White elephant exchanges operate on a delicate balance. Bring something too nice, and the recipient feels guilty stealing it. Bring something essentially trash, and the room groans. The sweet spot lies somewhere in the middle: items that provoke a laugh but end up being weirdly coveted by the end of the night.
For example, I once brought a vintage pair of adult-sized onesie pajamas. They literally fit only the smallest of the crowd, yet everyone was fighting over them because of the funny image of a cow jumping over the moon. That, and as squatty potty.
While brand-new gag gifts have their place, sourcing items that feel curated, vintage, or just oddly specific often yields the best results. The goal is to find things that make people ask, “Where did you even find this?” followed immediately by, “Wait, I actually want that.”
Here are 12 gift ideas that strike the perfect chord between absurdity and utility, guaranteed to spark some healthy competition during your next holiday party.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you.
1. Bathroom Drops (Or Vintage Apothecary Bottles)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Bathroom humor is a staple of white elephant parties, but it rarely feels sophisticated. This option changes that dynamic entirely. Bathroom drops or “poopourri” are essentially a high-end odor eliminator, designed to replace the need for aerosol sprays that just make the room smell like “flowers and mistakes.”
The appeal here lies in the elevation of a mundane, slightly embarrassing necessity into a luxury experience. It signals that the giver cares about the recipient’s home environment down to the smallest detail. For a thrifted twist, look for antique apothecary bottles or small, decorative glass vials. You can fill them with a custom blend of essential oils or present the branded drops alongside a vintage bathroom tray.
2. Winedoms (Paired with a Retro Decanter)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Preserving an open bottle of wine usually involves jamming a cork back in or using a bulky stopper that prevents the bottle from fitting in the fridge door. Wine C*nd*ms offer a sleek, if slightly provocative, solution. They shrink-wrap to the opening of the bottle, creating a spill-proof seal that sits flush against the glass.
While the name elicits the initial giggle, the utility drives the steals. They are reusable, effective, and solve a genuine problem for wine drinkers. To add weight to the gift, hunt for a unique glass decanter or a set of mismatched vintage wine glasses at a local thrift store. This transforms a simple gag into a complete barware upgrade.
3. Bananagrams (The Vintage Game Edition)
Image Credit: Evan-Amos – Own work – Public Domain/Wiki Commons.
Board games are safe bets, but they often collect dust. Bananagrams, however, is fast-paced, requires no board, and comes in a fabric banana pouch. It appeals to word nerds and competitive families alike. Because it plays quickly, it doesn’t demand the time commitment of Monopoly.
To make this fit a thrift-focused theme, look for older editions of word games like Scrabble or Boggle at secondhand shops. Often, you can find wooden tile sets or vintage dictionary stands. If you stick with the new Bananagrams, consider housing it inside a thrifted wooden bowl or a quirky vintage lunchbox instead of just wrapping the pouch.
4. Hot Sauce Key Chain (With a collection of Local Sauces)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Some people make hot sauce their entire personality. For those individuals, having emergency spice on hand is not a joke; it is a requirement. A hot sauce keychain, often a tiny Sriracha or Tabasco bottle, is a small, functional accessory that ensures bland food is never an issue.
Elevate this by scouring thrift stores for a small, woven basket or a wooden crate. Fill it with an assortment of hot sauces, perhaps including some local or obscure varieties. The keychain becomes the “cherry on top” of a spicy survival kit. It shows attention to flavor and acknowledges the universal struggle of under-seasoned takeout.
5. Mini Highland Cows Desk Herd
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Desk toys often veer into “clutter” territory, but miniature animals seem to bypass this rule, especially when they are Highland cows. These fuzzy, horned creatures have surged in popularity due to their distinct look. A “desk herd” provides a non-distracting fidget element for an office space.
While you might buy the figures new, the display is where the thrifting comes in. Look for a small terrarium, a vintage teacup, or a shadow box to house the herd. Creating a little diorama turns plastic toys into an art piece. It gives the recipient a reason to display them immediately rather than tossing them in a drawer.
6. White Elephant Candles
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Candles are the “safe” gift, but a specifically labeled “White Elephant” candle from Homesick acknowledges the event itself. The scent typically features notes of red wine and juniper, capturing the essence of a holiday party.
To avoid being the person who just brought a candle, pair it with a thrifted brass candlestick holder or a ceramic coaster. Searching for a high-quality, heavy-bottomed glass or a marble base at a secondhand store adds significant value and weight to the gift. It turns a consumable item into a permanent piece of home decor.
7. People of Walmart Coloring Book
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Adult coloring books had a major moment for stress relief, but the subject matter can get repetitive. The “People of Walmart” coloring book leans hard into observational humor. It features illustrations based on the infamous internet phenomenon of bizarre shopping attire.
This gift works because it offers a low-stakes activity that pairs well with a glass of wine. For a complete package, hunt for a vintage pencil case or a tin box to hold a fresh set of colored pencils. The contrast between a beautiful, antique tin and a coloring book featuring someone in a cookie monster pajama suit creates a delightful dissonance.
8. Sushi Socks (Presented in a Bento Box)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Socks are practically the mascot of bad gifts, unless they look like sushi. These socks are rolled and folded to resemble various sushi rolls—shrimp, tuna, egg—and often come packaged in a tray. They are visually striking when unwrapped and comfortable when worn.
To lean into the theme, try to find a genuine lacquered bento box or a wooden serving tray at a thrift store. Presenting the “sushi” on actual serviceware sells the illusion and provides the recipient with a cool kitchen item once they put the socks on. It turns a novelty clothing item into a trompe-l’œil experience.
9. Spreadsheet Mug
Image Credit: Deposit Photos.
Corporate humor hits close to home for many. A mug that celebrates (or laments) the existence of Excel spreadsheets resonates instantly with office workers. It’s a badge of honor for the data-obsessed and a cry for help for the creative types.
Mugs are the most common item in thrift stores, so finding a truly unique vessel to pair with this is easy. Look for a vintage thermos or a high-quality stoneware coaster to go with the new mug. Alternatively, find a vintage calculator to include in the package for a “retro office” theme.
10. Cold Beer Coats (Puffer Jackets for Cans)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Koozies are standard fare, but “Beer Coats“, miniature puffer jackets complete with zippers and hoods, are a significant upgrade. They provide excellent insulation and look ridiculous in the best way possible. Watching a beverage wear a winter coat is inherently funny.
This is a great item to pair with a thrifted cooler or a vintage bottle opener. Cast iron bottle openers or retro advertising openers are common in antique malls and add a rugged, permanent element to the gift. It ensures the recipient has the coolest drink at the barbecue.
11. Andy Warhol Crayons
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
For the art lover or the person who just wants to feel fancy while doodling, Andy Warhol-themed crayons offer a pop of culture. The colors are often named after his famous works, and the packaging is display-worthy. It bridges the gap between a toy and an art object.
Pair these with a thrifted coffee table book about modern art or a vintage sketchbook with high-quality paper. Finding a barely-used art book at a thrift store is a common win, and it gives the crayons a context. It suggests the recipient is a serious artist, even if they just draw stick figures.
12. Not My Job Rubber Stamps
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Office bureaucracy is a universal antagonist. “Not My Job” rubber stamps allow the user to physically stamp their refusal to deal with nonsense. It is cathartic, funny, and looks official.
To make this a standout gift, look for a vintage desk organizer or an old-school metal file sorter. Creating a ” disgruntled employee” starter pack with thrifted office supplies gives the stamp a home. It transforms a simple gag into a piece of interactive desk decor.
How to Win the Exchange
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
White elephant exchanges are less about the monetary value and more about the “steal factor.” The items listed above work because they trigger curiosity. People want to touch the beer coat, smell the fancy drops, or examine the vintage tin.
When preparing your gift, consider the packaging. A beat-up cardboard box hides the treasure, while a unique thrifted container, like a basket, tin, or wooden crate, becomes part of the gift itself. It signals that you put effort into the presentation, which often inflates the perceived value of the item inside.