Gift ideas
White elephant gift ideas that get stolen
The best white elephant gift isn't the most expensive one. It's the one most people in the room would be happy to take home.
The rule that predicts steals: in our simulation, gifts that everyone values about the same got stolen over and over, while gifts that suit one particular person tended to stay put. So for a gift that causes a fight, choose something broadly useful or cozy. For a gift you want to keep, bring one only you would love.
Under $15
Rechargeable hand warmersSmall, useful all winter, and everyone wants one by February.See options on Amazon →
Fancy hot sauce trioFood gifts get eaten, not re-gifted. Pick a sampler with a weird one in it.See options on Amazon →
Cozy socks that look expensiveFuzzy or wool. Universally stealable.See options on Amazon →
Phone tripod with remoteFor family photos, cooking videos, and the cousin who films everything.See options on Amazon →
Card game: Codenames, Exploding Kittens, or Sushi GoA gift that gets played that same night.See options on Amazon →
Coffee samplerThree or four small bags of good beans beats one big bag of okay ones.See options on Amazon →
LED book lightRechargeable, clips anywhere. Readers will steal it.See options on Amazon →
Emotional support pickleThe gag gift that people somehow fight over. Keep the receipt anyway.See options on Amazon →
Around $25
Heated throw blanketThe white elephant champion. Expect it to be frozen by turn eight.See options on Amazon →
40 oz insulated tumblerEverybody already has one and still wants another.See options on Amazon →
Mini waffle makerCheap, cute, and genuinely used.See options on Amazon →
Waterproof shower speakerFun to unwrap, useful the next morning.See options on Amazon →
Electric wine openerWorks for wine people and for people who host wine people.See options on Amazon →
Pickleball paddle setTwo paddles and balls. Rides the craze.See options on Amazon →
Neck and shoulder massagerThe gift people pretend not to want and then steal.See options on Amazon →
Portable phone chargerUnexciting until someone's phone dies at the party.See options on Amazon →
Around $50
Mini massage gunIf your limit is higher, this is the one everyone eyes.See options on Amazon →
Instant cameraFun at the party itself. Throw in a pack of film.See options on Amazon →
Cast iron skilletLasts forever, gets better with age, never goes out of style.See options on Amazon →
Smart plug 4-packSmall, practical, and quietly loved.See options on Amazon →
Weighted blanketHeavy to wrap, heavier to give up.See options on Amazon →
Bluetooth tracker 4-packFor keys, bags and the cousin who loses everything.See options on Amazon →
What flops
- Inside jokes the rest of the room doesn't get.
- Anything that needs explaining or a subscription to work.
- Scented candles and mugs, unless the candle is excellent: people have a cupboard full.
- Way over or under the price limit. Both make someone feel bad.
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