PODS Holiday Round-Up: 30 Great White Elephant Gift Ideas ($25 or Less!) That Won't End Up in Storage

White elephant gifting is a high-stakes game. Bring something too goofy, and it gets ignored. Too odd, and it misses the mark. The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle: A present that’s fun, steal-worthy, and maybe even useful. If you need some ideas for this year’s holiday swap sessions, we’ve got you covered. From clever scene-stealers to trendy gizmos everyone will covet, here are our top 30 white elephant gift ideas for 2025. But before you start plotting your stealing strategy, a few FAQs to help you prep for the festivities.

White Elephant Gifts 101 — What You Need To Know

Q: What is a good idea for a white elephant gift?

A: Picking white elephant gifts is all about the vibe of the group. Is it an office swap? College BFFs? A neighborhood crew? Keep the tone and spice-tolerance in mind when you start shopping, and check with your host for cost limits or themes.

Q: What is a white elephant gift?

A: A white elephant gift is (usually) a low-cost present for a gift exchange party. The fun is in picking and stealing gifts from your fellow partygoers and plotting your next moves. The gifts are more about fun than function — but it’s also cool to end up with something you can actually use.

Q: What are some cheap novelty gift ideas?

A: “Cheap” is in the wallet of the beholder, but some fun white elephant gift ideas are conversation-starter games or puzzles, quirky desk upgrades, and random tchotchkes. Gadgets are always good.

Q: What are some white elephant gift rules?

A: Generally, the organizer sets some guidelines: How much should white elephant gifts be for this party? Is there a theme? How about an order for picking out gifts from the gift table? Your host will answer those questions and more, including (sometimes) the number of times a gift can be stolen before it’s locked in. And until then, everything’s fair game.

Best White Elephant Gifts 2025

Want to skip the rest to find the best of the best? We’ve gathered our top 5 favorite white elephant gift ideas right here. 

• Dash Rapid Egg Cooker

• Cozy White Throw Blanket
• Wraparound Reading Light
• Baguette Slippers
• Poorly Explained Movies Game 

Best White Elephant Gift Ideas for $20 or Less

This Santa Swap Dice is a real ice-breaker to get things rolling.
(Source: Amazon)

1. Santa Swap Gift Exchange Dice

$16.99 at Amazon

Why not start your search for white elephant gifts with a game that’s actually all about white elephant gifts? (Talk about meta!) This fun party novelty will help break the ice — especially if the gathering is a little stuffy (office party, anyone?). And at $16.99, it’s a steal.

A bike-shaped pizza cutter, complete with a countertop stand, is the “wheel” deal among white elephant gifts.
(Source: Amazon)

2. Tour De Pizza Cutter

$19.95 at Amazon

The wheel deal. Take your favorite pie for a spin with this bike-shaped pizza cutter, which also looks great parked on its nifty countertop stand. And with two blades, it’s not just a novelty — it works.

Add some luxury to your gift swap with lavender shower steamers.
(Source: Amazon)

3. Blriet Shower Steamers

$9.99 from Amazon

Add a little luxury to your white elephant gifts with these scrumptious Blriet Shower Steamers that’ll turn a humdrum wash-up into a fragrant, calming spa experience. Choose from lavender, floral, and fruit scents.

Dust doesn’t stand a chance with an IGOKOTI desk vacuum cleaner on the job.
(Source: Amazon)

4. IGOKOTI Desk Vacuum Cleaner

$16.99 on Amazon 

Crumbs, glitter (everyone has glitter on their desk, right?), and keyboard dust don’t stand a chance against IGOKOTI. Rid your workspace of unwanted accumulations with this tiny-but-mighty tool.

Carry your goodies around in style with a reusable shopping bag — whether you want to shop small or grab a Baggu on your next trip to the mall.
(Source: Ohmonah)

5. Fold-Up Reusable Shopping Bag

$20.00 from Ohmonah

Designed to fit in the smallest of bags or the darkest depths of your car’s glove compartment, these reusable bags have saved me too many times to count. Just pull out the pouch, unfold the bag, and you’re ready to rock. This bunny mailer bag from Ohmanah is big enough to tote your grocery haul home, but you can grab an alternative from practically anywhere and still have partygoers vying for its practicality.

A DASH electric rapid egg cooker will stand out among even the most useful white elephant gift ideas.
(Source: Amazon)

6. DASH Electric Rapid Egg Cooker

$19.99 at Amazon

This Dash egg cooker will inspire partygoers’ oohs and aahs and steals. Beloved by social media moguls and mothers alike, it’s the perfect gadget to have at the ready on busy days or when you simply can’t be bothered to stand in the kitchen for more than five minutes. Plus, it comes in seven different colorways.

A telescoping back-scratcher is a DIY self-care miracle that your friends are sure to appreciate.
(Source: Amazon)

7. Telescoping Back Scratcher

$18.30 at Amazon

I’ve tried a lot of scratchers in search of one that doesn’t require acrobatics to reach the hard-to-reach itches, believe me. And finally! This “telescoping” tool, with multiple rake-like attachments, takes top prize. It’s a DIY self-care miracle that’ll be the talk of the swap.

This MasterPieces 1,000-piece puzzle of favorite foods may inspire a post-puzzle snack attack.
(Source: Walmart)

8. MasterPieces Kids’ Puzzle

$18.99 at Walmart

Parents at your party will covet this cozy indoor activity for rainy afternoons when the kids are stuck inside. The colorful food designs will keep little ones engaged — but watch out for a post-puzzle snack attack.

This wraparound reading light is ideal for late-night readers.
(Source: Amazon)

9. Luxjet Wraparound Reading Light

$18.99 from Amazon

Flexible and surprisingly powerful, this lightweight personal reading light that wraps around your neck means a midnight bookworm (or if you’re me, doom-scroller) can read hands- and guilt-free. Made for a night-owl with an early bird partner in do-not-disturb mode.

Your white elephant gifts would never be complete without the chance to guess which celebrities still use an AOL email account.
(Source: Barnes & Noble)

10. Brass Monkey Irrelevant Celebrity Trivia

$14.00 at Barnes & Noble

Are you ready for it? The ultimate in trivial celebrity trivia. Your white elephant gift ideas would never be complete without the chance to guess which celebrities still use an AOL email account. (Hint: Go for the “You’ve Got Mail” category.)

Get the car sparkling clean with slime — yes, slime —- one of the more useful white elephant gift ideas.
(Source: Amazon)

11. Car Cleaning Slime

$8.99 at Amazon

This gooey little gadget oozes into vents, cracks, and crevices to glom up dust and detritus you didn’t even know was there. Looks weird, works great.

With dozens of options for sound and light combos, this noise machine will help you relax and snooze — even through the holiday chaos.
(Source: Walmart)

12. White Noise Machine

$19.99 at Walmart

Multiple sound-and-light options soothe even the most restless insomniacs into slumber — or maybe just provide some peace and quiet to finish that end-of-year report. (I picked one up for myself to fade out the holiday chaos.)

Get your daily Golden Girls fix with this sassy Sophia planter, a precious gem among white elephant gifts.
(Source: Amazon)

13. Silver Buffalo Sophia Planter

$19.99 at Amazon

Get your Golden Girls fix every day with this Silver Buffalo planter inspired by the Miami matriarch with the sassy mouth. Whoever takes it home will thank you for being a friend.

Shopping for a booklover who also drinks coffee? Look no further.
(Source: Walmart)

14. Painted Book Mug

$16.16 at Walmart

Bibliophiles at the party will perk up when they spot this book-shaped coffee mug. Clever, cozy, and colorful, it stacks up nicely on any pile of white elephant gifts.

Kids can explore their inner-architect with this magnetized-tile game and — honestly — adults can too!
(Source: Walmart)

15. Winter Wonder Magna-Tiles Travel Set

$19.97 at Walmart

Another nifty pick for parents — especially if there’s a move on the horizon. The metal tin doubles as a baseplate for magnetized pieces, so backseat kids can fashion them into Winter Wonder forts and castles (or maybe design their new room!) instead of nitpicking with their siblings over snacks.

Who can resist soothing, hydrating Patchology eye patches that smell like gingerbread?
(Source: Macy's)

16. Patchology Holiday Treats Eye Patches

$17.00 at Macy’s

Eye patches are all the rage, and for good reason. (2025, am I right?) I’m pretty sure no one in the party will want to swap these soothing, hydrating beauties away for anything — especially when they realize they smell like gingerbread cookies.

Your furry BFF will love this interactive brain teaser — and the treats it dispenses!
(Source: Chewy)

17. Frisco 3-in-1 Interactive Dog Puzzle

$16.99 at Chewy

Play treat hide-and-seek and cheer on your furry BFF with this brain-teaser to help keep canine minds sharp. It’s BPA- and PVC-free, and there are no removable parts — a must for white elephant gifts for pets. Even so, don’t leave your puppers alone to play — I mean, what fun would that be?!

Put a cat in it. This adorable kitty will keep your wine fresh and bring a smile to anyone’s face.
(Source: Amazon)

18. “Stop Kitty” Wine Bottle Stopper

$10.38 at Amazon

To keep balance in the universe, we also need a cat-themed item among our white elephant gift ideas. This wine bottle stopper is the perfect addition to any wino’s collection — especially if it reminds them of their own four-legged friend. Pawsitively adorable.

A vintage travel calendar will get 2026 off to the right start.
(Source: Paper Source)

19. Vintage Travel 2026 Calendar

$14.95 at Paper Source

Add some wanderlust to the New Year with a charming illustration of a new destination every month. A sure hit among white elephant gifts — especially for that co-worker who’s always plotting her next PTO.

A single-serve popcorn maker cooks up just the right amount of popcorn.
(Source: Amazon)

20. Single-Serve Popcorn Maker

$17.76 at Amazon

One serving, zero wasted kernels. This single-serve popper cooks up just the right amount of popcorn for solo movie night or a light late-afternoon snack at your desk.

Every selfie looks like a pro shot with this ring light, among the most popular white elephant gifts for 2025.
(Source: Amazon)

21. Selfie Ring Light

$19.99 at Amazon

Clip this gizmo to your phone and behold the magic: Every selfie looks lit like a pro. Perfect for influencers, TikTok stars, and that friend who always grabs the spotlight (and the white elephant gifts).

These reward stickers will remind your fellow party-goers that adulting is hard and they’re doing a great job.
(Source: Amazon)

22. Adulting Reward Stickers

$12.99 at Amazon 

Because adulting is hard. Help your coworkers and fellow party-goers feel good about themselves with affirmations that give new meaning to participation trophy: “I got up on time” and “I didn’t eat all the cookies” deserve a medal — or at least a sticker!

Give your feet a hug in these baguette-style slippers — no carbs!
(Source: Amazon)

23. Baguette Slippers

$16.99 at Amazon

Who knew bread could be so cozy? (Well, everyone, actually.) In any case, these slippers are warm and strangely satisfying, hugging your feet while they remind you of toasty goodness. Carbs? Nah. Try them on once and you’ll want to keep them for yourself.

Fan of the silver screen? Try your luck with Poorly Explained Movies, a game for movie buffs — and amateurs, too.
(Source: Uncommon Goods)

24. Poorly Explained Movies Game

$18.00 at Uncommon Goods

“A principal commits a misdemeanor to prove truancy” is the kind of clue players will get in this hilarious party game (Hint: “Bueller? Anyone?”). Movie buffs will want to grab it ASAP, so beware wannabe thieves — e.g., “Ex-con solves relationship problems with synchronized Vegas crime spree.”

Music, warmth, and hipster style all in one with this Bluetooth Beanie.
(Source: Amazon)

25. Fullight Tech Bluetooth Beanie

$17.91 at Amazon 

Music on demand, warm ears, and hipster chic all in one knit hat. Get your groove on with private tunes — no batteries required.

Watch out for strategic steals of this quirky candle from the white elephant gifts at your party!
(Source: Macy’s)

26. Lovery “My Last Nerve” Candle

$14.00 at Macy’s

Don’t let the label scare you. The lavender scent of this soy candle will add a hint of fragrance to your home while it calms your last nerve — or your first… or all the nerves in between. 

You’re not just solving a puzzle, you’re solving a murder mystery! Whodunnit?
(Source: Amazon)

27. A Recipe for Murder Mystery Puzzle

$19.99 at Amazon

Piecing together this whodunnit puzzle is as addictive as a true-crime podcast. Perfect for the mystery lovers and amateur sleuths at the party — all of whom are into skullduggery, so watch out for strategic stealing. 

The perfect way to wrap up your white elephant party: A cozy white throw blanket.
(Source: Amazon)

28. Bedsure GentleSoft Cozy White Throw Blanket

$19.49 at Amazon

When the white elephant gifts have been gifted and the partiers have partied out, whoever goes home with this deliciousness is the hands-down winner. Velvet-soft, versatile, and warm but not super heavy, it’s the perfect way to wrap up the night — and yourself.

Splurge-Worthy 2025 White Elephant Gift Ideas for Pricier Parties 

If your party host has upped the spending limit, your gift might be a little bolder, quirkier, and more likely to make everyone clamor to take it home. Here are some of the best white elephant gift ideas 2025 has to offer at (slightly) higher price points: 

White Elephant Gift Ideas for about $50:

• Ear Seed Kit for $45
• Pickleball Set for $50
• Zion Natural Park Socks for $50

White Elephant Gift Ideas for about $75:

• Apple AirTag 4-pack for $69.99
• Renpho Eye Massager for $75.97
• 1.5-Gallon Cold Drink Dispenser for $74.95

Wrapping It Up & Putting a Bow on It

If you’re anything like me, the post-holiday cleanup usually sparks a massive purge. So much stuff piles up! Packing away the decorations is a perfect time to declutter and simplify your life with a PODS portable storage container. Delivered right to your driveway, it works as a staging zone to sort and organize. And after the reorg, you can store your decor and other goodies in the container until Santa’s on his way next year.

Visit PODS online for a free storage quote or call 877-350-7637.

Shannon Jacobs is a Tampa-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to the PODS Blog. She has lived in Atlanta, the Berkshires, and Nashville, but always returns to the warmth of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}