White Elephant Gifts Under $20

As much as I love the holiday season, gift giving can be a huge stressor. It’s already difficult to find the best gift for everyone on your list, but if you get invited to a white elephant party… all bets are off! Typically there’s a limit on how much you can spend on these presents and you don’t know who the gift will end up with by the end of the night. Although people sometimes bring gag gifts to these events, I hate wasting my money on things that will get thrown out after the holidays. I think many of you might be in the same boat, so I pulled together a list of my favorite white elephant gifts under $20. 

Enjoy!

1. Knit beanie: You can never really have too many winter hats, especially if you live in a cold climate like I do. That’s why beanies are the perfect white elephant gift. It’s not only affordable, but super practical as well. I love this one from Nordstrom because it comes in a few different colors!

2. Ball drop earrings: Uhm, how cute are these earrings?! I can’t believe they are only $14. They come in black and white and are a great accessory for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve. 

3. Contigo travel mug: A few years ago, Bryan gave a Contigo mug for a white elephant gift and it was a huge hit. Because really, who doesn’t need a high-quality travel coffee mug?! Contigo is a great brand and their products really keep your coffee or tea hot for hours. Plus they are leak-proof, so if you’re clumsy like me it’s a perfect gift. 

4. Plush socks: You can never have too many pairs of cozy socks in the winter. This pair from Nordstrom is super festive and extra plush. I’d personally love to get these as a gift in a white elephant exchange! 

5. Desk calendar: Desk calendars are great gifts because it’s something that the recipient will use literally all year long. I have one on my desk that I received as a gift last year and I can’t believe how often I reference it. 

6. Williams & Sonoma salted caramel hot chocolate: If you’ve never tried W&S salted caramel hot chocolate, you’re missing out. I might even like it more than the Starbucks version. It’s a decadent gift that most people wouldn’t splurge on for themselves. 

7. Audrey sleep mask: As a pregnant lady, I need all the help when it comes to sleep. I’ll buy anything that will make my bedtime routine more comfortable. This sleep mask is a fun gift that will definitely get a ton of use. I love the gold detail and the fact that the backside is satin. 

8. Less Monday more coffee mug: I’m a huge sucker for cute coffee mugs, and I can’t get enough of them. I’m obsessed with this one that says “Less Monday, More Coffee.” Truer words have never been spoken. If you’re doing an exchange with co-workers, I highly recommend buying this gift. 

9. Butter London nail polish set: Nail polish is a great a white elephant gift because most women love it, but generally won’t splurge on a nice bottle. Butter London is definitely high-end, but it’s one of my favorite nail polish brands because they are considered “8-free,” which means their products don’t contain 8 nasty chemicals – Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, DBP, Toluene, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, or TPHP. 

10. iPhone stand: I’m pretty much obsessed with this iPhone stand and am considering buying myself one this year. It’s the perfect desk accessory, it’s rose gold, and for under $10 … you really can’t beat it! It’s really distracting for me to pick up my iPhone from my desk every time a notification comes though {1st world problems!}, so this stand keeps it elevated and easy to view.

11. iTunes/App Store gift card: Gift cards are typically not my favorite thing to give, but if you run out of time and need to grab a last minute white elephant gift, an iTunes card is a great choice. You can use it for music, apps, movies, and games! 

12. Plaid throw: Who doesn’t love a cozy throw in the colder months?! People don’t typically buy throws to give at white elephant parties, so I think it will be a nice surprise. It’s under $20 so it won’t break the bank, and I’m positive that it will be a highly sought after gift.

13. Geo print shawl: Similar to the throw above, shawls are ideal this time of year. You can pair them with jeans or leggings and dress it up or down. This one is usually $39, but it’s 50% off right now. Go get it before it sells out!

14. Flip-top textured mittens: I think a lot of people can relate to this – I lose my gloves all the time. It’s kind of like hair ties. I have no idea where they end up, but I always seem to have to buy more every single year. That’s why I love giving gloves during the holidays. People ALWAYS need them. 

15. Voluspa candle: I love giving candles as white elephant gifts because most people love them and they are an easy go-to. As much as I love candles from Bath and Body Works, they don’t always have the prettiest packaging, yanno? This one from Voluspa smells heavenly and comes in an adorable tin container!

16. C.O. Bigelow rose salve lip trio: This product is one of my favorites because you can use it in many different ways. It’s great for dry lips and skin, but also works as a sheen for your eyelids or cheeks! 

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