White elephant is a fun, holiday gift exchange game you can play at your office or holiday party. If your goal is to be the one with the most sought-after gift, we’ve rounded up 12 creative white elephant gift exchange ideas for you. From a mini donut maker to a colourful ‘women in art’ puzzle, marble coasters and so much more, these gift ideas are sure to fly from person to person.
What is a ‘White Elephant Gift Exchange’?
A white elephant gift exchange is a fun holiday party game where gifts are exchanged either at the office or at a gather with friends/family. A gift price is set for the game and each participant supplies one wrapped gift of similar value. It’s a fun “stealing” game where you can steal other people’s gifts to get the one you want. Typically, the more creative and unique the gift, the more popular it will be! The point of the white elephant gift exchange is to have fun, and if you’re lucky, you’ll leave with a gift you really love.
8 Rules of a White Elephant Gift Exchange
- All guests should bring a wrapped, anonymous gift to the white Eeephant gift exchange
- Gifts should meet the predetermined criteria (price and perhaps theme)
- Draw numbers to determine the order in which gifts will be opened
- The person who draws #1 picks a gift, opens it and shows it to everyone else
- The person who draws #2 can either steal that gift or open another gift from the pile
- This goes on until all guests have either stolen or opened a gift. If a gift is stolen from you, you must either steal or unwrap another gift. Everyone who has had a turn must have a gift.
- Each gift can only be stolen 3 times in the game
- Each gift can only be stolen once per turn
12 White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas
1. Heart Shaped Marble Coasters
Coasters are always a useful gift and are sure to be sought after in your white elephant gift exchange. These ones are handcrafted from one piece of natural white marble stone, making each of them unique. Their gorgeous heart shape is sure to make a luxe addition to any home or office!
2. Funny Ceramic Coffee Mug
This thoughtful, funny mug is the perfect gift to surprise one of your friends or co-workers with. Everyone needs some caffeine before they’re ready to start the day, and this one is perfect to use at home, at the office or even on the go. The text is printed on both sides for right and left handers and it’s suitable for almost anyone you can think of!
3. Punderdome: A Card Game for Pun Lovers
A new card game is always fun to get and this one won’t disappoint! The goal of the game is to make bad jokes and have fun along the way. You have to come up with punfastic phrases that combine two random words such as ‘reality tv shows’ and ‘farming’. May the best pun win!
4. The Essential Bar Book for Home Mixologists
If you know there are some cocktail lovers in the group, this home mixology book is perfect! It covers the key ingredients, tools and techniques you need to master the art of making cocktails. With 70 classic and creative recipes, plus party planning tips, whoever secures this book will be a party planning pro!
5. ‘If You Can Read This, Bring Me Some Wine’ Socks
These may look like your average pair of cabin socks, but the bottom is sewn with a hilarious hidden message, perfect for any wine lover. Comfy, soft and ideal for cozy winter nights, anyone who opens this gift will get a good giggle. These are a pretty affordable gift, so if you need an accompaniment, add a bottle of, you guessed it – wine!
6. Dash Mini Donut Maker
This gift is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth who loves to bake! They can make cute, tasty mini donuts at home with this handy mini donut maker. Plus, it comes with a recipe guide that includes over 50 combinations of cakes and glazes!
7. Pretty Simple Lettering: Modern Calligraphy and Hand Lettering for Beginners
Calligraphy is having a moment right now and this how-to book teaches you the art of hand lettering. It’s ideal for beginners, breaking down the alphabet in different lettering styles, showing you how to form each letter and turn each letter into words! For anyone who needs a new creative hobby, this is the book for them!
8. Trufflin Gourmet Black Truffle Hot Sauce
This truffle hot sauce combines premium fermented chilli peppers, savoury spices, hibiscus and cold pressed olive oil with umami packed black truffle flavour. Produced in small batches with natural ingredients, if your game participants have refined taste, this hot sauce is one to beat!
9. Natural Crystal Wine Bottle Stoppers
These luxe wine stoppers are perfect for those with sophisticated taste. They make a stunning addition to any kitchen or bar cart and are also great for outdoor activities like hiking, camping and picnics.
10. Women in Art Puzzle
This creative, colourful puzzle is sure to be a hit. It’s a vivid 500 piece puzzle featuring the portraits of 15 diverse, pioneering female artists by the New York Times best selling author and illustrator Rachel Ignotofsky. Put the pieces together to reveal the faces of Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keeffe and Mary Edmonia Lewis.
11. Productivity Planner
Everyone could use a productivity planner. Whoever lands this gift will learn to get focused, beat procrastination and steer clear of distractions with the simple Pomodoro style work system. Become more productive daily and stay on top of your weekly goals with this awesome planner.
12. Vinglace Champagne Flute
Keep your bubbly perfectly chilled in this insulated champagne flute. Completely portable and available in five gorgeous colours, you can enjoy cold champagne in style, wherever you like. Get ready for this one to make the rounds in your white elephant gift exchange, because everyone is going to want it!
If you want your gift to be the one everyone tries to steal, you can’t go wrong with any of these ideas! Whatever you choose, yours is sure to be the highlight of the festivities!
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