Having a white elephant gift exchange game is a hilarious way to bring people together and break the ice. If you want to make “Yankee Swap” or “Dirty Santa” even more memorable, don’t settle for the usual presents! These white elephant gift ideas are not only guaranteed to get some big laughs, but they are also practical too!
What Is A White Elephant Gift?
A white elephant gift is funny, playful, and unforgettable. It comes from an ancient tale about the King of Siam giving rare and exotic albino elephants to those he didn’t like.
You’d think it would be an honor to receive white elephants, but imagine taking care of a 6-10 ton mammal. It could be messy, expensive, and often outright ruinous. Thus, the curse of the white elephant was born.
What Are White Elephant Gifts Supposed to Be?
White elephant gifts are usually cheap and amusing in some way. Depending on the party, they might be either practical or impractical. They might also follow a party theme such as office gifts, nurse gifts, gamer gifts, etc.
The rules of a white elephant gift exchange are simple:
- Everyone chooses a wrapped gift. One person starts the game by opening theirs.
- The next person in line can either unwrap their gift or steal the previous one.
- The next person in line can either unwrap a gift or steal from any of the previous ones.
Here is a list of timeless white elephant gift ideas:
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“Of course, I talk to myself. Sometimes I need expert advice.”
If you know someone who would agree with this “wisdom,” you’ve just found the perfect coffee mug for their collection.
In addition to being a funny gag gift, it’s a fully functional 11-ounce mug made from durable white ceramic. If the recipient is not a java junkie, they could repurpose it as a pencil or candy holder. Whether you’re looking for boss gifts, friend gifts, or dad gifts, this mug will be great for any white elephant party.
Do you have that friend or co-worker who loves belting out old tunes on karaoke nights? Does their lack of singing voice make them all the more eager to serenade you? Consider tossing a karaoke microphone into their white elephant exchange.
Compatible with any smartphone, it lets them connect to speakers via Bluetooth and screech their hearts out in surround sound. The mic is available in multiple colors if you want to buy something particularly gaudy for extra razzle-dazzle.
You might start a bidding war with this one. Things I Want to Say at Work But Can’t is an adult coloring book filled with one-liners like “dealing with your bull**** is not in my job description.”Each quote is surrounded by swirls, mandalas, and pretty, passive-aggressive flowers. You’ve probably heard that adult coloring books can be great therapeutic tools, but you might not be aware that they also make fantastic Yankee Swap gifts.
Did you know that bowel movement can be improved with a squatting posture? It’s real science, so be sure to mention it when everyone starts groaning at the sight of the Squatty Potty.
Despite its goofy name, it’s a solidly built piece of craftsmanship; it’s even made from eco-friendly bamboo!
It’s hard to beat potty humor when it comes to funny white elephant gifts, especially when they’re good for you!
Board games come in every variety under the sun, including Christmas board games that will be especially apt for the holiday season. You can even find funny board games that riff off popular classics, such as the “cheater’s version” of Monopoly, wherein skimming from the bank is encouraged, and landing on the jail block puts you in plastic handcuffs.
The more outrageous the board game is, the more likely it’s a hit during a white elephant party. Who knows? You might even wind up breaking it open and playing a game or two with your fellow partygoers!
The best white elephant gift you can give are ones that are both fun and functional, and Aqua Notes ticks off each box equally. It’s a real notepad that you can use for ideas, appointments, and reminders, but it’s waterproof, and its pad comes with suction cups to attach to shower walls and other weird places where people suddenly remember things. It’s also among the top gifts for writers since you never know where inspiration will strike.
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May the Force be with anyone who tries to steal this gift. It’s a collection of eight silicone molds from the Star Wars franchise, including Darth Vader, R2-D2, the Millennium Falcon, and Han Solo in carbonite. Since they can tolerate both the heat and the cold, you can use them to create everything from ice cubes to baked desserts. They’re sure to be a hot ticket item at your white elephant party, especially if your group skews towards pop culture nerds. Who can resist Boba Fett?
From the pastrami sandwiches of When Harry Met Sally to the butter-poached lobsters of Annie Hall, Hollywood cinema is filled with delectable dishes, and this cookbook shows how they can be made right at home. There are recipes, pictures, and even movie quotes that will inspire the chef and the cinephile alike! It’ll be a great white elephant gift for anyone who enjoys puttering around the kitchen. It might even catch the eye of someone who likes movies but doesn’t cook a lot, opening their eyes to new possibilities.
The funniest thing about this white elephant gift is that it’s completely fake. It’s an empty “prank box” with an outrageous cover that declares itself a pet butler kit. Complete with a cheesy, as-seen-on-TV infomercial design, it’ll make your gift recipient think that you’ve just given them a dog sweater designed to hold table trays, but you can put whatever you like inside the box. For even more fun, put an even sillier gift inside – you’ll get to enjoy the expression on their face twice over.
The Best White Elephant Gifts for Every Occasion
A good white elephant gift is something that people will be talking about for years to come. Whether you’re looking to amuse, amaze, or awe, use these gift ideas to come out as the party’s winner.
This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks.
About the author
Bobby Kania
Bobby Kania is a full-time blogger with multiple blogs spanning topics in education, music, and advice. He currently lives in Seattle with his wife and cat. Learn more at Capitalize My Title. If you are a fisherman, you'll want to check out Bobby's other site, Fished That, where you'll find everything you need to know about fishing.