50+ White Elephant & Secret Santa Gift Ideas

Quirky White Elephant Gifts

Add a dash of laughter to your gift exchange with a whimsical offering that everyone will want to steal, like:

1. Animal paws socks
2. Bacon-scented candle
3. Bad dad jokes book
4. Bluetooth karaoke microphone
5. Da Vinci Code mini puzzle lock box
6. Funky purse (think holographic design, food-shaped, etc.)
7. Giant inflatable unicorn
8. Gracula garlic crusher
9. Hanging puppies or kitties hand towels
10. "I'm Sorry I Was Hangry" t-shirt
11. Kooky koozie (think puffy jacket, team jersey, or funny quote)
12. Lightsaber chopsticks
13. Mermaid tail or tortilla blanket
14. Mini disco ball (under $20, always gets stolen, works for any crowd)
15. Playful doormat
16. Retro phone handset
17. Stress relief dammit doll
18. Super hero wearable blanket
19. Talking toilet paper spindle
20. USB mini fridge
21. Zany food-shaped pillow

Practical White Elephant Gifts

Give a gift of practicality with a touch of excitement — think presents that are genuinely useful but that the recipient wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves:

1. Bluetooth speaker
2. Bug out bag essentials (local map, compass, flashlight, whistle, etc.)
3. Clip-on rechargeable book light (perfect for night readers, travelers, and insomniacs)
4. Coffee mug warmer
5. Electric s'mores maker
6. Electric wine bottle opener (bonus points if you add a bottle of wine)
7. Funny or themed mousepad
8. Festive fleece blanket or throw
9. Garden starter kit
10. Gourmet chocolate (liquor-filled for adults), coffee, tea set, or extremely caffeinated coffee
11. Fuzzy socks
12. LED headlamp
13. Mini cheese knives set
14. Mini desk vacuum cleaner
15. Portable charger
16. Rechargeable electric lighter
17. Reusable coffee cup or travel mug
18. Reusable silicone food storage bags
19. Taco holders
20. Teeth-whitening strips
21. Touchscreen winter gloves
22. Travel accessories (luggage tags, a passport cover, or an inflatable travel pillow)
23. USB rechargeable milk frother

Secret Santa Gift Ideas

For a Secret Santa gift, start with what you know about your recipient's preferences and personality, then choose something that feels personal without being intrusive:

1. Custom portrait commissioned by an artist of a special loved one or pet
2. Custom photo collage map art of a significant place the recipient has visited or loves
3. Customized bobblehead of the recipient or their favorite celebrity
4. Engraved jewelry with the recipient's initials or a favorite quote
5. Gift card to recipient's favorite restaurant, online retailer, or movie theater
6. Ho-ho-homemade craft like a no-sew blanket or finger-crocheted scarf in the recipient's favorite colors
7. Merry monogrammed makeup bag or tote
8. Personalized coffee mug with the recipient's name, favorite quote, or a special message
9. Reusable shopping bag with a special theme (recipient's favorite city, dogs for a dog-lover, plants for a plant enthusiast)
10. Subscription box starter (first month of a specialty box matching the recipient's interests: snacks, books, self-care, coffee, wine, or board games)
11. Tailor-made photo puzzle of the recipient's favorite city, state, or country

Need to organize your gift exchange? Create a free White Elephant or Secret Santa SignUp at signup.com to collect participant names, share the price limit and rules, and coordinate everything from one shareable link. SignUp sends automated reminders so no one forgets to bring a gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes a good White Elephant gift?

A: The best White Elephant gifts are surprising, universally appealing, and either genuinely useful or delightfully absurd. They should be wrapped well (presentation matters for the reveal), priced within the agreed budget, and something that multiple people at the party would want to steal. Bluetooth speakers, cozy blankets, fun koozies, and quirky novelty items tend to be the most-stolen picks.

Q: What's a good Secret Santa gift price range?

A: Most Secret Santa exchanges set a budget between $15 and $30. Within that range, you can give a gift that feels thoughtful and personal without putting pressure on anyone. Set the price limit clearly in your sign-up instructions so everyone starts on the same page.

Q: What's the difference between White Elephant and Secret Santa?

A: In a White Elephant exchange, everyone brings a wrapped gift, participants take turns choosing or stealing from the pool, and no one knows in advance who will end up with which gift. In Secret Santa, each person is secretly assigned one specific recipient and buys a gift tailored to that person. White Elephant is more chaotic and fun; Secret Santa is more personal and thoughtful.

Q: How do I run a White Elephant or Secret Santa exchange with SignUp?

A: Create a free SignUp with a Spot for each participant. Share the link, set a price limit in the description, and let SignUp collect RSVPs and send automated reminders. For Secret Santa, SignUp can help you coordinate participant lists and communicate the rules so the gift-giving stays organized and fun for everyone.

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About the Author

Tara McAdams

Digital Marketing Manager, Content Strategist & Creator

Tara leads content strategy at SignUp and creates a variety of resources on a wide range of topics, including lifestyle trends, prep for holidays, volunteer management, and event planning. More about Tara →