The Best of White Elephant Gifts

Inevitably, the White Elephant party will have its debut each and every year. It’s one of those parties you really don’t look forward to, until your there. What makes the White Elephant party so great… are the gifts! Obviously. Those awkward encounters with coworkers or family you are just meeting for the first time, don’t have to be so awkward if there are laughable, creative gifts stimulating conversation.

Our theory: get a great gift and look forward to the party all month! Plus, you are guaranteed to enjoy the party as well.

What makes a gift good? You have two factors working in your favor: gifts that are relevant and those that are random. Relevant gifts will pertain to the holiday festivities or the common ground which all attendees share. For example, if it is a work party, you can get a gift that can be used in an office setting.

Random gifts, on the other hand, are… well, random. They usually have nothing to do with the attendees. In order to not creep everyone out with your repressed desires or peculiar sense of humor, it may be a good idea for your random gift to be somewhat of a cultural trend or hot topic of the past year.

However, the absolute BEST White Elephant gift is those that are both relevant and random!

Here are the best of this year’s White Elephant gifts that are suitable for coworkers or friends and family. There are even a few that can be made last minute; just in case you have a party to attend tonight!

RELEVANCE: The Office Environment

Balding Post-It Notes

These are particularly hysterical for a middle aged male coworker, however, suitable for any recipient. This gift will stir up some laughter at the party and will continue to crack smiles as they are used throughout your working days that lie ahead.

Mini Single-Can Fridge

Who wouldn’t want this?! A coworker can connect this USB charged mini-fridge to their computer to cool any can, any time… Plus, it will also serve as a humorous desk decoration.

RANDOM: The Cultural Trend

Umbrella Handle Covers

These interchangeable umbrella handle covers are bound to make any proud owner feel absolutely hardcore. Plain and simple, our culture has made Ninjas really cool. Ninjas are socially acceptable and their capabilities are highly coveted. Therefore, this is entirely acceptable as a random gift. Just be sure that you live in an area where it actually rains.

The Horse Head Mask

Not really sure why this took on and became so big in 2014… However, when millennials get theirs hands on product and make videos that go viral, it is bound to become a trend. I can’t really tell you what one would ever do with this mask, but it’s funny… and I think I kind of want one.

RELEVANT & RANDOM: The Last Minute Gift

Reindeer Beer

This gift is especially great, and more personalized, if you pick out one of your favorite hand crafted microbrews! Don’t worry the googley eyes and pipe cleaners only take seconds to apply… The unexpected reindeer décor makes this gift a little random while it remains relevant because, let’s face it, most of us love a good beer! If you feel like going above and beyond, this can be gifted with along with a young lime tree.

The Homemade Ugly Christmas Sweater

Buy any cheap dark green sweatshirt, some Christmas colored tensile and mini ornaments. Grab a hot glue gun and get to creating! The best part about this ugly sweater, in particular, is the ability that the clothed individual has to transform into a tree. This is an unexpected quality that definitely qualifies as random. I don’t know what could be more relevant to Christmas than becoming a Christmas tree yourself, so this definitely falls under the relevant category. After all, someone could probably use this at the next Christmas party they are scheduled to attend!

White Elephant parties don’t have to be as bad as you think they are. They can be enjoyable the whole time! The secret is… get a good gift! You’ll be excited and you can bank on comic relief to break any tension. Whether you are a planner or a procrastinator, one of these will work for you!

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