When you host or attend a white elephant exchange, it’s expected that you wrap – and bring along - a funny, useless, silly, or flat-out weird gift. There are a few ways that white elephant exchanges are organized. This is often a great way to get rid of items around your home – and gain a new one in the process. Some hosts ask that the White Elephant gifts are something you already own. Others encourage attendees to bring a new product along, but with a monetary limit. You might bring along adult coloring books or a box of hot sauce – there’s no wrong way to play the game!
Note
: This game may also be called Dirty Santa or Yankee Swap.
Looking for White Elephant Gifts?
Since White Elephant gifts usually need to fall under a certain value, we’ve compiled a quick list of our top “under $20” subscription boxes. Keep scrolling for some of our favorite picks!
VINYL POST Record Club delivers 5"x 7" postcard sized-records to play on a turntable by up-and-coming indie artists. Each record includes a handwritten note from the artist, lyrics, a bio sheet, a digital download, and original wall art. They'll discover new talent and find their favorite song of 2023 with this unique and affordable subscription box suited for all collectors and vinyl lovers!
Shipping: Orders made before the 15th of each month will ship by the 22nd of that same month. Please order by the 15th to get the current box. For existing subscribers, we ship by the 22nd of every month. Each release is packaged in envelopes / plastic sleeves & sent via USPS first class letter.
Customer Review
“WHAT A COOL Subscription Box!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! I'm saving up each month's Vinyl to give my 17yr old daughter at Xmas. Very affordable & Unique!!! Product is good quality as well. Highly recommend!!” – Angela J.
Aficionados at the Heat Hot Sauce Shop are bringing the heat to everyone who claims hot sauce as their favorite condiment with the Hot Sauce of the Month Club. The atomic-sauce experts put their skills to good use, selecting 1 or 3 full-size bottles of award-winning hot sauces in a preferred heat range.
Shipping: Orders placed now will ship January 1st. You can use our printable gift notes or send a gift email to notify the recipient. If you'd like to have your box shipped early, let us know by replying to the confirmation email.
Customer Review
"I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend and so far it’s amazing! He loves putting hot sauce on his eggs in the morning and this subscription is such a fun way for him to try different kinds of hot sauce and so far he’s loving it!" - Emma P.
Gift a little fun while supporting small, women-owned businesses with a monthly subscription to The Oddball Club. They won't feel like they're on the fringes in this club, because everyone here is just looking to have a good time unboxing surprises! Whether you opt for a micro, itty-bitty teeny-weeny or medium box, they'll receive happy mail filled with everything from stickers and kitschy gadgets to accessories and sweet treats.
Shipping: Orders placed today ship by Sept. 17th. All boxes ship on the 17th of each month. Subscriptions renew monthly.
Customer Review
“Super cute and fun boxes. I love all the unique items that keep coming and I am happy to have taken the chance and signed up.” – Subscription L.
Succulents are a great addition to any room. Start or add to a existing collection with the Succulents Box, a subscription that sends a variety of different succulents in 2-inch pots. Choose to get between 1 to 4 plants each month, and whether they're a first-timer or have a time-tested green thumb, each month's box is sure to bring something new.
Shipping: Your first box ships 3 business days after purchase. Your next box will ship between the 18th-20th each month. Your plant will be meticulously wrapped in bubble wrap and tissue papers and shipped in a sturdy box. Most 2" plants are shipped in their original plastic pot with soil. *** All of our packages are sterilized before leaving the door.
Customer Review
“Beautiful plant. Perfect packaging. Quick shipment and even comes with care instructions!!!” – Faith B.
It's no secret that flavorful healthy recipes require high-quality, freshly-ground spices. Piquant Post Flavor Kits is the perfect way to nudge them out of their cooking comfort zone, and create exciting and delicious meals. Each box delivers 4 spice mixes and 4 chef-developed recipe cards inspired by different cultural cuisines. Making everything from Vietnamese pho to Indian tandoori chicken is easier than ever!
Shipping: Now shipping the Sep box! An order today ships in 3 business days** Subsequent months always ship on the ~15th of each month.** Use Cratejoy gift email feature to select a date to send a gift message. Join 10's of 1000's of customers across the globe with best spice club on the market and take your home cooking global!
Customer Review
“This is by far my favourite spice subscription, I’ve tried a few different ones. The recipes are extremely easy to follow and delicious & I love that they have the spices for sale on their website in case you want to buy more for future recipes! I’m basically a pro chef now thanks to Piquant Post!” – Sarah S.
Introducing the perfect gift for any man - the MANBOX! This ultimate package delivers legendary items right to his doorstep each month, it includes men's essentials, lifestyle, tech/gadgets, and survival items. Every ManBox is jam-packed with 5 or more must-have items! Whether you're treating yourself, your boyfriend, your husband, your son, or anyone else, we guarantee they'll love it!
Shipping: All subsequent boxes ship between the 21st & 25th of each month.
Customer Review
"Not many subscription boxes for guys out there in this price range. A lot of them are either way too much $$$ or too focused (only knifes or only jerky). I enjoyed this box for the randomness of the themes and the items. 10/10 would recommend!!!" - Stefano S.
This fun sock-of-the-month club brings a fresh pair each and every month. Committed to finding quality socks from some of the world's top brands, each pair of awesome socks sports vivid color combos, fun patterns, and the occasional pun or witty saying. Choose for either men's or women's for a fun sock surprise to gift away.
Shipping: Your first box will ship within 48 business hours after your order is placed. For existing subscribers, your box will ship on the same day you placed your order.
Customer Review
"Cute packaging ! Great quality! I have tried other sock subscriptions and this one is really great!" - Courtney P.
Popped fresh before shipping, every delicious morsel of popcorn brought by Kernel Crate delivers a one-of-a-kind taste experience. All about bringing fun new flavors to popcorn lovers around the world, with each monthly delivery of Kernel Crate, they'll find 3 bags of uniquely-flavored (and naturally gluten-free) popcorn. From flavors like sweet cinnamon roll and horchata to savory BBQ bacon and pickle, now's the time to get in on the ultimate popcorn grab bag!
Shipping: All new or renewal orders placed between 1st through the 14th are shipped on the 15th. All new or renewal orders placed between the 15th through the end of the month are shipped on the 1st of the following month.
Customer Review
"It is always such a joy to get my box of popcorn in for the month! My parents and I have movie nights when I come to visit them, and this subscription for my dad has been such a fun part of that. Thanks y'all!" - Helen M.
Go on a culinary world tour right from the kitchen with the Wanderlust Select Culinary Spice Kit. If they love a good cooking challenge, this kit will have them exploring a unique array of cuisines like French quiche lorraine, Japanese yakitori, or Pakistani Kadhi Pakora. Give the option of exploring up to 1000 different flavor combos with this gift box.
Shipping: The 1st box of your subscription ships during the 3rd week of the month following your order. For example, if you order on May 25th, your 1st box will ship around June 18th. Perfect for date night, dinner clubs, family meals or home-schooling.
Customer Review
“Believe me when I say our family has tried all kinds of kits and this one is hands down our favorite. The kids are learning more about the world without even realizing it and the best part is seeing them actually try new flavors because they are involved in making it. Get this for your family now!” – Lauren L.
How to Play White Elephant Exchange
There are a few variations of White Elephant parties, but the official rules are as follows:
1. One Gift Per Player
It’s the host’s responsibility to provide attendees with instructions. They might encourage a useful or hilarious item that’s laying around their home or they might set a maximum price limit for new gifts.
2. Pick a Number
The host will write the number of players on slips of paper. Attendees will draw random numbers to determine the order they’ll play.
3. Start the Game
Players will sit in a circle around the wrapped gifts. Player 1 will select and open any gift of their choosing. It’s important that everyone can see what they’ve opened.
4. Let the Swap Begin
The following players can pick any unwrapped gift in the center of the circle or steal another player’s opened selection.Let’s say that Player 4 steals Player 3’s opened gift. This means that Player 3 can choose a new gift from the center or steal a present from Player 2 or 1.
Note
: A gift can only be “stolen” once per turn.
5. The Game Ends When…
After all of the White Elephant players have played, Player 1 has a final chance to take anything they have their eye on. If a person’s gift is stolen, they can select from someone else (who hasn’t been stolen from).
When a White Elephant participant has the opportunity for a final steal – but declines the opportunity – the game has ended. Otherwise, the game ends when there is no person left to steal from.
