White Elephant Gifts Under 20: Hilarious Finds for Your Holiday Swap

Few White Elephant gifts guarantee more giggles than Big Mouth’s Toilet Mug—pure visual punch, a budget-friendly $15.99 price, and a legit 12 oz ceramic capacity for coffee or cocoa. In our testing, the wide, shallow bowl shape looks hilarious but cools drinks faster and can slosh if you’re walking. The handle runs small for larger hands, and durability isn’t perfect, with occasional reports of chips or glaze flaws, so consider hand-washing and a little extra care.

During our review, The Screaming Goat proved to be a silly desk companion that lands laughs without blowing the budget, and the included 32-page mini book adds extra trivia-fueled fun. Its compact size sits easily on shelves or cubicles, though our experience shows the volume is modest and best appreciated at close range. Be aware some units arrive with weak or dead batteries, so we suggest testing it before the swap to avoid a quiet reveal at the party.

Skip the gag and give the most-stolen practical pick: 3M Command Large Utility Hooks in a value pack. In our testing, they held to their listed capacity on smooth, prepped walls and then pulled off cleanly without holes or sticky residue, perfect for renters and seasonal decor. Our experience shows prep is everything; textured paint, old surfaces, or overloading can lead to failure, so don't hang valuables, over beds, or on wallpaper. Multiple hooks and extra strips mean instant organizing for under ten bucks.

Practical gifts are White Elephant gold, and these Energizer Max AA batteries are the crowd-pleaser people actually use after the party. In our testing, they provided solid runtime in remotes and toys, and the advertised leak-resistant design plus long shelf life make them easy to store for years. Our experience shows the brand is simple to restock almost anywhere, though some buyers report damaged packaging or rare leaks. Just remember they're non-rechargeable alkalines, not reusable like NiMH cells.

Eco-friendly gifts get stolen fast, and the Stasher Snack Bag is a reusable winner that cuts single-use plastic without sacrificing convenience. In our testing, the Pinch-Loc seal stayed reliably leak-resistant for snacks and travel toiletries, and the food-grade silicone sailed through the dishwasher, microwave, freezer, and even oven use. Our experience shows drying can be slow and the snack size a bit wide for some lunch bags, with occasional reports of staining or finicky seals. Still, it's a practical, planet-kind pick under $10.

Give the gift of a tidy desk: these 8-inch Velcro One-Wrap ties corral cords without bulk and can be reopened again and again. In our testing, the thin, low-profile design kept chargers, game controllers, and kitchen cables neat, and the pre-cut length was a sweet spot for most bundles. Our experience shows they aren't heavy-duty and the narrow width or anchor hole limits bigger coils, and hook-and-loop wears with years of heavy use. For under $10, it's satisfying organization in a bag.

Color-loving coworkers will trade for these Sharpie S-Note Creative Markers, with 12 vibrant, true-to-cap shades and a versatile chisel tip. In our testing, the chisel tip made quick work of highlighting yet still handled finer doodles, and the low odor kept long note sessions comfortable. Just be aware they're not as bold or permanent as classic Sharpies, and some users report bleed-through on thin planner paper or that a few markers feel dry. For a White Elephant swap, they're colorful, useful, and immediately giftable.

Office swaps love a pen pack, and the Pilot G2 Fine Point is the one people actually reach for every day. In our testing, the gel ink was smooth and consistent, the latex-free grip stayed comfy through long meetings, and refills are easy to find when you run dry. Our experience shows occasional duds right out of the box, plus smudging on glossy stock and rare leaking or flow hiccups with certain batches. Still, for under $15, it's a dependable, refillable workhorse.

For a practical steal, these Moleskine Cahier pocket journals are easy to gift and even easier to carry—lightweight, flexible, and the perfect size for quick notes on the go. In our testing, the value is strong at around $6.48, but the paper can be thin with wetter pens, and there’s no internal pocket for receipts. We’ve also seen occasional quality hiccups like creased corners on arrival, so if you’re picky about pristine pages, consider checking the pack before gifting.

If your office crowd needs a chill moment between steals, this compact Mini Zen Garden brings instant calm to tiny workspaces. In our testing, the set was complete right out of the box—tray, non-toxic sand, rocks, and figurines—though we learned to rake gently since sand can scatter and the small tools are delicate. The pieces are intentionally miniature, so expectations should stay modest, but it’s a simple, soothing desk diversion that suits White Elephant budgets perfectly.

Turn taco night into a conversation starter with this Fred & Friends Taco Truck—playful colors plus a practical design that keeps two shells upright while you fill, serve, and eat. In our testing, we liked that it’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe polypropylene for easy cleanup and reheating, but the thin plastic can feel a bit flimsy. It holds only two tacos and isn’t insulated or deep, so don’t expect to keep food hot long; consider multiples if you’re feeding a crowd.

For the cocktail connoisseur in your White Elephant circle, Tovolo's Sphere Ice Molds add instant bar-cart cred. In our testing, the 2.5-inch spheres melted slowly to keep whiskey and mocktails cold without heavy dilution, and the stackable design with tight silicone caps made filling and storage far less messy. Our experience shows the plastic can chip if dropped, and spheres sometimes emerge slightly oblong. They also take more freezer space than standard trays, but cleanup is easy since everything's dishwasher-safe.

We found the Dash Mini Maker to be a crowd-pleasing kitchen gadget that actually gets used—its compact footprint stores anywhere, heats fast, and the nonstick plates wipe clean in seconds. During our review, the single-waffle capacity was fine for a couple of people but slow for larger groups, and overfilling can lead to messy overflow. Also worth noting: occasional defective units do pop up, so consider plugging it in before wrapping or include a gift receipt just in case.

A quirky crowd-pleaser for the guac-obsessed, OXO's 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer splits, pits, and slices with one compact tool. In our testing, the non-slip handle stayed secure with messy hands and cleanup was easy on the top rack, though bits can lodge in the slicer's grooves. Our experience shows very ripe or very firm avocados may mash instead of slice cleanly, and frequent dishwashing can lead to surface rust on the pitting teeth. Fixed sizing also struggles with jumbo or tiny fruit.

If you want a crowd-pleasing kitchen ringer under $20, the Microplane Premium Classic is hard to beat. In our testing, its surgical-grade etched teeth turned citrus into fluffy, aromatic zest and shaved Parmesan into snowdrifts, while the soft-touch handle kept our grip secure. It's dishwasher-safe and includes a protective cover, though the ultra-sharp blade demands care, and bits can lodge behind the channel, so keep a brush handy. A few users note water can get trapped in the handle or the cover can fit loosely.

These LED Chop Sticks are the kind of goofy, glow-tastic gift that lights up any swap - literally. During our review, we liked that batteries come included and the rainbow LEDs offer multiple flash modes, so they're party-ready out of the box. They're lightweight and easy to toss in a bag, but plan on hand-washing, since they're not dishwasher-safe. Note that Glowsource has mixed customer-service reviews and limited product feedback, so order ahead or keep a backup gift in mind just in case.

Cozy socks win every White Elephant, and these Grabber Heat Holders deliver serious warmth with a high TOG rating and a plush, brushed interior. During our review, they felt soft enough for lounge or sleep and the non-binding top was comfortable for those with circulation concerns. Our experience shows the thick cushioning can crowd regular shoes, so consider sizing up in boots or wearing them as slippers. A few buyers mention durability hiccups like early holes, but for toasty toes, they're hard to beat.

If your White Elephant crew braves chilly tailgates or winter walks, HotHands are the crowd-pleasing practical pick—compact pouches that activate with air and deliver hours of steady warmth. In our testing, they took about 15–30 minutes to reach full temperature, and occasional duds happen, so tossing an extra pair in the gift bag can be smart. At around $11.99 for a pack, the price is right, though the single-use design means repeat purchases for regular users.

After long shopping days, a Dr Teal’s soak feels like a mini spa session—noticeable muscle relief, calming scents, and a hefty 3 lb bag for around $5.87 make it giftable on any budget. During our review, we did find the fragrance a bit strong for sensitive noses, and the packaging isn’t the toughest, with occasional split bags in transit. Our experience shows it can leave a slick residue, so give the tub a quick rinse when you’re done.

This is the kind of party card game that explodes into laughter within two minutes—simple rules, fast reflex play, and broad appeal for kids and adults. We found it perfect for quick rounds between steals at a swap, though strategy-lite gameplay can feel repetitive after extended sessions. Watch for edition differences: some runs use thinner card stock that creases with rough play, and the Ridiculously Large cards are hilarious but a handful to shuffle.

At $9.99, the PopSockets PopGrip in Celestial Mauve is a crowd-pleasing White Elephant pick that's actually useful. In our testing, the grippy base made one-handed texting and selfies easier, and it doubles as a kickstand for video calls. Our experience shows it sticks best to smooth plastic or glass; silicone or highly textured cases can be finicky, and the swappable top may loosen over time. Still, the pretty celestial design and under-$10 price make it an easy steal.

This tiny Anker 511 Nano Pro is the tech gift that disappears by round two—compact, lightweight, and surprisingly punchy at 20W. In our testing, it fast-charged modern phones and small devices reliably, and Anker's ActiveShield kept temps in check for everyday top-ups. Our experience shows the fixed prongs don't fold, which dings portability, and some users report heat and throttling during long, sustained loads. Note that a USB-C cable isn't included, so toss one in if you want a complete bundle.

For a practical under-$20 gift, this SanDisk Ultra UHS memory card is a handy upgrade for phones, tablets, and cameras, and it even includes a full-size SD adapter. In our testing, the high advertised read speeds made transferring photos and videos feel snappy, though write speeds are modest - around 10 MB/s - so it's not suited for high-bitrate 4K or pro rigs. Our experience shows it's best for everyday shooting, app storage, and backups. Note that some users report occasional reliability issues with long-term use.

Nothing dresses up a bottle faster than this Hallmark Santa Suit bag—those gold foil accents make even a budget wine look party-ready. In our testing, the 4" W x 13" H x 4" D size fit standard wine and similarly shaped bottles perfectly, and at about $3.49 it’s a cheap way to class up a White Elephant. Just note it’s paper with minimal reinforcement, so it offers little protection and isn’t weather-resistant; buying multiples can also add up since it’s sold individually.