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Take it from someone who throws an annual holiday gift exchange each year: The best white-elephant gifts are those you can use. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with a gag gift, but aside from a quick laugh, it’s probably going straight to the recycling bin. And that’s no fun for you or your guests.
Instead of silly and often impractical gifts this year, bring something to your white-elephant party that people actually want to receive. We’re talking about that fancy olive oil they’d never buy for themselves, the Lego set they’re too ashamed to buy as an adult, or the rice cooker they wished they owned.
Below, we rounded up a few of the best $25-and-under white-elephant-gift ideas you can buy right now — including a few that have had my guests up in arms to claim it for themselves.
For the friend who loves fresh flowers
Designed exclusively for Anthropology, this adorable cherry-shaped vase is a great option for people who love having fresh buds in their home. It looks charming in the kitchen next to a bowl full of fresh fruit.
For the friend who owns cats
Lego flowers are a fun way to add a bit of nostalgic décor to any home. Not only are these exceptionally fun to build, but they’re safe for your friends who have super-curious cats and can’t be around live flowers. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience.
For the friend who’s doing Dry January
For those of us who want to try Dry January but feel like it’s impossible to have fun at social events without a good drink, this nonalcoholic aperitif is a great alternative to alcohol. Mix this with ginger beer, grapefruit juice, or any other standard cocktail mixer for a mocktail you’ll love. While the set is $40, you can bring two, so one for you and one for the party, which puts it at $20. A deal!
For the friend who eats breakfast for dinner
Seriously, there’s nothing better than a warm cinnamon roll for dinner. Except maybe this candle. Not only does it smell like your favorite breakfast pastry, but when it’s all used up, you can reuse the container as a storage spot for your jewelry.
For the friend who thinks salt is a seasoning
From margaritas and at-home popcorn to salted maple lattes and air-fried potatoes, this gourmet sea salt can be used for plenty of things.
For the friend who’s healing their inner child
Last year was all about the Squishmallows. This year it’s Jellycats — and this sweet clementine is sure to have all the white-elephant party guests fighting over it.
For the friend who’s a secret coffee snob
The retro design of this French press instantly adds a dose of playfulness to any at-home coffee bar. Plus, it’s a Bodum classic, so you know it’ll last forever.
For the friend who meal preps
This was the hottest white-elephant gift at my party last year. I unwrapped this gift and it was instantly stolen. Rice cookers are one of those household appliances that no one buys for themselves but everyone needs.
For the friend who believes in magic
Rumor has it that when this bracelet falls off, your wish has been granted. Regardless of whether or not that’s true, it still makes an excellent accessory.
For the friend who just got back from Spain
There’s nothing quite like a bottle of fresh extra-virgin olive oil. A friend brought this to my white-elephant party last year, and I’m still sad I didn’t steal it away from the person who unwrapped it. This EVOO is best for people who love roasting, searing, and pan-frying.
For the friend who prefers to stay in on the weekend
These are some of the coziest socks I’ve ever been gifted. They’re plush pillows for your feet. I’ve had mine for three years and they’re still in near-perfect condition after dozens of launders.
For the friend who’s always on the road
If you’ve ever made yourself an iced coffee to take with you on the road only for it to be completely hot and sweaty by the time you make it to your destination, this cup is for you. This double-insulated cup was designed to keep drinks with ice cold for up to 12 hours.
For the friend who bakes nonstop
This is one of those multi-purpose gifts anyone would be excited to unwrap. You can use these mini-cocottes to bake and serve all your favorite dishes.
For the friend who’s always on their phone
Social-media managers and avid travelers will scramble to steal this practical white-elephant gift. This charger is surprisingly compact (yes, it will fit in your mini-Telfar) and provides an instant power boost on the go.
For the friend who’s obsessed with Pesto the Penguin
This one has the perfect holiday motif: a teeny-tiny emperor penguin, the exact same species as Pesto.
For the friend who doesn’t back down from a challenge
An entire puzzle with mismatched shapes that are all the same color? Genius or evil? You decide.
For your friend who’s good with words
This is one of those word games that you’ve seen a million times on shelves at the store but never considered buying it. Well, let this be your sign. I recently brought this to a family game night, and we played it nonstop for two hours. It’s so good that you’ll want to unwrap it and keep it for yourself.
For the friend who maximizes her accessories
Trinket and charm girlies will steal this gift from each other when it’s unwrapped at the white-elephant party. It’s a simple way to instantly enhance all their favorite sneakers. Pair it with some frilly laces for an even better gifting experience.
For the friend who’s always reapplying lip balm
I was at a dinner recently where someone applied this watermelon-scented lip balm and everyone stopped what they were doing to ask her where she got it. This holiday set not only includes the nourishing lip balm but also a travel-size version of the brand’s beloved hand cream to help you avoid dry, cracked skin this winter.
For the friend who plays Pokémon Go
Chase down the legendary creature that pops up in the virtual-reality game with this cute embroidered cap.
For the friend who wants to save on coffee
Working to bridge the gender gap in the coffee industry, this mother-daughter-owned roastery sources coffee from farms owned and operated by women. Plus, the purchase of each bag donates proceeds to help injured sloths be released back into the wild. It’s coffee that not only tastes good but does good too.
For the friend who has a green thumb
If your friend is obsessed with novelty planters, Henry is the rootinest-tootinest cowboy planter on the market — just take his stylish pink-and-red boots as proof of his undeniable Wild West personality.
For the friend who loves to cook
Your chef friends will be grateful they’re not tracking drops of water through their kitchen anymore thanks to this towel’s impressive absorbency.
For the friend who has a sweet tooth
This is the kind of gift that Hello Kitty fans will definitely fight over. This bow-shaped box is filled with Sugarfina’s Red Apple Gummies and Strawberry Hearts and features character art of both Hello Kitty and My Melody. The best part is it tastes as good as it looks!
For the friend who loves reading in cafés
This award-winning (and best-selling) Japanese novel was recently translated into English. The novel follows several individuals who are each prescribed a cat to tackle their very real problems. It’s as heartwarming as it is provocative.
For the friend who loves to wear loafers
Justice for socks! They can be great gifts, especially when they are as cool as these.
