With the fast approaching Christmas season, many friends and families plan to get together and participate in the popular white elephant gift exchange tradition. Our group particularly enjoys this activity, but instead of gag gifts, we opt for items that everyone would genuinely appreciate. Finding gifts that suit varying ages and genders can be challenging, so we have compiled a list of 10 white elephant gifts worth fighting for!
Are you and your family fans of the white elephant game? It can be really fun if played correctly. Below, we will go over the rules of the game. If you plan to visit someone’s house, you may find our hostess gift guide helpful, which you can check out here.
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How to Play The White Elephant Gift Exchange
It’s important to note that there are many variations of the game. The following are the general rules, but if everyone agrees, you can change them to suit your preferences as a group!
- To ensure a successful gift exchange, it is recommended to establish clear guidelines beforehand. Decide on a spending limit that works for everyone and consider whether the gifts should be humorous or meaningful. This will help avoid confusion or disappointment and make the event more enjoyable for all participants.
- To begin the number-picking process, gather all participants and choose a randomization method, such as drawing numbers out of a hat or using cards.
- All gifts should be wrapped or placed in a gift bag to conceal them from view. Then, arrange the gifts in the front of the room where they are visible to everyone.
- Start the game with whoever chose #1.
- The second person can either steal the first person’s gift or choose a new one from the pile.
- If your gift is stolen, you can either steal it from someone else or select a new gift.
- Player #1 gets the final pick after everyone else, which is the benefit of going first!
1. Desktop Mini Vacuum Cleaner
This is an excellent gift for someone who works from home or loves a clean space! Basically, I would love one of these for my home office, and it would be great to have one for the kitchen to clean up my husband’s coffee grinds!
2. Luggage Handle Wrap
Have you ever experienced the frustration of waiting for your luggage at the airport, only to see countless suitcases that look like yours go around the conveyor belt? I attach a ribbon to my luggage, but I’m considering getting something more distinctive to make it easier to spot.
3. Selfie Ring Light
Is anybody out there at this point who doesn’t take a selfie? And if you do take a selfie, you know lighting makes all the difference! A selfie ring light for your cell phone is a perfect white elephant gift; grab one for you while you are at it!
4. Personal Blender
I love smoothies, and cleaning a big blender can be a pain whenever you want to make one. A personal-size blender is a great choice and a great gift idea! You can also buy one at a great price point this time of year.
5. Travel Lighted Mirror
This item made on our list of 5 Travel Essentials Not to Forget on Your Next Trip! Good lighting matters when putting on your makeup, no matter where you are. I have been in too many hotel rooms that have terrible lighting! Honestly, my eyes are getting to the point where I need a magnifying mirror to apply some of my makeup, and most hotels don’t have them. I almost always bring a travel-lighted mirror with me when we go anywhere.
6. Clear Belt Bag
Have you attended any concerts or stadium games lately? Generally, you are only allowed to carry purses or bags if they are transparent. A transparent belt bag could be a great gift for your next white elephant game!
7. AirTag Key Ring
Do you know someone who has a habit of misplacing their keys? Or how about someone who likes to keep track of their belongings? AirTags are neat! We typically won’t buy them for ourselves, but we would love to get them as a gift!
8. Bluetooth Beanie
Although we do not live in a cold climate, many people do. If you have yet to encounter the Bluetooth beanie hat cap with stereo headphones, you are missing out! This innovative technology eliminates the worry of losing your earbuds while skiing, snowboarding, or jogging during winter. They are a perfect white elephant gift choice.
9. Travel Packing Cubes
I recently discovered that these have been around for a while, but I jumped on this trend and love them. There are a lot of different configurations available, and whether you travel a little or a lot, it would be a great gift to receive.
10. Table Topics Conversation Starters
If you haven’t seen this game yet, you should check it out! It would also be a perfect white elephant gift. There are multiple conversation starter games to choose from: family, date night, every day, girls’ night, hanging out in the classroom, networking, parties, and traveling.
Are you planning on attending a White Elephant gift exchange this holiday season? If so, do any of these ideas help you plan? Please share your favorite in the comments below.
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