If you’re participating in a white elephant exchange this year, finding the perfect quirky gift can be a challenge. Instead of buying an item that gets re-gifted or left behind at the end of the night, we’ve created a list of items your friends and family will actually want to take home. Our list of the best white elephant gifts under $35 features a handful of cute home decor items, board games, budget-friendly kitchen tools, and more. The first item on our list of the best white elephant gifts under $35 is the Dash Mini Waffle Maker, which cooks delicious golden waffles on its 4-inch nonstick surface. For a plush yet stylish gift, shop the Lomao Fleece Throw Blanket, which features a textured pattern that’ll look stunning in any living room.  These are the best white elephant gifts under $35. Price at time of publish: $13 Price at time of publish: From $23 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $32 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $25 Price at time of publish: $14 Price at time of publish: $16 Price at time of publish: $27 Price at time of publish: $35 Price at time of publish: $24 Price at time of publish: $34 Our editors love the scent of this soothing single-wick candle, which is designed to help you relax and unwind after a long day. Created by world-class perfumers, it features bright wild berry top notes and a calming blend of violet and cedarwood that’ll linger in your giftee’s home as it burns. We also love that this candle is made of non-toxic materials, contained in a recyclable glass canister, and has a 60-hour burn time.  Price at time of publish: $32 Price at time of publish: $26  Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $12 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $20 Price at time of publish: $24 Price at time of publish: $22 Price at time of publish: $19 Price at time of publish: $22  Price at time of publish: $26 Price at time of publish: from $19 Price at time of publish: $30 Price at time of publish: $21 Price at time of publish: $26 Price at time of publish: $16 Price at time of publish: $26 Price at time of publish: $17

Your Questions, Answered

How much money should you spend on a white elephant gift? 

When shopping for the best white elephant gifts for your friends, family, or coworkers, it can be tricky to know how much you’re supposed to spend. If you’re organizing a white elephant gift exchange for your holiday party, we recommend keeping the income ranges and lifestyles of your guests in mind before setting a spending limit. This helps to ensure that everyone can bring a gift that’s well within their budget and that all the gifts are approximately the same value. 

How do you choose the best white elephant gifts? 

Depending on the type of party you’re attending, the best white elephant gifts will be cute or quirky items that cost $35 or under. Though some rules ask attendees to bring gag gifts to a white elephant exchange, others may iterate small purchases. We’ve found that the best white elephant gifts are tailored to the interests of the other participants in the exchange—this helps to ensure that everyone has a chance to get something they want. It also minimizes the number of items left behind or thrown away at the end of the party.

Who We Are

Samantha Jones is an associate commerce editor at Better Homes & Gardens, writing and editing stories about the latest home, kitchen, and garden products on the market. For this story, Samantha scoured the internet (and her own holiday gifting list) to find the best white elephant gifts under $35 for friends, family, and even coworkers.