White Elephant parties are one of my absolute favorite holiday traditions.
I always find that the funniest, most ridiculous gifts are the ones that spark the most memorable moments and the loudest laughter.
This year, I am on a mission to bring an unforgettable gift, so I started brainstorming truly hilarious options that will have everyone fighting for a steal.
Forget the boring gift cards and generic candles; we are aiming for the best gag gifts that people will actually remember next year.
Here are 20 amazing, giggle-inducing White Elephant gifts I found that are guaranteed to make your next party a hit.
1. Nicolas Cage Sequin Pillow
Nothing screams “White Elephant” quite like a reversible sequin pillow with Nicolas Cage’s face on it.
People can nervously stroke it to reveal his perpetually puzzled expression. This gift is a perfect blend of weird and wonderful. It is also surprisingly comfortable, which only makes the ridiculous image more amusing. Imagine the look on a co-worker’s face when they unwrap this gem.
The sheer absurdity of a glittery, smiling Nic Cage staring out from a throw pillow is guaranteed to generate an immediate wave of laughter. It is a gift that keeps on giving every time someone walks by the couch.
2. A 6-Foot-Long Gummy Worm
This is not your average candy; this is a monster of a gummy worm.
It weighs about three pounds and is roughly the length of a small adult. The packaging alone is enough to get a chuckle, but the sheer scale of this sugary serpent is what seals the deal. It is a commitment gift, one that screams, “I dare you to eat this.”
It’s a fantastic choice for the foodie with a sense of humor. Just the logistics of trying to eat, store, or display a gummy worm this size is inherently funny. Plus, it serves as a great prop for photos at the party.
3. World’s Smallest Vacuum Cleaner
You would think this tiny gadget is for cleaning keyboards, but it is actually just comically small.
It barely sucks anything up, making it utterly useless and perfectly funny. It is the thought that counts, right? This gift pokes fun at the endless quest for clean homes and gadgets that promise everything.
It’s the kind of novelty item that makes everyone stop and ask, “Why?” The answer, of course, is “for the laughs.”
4. Inflatable T-Rex Costume
If the gift recipient is brave enough, they could put on the costume right there at the party.
A giant inflatable T-Rex is a gift that instantly turns any gathering into a prehistoric playground. It is a fantastic photo opportunity waiting to happen. The unboxing itself will be a moment of pure shock and joy.
This gift is a bold statement, showing you came to win the “most memorable gift” award. It is an amazing way to encourage some silly, spontaneous fun.
5. A Custom Pet Face Blanket
Take a photo of a random dog or cat, maybe one with a particularly goofy expression, and have it printed on a fleece throw blanket.
The result is a gift that is both soft and intensely peculiar. This gift is especially funny if the recipient does not even own a pet. It is a warm gesture with a hilariously odd twist.
It is a great example of a gift that looks lovely from a distance but reveals its comedy gold up close. Everyone will want to steal this warm, fuzzy, and utterly ridiculous present.
6. Emergency Googly Eyes
This kit is exactly what it sounds like: a container full of various sizes of googly eyes.
This gift is perfect for the person who needs to “liven up” their inanimate surroundings. Imagine what they could put these on: a stapler, a plant, or even a portrait on the wall. It encourages a little mischievous fun long after the party is over.
It is a simple, inexpensive gag gift that taps into a universal sense of silliness. This tiny tin holds limitless potential for low-stakes chaos.
7. The Burrito Blanket
This is a large, round fleece blanket printed to look exactly like a giant tortilla.
The whole point is that you can wrap yourself up like a human burrito. It is cozy, practical, and completely absurd. Who has not wanted to become a delicious, warm snack at some point?
It combines the comfort of a good blanket with the visual gag of being a delicious lunch. This gift is a definite crowd-pleaser and will likely be one of the most stolen items.
8. A Rubber Chicken Purse
It is an actual, full-sized rubber chicken that has been converted into a handbag with a small zipper on the side.
Yes, it is probably the most impractical bag ever, but it is also the funniest fashion statement of the season. It is a fantastic gift for the bold and the quirky. No one will be expecting this delightfully weird accessory.
Carrying this around is a commitment to comedy. It is a masterpiece of intentional tackiness.
9. A Tiny Hands Set
These are little plastic hands that slip onto your fingers like puppets.
They are designed to make everything you do look ridiculous and slightly confusing. Imagine someone trying to shake hands or pick up a glass with these tiny appendages. The sight of these miniature manicures is pure, unadulterated comedy.
They are an instant party prop that provides endless entertainment. This gift will have everyone crying from laughter at the sheer silliness of it all.
10. A Desk-Sized Miniature Zen Garden
This is not a funny idea until you consider that all the sand is replaced with sparkly glitter.
The rake is tiny, and every single movement creates a massive, shimmering mess. This gift is a beautiful, terrible trap for the tidy person in your group. The irony of a messy “Zen” garden is just too good.
It is a delightful sabotage of a calming trend. It brings a whole new level of controlled chaos to the office desk.
11. “Bad Idea” Button
This is a large, red button that plays one of many pre-recorded phrases like “I wouldn’t do that” or “Are you sure about that?” in a robotic voice.
It is great for providing unsolicited, passive-aggressive commentary during meetings or while friends are telling stories. It is a simple, effective comedy prop.
It is the perfect gift for the friend who always has a questionable plan. The button is a hilarious tool for gentle mockery.
12. A Jar of Pickles with Money Hidden Inside
Give the gift of a jar of actual pickles, which is confusing enough, but then hide a rolled-up $20 bill in the middle.
The unboxing moment of confusion followed by the surprise reveal of money is a great two-part joke. It is a delightful anti-climax that turns into a win. This gift combines a gag with a genuinely good prize.
This is a classic gag that works every time. It’s a fun way to trick people into accepting a jar of dill spears.
13. A Bag of Coal-Flavored Candy
It looks like the traditional lump of coal gag, but it is actually a bag of edible, oddly-flavored hard candy.
The real fun comes from daring people to try the unusual flavor. It is a twist on a classic “naughty” gift, making it slightly more palatable. The mixed messages of a gag gift that is also a snack are hilarious.
It’s a great example of low-stakes culinary adventure. The suspense of the first bite will get a good reaction.
14. A Chia Pet in the Shape of a Celebrity Head
Forget the boring terracotta animals; look for a Chia Pet shaped like a questionable celebrity.
The idea of watching green sprouts grow like a ridiculous toupee on a famous person’s head is endlessly funny. It is a gift that requires continued attention, making the commitment part of the joke. This gift is a permanent, living tribute to terrible celebrity haircuts.
It is a silly, vintage gag that still holds up. The slow-motion hilarity of the growing “hair” is fantastic.
15. A Life-Sized Cardboard Cutout of a Random Celebrity
This is a bold, oversized gift that is difficult to wrap and even harder to transport.
Imagine the person trying to get a six-foot-tall Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson home after the party. The sheer size of the gift makes it inherently ridiculous. It instantly becomes the most imposing, and therefore the funniest, gift in the room.
It is a fun way to give the gift of an awkward companion. This one is a guarantee for big laughs and a good-natured groan.
16. The “World’s Okayest” T-Shirt
This is a simple gray T-shirt with the words “World’s Okayest [Insert Job/Hobby]” printed on it.
The shirt is a badge of honor for anyone who accepts mediocrity with good humor. It is a perfect, self-deprecating gag gift. It’s the ultimate statement of barely trying.
It is a highly wearable joke that speaks to the universal feeling of being just “fine.” This gift is a quiet laugh that lasts all year.
17. An “As Seen on TV” Gadget That Definitely Doesn’t Work
Go to the clearance aisle and grab a strange item that promises amazing results but is obviously useless.
Think things like a banana slicer, a miracle scrubber, or a pocket fryer. The gift is a parody of late-night infomercials and their often-misleading promises. It is a great way to give a practical gift that is decidedly not practical.
The packaging alone will often be hilarious. This is a subtle yet deeply relatable commentary on consumer culture.
18. A Book of “Unnecessary” Quotes
Find a little novelty book filled with hilariously obvious or deeply unhelpful quotes.
For example, a page might say, “If you are hungry, you should eat something.” It is a fun nod to self-help culture and its tendency to overcomplicate things. This gift is a small dose of absurdist humor in book form.
It is a great prop to read from during the party. Everyone will appreciate the wry, dry comedy of this little volume.
19. A Giant, Oversized Safety Pin
It is exactly what it sounds like: a safety pin that is a foot long.
It has absolutely no practical use other than being a ridiculously large version of an everyday object. The scale change makes the simple item immediately funny. This is a pure novelty item meant to confuse and amuse.
It is a fantastic example of a simple object elevated to comedy. The recipient will have fun trying to figure out where to even put this oversized oddity.
20. A Can of “Unicorn Meat”
This is a can with a brightly colored, fake, and funny label claiming to contain canned unicorn meat.
When the can is opened, all that is inside is a dismembered, tiny, plush unicorn toy. The whole joke is the unexpected and slightly disturbing surprise inside. It is a perfectly executed gag that plays on mythical creatures and strange food trends.
It is a very creative and memorable surprise-in-a-can joke. This gift is guaranteed to elicit an initial gasp followed by a big burst of laughter.
Finding the right White Elephant gift is all about embracing the silly side of the holidays. The goal is not to give a “good” gift but to give the most unforgettable, laugh-out-loud present at the party. I know that any of these unique and slightly bizarre options will be a huge hit and guarantee you a front-row seat to all the best stealing and trading of the night.
