. The toilet light is battery-operated and has 16 different color options. You can have a different colored bathroom experience every night for over two weeks.” — Robin O’Neal Smith
Kula Cloth
Buy Now $22.95“I’ll admit that a ‘pee cloth’ sounds like a gag gift, but the Kula Cloth is a game changer for anyone who loves the outdoors and squats when they pee. As an avid hiker and camper, it’s by far the piece of outdoor equipment I recommend the most. The cloth is antimicrobial, reusable, and comes in tons of fun prints and designs. I clip mine to the outside of my backpack, hit the trail, and reach for it whenever nature calls. It’s sure to get a laugh at your next women’s White Elephant party, but it’s also super practical!” — Alyssa Beck, Social Media Strategist
Pull Start Fire Pull String Firestarter
Buy Now $15.89“We all know that person who loves squirting lighter fluid into the flames. This is the perfect nontoxic alternative. If your family and friend group includes regular campers or a few folks who like to enjoy a crackling fire out on the deck or patio, this will be the coveted White Elephant item they’ve never seen before.
When I first heard about Pull Start Fire, it sounded too good to be true, but after just one ‘pull,’ my sister, our overlanding friend Ciara, and I were converted. You literally wrap the designated loop of string around one of your fire logs, pull another string, and in less than a minute, your fire is building. The company claims Pull Start Fire even lights wet wood, though we tested it with a cord of fresh, dry Snugglewood.” — Linsey Stevens, Managing Editor
Goodfit Taco Truck Puzzle
Buy Now $32“My sister and I are puzzle fiends, so we would definitely fight over this Taco Truck puzzle. That feeling you get when you insert the correct puzzle piece is priceless! I love the artwork that Goodfit puzzles feature, and they are made with 100 percent recycled cardboard. This puzzle is an ‘easy’ 500-piece, but they also have 1,000-piece puzzles. This gift will give whoever goes home with it something fun to do over the holiday break!” — Laura Ray, Content Strategist
Goodr Tortoise Sunglasses | Amazon
Buy Now $24.30“You can’t go wrong with Goodr sunglasses. These will 100 percent get stolen at a White Elephant party because they look good on everyone. At my last party, it was fun watching everyone try these on.
I used to buy expensive sunglasses, but I’d either scratch or lose them. And the worst part was that they’d always end up falling off my nose or getting stuck in my hair. Then I found Goodr. They’re designed for athletes, but they’re super cute and come in a bunch of different colors and styles. They have stayed on my face through a half marathon and they’re cheap enough that I can keep a couple of pairs around to throw on for any occasion. I cannot recommend these enough!” — Kasey Grelle, CEO
The SOFTEST Throw Blanket | Etsy
Buy Now $46“Anything that falls into the warm and fuzzy category is a hot commodity during our family gift exchange, and after feeling this blanket you’ll understand why. Cozy and luxurious, this faux fur throw doesn’t shed and looks great tossed over a chair or sofa. It’s the perfect blanket for the season, and you’ll want to curl up beneath it with your favorite beverage and holiday movie.” — Erika Leonard, COO
Baggage Claim Eye Masks | Wander Beauty
Buy Now $25“I stole these eye masks at a White Elephant party. When I’m too tired or had a little too much red wine the night before, these babies perk my skin right up! They feel great — so cooling and refreshing, and the gold color makes me feel weirdly glam in the process.” — Kasey Grelle, CEO
Rocketbook Core Reusable Planner Journal | Amazon
Buy Now $25.69“This journal planner is my favorite product of 2022! I don’t know about you, but I live and die by my handwritten planner, so it has to be small enough to fit in my purse. In an effort to be more mindful, I have also made journaling a priority. Not only is this Rocketbook Core the perfect size, it combines both planner pages with journaling pages. But wait — there’s more! This notebook is completely sustainable and you can reuse the pages over and over. Simply use the Rocketbook pen (included with purchase), scan the page once complete, and your notes will be uploaded to your email address, Dropbox, or Cloud. Then, wipe the page clean! Rocketbook gets an A+ for helping anyone organize their life and it’s so fun watching people ‘ooh and ahh’ at its smart technology.” — Allison Weston, Director of Marketing
Tile Pro | Amazon
Buy Now $34.49“This Tile tracker was the most stolen gift at my family holiday party! Does that mean we’re all forgetful? Thankfully, I ended up taking home this prize, and I’m so glad I did. I slipped this onto my key ring and never have to worry about losing my keys again. I even bought the sleek sticker version to use on my TV remote and my Roomba (ALWAYS under the bed!).
Pro Tip: You can also throw one in your checked luggage when traveling to make sure your bags make it on the plane, and to know when your bag is coming out of the baggage carousel.” — Nicole McCulloch, Brand Director
Drinking Buddies Glass Drink Markers, Set Of 6 | Amazon
Buy Now“These may look super cheesy, because they are, but I can personally attest to the fact they’ll be a hit at any women’s White Elephant party. Each Drinking Buddy comes with his own name and, aside from being good for a laugh, these are actually quite useful to keep track of your glass at a larger party. Pair them with a good bottle of wine or nice set of wine glasses, and this may be the top stolen gift of the night.” — Allison Weston, Director of Marketing
Silpat Perfect Cookie Baking Mat | Sur La Table
Buy Now $30“These unassuming mats will be quickly stolen by anyone who loves to bake cookies, pastries or other treats — and hates doing dishes! Developed by a French baker, Silpat baking mats are a fabulous addition to any kitchen. The mats can be placed directly on a sheet pan and provide even heat transfer, ensuring your goodies come out perfect. My favorite part though? Cleanup is super simple — just wash and rinse.” — Nicole McCulloch, Brand Director
Pyrex Grab Glass Bakeware and Food Storage Set | Amazon
Buy Now $59.99“These Pyrex dishes are not the equivalent of giving your wife a vacuum for Christmas. When this was opened at my gift exchange, my friend held it tight and gave the rest of us that ‘Don’t you dare’ look. I just couldn’t help myself, though. I don’t know if it was the lids, the handles, or the fact that I can’t get enough kitchen dishes, but I stole it and love them everytime I pull them out of the cabinet.” — Missy Glassmaker, SVP
Blue Q Shoulder Tote | Amazon
Buy Now $21.99“Whether you’re traveling or running errands around town, you can never have too many good reusable bags. Blue Q’s shoulder totes take reusable bags to the next level with a sturdy design, external pocket, cheeky prints, and zip closure. Select the right print for your White Elephant crowd, and it’s guaranteed that this is the gift any recipient will use.” — Linsey Stevens, Managing Editor
Tirrinia 2 Bottle Wine Tote Carrier | Amazon
Buy Now $20.99“This slick wine carrier will be the gift that’s stolen a few times at your holiday gathering, especially if you include a bottle or two of wine. The Tirrinia wine tote is perfect to take to a picnic or a friend’s house where it’s BYOB. It comes in a variety of colors, perfect for all tastes. Tirrinia also makes single- and four-bottle totes, so there’s something for everyone.” — Missy Glassmaker, SVP
Aqua Original 4-in-1 Monterey Hammock Pool Float and Water Hammock
Buy Now $14.99“Anyone at your White Elephant gift exchange would be lucky to go home with this awesome float — although they may have to wait a while to use it! It is compact, so you can bring it along on your beach vacation. It is super easy to inflate, too. Plus, the hammock style keeps you comfy instead of trying to stay on. At under $13, this is a great option for those who are on a budget.” — Laura Ray, Content Strategist
Related Reading: