White Elephant Gifts for Coworkers
Good White Elephant gifts for coworkers are useful, neutral and a little fun: a desk plant, a mug warmer, a good insulated tumbler, a cozy throw, snacks or a quick card game. Skip anything too personal, alcohol-dependent or risky for an office.
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Office exchanges have one extra rule: the gift has to work for anyone in the room, from the new intern to the CFO. Every idea here is safe for work and still worth stealing.
Remote team? Choose things that ship easily, or run the whole game with our virtual White Elephant.
The 30 ideas
- $10–20
Mug warmer for the desk
Keeps coffee warm through three meetings.
- $10–20
Desk plant (low-light)
Survives fluorescent lights and neglect.
- $20–30
Insulated tumbler
Everyone carries one; few have a great one.
- $10–20
Wireless mouse (quiet click)
A small upgrade that's noticed every day.
- $10–20
Noise-reducing foam earplugs for open offices
Practical and a little funny.
- $10–20
Desk organizer
Tidy desk, tidy mind.
- $20–30
Gourmet snack box
Shareable, so it's popular.
- $20–30
Coffee sampler
Fuel for the whole week.
- $20–30
Tea sampler with infuser
For the tea drinkers.
- $20–30
Cozy throw for a chilly office
Every office has one cold corner.
- $20–30
Laptop stand
Better posture, better video calls.
- $20–30
Phone stand with charger
Desk upgrade that looks techy.
- $10–20
Mini whiteboard
For to-do lists and doodles.
- $10–20
Blue-light glasses
Popular with screen-heavy jobs.
- $10–20
Funny mug (office humor)
"This meeting could have been an email" never gets old.
- $10–20
Card game for coworkers
Something to play at the next team event.
- $10–20
Hand cream set
Dry office air, solved.
- $10–20
Desk fidget toy set
Stress relief during long calls.
- $20–30
Lunch box (insulated, nice one)
For the meal-prep crowd.
- $20–30
Notebook + nice pen set
Classic and always used.
- $10–20
USB desk fan
Summer's best friend at the office.
- $10–20
Cable organizer kit
Clears the cable chaos under every desk.
- $10–20
Reusable water bottle with time markers
Hydration with a nudge.
- $20–30
Lap desk
For couch work days.
- $10–20
Hot cocoa bombs
Fun, festive and shareable.
- $10–20
Desk calendar for next year
Practical and often forgotten.
- $10–20
Personal desk humidifier
Dry offices, fixed.
- Under $10
Webcam cover and screen cleaner kit
Small, techy and useful.
- $20–30
Bluetooth tracker for keys
For the coworker who loses their badge.
- $10–20
Puzzle for the break room
Starts conversations all month.
Tips for this list
- Avoid alcohol unless you know your workplace allows it.
- Avoid anything with sizes (clothes, shoes).
- Gag gifts can backfire at work. Keep jokes gentle.
Before the party
Check the White Elephant rules so everyone plays the same way, use the number generator to draw the turn order, and if part of the group is remote, run it as a virtual White Elephant game.
Frequently asked questions
What should you not bring to an office White Elephant?
Anything too personal (clothing sizes, fragrances), adult-themed jokes, or alcohol if your workplace doesn’t allow it.
How much should a coworker White Elephant gift cost?
Usually $15–25. Follow the budget the organizer sets.