White Elephant Gift Exchange Themes

Re-gift

Bring something you own but never use, still in good condition. Free, sustainable and usually hilarious. Set one rule: it has to be something someone could actually want.

Cozy

Blankets, fuzzy socks, candles, mugs, hot cocoa kits, slippers. The most-stolen category at almost every party.

Something you’d want yourself

The simplest theme of all, and it stops the pile of junk. If you wouldn’t be happy taking it home, don’t bring it.

Ornaments

Every gift is a tree ornament: funny, handmade, or a nice one. Easy on budgets and great for families.

Books

A favorite novel, a coffee-table book, a cookbook. Add a note on why you picked it.

Desk upgrades

For offices: desk plants, cable organizers, a good pen, a mug warmer, a mini whiteboard. See coworker gift ideas.

Local treats

Something from your town or region: local coffee, hot sauce, chocolate, honey or a gift card to a favorite café. Great for remote teams in different cities.

Self-care

Bath bombs, face masks, a nice hand cream, a sleep mask.

Kitchen gadgets

The weird and the useful: herb scissors, a garlic press, a fancy salt, a mini waffle maker.

Coffee and tea

Beans from a good roaster, a pour-over set, loose-leaf tea, a fancy mug.

Game night

Card games, small board games, puzzles, a deck of conversation cards.

As seen on TV

Gadgets you’d only ever buy as a joke, and end up using.

Under $10

A low budget forces creativity. See ideas under $10.

Outdoors

Hand warmers, a headlamp, a water bottle, a camping mug.

Ugly sweater

Every gift comes wrapped inside an ugly sweater, or is one.

Made by hand

Baked goods, knitted things, art, homemade jam.

Puns

The gift has to be a pun: a bag of chips labeled “You’re a real chip off the old block”, pears (“we make a great pair”).

Experiences

A movie ticket, a class voucher, a coffee date coupon.

Childhood favorites

Nostalgic snacks, toys or games from when you were a kid.

Mystery box

Wrap several small items in one box. Quantity over quality.

Picking a theme

• Offices: desk upgrades, coffee and tea, cozy.
• Families with kids: ornaments, game night, under $10.
• Friends: re-gift, as seen on TV, puns.
• Remote teams: local treats or experiences, since they ship well or are digital.

Add your theme to the invitation maker and your house rules. Browse more by budget in the gift ideas section or start with ideas for adults. Hosting remotely? The virtual game lets each person attach a link and a hint to their gift.