35 White Elephant & Secret Santa Gift Ideas Under $25 (That People Actually Want)

Every December it happens: the office party, the family gift swap, the church small group exchange. You need a gift for someone you barely know; it has to be under $25, and you want people to actually want it.

This list of white elephant gift ideas and Secret Santa gift ideas is built for exactly that. Some gifts are useful, some are cozy, and a few are just plain funny. Every one of them stays under $25, and most ship fast so you’re not scrambling the night before.

I used to be one of the worst gifters for white elephant, while my husband is the best. You do need to understand if you want to do something funny or mroe gift worthy too. Alot of times we grew up with white elephant gift exhanges as something you already own and its kinda hilarious or a bad gift.

Today at some of our gift exchanges we would be the only one bringing a gift like that, so it’s best to etabish those thigns before you start shopping or looking through your closets.

White Elephant vs. Secret Santa: What’s the Difference?

They sound similar, but they work differently, and that changes what you should buy.

• Secret Santa: Everyone draws a name and buys a gift for that one person. You can personalize it, so a little research goes a long way.
• White Elephant: Everyone brings one wrapped gift. Players take turns choosing a gift or stealing one that’s already been opened. You don’t know who will end up with yours.

For Secret Santa, think personal. For white elephant, think universal: something almost anyone would be happy to take home, or something funny enough to get stolen three times.

White Elephant Gifts People Actually Fight Over

These are the gifts that get stolen until they’re locked in.

1. Bedsure sherpa fleece throw blanket. Soft, warm and loved by everyone. A white elephant favorite. Shop on Amazon

2. Anker portable charger. Useful for anyone with a phone, which is everyone. Shop on Amazon

3. Dash Mini Waffle Maker. Small, cute and surprisingly addictive. Shop on Amazon

4. Glocusent neck reading light. Hands-free light for reading, knitting or late-night chores. Shop on Amazon

5. Yankee Candle large jar candle. A classic that always gets stolen. Pick a holiday scent. Shop on Amazon

6. Lodge mini cast iron skillet. Perfect for cookies, single eggs or serving dips. Shop on Amazon

Funny White Elephant Gifts

For the swap where the goal is laughter, not usefulness.

7. What Do You Meme? Family Edition. Family-friendly, so it’s safe for the office party too. Shop on Amazon

8. Exploding Kittens card game. Quick to learn and fun with any group. Shop on Amazon

9. Toilet golf putting game. The gag gift that never gets old. Shop on Amazon

10. The Original Pet Rock. Retro, ridiculous and low-maintenance. Shop on Amazon

11. Funny chicken socks. A farm girl favorite. Bonus points if you wrap them in an egg carton. Shop on Amazon

Cozy Gifts Under $25

Winter-ready gifts that make everyone want to curl up.

12. Fuzzy socks multipack. Easy to split up if the swap allows sharing. Shop on Amazon

13. Hot cocoa bombs gift set. Drop one in hot milk and watch it melt open. Shop on Amazon

14. Microwavable lavender heating pad. Warms in a minute and smells calming. Shop on Amazon

15. Knit beanie and glove set. Practical for cold commutes and barn chores alike. Shop on Amazon

Kitchen and Coffee Gifts

For the coffee lovers and home cooks in the group.

16. Zulay handheld milk frother. Café-style lattes at home. Shop on Amazon

17. Coffee variety sampler pack. Lets them try a few roasts. Shop on Amazon

18. Funny coffee mug. Pick one that fits the crowd. Shop on Amazon

19. Electric salt and pepper grinder set. One-handed grinding, with a little light. Shop on Amazon

Useful Gifts for Anyone

Good Secret Santa gift ideas for guys and women alike when you don’t know them well.

20. Victorinox Swiss Army Classic SD. A tiny, handy tool for keys or a purse. Shop on Amazon

21. Energizer LED headlamp. Great for power outages, camping and night chores. Shop on Amazon

22. Kasa smart plug multipack. Turns lamps and Christmas lights on from a phone. Shop on Amazon

23. Car phone mount. Useful for anyone who drives. Shop on Amazon

Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Coworkers

Safe, likable picks for the office exchange. My coworker gift ideas post has even more.

24. Burt’s Bees gift set. A crowd-pleaser for almost anyone. Shop on Amazon

25. Artificial succulent set. Desk greenery with zero watering. Shop on Amazon

26. Hand cream gift set. Small, pretty tubes for a desk drawer. Shop on Amazon

27. Cute desk organizer. Keeps pens, sticky notes and clips in one place. Shop on Amazon

Tech Gifts Under $25

Small gadgets that feel bigger than the price.

28. Phone tripod with remote. For family photos and video calls. Shop on Amazon

29. Bluetooth shower speaker. Waterproof music for the shower or the kitchen. Shop on Amazon

30. Anker wireless charging pad. Set the phone down and it charges. Shop on Amazon

Homemade White Elephant Gifts

DIY white elephant gifts are cheap to make and often the first ones stolen.

31. Cookie mix in a jar. Layered, tied with twine and ready to bake. Here’s my homemade cookie jar gift.

32. Stovetop potpourri jars. Dried oranges, cinnamon and cloves. See my potpourri DIY gift.

33. Hot chocolate mix jars. Cocoa, sugar and mini marshmallows in a mason jar. Grab the ideas here.

Themed Gift Basket Ideas Under $25

A small basket feels generous. Fill a dollar-store basket or bin with a few items on one theme.

34. Movie night basket. Microwave popcorn, boxed candy, a cozy pair of socks and a gift card for a rental. Shop popcorn sets on Amazon

35. Coffee lover’s basket. A bag of coffee, a fun mug and a few biscotti. Shop biscotti on Amazon

How to Play White Elephant (Easy Rules)

If you’re hosting, here are simple white elephant rules that keep the game moving:

1. Everyone brings one wrapped gift within the price limit and puts it on a table.
2. Draw numbers to set the order.
3. Player 1 opens a gift from the pile.
4. Each next player either opens a new gift or steals one that’s already been opened.
5. Anyone whose gift is stolen picks a new gift or steals from someone else, but can’t steal right back.
6. A gift is “frozen” after it’s been stolen three times.
7. At the end, Player 1 gets one final chance to steal.

Popular variations: a theme (cozy, kitchen, under $10), a “regift” round, or a dice game where each roll decides whether you open, steal or swap.

Tips for Buying and Wrapping Gift Exchange Gifts

• Stick to the price limit. Going way over makes others feel awkward.
• Use a Secret Santa questionnaire. Have everyone list favorite snacks, colors and hobbies. It makes Secret Santa shopping so much easier.
• Wrap to disguise. A funny box or an oversized bag makes a small gift more fun to open.
• Shop early. Popular gifts sell out and shipping slows in mid-December. (Prime box goes here.)
• Track every gift. My Christmas planner keeps your whole gift budget in one place.

The best gift exchange ideas aren’t expensive. They’re the ones that get a laugh, get stolen, or get used every day afterward. Pick a few from this list and you’ll be ready for every party on the calendar.