27 Highly Random White Elephant Gifts For Every Person On Your List
This year might be off, but the gift show must go on!
Megan Baldwin · about 1 month ago
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Try Camp's White E-lephant Gift Exchange this holiday season!
CAMP
It's been a nightmare year, but that doesn't mean you have to cancel all your fun holiday plans. Our virtual version works just like a classic white elephant exchange, except we’ve made it possible for you to get your unwrap on from a safe distance. We even handle all the logistics and shipping, so all you have to worry about is stealing gifts. Want in?
As is the case with most important holiday traditions, we have no idea what compels us to join White Elephant gift exchanges each year, but the fact is, they’re here to stay. We know this year’s holiday festivities will be weird, but that’s no reason to skip your White Elephant exchange. So with gifting random things to random people in mind, we’ve put together our definitive list of truly offbeat White Elephant gifts (most under $20) for every person on your list.
1. Deer Pong
Hasbro
Good for: Bros of all ages
A little bit punny, a little bit fun. This PG-rated take on your favorite frat party game won’t be in the box long, especially if your holiday party is still happening IRL.
2. Spend or Save Money Box
Yes Studios
Good for: Accountants and penny pinchers
This cute penny bank lets you see your money stack up - so it’s perfect for the person on your list who’s always the first to send that Venmo request.
3. iScream Neon Effect Frame
iScream
Good for: Anyone who takes their Zoom calls in dark corners
You know the person who always seems to be dialing in from a well-connected cave - this DIY neon light will help brighten things up.
4. Toysmith Cinematic Lightbox
Toysmith
Good for: Enthusiastic commenters and ambitious emoji users
We all have that friend/co-worker/mom who’s the first to like and always extra enthusiastic with the emojis. This DIY cinematic lightbox lets them register their reactions on a bigger screen with icons.
5. Mini Zoltar
Running Press Book Publishers
Good for: The person who can’t stop doom scrolling
The future is uncertain. This tiny-sized fortune teller can help predict what comes next and hopefully give that anxious person on your list someone else to talk to.
6. Time for You Sand Timer
Chronicle Books
Good for: Busy moms and dads who NEVER have any spare time
This magical sand timer is a perfect reminder to take five. The hourglass is accompanied by hand-written prompt cards that give you a way to check in and breathe.
7. SummerCamp Homesick Candle
Homesick Candles
Good for: Anyone who’s been stuck inside for months (AKA everyone)
Waxing nostalgic for the days when you could just take a deep breath of fresh air without someone asking you to fix your mask? This outdoorsy candle helps bring you back to the good old days.
8. Yoga Joes Rainbow Set
Yoga Joes
Good for: Colorful yogis or people who fidget with weird things on their desk
These fun, colorful servicemen provide inspiration to strike a pose or really just desk-fidget with something other than that one gross pen.
9. Kawaii Tarot
Sterling Ethos
Good for: Anyone who hopes the future will be cute
After a decidedly not-cute few months, this deck of Kawaii tarot cards foretells of a future filled with pastels and all things adorbs. Perfect as a gag gift for your favorite pessimist.
10. TonyMoly Sheet Mask Set
TonyMoly
Good for: Trendy teens and anyone you see from the neck up
These days we spend a lot of facetime with our friends, families, and co-workers - so this sheet mask set, which hydrates and soothes skin, feels like a good bet for just about everyone on your list.
11. Kule Thank You Have a Nice Day Socks
Kule
Good for: Cool moms, Queen Bees and brunch friends
These socks bring the cool vibes and have city street cred — so your best brunch friend will actually be thankful you drew her name.
12. Patagonia Logo Disc
Patagonia
Good for: Outdoorsy people, dog owners, or anyone you’ve seen wearing fleece on your Zoom calls
This is the frisbee of world-class hucking-disc champions (we’re serious). Luckily, it can also be the frisbee of any world-class human you know, if you give it to them.
13. "Do Not Lick this Book" by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost
Allen & Unwin
Good for: That friend who wears a hazmat suit to get the mail
Microbiologist Idan Ben-Barak and award-winning illustrator Julian Frost write an ode to germs — the perfect book to keep your germaphobe friends far away from you during these Covid times.
14. "The Book with No Pictures" by B.J Novak
Dial Books
Good for: People with kids
This funny read-aloud book trades the illustrations for a hilarious story that gets better as you read - perfect for anyone who needs to lighten up bedtime.
15. Gro-To Skin Travel Buds Set
Gro-To
Good for: Little people who go places
The great thing about soap is that we’re all (hopefully) using more of it than ever — so this adorable travel-sized kit will come in majorly handy for families on the go.
16. Adam JK Mini Notebook Set
Adam JK
Good for: Emotional coworkers who like to off-load their feelings
2020 has brought out ALL of the emotions. Artist Adam JK’s notebook set offers a place to store reminders, confessions, emotions, and goals...like keeping your thoughts to yourself.
17. Library Card Yellow Mug
Out of Print
Good for: Book club friends and big readers
This cute coffee mug invites coziness, simply add a warm beverage and good book. This gift gets bonus points because it helps to fund literacy programs.
18. Etch-a-Sketch Classic
Spin Master
Good for: Internet addicts and creative nerds
There’s no Wi-Fi (or pencil) needed to enjoy this classic toy, which makes it the perfect gift for the person you know who’s always complaining about the weak Wi-Fi.
19. iScream Glitter Earbud Compact
iScream
Good for: Teens or people who are always losing their ear pods
These sparkly, Bluetooth-enabled earbuds come with a charging case and are a lot cheaper than the pair that keeps getting lost.
20. Aros Tie Dye Blast Face Mask
Aros
Good for: EVERYONE!
Like soap and hand sanitizer, giving someone a face mask is the most 2020 way to say that you care. This Aros face mask fits snuggly and has a disposable filter.
21. Areaware Gradient Puzzle
Areaware
Good for: Put together people
At first blush there’s something super-soothing about this gradient puzzle. But, surprise! This is maybe the hardest puzzle you’ll ever attempt.
22. The Blockbuster Game
Spin Master
Good for: Film and TV buffs
Bring back the golden era of video rentals with a movie game that’s perfectly suited for the person who never shuts up about Netflix.
23. Tiny Arcade Pac-Man
Tiny Arcade
Good for: People who play games on their phone
Honey, they shrunk the arcade! This mini-sized version of the classic arcade game is a fun way to encourage your favorite gamer to put their phone away and play.
24. Unstable Unicorns Base Game
TeeTurtle
Good for: People who aren’t billionaires a.k.a. unstable unicorns
Gather all of your non-billionaire friends together to play this magical game that challenges you to build a Unicorn army.
25. CalmOptics Blue Blocking Glasses
CalmOptics
Good for: Remote learners
Kids are spending a lot of time in front of screens — so these kid-sized blue blocking glasses help reduce the harmful effects of prolonged tech time.
26. Microfiber Towel Scrunchies
Kitsch
Good for: Moms who don’t have time for self-care
With kids stuck at home, the blowout has taken a backseat. These microfiber towel scrunchies help tame the post-shower mane and deliver spa-like vibes.
27. Oregon Trail Handheld Game
Basic Fun
Good for: Millennials who’ve traded their apartment for an airstream
For your #VanLife friends, this handheld game is the perfect reminder that there’s nothing original about putting your stuff in a trailer and traveling across the country.