![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-1.jpg)
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Every year, people are putting a fun spin on the conventional holiday gift exchange with a white elephant party. The rules lend themselves to a playful environment and even some light-hearted shenanigans.
So, what is a white elephant gift exchange? Also called a Yankee Swap, there are a few basic rules. Essentially, each person in the swap contributes a wrapped present to a gift pool. Usually, the event organizer has stipulations on price and type of gift. Some white elephant exchanges, for instance, encourage people to re-gift something they never wanted in the first place.
Once the items are in, players draw numbers to determine the order they’ll select a gift. Then, everyone sits in a circle so they can all see the presents. The first player picks their gift and opens it. Here’s what makes the white elephant exchange different from something like a Secret Santa: the following players can take an item from the pool or steal a previous player’s gift. If someone has their present stolen, then they can either choose a new gift or steal it from someone else. This continues until everyone has had a turn.
This year may be a bit different as many people will be holding their white elephant parties virtually. But the responsibility of purchasing a gift should remain the same. If you’ve been invited to participate in one of these exchanges, it can be tricky to pick a gift. You’re not buying for a specific person; instead, you’re purchasing something that would appeal to at least several people. To help you in this endeavor, we’ve selected a variety of quirky and creative gifts that are all $25 and under. We’re sure that there’s an art lover, tea enthusiast, and cat lover in your group! See our entire selection, below.
Need something for a white elephant gift exchange? Here are quirky and creative gifts all for $25 or less!
Rainbow Yoga Joes
![Creative White Elephant Gifts](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-under-25-7-2.jpg)
Brogamats | $25
‘The Great Wave’ Tote Bag
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-2.jpg)
Loqi | $14.95
Bob Ross Mug
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-5.gif)
Unemployed Philosophers Guide | $16.95
Avocado Food Huggers
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-12.jpeg)
Anthropologie | $12
Storm Cloud
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-16.jpg)
UncommonGoods | $25
Chill Beer Flannel
![Beer Flannel](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/beer-flannel-1.jpeg)
Tyrone Hazen | $14
Animal Society Temporary Tattoo Set
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-5.jpg)
Tattly | $15
Salvador Keychain
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-3.jpg)
Sketch.Inc | $25.95
Cookie House Mug Buddies
![Cookie House Buddy](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cookie-house-buddy-1.jpeg)
Margen Soliman | $24
“642 Things to Draw” Book
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-4.jpg)
Chronicle Books | $16.95
Vincat van Gogh Enamel Pin
![Vincat van Gogh Enamel Pin](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/vincat-van-gogh-enamel-pin-1-1.jpg)
Niaski | $12.50
Cherry Measuring Spoons
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-6.jpg)
Ototo | $16
Animal Multi Tool
![Animal Multi Tool](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/animal-multi-tool-4-1.gif)
Kikkerland Design | $22.50
Bartender Glasses
![Bartender Glasses](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bartening-glasses-2.jpeg)
Kikkerland Design | $25
Agate Coaster
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-11.jpeg)
Anthropologie | $16
Moon Chalk
![Moon Chalk](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/moon-chalk-cosmic-pollen-1.jpeg)
Nikolas Bentel | $12
Pop Art Crew Socks
![Creative White Elephant Gifts](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-under-25-3-1.jpg)
Yellow Owl Workshop | $10.95
1,000-Piece Moon Puzzle
![Creative Christmas Gifts Under $25](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-under-25-2.png)
Four Point Puzzle | $25
MagnaShapes Spinning Circles
![Creative White Elephant Gifts](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-under-25-8.jpg)
The MET | $24
Tokens of My Love: 24 Redeemable Coupons
![White Elephant Gift Ideas](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-7.jpg)
Jordan Sondler | $12.99
Cat Butt Magnets
![Cat Butt Magnets](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cat-butt-magnets-3-1.jpeg)
Kikkerland Design | $17
Birds on a Wire Mug
![Birds on a Wire Mug](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/birds-on-a-wire-mug-6.gif)
Unemployed Philosophers Guilds | $16.95
Nail Polish Holder
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-8.jpg)
Tweexy | $9.99
Build-On Brick Mug
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-12.jpg)
Triumphic | $15.75
Silicone Wine Glass Holder for the Shower
![White Elephant Gift Ideas](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-5.jpg)
30 Watt | $14.99
Basquiat Skull Tote Bag
![Skull Bag](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/skull-bag-1.jpg)
LOQI | $14.95
Baby Nessie Tea Infuser
![White Elephant Gift Ideas](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-4.jpg)
OTOTO | $14
Lollipopter Kinetic Toy
![](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-9.jpg)
John Edmark | $25
Cactus Cool Mist Humidifier
![White Elephant Gift Ideas](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-1.jpg)
AmuseND | $14.89
Small Wooden Cat Pile
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-10.jpg)
Comma | $20
Pasta Monster Serving Spoons
![Pasta Monster Serving Spoons](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pasta-monsters-serving-spoon-1-1.jpg)
OTOTO | $17
Puffer Fish Dryer Buddies
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-16.jpg)
Kikkerland | $9.50
Louis C. Tiffany Favrile Domed Magnets
![List of Gifts Under $25 for a White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/white-elephant-gifts-under-25-4-2.jpg)
The MET | $22
Death Star Ice Cube Mold
![White Elephant Gift Exchange](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/white-elephant-gift-exchange-update-8.jpg)
WiiRun | $13.97
Cacti and Succulent Tealight Candles
![Cactus and Succulent Candles](https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cactus-and-succulent-tealight-soy-candle-3-1.jpg)
Zoet Candles | $12.95
This article has been edited and updated.
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