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If you’re planning to participate in a white elephant gift exchange this holiday season, you’re in for a ton of fun. If you’ve been invited and have no clue what it’s all about, here’s a quick rundown. Everyone brings at least one wrapped present to add to the pool, and then you draw names or numbers randomly which determines the order in which people open gifts. Participants take turns to either open one up from the pile or steal an already-unwrapped gift from another player. The exchange is officially over when all presents are revealed and no player wants to steal from another — fun, right?
The gifts are all supposed to be affordable and utterly ridiculous, which means even the weirdest ideas could be just perfect. But, shopping for stupid gifts can sometimes be trickier than buying something thoughtful for a loved one, so we’ve gathered a list of ideas for you. Here’s a collection of our favorite white elephant gifts of 2024!
Comparing the Silliest White Elephant Gift of 2024
Ballsy Men’s Body Care Set — Best Overall
With a tagline like “Even Santa’s Jealous,” the Ballsy Men’s Body Care Set was always going to get our attention. Coming from a manscaping brand, this package deal combines some of their top sellers in one bundle to keep you (and your champs down there) smelling like a million bucks. Most regular body wash products are scented to the extent that they leave you smelling like you’re dumped in cologne. The “ballwash” in this set, paired with the “sackspray” that’s used after it, will instead leave you smelling fresh and clean without the scent being too powerful.
Along with those two products, there’s also a third ballsy product called the “nut rub”, which is an easy-to-apply skin balm that has lasting effects. It’s meant to protect your skin and keep the area smelling great for longer. Some available options for scents are Arctic Ice, Bourbon & Barrel, Citrus & Cedar, Drift & Dunes, Forest & Fields, Ocean & Air, or Sun & Surf — so pick one that sounds the most incredi-ball!
The whole deal is an ideal gift for all men above the age of puberty, and by the looks of it, Santa probably needs it too. This white elephant gift’s usefulness and practicality, despite being so hilarious, make it our top choice on this list overall!
Pros
- Paraben and sulfate-free men’s care products
- All products are the brand’s top-sellers
- The perfect gift for all men
- Many scents to choose from
Cons
- The most expensive item on the list
Pooping Pooches Gag Gift Calendar — Ideal for Dog Lovers
No matter what gathering you’re gonna be at, dog lovers are everywhere. That’s exactly the target audience for this Pooping Pooches Gag Gift Calendar, but with an absurd twist. It’s a 12-month calendar with the most preposterous theme of all time: pooping dogs! Each month features a glorious title image of a pup responding to calls of nature. It’s a dream present for folks who love dogs (a bit too much).
If that’s not enough to have you sold, wait till you hear that one dollar from each purchase goes straight to the Maui Humane Society, supporting the noble cause of sheltering animals in need and spreading awareness. The 2023 edition of this remarkable themed calendar features a Dalmatian, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Labradoodle, German Shepherd, and Husky (among other breeds) — all building a dookie castle with completely original architecture if you know what we mean. This white elephant gift is the ultimate prank or joke for whoever ends up with this masterpiece, especially if there’s an underlying agreement to use the gift until next year!
Pros
- Large-size calendar with easy readability
- Hilarious theme and photos
- Each purchase supports an animal shelter
Cons
- Some units may arrive slightly damaged
Wisedom White Belly Fanny Pack — The Funniest
The Wisedom Belly Fanny Pack is probably the most ludicrous-looking fanny pack you can buy, which is exactly why it deserves a spot in the top three on our list. Since the white elephant gift exchange is all about silly items that still have some utility, this dad-belly-themed fanny pack checks all the right boxes. It has a hairy tummy imprinted on the front, yet offers a pretty handy storage solution to safely accommodate all your essentials around your waist. But, that’s if you ever dare to use it!
Aside from the embarrassing image, everything else about this white elephant gift is pretty impressive and high-quality. The material composition, for instance, comprises a highly durable PU (Poly) synthetic leather which is waterproof, wrinkle-proof, and does a great job at displaying the vivid 3D print of a bushy bear belly. Meanwhile, the strap is easily adjustable so that it fits just right around your waist. It’s spacious as well, with enough capacity to fit all your daily-use items like your phone, money, wallet, cards, keys, and more. Not just that, the brand ensures quality after-sale customer service — they make sure you’re completely satisfied with not only what you see online, but also what you receive in real life.
Pros
- High-quality material composition
- One of the funniest-looking gifts
- Practical fanny pack with a large capacity
Cons
- May run slightly small
Fairly Odd Novelties Drinking Game — Ideal for Game Nights
If you add this white elephant gift from Fairly Odd Novelties to the pile, you’ll have another game to play right after the exchange officially ends. That’s because it’s a mini-roulette that’s fun enough to bring Vegas to the comfort of your home. You even get to “gamble” completely guilt-free since there’s no money involved, just hours of fun and laughter with your friends and family.
Depending on the design you choose, there are also six or 16 shot glasses included in the package which are numbered. But be sure to only use them for non-alcoholic drinks at a family party with kids around! Since it’s designed for anywhere between two to eight players, it can add a fun twist to any gathering be it a game night or a holiday get-together.
Pros
- Super fun for all
- Can be used after the exchange
- Makes guilt-free gambling possible
Cons
- Recommended age range of 21+
Funwares TriceraTaco Holder — The Cutest
Next up, we have the Funwares TriceraTaco Holder, which is easily the cutest item listed here and will be loved by adults and kids alike at a holiday party. With an adorable dino-themed design, this white elephant gift makes the ultimate taco stands for people of all ages. Little kids can even name him as their new friend to accompany their snack or meal time! If your kids are barely ever excited about home-cooked food, this new addition might make all the difference — but only if you’re lucky enough to draw this gift from the exchange pile!
While the lovely design and theme steal all the attention, we love how the brand has still taken care of the important stuff in its construction by using BPA-free materials and 100% food-safe. That’s thoughtful, and unfortunately not so common in today’s market when it comes to budget-friendly food containers. According to Funwares, its products meet all of the latest safety standards before officially becoming available for purchase.
Pros
- Cute, fun design
- Made with BPA-free and food-safe plastic
- Makes food more exciting for kids
- Dishwasher-safe and easy to clean
Cons
- Not microwaveable
Ecolution Micro-Pop Popcorn Popper — Most Functional
On this list, we’ve truly saved one of the best white elephant gifts for last — and it’s the Ecolution Micro-pop Popcorn Popper. It’s another product that you can unwrap and use at the same party because it’s a popcorn-popping container. The glass on it is microwave-safe, so just pour the kernels in with a knob of butter (not necessary, but definitely appreciated), and chuck it in for three minutes or less. It comes in colors like aqua, black, blue, hot pink, red, teal, and yellow, which means there’s a shade to go with any type of kitchen Christmas decor or aesthetic. It’s not all covered in colors though, almost half of the container is see-through which allows you to keep an eye on the popping progress and stop the microwave early if the batch is ready.
With a capacity of 1.5 quarts, it can serve up a big enough batch for a family of four or more. But, let’s be honest, you can never have too much popcorn, so even preparing several batches in this popper would be pretty convenient. If 1.5 quarts isn’t big enough for your large family, there’s also a 3-quart option for you!
Pros
- Very practical for a white elephant gift
- Many colors to choose from
- Available in two different sizes
- Multi-purpose lid for melting butter
Cons
- Some kernels may remain unpopped
Buying Guide: White Elephant Gifts
Sitting in a circle playing wholesome games with your friends or family is everyone’s favorite thing about the holidays. It’s an excuse to spend some quality time with your loved ones with no screens or devices to distract you from the present moment. Traditional games like Yankee swap or the white elephant gift exchange have been the life of such parties for a longest time, and they never get old. Aside from being super fun to play, they’re also wildly entertaining to shop for.
Plan on participating in a white elephant gift exchange any time soon? This is your chance to be as funny, scandalous, comical, or ridiculous as you want (depending on your audience, though). If you can’t think of any great ideas on your own, feel free to grab one of the items from our list above. But before that, you should get to know the game well — so let’s get into it.
White Elephant Gift Exchange Rules
The rules and premise of a white elephant gift exchange are pretty simple. Everyone buys one random gift item that’s generally very affordable, wraps it up, and contributes it to the pool of presents. Each guest gets a number assigned to them which determines their turn for opening up the gifts one by one.
When it’s your turn, you’ve got the choice to either unwrap a brand-new present or steal another already-revealed one from another player. The person you steal from then gets to either unwrap a new gift or steal one from the other participants in the group. If someone wants to steal from you, you’ve got to surrender the gift and grab another.
We’d recommend clearly communicating these basic rules to all new and old players at a gathering — this helps keep confusion and awkward encounters at bay. But, remember that you’re not supposed to take a White Elephant game too seriously. Don’t worry, the gifts will be stupid enough to remind you that in each round!
White Elephant Gift Exchange General Guidelines
The gifts are supposed to be random and silly, but the game isn’t! It’s got rules to it that must be followed to have a civil, enjoyable, and well-managed game of white elephant exchange. So be sure to follow these guidelines!
- If the host of the party has specified a maximum threshold for the price of whatever gift you buy, make sure you respect it and don’t overspend.
- Don’t forget to wrap your gift well so that no one can tell what’s inside.
- Secrecy is the key to an enjoyable game of gift exchange, so don’t put your name on the wrap or card.
- You can also spin a bottle to determine gift-opening turns rather than preparing and drawing numbered chits.
- The same gift cannot be stolen more than thrice, or at least that’s a rule most households like to keep and follow.
The Iconic Origin Story
Ever wondered when and why someone came up with the idea for this game? What’s the origin story behind the white elephant gift exchange? Legend says it dates back to the Siamese kingdom. The King of Siam would allegedly gift a white albino elephant to folks who caused him displeasure. You might think that’s a noble way to respond, but that’s not the case. These elephants are super high-maintenance, and only the rich could arrange that regularly.
Most would run into financial burdens just trying to meet their expenses. After all, keeping a 6 to 12-ton mammal happy and healthy isn’t easy. Now, not being able to take care of it properly would be an embarrassment, and letting it die would be unacceptable.
White elephants were perceived to be symbolically revered in Thai and Buddhist cultures, which is why regifting them or even putting them to work weren’t options. If you think about it, it’s not a gift at all, but rather an extravagant liability that’s designed to ruin the beholder. That’s why some recipients of the gift would even go bankrupt trying to tend to its needs, and the King doesn’t even have to be the bad guy for it.
Since the gifts in this silly exchange game are supposed to be just as ludicrous, the words “white elephant” in the title are fitting. Though we recommend looking for funny gift items that at least have some utility to please the recipient — but it’s by no means necessary.
Tips for Buying the Perfect White Elephant Gift
White elephant gift shopping is supposed to be carefree and fun, and there are no real rules to follow when you’re in the market for them. Some instructions, however, must be kept in mind, like staying under a budget threshold (if any) specified by the party host or following a theme that they may set for the exchange.
Also, always keep the target audience in mind when you’re deciding what to buy. An 18+ gift, for instance, could be naughty and funny when you’re playing a game with your friend group, but not at a family party with kids all around.
Aside from these obvious guidelines, your white elephant gift can be…
Weird
Christmas or holiday gift swaps commonly see weird gadgets and artwork that almost no one would be proud to display in the living room. But, that’s exactly what makes them a great idea for a white elephant gift exchange.
Nice
While most people try to be annoying and funny with their white elephant gift choices, every group has some nice guys that find the most useful products to add to the pool. Feel free to purchase a genuinely useful present to add to the pile; such items are important for fueling an air of competition!
Funny
When it comes to a white elephant gift exchange, nothing beats a truly funny gift. They’re never the most sought-after ones in the game, but always get a round of laughter when they’re first unpacked — and understandably so.
If there’s one thing all three of these types have in common, it’s interestingness. As long as your gift item is interesting in some way, everyone’s going to appreciate it!
Variations to Try
The default version of the white elephant gift exchange is pretty enjoyable as it is, but people have introduced many new changes to the rules over the years. The aim of these variations is to keep the game novel, make it even more strategic, and of course, funnier for all.
Here are some variations you can try:
Play with a riddle
Playing with a riddle means participants have to solve a riddle to get a chance to draw or steal a gift. This way, everyone earns their gifts. If you don’t know the answer, you don’t get a turn!
Maximum three swaps
Some people like to play with a three-swap rule, both for gifts and players.
If a gift gets stolen by players three times, it’s no longer up for grabs and the last person holding onto it keeps it.
Similarly, if a player gets stolen from three times, they’re out of the game and get to hold on to whatever they draw/steal in their last turn.
Story or poem
This is a simpler version of playing with a riddle. In this variation, every participant adds a sentence to an ongoing story just to get a chance to draw from the gift pile (or steal). This way, you get to have two channels of entertainment in one game!
Gift themes
Some white elephant gift exchanges can also be themed. This means the gift idea would have to follow a certain premise decided by the host of the party. For instance, it could be DIY white elephant gifts, unwanted regifting, decoration pieces, and more.
