Gift Guides

The 10 Best White Elephant Gifts. Ever.

Briana Hernandez · Published on 2014-12-19

If nothing else, the giving of a white elephant gift is the ultimate test of one’s creativity, practicality and sense of humor. Or, it’s just a great way to find out if someone actually hates you judging by how terrible their gift to you may be. Personally, I think white elephant gifts need to be at least somewhat useful but above all, they should make someone smile. Whether that smile is out of joy or hilarity (or embarrassment) is entirely up to you.

And so we commence this totally epic list of white elephant gifts guaranteed to tickle your teammates, co-workers, friends, family, therapist, whoever.

Plaid Blanket/Robe

It may be ugly but it's your best friend when it gets nippy. Plus, who are you trying to impress while you're splayed out on the couch, plowing through seasons 1-5 of Parks and Recreation? That cat on your lap?

Price: $9.99
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Drinking Horn

Party like a Viking, or just sip hot chocolate out of it. Whatever. Vikings do what they want!

Price: $24.99
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Pineapple Kitchen Timer

It's cute, it's small, it's functional, and even if it clashes with someone's ultra modern, chrome-encrusted kitchen, they can easily hide it in a drawer until they need to boil an egg.

Price: $11.99
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Patchwork Purse

There are clothing items and accessories that border so close to the edge of ugly that they are actually super cool. We personally think this bag fits the bill. If your giftee doesn't share your enthusiasm, remind her that everyone needs a beater bag for the airport.

Price: $7.99
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Finger Drums

As far as office desk chotchkies go, this one takes the cake. Sure, their cubemates may start an actual revolt when they refuse to stop playing "Whipout" after the twentieth time, but that's their problem.

Price: $15.99
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'I Love Wolves' Wall Clock

Because, WHO DOESN'T?

Price: $17.99
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Talking Atomic Watch

I kinda want this for realsies. One, cheap gold watches are perfect for layering bracelets with because if they scuff up the watch, it's no big whoop. Two, it talks to me and I am lonely. So very lonely. I think I'll keep this one.

Price: $29.99
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Wallet Ninja

Here's another White Elephant gift that someone might actually use. A bottle opener, can opener, ruler, letter opener, hex wrenches and so much more can now fit into the credit card slots of a wallet. MacGyver, who?

Price: $29.98
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'I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus' - A Novel

How does the zombie leader of a failed zombie civil rights movement from California rescue a group of his undead brethren as he hides from a band of medical researchers while disguised as Santa Claus? You'll have to read the book to find out!

Price: $11.74
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White Elephant Scarf

And here is the obligatory, literal white elephant gift. We all know someone who does this. If you're going to go this route, just steer clear of those white porcelain elephants. Because, why?

Price: $16.99
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Briana Hernandez

Briana is a shopaholic whose newest obsession is matching top-and-skirt sets (but she also can’t resist a good jumpsuit). She loves rock music, horror movies and is an all-around pop culture junkie. She is, without fail, always down for karaoke. Her blog, Mamafierce, is a chronicle of personal fashion, body positivity and the adventures of motherhood. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, three-year-old son and tortoiseshell cat, Divvy.