There are many competing theories as to what the white elephant gift exchange really is. The origin of the word “white elephant” points to one explanation: According to legend, the king of Siam would give a white elephant to farmers who had offended them. It was more of an insidious punishment than just being killed. The recipient had no choice but to simply thank the king for the above gift, knowing that he might not be able to pay for such an animal. It can lead to financial loss.
While that story is probably not true, it can inform you in one way at the White Elephant Pigs Exchange: Gifting something useful or funny enough that it won’t be immediately loaded into the trash, but it’s also always a load. However, every workplace, group of friends and family unit has its own way of approaching white elephant change these days. Some are competing for a gift that others will want to steal, while others are cutting back on niche gifts and targeted gifts. Almost all of them, usually have a price limit that keeps the gift load to a minimum – usually $50 or less. So with all that in mind, here are some white elephant gift ideas that will get you a few chuckles without requiring you to spend too much (or think too hard about it).
Best Elephant Gip Ideas
KFC / Enviro-Log
The best white elephant gifts are the ones that create a little anxiety as soon as the gift pile comes in. And a full-size, 4.3-pound firelog wrapped in holiday paper is impossible -I to be aware. It will probably dwarf all the other gifts that are meant to be held, and it will promote endless questions and speculations about the surprise, surprise box.
The embarrassing fact that FFC’s fried chicken fried chicken makes the whole gag even funnier. I have a gas fireplace at home, so, sadly, I have no idea that KFC 11 herbs and spices actually stink. Most reviews online claim it smells “exactly” like the inside of a KFC. Whether that is agreeable to you or not depends on your fitness to the Colonel. But I can’t think of a sweeter gift to give someone who just wanted to see what was inside a big, heavy box. – Karissa Bell, senior reporter
$40 on Amazon
Okoopa
Gift Someone Who Will Appreciate The Gift of Warmth, and a pair of these magnetic wristbands are one of the best (and easiest) ways to give that. They also reuse small pucks that can be used together or separately to warm frozen hands in the middle of winter – or really, any time of the year. They heat up very quickly (literally, in seconds) and will last eight hours each on a single charge. They will be great even for those who insist that they don’t even get cold because they are so small and compact that they can use them in their pockets while wearing it, no one is the wiser. – Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
$20 on Amazon
Wanidea
Our desks are cluttered and boring, but this little available light can brighten things up. The flame pool inside the old Korasene lamp figure is made of silicone, so it is as squishy as it is beautiful, and it has two ways of lighting: candle and bright light. The soft, warm hue IT emits will be great for setting the mood in your space, and its destruction to get just the right amount of light for your taste. – vp
$21 on Amazon
Etsfmoa
What’s better than a warm and cozy beanie? A beanie that is warm and cozy and helps you see better when you are walking the dog in the cold, dark, early morning, going for a morning jog or bending some tool in your garage. This Nunisex Beanie has a removable light on its top edge with four LEDs inside and can work for up to eight hours on a single charge. And when it needs more juice, you can simply take the light correction, it is again something and put it back in the hat. – vp
$10 on Amazon
The magic puzzle company
I’ve never been a big fan of jigsaw puzzles, but ART The Magic Puzzle Company’s DIY pieces to put together are fun. First, each one has a beautiful and unique art – While there are various artists who have contributed to the company’s puzzle line, they all feel related, full of color, white and a lot of secrets that you will notice. The puzzle pieces themselves are high quality and sturdy, something that goes a long way in making a puzzle fun.
But my favorite part is the fact that once you finish the big puzzle, you don’t. Each has sections that can slide out after you’re done, opening up a new space in the middle to be filled with a bonus section of pieces. This new addition seamlessly accesses the puzzle and expands on its story. It’s hard to explain, but it’s unlike anything I’ve seen in other puzzles. I’m pretty good at puzzle maker puzzles, but I’m eager to get my hands on more from the Magic Puzzle company and explore their secrets. – Nathan Ingraham, Deputy Editor
$23 on Amazon
Chopsabers
Is there any point in a sushi or noodle night if you don’t finish your meal with energy-protected dishes? No. The answer is no. These lightsaber icons light up in different colors with the push of a button and include batteries where your Pidee can get the right to protect their plates from evil forces. Of course, they will be a hit among the Star Wars fans, but anyone can get pleasure from the powerful stage where they have to find “food battles” between the cultivation of Sashimi. – vp
$13 on Amazon
Indigenous unity
The National Union is a French accessories company that made its name over a decade ago with the pop phone. It was a high-end, old-school telephone handset designed to connect to phones back when the world was shaking with hope. It helped bridge that short period when we used outdated photo filters on our social media photos, mixing old and new. Now, the company has re-released the pop phone with USB-C, allowing you to leave it on any phone or device you want to take calls. The sound quality is more than good, and probably more of an eye-catching statement system in 2025 than it was in 2015. – Daniel Cooper, senior reporter
$40 on Amazon
Aieizi
Who doesn’t want their living room to look like a galaxy far, far away? Your gift is likely to fight with their young children (or others in the exchange of gifts) in this galaxy project, which shines with different bright lights on the ceiling with changing light and speed. They can use it to achieve the perfect Star Wars vibe for a Star Wars Binge Watch, or to make a night out for you. In addition to the remote app and the friend app, the projector also has a timer so you can set it to turn off as soon as you fall asleep. The mobile app will let them customize every aspect of their spaceship, from its nebula effects and fiery effects, to the sliding colors, to the music you start with (yes, there’s a built-in speaker as well). Forget those old light bulbs – this Galaxy projector is a smart device that will cross the home environment. – vp
$20 on Amazon
Report
The banana phone is exactly what you expect it to be – a banana and a phone. It may not have a SIM card or service plan attached to it, but your Pinee can pair it with his smartphone via Bluetooth so he can ditch them, $1,000 + handset and start taking calls the right way – with a piece of fruit. In addition to taking and making calls, they can also use the banana phone with Google Assistant and Siri, asking about the weather or telling you to “play Cruel in the summer by Bananarama.” Yes, the banana phone also works as a Bluetooth speaker and has a range of 30 meters, so it can play songs whenever it is not using it for official business. – vp
$40 on Amazon
– Alone
If the purpose of a white elephant gift is to be a low stress option, then an alarm clock with wheels can be the greatest elephant gift of all. . And every morning, they will stumble out of bed to hate your name. – Terrence O’Brien, Former Managing Editor
$28 on Amazon
White Elephant FAQs
What is a white elephant?
White Elephant Exchange Shinks is a party game usually played during the holidays where people exchange funny, impossible gifts.
How does the white elephant work?
Each group of people brings one threatening gift to the white elephant gift exchange, and each gift usually has the same value. All the gifts are then placed together and the group decides the order in which each one wants the gift. The first person to choose a white elephant gift from the pile, don’t mold it and their turn ends. Subsequent players can decide to open another gift and claim it as a trick, or steal a gift from someone who has already taken a turn. The rules can vary there, including guidelines around how often one item can be shared – some say twice, max. The game ends when everyone has a white elephant gift.
Why is it called a white elephant?
The name “White Elephant” is said to come from the name of the King of Siam White Gifts White Elephants Involved Those who offended him. While it looks like a surprising gift on the face of it, it is believed that those involved would be spoiled by the cost of the heavy animal.
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