12 Best White Elephant Gifts, Plus a Prank Box to Put Them In (2026) Leave a comment

Honorable Mentions

These days Hashish Infused Beverage, Beginning at $40: Bringing a bottle of booze is a white elephant basic; my husband’s work staff nearly completely exchanges bottles of liquor as a secure guess for enthusiasm. I feel you are able to do higher, although, and produce a THC spirit as a substitute. This spirit is gentle and a bit of fruity, sitting someplace in between the flavour profile of a floral gin and a candy sake. My buddies and I attempted it blended right into a pomegranate cocktail as a substitute of tequila, which was implausible, and we additionally cherished it with seltzer as a THC twist on a gin and tonic. It’s scrumptious alone, too. I’d skip this for a piece celebration or any group which may not be green-friendly, although.

Booze generally: That is at all times a secure decide! You would additionally convey a bottle of nonalcoholic wine for those who needed an choice that everybody can have.

One thing edible: So long as you’re within the loop on meals allergy symptoms, after all. The most effective presents I obtained at a Secret Santa was persimmon cookies, made in honor of my love for persimmon fruit. I feel baking one thing scrumptious could be a enjoyable choice for a white elephant, too, particularly for those who’re somebody who has sourdough starter of their kitchen or makes a imply banana bread (my model makes use of brown butter and Nutella, and it may be my reward of selection this 12 months!)

What To not Convey to a White Elephant

Right here’s what was the least fought over on the white elephant events I attended final 12 months, or essentially the most inappropriate concepts our staff has heard of:

• A primary, single candle. No one wants a candle they might decide up on the retailer. Until there’s a enjoyable theme that you simply’re sure appeals to the group attending, skip bringing a single candle to a white elephant alternate. Or make the candle a part of a present basket; our favourite tomato-scented candle goes nice with some kitchen or backyard equipment.
• Puzzles. I feel puzzles are exhausting to randomly reward—true puzzle fanatics will need quite a lot of items, whereas novices will need a neater one, and also you by no means know which one you’ll get. In case you select a puzzle with too particular a theme, the receiver may not prefer it as a lot as a real puzzler or fan of that theme would, but it surely’s usually not beloved sufficient to be steal-worthy.
• Reside animals. Look, you shouldn’t give child chicks at Easter, and also you shouldn’t give something even remotely related—together with a mouse, fish, or something alive.
• Precise trash. I didn’t assume I needed to write this one down, however at one reward alternate I went to, somebody actually wrapped up a chunk of rubbish as a joke. As the one that unwrapped the trash reward, I urge of you: Don’t do that.

Guidelines of a White Elephant

In case you’re headed to your first white elephant reward alternate, right here’s a fast explainer on what’s about to occur.

Everybody will convey a wrapped reward (usually underneath a sure worth, like $25) and place it right into a pile or central spot. Then, every particular person will draw a quantity that signifies their place within the gift-choosing order. When your quantity is named, you’ll be able to both select and unwrap a present from the pile, or steal one which has already been unwrapped by somebody. Most exchanges may have a restrict on how usually a present may be stolen—normally round thrice—so in case you have one of the best reward in your fingers when it’s time for another person to decide on, there’s no assure you’ll get to maintain it. In case your reward is stolen, you’ll be able to both unwrap a brand new one or steal another person’s reward (no take-backs, sorry).

These guidelines can differ based mostly on the host and their home guidelines, so make certain to ask what the principles are in the beginning of the sport. Blissful exchanging!

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