White elephant gift exchanges are among the most popular holiday party activities. The gist of the game is simple: Each attendee brings a low-cost gift and draws a number to determine the order in which they get to pick a present out of the pile.
However, a participant can opt to either pick a new gift or steal one that's already been opened by someone else during their turn β that's when things get competitive.
Here's a list of items under $20 β some are quirky, others are practical, but none are gag gifts β that people will actually want. You can purchase most of these gifts in person at the last minute, phew. For the planners, there are some to add to your online shopping cart.
13 steal-worthy white elephant gifts
Sake set from Utsuwa-No-Yakata
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Utsuwa-No-Yakata, which means "house of pottery" in Japanese, has been selling authentic Japanese tableware and ceramics at its storefront located inside the Little Tokyo Galleria since 1981. You can purchase one of its stunning sake sets for $15.99 right now, instead of the listed price of $35. (Plus shipping. The item will remain at this price until it sells out, according to the store owner.) Add a cheap bottle of sake to complete the gift.
$15.99Β atΒ Utsuwa-No-Yakata
Uniqlo's colorful socks
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You can never have enough socks. Grab a few pairs from Uniqlo's infamous wall of colorful socks, which is known to spark a rush of dopamine with its vibrant hues. The ribbed-knit, unisex socks, which come in 50 colors, are comfortable enough for lounging around the house or dressing up for a night on the town.
$3.90 or four for $12.90Β atΒ Uniqlo
Animal planters from Wacko
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You can easily spend a few hours wandering the aisles (or browsing its website) of Wacko, a family-run pop culture toy and gift shop based in Los Feliz, which has an inventory of more than 2 million items and has been around since 1971. As the name suggests, Wacko is where you can find eccentric gifts that no one else at the party will have, likeΒ Kikkerland's Lloyd the Llama planter, which is leak-proof and perfect for succulents. The store also sells other adorable planters, including ones shaped like aΒ hedgehogΒ and aΒ smiling mushroom.
$15, plus shipping,Β atΒ Wacko
Goodies Santal candle
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Goodies, the boho-chic boutique known for its aesthetic homeware essentials and ceramics, doesn't sell anything over $25. Consider gifting Goodies' bestselling candle, the Santal, which some customers have called a satisfactory dupe of Le Labo's beloved Santal candle, which would set you back $82. Goodies' Santal Candle, which is made from all-natural coconut soy wax and consists of a blend of sandalwood, cardamom and cedarwood, retails for $22 (just a little more than $20, plus shipping, but worth it). The fresh-smelling candle has a 60-hour burn time. You can purchase the candle online or in person at one of Goodies' four locations, in Venice, Costa Mesa, Atwater Village and Santa Monica.
$22Β atΒ Goodies
AuxGod karaoke card game
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Created byΒ Mike Rousseau, who strove to never sit through a boring party again, this music battle card game will have you jumping out of your seat, showing off your best dance moves and singing your heart out. To play, create three teams, one of which will act as the judging team and draw a question from the playing cards. (This team rotates each round.) The two remaining teams will respond by playing their selected song in a music battle showdown. The team with the best song is awarded a point by the judges based on AuxGod's judging criteria. It's sort of like karaoke, but way more competitive. AuxGod offers four versions of the game based on music genres: pop; hip-hop and R&B; soca and dancehall; and country.
$19.99Β atΒ Kohl's
Govee lights
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If you search "best LED strip lights on Amazon" on TikTok β because the app'sΒ basically another form of GoogleΒ β you're bound to come across the brand Govee at least a dozen times. The smart home brand is currently selling its 16.4-foot, colorful LED lights for just $19.99 on Amazon, which can illuminate and uplift the energy in your home. Use Govee's smartphone app to adjust the color and brightness of the lights and sync them to music to make it feel like a full-fledged concert.
$19.99Β atΒ Amazon
Wine Condoms
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Wine Condoms are exactly what they sound like: a tongue-in-cheek but practical solution to storing your favorite bottle of pinot or chardonnay. Created by mother-son duo Laura Bartlett and Mitch Strahan, Wine Condom was inspired by a makeshift wine stopper made from plastic wrap and a rubber band. Presented in sleek black and gold packaging, the Wine Condoms, which are made with shrink-to-fit technology, fit nearly any bottle and provide an airtight, leak-free seal for your wine. Unlike regular condoms, they're reusable as long as you don't break them.
$14.97 for a set of sixΒ atΒ Amazon
Momoho's Mini Bluetooth speaker
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Momoho sells one of the smallest Bluetooth speakers on the market that actually has a decent volume for the price. Its compact size makes it easy to carry around in a pocket or bag, or even hang from your keychain. The winner of this gift can bring it along to their next picnic or hiking adventure.
$14.99Β atΒ Amazon
Dash Mini waffle maker
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Speaking of miniature gifts, Dash offers an extensive line of bitsy cooking products, including its bestselling waffle maker, which comes in various festive shapes like aΒ gingerbread man,Β snowflakeΒ or Christmas tree (use a matcha waffle mix, like the one byΒ Ghetto Gastro, for the full effect on this one). This compact gadget is easy to use and clean, plus it won't take up too much space on your kitchen counter. Whoever nabs this gift during the game can also stretch beyond waffles and makeΒ frittatasΒ orΒ pre-baked cinnamon rolls. Alternatively, grab Dash'sΒ Mini Bundt cake maker, which also retails for less than $20. You can purchase the waffle maker in person atΒ TargetΒ orΒ Bed Bath & Beyond, or online viaΒ Dash's website.
$12.99Β atΒ Target,Β Bed Bath & BeyondΒ andΒ Dash
Typo's Double Dip bowl
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This is a great gift for the person who enjoys hosting, or just appreciates having nifty kitchenware at home. Typo, the lifestyle branch of retailer Cotton On, sells a Double Dip Bowl with a designated area for chips and a smaller section for a favorite dip. It comes in 14 playful designs.
$19.99Β atΒ Cotton On
Baggu reusable bag
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Founded by mother-daughter duo Joan and Emily Sugihara in 2007, Baggu makes reusable totes that have been spotted at many local Trader Joe's. The stylish, sustainable bags come in whimsical designs like a cluster of smiley faces, a shrine of mushrooms and a pattern of fluffy cats. There are also solid-colored tote bags for those who prefer a simple design.
$14Β atΒ Leanna Lin's WonderlandΒ orΒ Baggu
Bed Bath & Beyond's Simply Essential solid plush throw blanket
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Bed Bath & Beyond's ultra-soft throw blanket comes in four neutral colors including navy blue and taupe. Fans of all things cozy will try to steal this.
$20Β atΒ Bed Bath & Beyond
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