50 Of Our Favorite White Elephant Gift Ideas

Art is subjective, but we’re pretty sure any pastry-loving collector would be proud to get their hands on this fun twist on scientific botanical illustrations. Created by Society6 artist Jonas Loose, this Donut Plant Print strikes just the right balance between delicious and whimsical. (And a conversation-starter—who wouldn’t want the ability to just pluck a fresh donut off a tree to eat at their leisure?!) It’s also available in five sizes and made-to-order, so you’ll definitely make somebody feel special.

Nothing says “happy holidays” quite like a slice of avocado toast… right? From millennials to chefs with a sense of humor, this festive Kurt Adler Avocado Toast Glass Ornament is sure to delight everyone. Perfect for hanging on a Christmas tree or ornament stand, it features a piece of golden brown toast topped with cream cheese, avocado slices, and everything bagel seasoning—a.k.a., the perfect brunch bite.

Candles get a bad rap (cue SNL’s infamous Christmas Candle sketch) but they can actually be a practical gift with a lot of potential. Boy Smells' scents and styles—including the intoxicating Marble Fruit Candle—prove that candles have come a long way from the saccharine and over-processed products of the '90s.

Booze is always a classic gift that will never be old fashioned—unless, you know, your recipient pours a couple ounces of this bottle of Rittenhouse Rye into a brown sugar old fashioned. Whether sipped neat or incorporated in a classic wintertime cocktail, this versatile rye whiskey will please most palates with its sweetness and spiciness.

From your mom’s famous Sunday dinner marinara to that sour cream coffee cake your grandma would bake to make any bad day better, recipes aren’t just about food—they’re vivid reminders of what makes a family’s bond special. Available in a wide range of vibrant, cheerful patterns, Jot & Mark’s Decorative Tin for Recipe Cards can securely safeguard hundreds of recipes against any spills, stains, or unfortunate blender mishaps. This box not only holds standard 4 x 6 inch recipe cards, but it also works well with standard index cards, pre-printed recipe cards, and cut-outs from our magazine.

Santa doesn’t want milk and cookies this year; he wants a nightcap. And by gifting this On The Rocks Set made by UncommonGoods creators Arra David and Anne Johnson, you’ll be sure to get on anyone’s nice list. This kit has everything you need to make a literal whiskey on the rocks: two recycled glass tumblers, a sturdy hardwood storage tray, and six granite discs hand-crafted from rocks found on the beaches of New England. Throw in a bottle of your favorite whiskey and you’re good to go!

Whether your recipient is a computer whiz or more of an analog aficionado in a digital world, the InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser maintains a great balance between aesthetic and ease of use. Often, these nifty devices are more than just a way to freshen up a home—these trendy decorations are also great conversation starters that can help melt away the stress of the holidays.

To add a personal touch, feel free to include some sweet-smelling oils to bask in the aroma of their favorite desserts. (Though it’s good to note if your recipient has a furry friend, make sure any oils are pet-friendly.)

If some of your best memories with your BFFs are just sharing laughs, stories, and advice over a piping-hot cup of coffee or tea, the Olas Mug can make those friendly gatherings (not to mention, their daily caffeine ritual) a little more special.

Made in Portugal, this stoneware is glazed and painted by hand—adding a bit of uniqueness and personality to each mug—and it’s even dishwasher- and microwave-safe!

Teach a person to pop a bottle of champagne, and they’ll drink for a day. Give a person a refillable, sparkly, champagne-colored S'well Water Bottle, and they’ll drink for life. (Or something like that.)

This insulated stainless steel vessel is comfortable to hold and pleasant to drink from thanks to its convenient twist-top lid. Plus, it’s available in a ton of colors and sizes, so the customization possibilities are practically endless.

The snowman-themed outer design of this Dash Mini Waffle Maker is absolutely worth melting for, but if you need some extra convincing that this is the best White Elephant gift ever, we’re happy to oblige. Not only is it nonstick for easy cooking and cleanup, but it can also whip up a cute, 4-inch waffle in a matter of 60 seconds—that’s faster and tastier than pulling an Eggo out of the freezer and nuking it in the microwave.

With the refreshing scent of tart cranberries and figs, this handcrafted Cranberry & Fig Coconut Milk and Shea Butter Soap by Southern California-based Etsy shop Mama's Handmade Sudsy Soap smells good enough to eat. (But you definitely shouldn’t—it’s still soap.) A perfect addition to a kitchen or bathroom, this decadent bar of soap is infused with cranberry seeds for mild exfoliation and is made with natural ingredients like organic coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and coconut milk to make skin feel baby-soft.

We may be biased, but we don’t think there’s a sweeter gift than our Baking Is My Therapy Tote Bag. Featuring 1-inch cotton web handles and sturdy double stitched seams, this 18x18-inch tote bag has ample room for carrying everything from groceries to, well, White Elephant gifts. Just keep in mind that it’s dry clean (or spot clean) only.

Especially during the winter months, it can be a slog to go out and brave the elements for the sake of grabbing a bite. While the concept of getting food delivered may not seem particularly exciting, imagine how delightful it is to have your favorite meal from your favorite restaurant delivered right to your door, no charge.

This Grubhub Gift Card says more than just “bon appétit”—it’s a simple gesture that will make someone’s day a little merrier and brighter.

Sure, the holidays are supposed to be a happy time of year, but sometimes you just can’t help but say “bah humbug”! Your fellow party attendees may be under the wild impression that you’re secretly a softie like Ebenezer Scrooge or the Grinch, but they’ll get the memo with these Dark Humor Misfortune Cookies. Or, more likely, they’ll get a good laugh out of the miserly messages each of the package’s 13 black (like your heart) fortune cookies contains, including “There are no certainties in life, except that you will have another terrible day tomorrow” and “You have an inferiority complex, and it's entirely justified.”

You don’t have to be a fan of ABC’s Shark Tank to get the appeal of The BevBuckle, which is equal parts ridiculous and ingenious, with just a dash of style for good measure. Constructed out of zinc with an antique silver finish, this unique retractable drink holder can be attached to any 1.5-inch belt bracket to securely carry your beer can or bottle right on a belt.

Measuring at nearly six inches wide, the Dakota Fields Square Wine Bottle Coaster just seems like your average comically large coaster… until you realize it’s big enough to hold a glass, a candle, or a even a bottle of red or white (or perhaps a crisp rosé). Eco-friendly and pragmatic, this stylish coaster is made from heavy gauge, copper sourced from 100 percent recycled materials and features hammered accents to add a bit of flair.

If your family fights over the wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey, don’t be surprised if they start a back-and-forth of gift stealing with these fun and funky Sterling Silver Wishbone Studs. Like all of Connecticut-based shop Pennyweights’ handcrafted jewelry, these delicate studs are an exquisite way to add a little glitz to a daily uniform.

How many times have you had your hands covered in bread dough when you’ve realized you need to convert measurements or calculate the amount of juice in a lemon for your lemon bars? Perfect for any tech-savvy home chef, the Amazon Echo Dot is here to lend a hand in the kitchen—well, metaphorically, that is.

This smart speaker is great for checking the weather before going sledding, streaming your favorite carols while making Christmas cookies, fielding calls and messages from long-distance family and friends, and more. (Yes, that includes telling dad jokes.)

Anybody who says they haven’t dreamed of being a burrito is lying to themselves—or they just didn’t know mermaker’s Tortilla Blanket existed. With this 71-inch flannel throw, your recipient can swaddle themselves up tighter than their Chipotle order to stay nice and toasty. And unlike an actual tortilla, it’s even machine-washable!

As Darth Vader once said, “Come to the Dark Side, we have sushi.” Or something like that.

From handling Cheetos to kimbap, the Force is strong with these BPA-free Lightsaber Chopsticks. You won’t need to perform any Jedi mind tricks to turn these light-up utensils on and off—just use the handy button on the tops!