The best white elephant gifts for Christmas 2023 no matter your budget

Holiday season 2023 is on, which means white elephant parties await you. If the notion of bringing a funny or clever gift to the office Christmas party feels like pressure, exhale. We've got your white elephant gift needs covered.

This year, bring something your friends and family will actually enjoy (or at the very least use). Whether your budget is under $50 or under $15, our shopping experts found fabulous white elephant gift ideas for every budget limit. These gifts are so good, that you may try to hang on to them yourself.

White elephant gift ideas for and budget

We've found a variety of the best white elephant 2023 gift ideas that suit a range of budgets. No matter if you're shopping for your coworkers, your family or your friends, everything in this list is under $50.

A313 retinol pommade: $25

This was the biggest hit at our own white elephant party this year. It's a TikTok-famous retinol that's popular in France. This 2% retinol pomade can help unclog and shrink pores, reduce age spots, support collagen production to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture and more.

Why we like this product:

This skincare product is relatively affordable for a retinol and was the most popular item at our white elephant party.

$25 at Amazon

Tortilla wrap blanket: $20

In our experience, blankets are another popular white elephant gift item -- after all, who doesn't like staying warm and cozy in the winter? This soft flannel tortilla wrap blanket is a fun spin on the traditional white elephant winner. It measures 60 inches in diameter and comes printed on both sides for a more realistic look.

"Not only is it soft and warm," says one verified Amazon reviewer, "but it's also a great funny gift for those people who want to be a burrito."

Give the gift of being a burrito with this tortilla wrap blanket, available at Amazon for $20 (reduced from $25).

$20 at Amazon

Archie McPhee Yodeling Pickle: $13

If you're in a pickle (sorry, had to) and need a hilarious white elephant gift, this yodeling pickle (see, funny) will have your friends in stitches.

Why we like this yodeling pickle:

For the person who has everything, they likely don't have a yodeling pickle. Send them home from your white elephant party with hours of mindless fun and a great conversation starter to boot.

This yodeling pickle is currently on sale at Amazon for $13, reduced from $15. What a great dill.

$13 at Amazon

"Snoop Dogg Presents Goon with the Spoon" Cookbook: $11

Rapper and iconic TV personality Snoop Dogg came out with his second cookbook, this one a collaboration with friend and Bay Area rapper E-40. Drawing inspiration from both rappers' musical catalogs and family history, "Snoop Dogg Presents Goon with the Spoon" is a legitimate cookbook that uses simple ingredients. The book also features beautiful photography of Snoop at home and in the kitchen.

You can get Snoop's cookbook at Amazon for $11 after a coupon, reduced from $25.

Why we like Snoop Dogg's cookbook:

If this doesn't have the makings of the most talked about white elephant gift of the 2023 holiday season, we don't know what does.

$11 at Amazon

Cosrx snail 96 essence: $15

This snail serum from K-beauty brand Cosrx has taken TikTok by storm. The viral Cosrx skincare must-have is formulated with 96.3% snail secretion filtrate, which can help repair and rejuvenate the skin from dryness and aging. Its ingredients may also improve skin vitality by reducing dullness and soothing dehydrated skin.

"I bought this after everyone on my TikTok feed became obsessed with it," CBS Essentials senior editor Lily Rose says. "It really works to help brighten the skin and reduce any signs of dehydration. When I apply it after moisturizer my skin looks so dewy. My sister is now begging me for her own bottle."

Why we like this snail essence:

Your TikTok-loving teen, sibling or BFF will think you're in the know with this skincare essential. It's an easy way to achieve glowing skin for less than $20 and it looks really great on your bathroom counter.

$14 at Amazon

Ghirardelli San Francisco Golden Gate gift box: $14

Everyone who loves a little something sweet will fight for this box of 18 assorted chocolates from California-based brand, the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. The box features a photo of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and includes a variety of the company's bestselling chocolate flavors.

This gift box is $14, reduced from $20.

Why we like this chocolate gift box:

It's a sweet way to wish someone a happy holiday without worrying about whether or not it will fit or if your recipient already owns it. Plus, you can never have too much chocolate.

$14 at Ghirardelli

Goodly Sports Toilet Practice Mini Golf: $24

You're likely to become the Tiger Woods of white elephant gifts with this toilet practice mini-golf set. For the ultimate multi-tasking moment, practice your swing while you sit on your throne. This game comes with a 3D lawn printing, golf club and golf balls.

This toilet mini golf set is available at Amazon for $24.

Why we like this toilet practice mini golf set:

We feel it's our duty to add humor to your white elephant party this season.

Or, if putting while you're pooping doesn't make you giggle, then maybe a joke book is a better option for you.

$24 at Amazon

Amazon egift card

Amazon sells almost anything they could want to pick out for themselves.

Put the denomination of your choice on this e-gift card that comes in various themed designs (both standard and animated) or with your photo or video attached. You can then schedule its email or text message delivery date, plus add a special note.

Amazon egift cards start at $25 and go up to $500.

Why we like Amazon egift cards:

You can choose your denomination, delivery date and card appearance. Plus, everybody could use some Amazon cash.

Buy now

Apple AirTag: $27

Help someone keep better track of their possessions with an Apple AirTag. They can attach one to their luggage, wallet, handbag or keys to always know its exact location.

The Apple AirTag, which is about the size of a quarter, is designed exclusively for Apple users. It syncs with devices like the iPhone, iPad and MacBook.

The AirTag's battery life lasts up to a year per tracker. When it's dead, they can just replace the internal CR2032 battery. They'll receive alerts if they walk off without their possession with an AirTag attached to it, and receive warnings if their phone happens to detect an unknown AirTag traveling with them (for safety).

Why we like this smart tracker:

This useful gift seamlessly integrates with Apple's Find My network for precise tracking. Plus, its battery lasts up to a year before needing to be replaced.

$27 at Amazon

AeroPress Go Travel coffee press: $32

The AeroPress Go Travel coffee press is the answer to horrible hotel coffee and staying caffeinated while camping. This portable coffee press can brew delicious coffee in under a minute, or make cold brew in two minutes.

"The Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press Kit is an absolute game-changer for coffee enthusiasts on the go!" an Amazon reviewer says. "As someone who appreciates a good cup of Joe, I cannot recommend this portable coffee maker enough."

This coffee press is currently $32, reduced from $40.

Why we like this AeroPress Go Travel coffee press:

It brews smooth, rich coffee without bitterness or grounds sneaking into the brew. It's a portable option for coffee fans who love to travel or go camping, and can be used for hot coffee, cold brew or espresso.

$32 at Amazon

Truff white truffle gift set: $49

This Oprah Winfrey-approved truffle gift set is under $50. Truff's white truffle oil infuses real white winter truffles with olive oil to create a decadent finishing oil that works well on a variety of dishes including fish or pizza.

"Truff can do no wrong by me," Winfrey says. "I've given the hot sauce to a lot of people. This is Truff's new set: a white truffle oil and hot sauce combo pack that's (chef's kiss) so delicious."

The gift set is 25% off on Amazon now.

Why we like the Truff white truffle gift set:

Sample a popular new hot sauce and truffle oil all in one kit. It's a great way to spice up boring office lunches or add a tasty zing to a slice of pizza.

$49 at Amazon

What is white elephant gift?

The white elephant gift exchange (also known as Yankee Swap depending on your holiday tradition) is a holiday party game where everyone at the festivity supplies a wrapped gift, and people blindly choose an item from the pile to unwrap. It's popular to regift something you've been given and have no use for, something humorous or something you know everyone will really want to have.

What are the rules for white elephant gift exchanges?

The rules to the white elephant gift exchange are fairly simple. Each player brings one wrapped gift (usually under a stipulated dollar amount) to enter into the present pool. Players then draw numbers to figure out the order for picking gifts.

The first player goes first, grabs a gift from the pile, and opens it up. The next person can either pick a fresh unwrapped gift from the pile or swipe someone else's present. If your gift gets swiped, you can do the same.

After everyone's had their turn, the first player can trade the gift they've got for any of the opened ones. If your gift has been swiped, you can do the same, but you can only swipe from someone who hasn't had their gift taken yet. When someone decides not to swipe, the game is over.

How to pick a white elephant gift everyone will fight for

It's always nice to bring a practical white elephant gift, but bringing something everyone will fight for is the ultimate reward.

We like to choose edible white elephant gifts (chocolate, yes!), hilarious gifts that make us laugh, a gift that's actually useful or a gift so outlandish that we have to have it for ourselves.