White elephant gift ideas people actually fight over

Links to Amazon in this guide are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A white elephant swap is a gift exchange with a twist. Players can open a new gift or steal one that someone else has already opened. The best gifts change hands several times before the game ends.

What makes a gift get stolen

The gifts people fight over have a few things in common:

• Useful. Something people would use this week, not put in a drawer.
• Shareable. It works at home, at the office, or with family.
• A little fun. It makes the room smile when it is unwrapped.
• Works for anyone. No sizes, no strong tastes, no inside jokes.

At work, keep every gift something you would be comfortable opening in front of your manager. Skip gag gifts about bodies, politics, religion, age or appearance. A laugh at someone’s expense is not a good gift.

Cozy

• A soft throw blanket in a neutral color
• A pair of warm, fuzzy socks in a one-size style
• A heated mug warmer for the desk

Candles are popular, but some offices don’t allow open flames, and some people react to strong scents. A flameless candle on a timer is a safer choice for a shared space. Keep any spare coin batteries away from children and pets.

Kitchen and coffee

• An insulated travel mug that keeps drinks hot or cold
• A hot cocoa gift set with a couple of mugs
• A mini waffle maker for weekend breakfasts

Food gifts need a label. Many people have food allergies. The nine major US allergens are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy and sesame. Leave food in its sealed package with the ingredient list, so the winner can check before eating.

Games

• A party card game that works for a group of adults
• A jigsaw puzzle with a fun picture

Check that any card game is clean enough for the office. Many party games are made for adults only.

Desk and gadgets

• A wireless charging pad
• A portable power bank
• A desk organizer with spots for pens and a phone
• A small desk plant in a self-watering pot

Buy chargers, power banks and anything that heats up, like a waffle maker, mug warmer or hand warmer, that are certified to a recognized safety standard. Unplug heating gadgets when you are done, never leave them on unattended, and keep cords where no one will trip on them. Don’t leave a power bank charging under a pillow or blanket, and stop using one that swells, gets very hot or smells odd.

A little silly but useful

• A set of reusable straws in bright colors
• A heated hand warmer for cold mornings
• A mini desk vacuum for crumbs

A note on alcohol

At work, skip wine and spirits unless your workplace allows it and the whole group agrees first. Not everyone drinks, and some workplaces have rules about it. Sparkling cider, specialty sodas or a coffee sampler are good alcohol-free options.

Set the spending limit as a group

Agree on one spending limit before anyone shops. Ask the group, and pick an amount that is comfortable for everyone, including newer or part-time staff. A clear limit keeps the gifts fair and the game fun.

The rules of the game

1. Draw numbers. Each player brings one wrapped gift and draws a number. Put all the gifts on one table.
2. Open or steal. Player 1 opens a gift and keeps it in view. Each player after that can either open a wrapped gift or steal one that has already been opened.
3. If your gift is stolen, you can open a new gift or steal a different one. The next number goes once someone opens a new gift.
4. No immediate steal-back. You can’t take back the gift that was just taken from you on the same turn.
5. Three steals and it’s frozen. A gift can be stolen at most three times. After the third steal, it stays with that person for the rest of the game.
6. The first player gets a final turn. Player 1 never had a chance to steal. After the last gift is opened, player 1 can keep their gift or swap it for any gift that isn’t frozen. Then the game ends.