White Elephant gifts that don't suck
I’m preparing for my office White Elephant exchange, but this list works for anyone. Here are some utility-focused gifts under $50 that won't end up in the trash.
Let’s be honest: White Elephant exchanges are a gamble.
Whether it’s with your coworkers, your extended family, or a group of friends, the result is usually the same: You spend $30–$40 on something "funny," everyone laughs for 10 seconds, and then the gift collects dust until it gets tossed out during spring cleaning.
I think we can do better.
The best part of White Elephant should be the trading—the moment when someone opens a gift so genuinely useful that the rest of the room starts plotting how to steal it.
I’m currently putting together my strategy for my own work party, but as I was building this list, I realized these items work for literally anyone. If you are looking for gifts that are practical, high-quality, and under the $50 limit, here is my "No-Junk" playbook.
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no additional cost to you.
The Universal Lifesaver: Portable Chargers
It doesn't matter if you are an accountant, a teenager, or a grandmother—everyone hates running out of battery. There are so many options now that output more power and have larger batteries, some with built in cables!
- The Pick: Baseus Mini Power Bank Fast Charging 67W, 10000mAh
- Why it wins: Baseus has been releasing chargers that are incredibly small but pack a massive punch. The new ones have the cable attached, so you don't have to carry a separate cord. It’s the kind of gift that saves the day when you're out at dinner or traveling.
- Alternative picks: Anker Zolo Power Bank (2025 Upgraded), 20,000mAh
- BONUS: read until the end for my soapbox on portable batteries.
Stone Paper Notebooks
Everyone writes things down, but most people buy cheap notebooks. A luxury notebook is a treat most people won't buy for themselves and chances are, folks have yet to write on stone paper.
- The Pick: Karst Stone Paper Hardcover Notebook.
- The "Wow" Factor: As the name suggests, the paper is made from recycled stone. It’s waterproof, tear-resistant, and has a crazy smooth texture.
- The Combo: Pair it with a really nice pen (I like the Jetstream 0.5mm). It turns a boring task like making a grocery list into a satisfying experience.
The Comfort Upgrade: Moft Laptop Stand
I use this for work, but it’s just as useful for anyone who uses a laptop at home, in a coffee shop, or even on the couch.
- The Pick: Moft Laptop Stand.
- The Use Case: It adheres to the bottom of the laptop and folds completely flat, so you don't even know it's there. But when you flip it up, it raises the screen to eye level.
- Why it wins: It prevents "tech neck." It’s a health upgrade disguised as a tech accessory. Every asks me about it every time I take out my laptop.
Magnetic Cable Ties
This sounds boring until you see them in action. We all have that one drawer (or backpack pocket) that is a rat's nest of tangled wires.
- The Pick: Cable Matters 20-Pack Magnetic Cable Ties
- Why it wins: Unlike zip ties or velcro, these click together magnetically. They are weirdly satisfying to use. I saw these on a Snazzy Labs video recently and they are a game-changer for keeping your travel bag or nightstand tidy.
The Travel Essential: Tech Pouches
This is the gift I give most often. Whether someone is traveling for business or just going on a family vacation, they have chargers, earbuds, and cables floating around their bag.
- The Pick: A compact pouch from Tomtoc, Bellroy, or Peak Design.
- The Value: It gives everything a "home." No more digging to the bottom of a backpack to find a charging block. It’s a simple organizational hack that makes travel much less stressful.
The "One Cable" Solution
You know what's better than one good cable? One good cable that is actually TWO good cables.
- The Pick: Baseus Retractable USB C Cable, 100W 2 in 1
- The Spec: Make sure it’s high-power (100W) so it doesn't charge slowly.
- Why it wins: It plugs into one USB C port but splits into two. It’s the perfect cable for the car or the living room because it can charge literally anything your guest (or kid) hands you. It's also compact and fits well in a... tech pouch!
⚡ The "Backup Bank": 10 More Ideas
If the items above don't fit your specific group, here are 10 rapid-fire alternatives that are useful for just about anyone:
- WHOOSH! Screen Shine Duo: The exact cleaner Apple Stores use. We all stare at dirty phone screens all day; give the gift of clarity and screens free from smudges and crust.
- HOTO 25-in-1 Mini Electric Screwdriver: It looks like a sleek tech gadget, but it's a screwdriver. Perfect for assembling IKEA furniture or changing batteries in toys.
- AirTag: Everyone loses their keys or wallet eventually. This is peace of mind in a box. It may be silly to just give an AirTag so if your budget allows, pair this with something else, like the tech pouch!
- Rechargeable Lighter: An electric arc lighter (USB rechargeable). No more buying fluid or matches for candles. Pair this with a nice candle and you got yourself a thoughtful gift!
- Packing Cubes: If you know the group likes to travel, a set of compression packing cubes is a life-changer. I'm partial to the Peak Design packing cubes but you may be stuck just getting one since they're pricier. And you don't want to be the person that got one packing cube. Just buy these for yourself, actually.
- Bookstore Gift Cards: Other than actual hard cash, you can't go wrong with a bookstore gift card. Try to find a local one but your sure to have a book lover that will be all over this during your White Elephant.
The Bottom Line: White Elephant doesn't have to be wasteful. Whether it’s keeping their phone charged, their cords organized, or their coffee hot, the best gifts are the ones that make life just a little bit smoother.
🔋A note on batteries!
Buying portable power can be confusing because the market is flooded with options. Before you buy, here is the 30-second breakdown of what those acronyms actually mean so you don't waste money on old tech.
- GaN (Gallium Nitride): If you see this on the box, it’s a good sign. This is newer tech that allows chargers to be smaller, lighter, and more efficient than older silicon bricks.
- Watts (W) = Speed: This tells you how fast the energy moves. Higher wattage means your phone gets back to 50% in minutes, not hours.
- mAh = Gas Tank Size: This measures capacity. A higher number (like 20,000 mAh) means it holds more charges.
The "Golden Triangle" Trade-off: Be careful with cheap, high-capacity batteries. If you find a battery with massive capacity (high mAh) but low wattage, you’re just buying a giant brick that charges your device at a snail's pace.
- Fast + High Capacity = Expensive or Heavy.
- Fast + Light = Lower Capacity (but great for day trips).
- Big Capacity + Cheap = Slow charging speeds.
My advice for White Elephant? Aim for a GaN charger with at least 20W-30W output. It strikes the perfect balance of speed, price, and portability.
💬 I Want to Hear From You
I’m always looking to expand my list of practical gift ideas, and I know the best recommendations usually come from the community.
What is the one White Elephant gift you’ve seen that people actually fought over?
Did I miss a gadget that saves the day? A desk accessory you swear by? Hit reply and let me know. If it’s good, I might just steal it for next year's list.
