The Ultimate White Elephant Gift Guide

Something that pretty much everyone has in common these days: Stress. Which is why these stress-relieving, nutrient-rich bath soaks are the perfect, fun-but-practical gift. Take your pick from options like “anxiety destroying" or “insomnia ending” — and you’ll save some money by building a bundle of three or six. 

This thing’s a fan, a flashlight, and a charger, which means it’s the perfect travel accessory for journeys near and far. It’s got 12 hours of battery life at high speed (or 19 at low), and best of all, it folds down small enough to fit in a pocket or purse.

A crowd-pleasing choice if ever there was one, this colorful bag of 36 little chocolates includes flavors like milk chocolate pretzel toffee and dark chocolate almond sea salt. Since the pieces are all individually wrapped, they’re perfect for storing in pockets or desk drawers for emergency snacking…or you can hold out hope the lucky recipient just opts to share them with your gifting group.

You can never have enough notebooks, especially when they’re as stunning as these slim, distinctive ones from Rifle Paper Co. With a range of floral and botanical designs, all illustrated in Rifle’s celebrated, 19th-century-inspired style, these stitched volumes will fill any writer, notetaker, or journaling friend with joy. 

Even the most enthusiastic journalers need a little help sometimes, and that’s where these bookshelf-worthy guided notebooks come in. Choose from three artfully designed options — one for cooks, one for travelers, and one for book lovers — all of which have prompts and rubrics to help make sure your lucky recipient never runs out of things to say.

Have you read A Court of Thorns and Roses yet? If not, we suggest you get two of these box sets — one for yourself, and the other for the gift exchange. The series has gained a huge following since the first book came out in 2015, and it’s full of sexy, dangerous, fantastical moments that keep readers hooked. 

This one’s for all the bookworms out there. With three light tones and six brightness levels, this around-the-neck reading light is perfect for flipping through chapters long after others have gone to sleep. It also makes knitting, embroidering, or doing any other craft in low-light situations a total breeze.

A satin pillowcase can have big benefits for your skin and hair, like reducing hair frizz and breakage — but it’s the kind of thing people might not stop and buy for themselves. Which is why we know this luxuriously soft gift set (complete with satin scrunchie) will be highly coveted at your gift exchange. 

Big, chunky jewelry pieces are in vogue right now, and that’s why these statement earrings are bound to be popular. They’re 14k-gold-plated and hollow, so they look like a million bucks without weighing much at all. They’ve also got a super secure buckle for worry-free wear, and are hypoallergenic. 

Available in 12 colors and patterns, Baggu’s tiny cases will not only protect your giftee’s precious earbuds — they’ll also make them easy to spot in crowded purses and on messy desktops. Another plus: The attached loop allows you to hook them onto a bag or keychain.

This brush’s patented two-tiered tooth design is what sets it apart and makes it so successful at combating knots. A little boring on the outside, perhaps, it’s effective enough to win over legions of fans…and bound to be a gift your friends are still talking about at next year’s event.

Complete with a sealing lid and stainless steel straw, this cheerful glass is about to become the go-to sipping situation for its lucky recipient. It has hand-pressed glass beads on the outside (choose from themes like strawberries and suns), and its delicate, distinctive look will make it stand out in a sea of Stanleys.

If you haven’t already experienced this cosmetic phenomenon, here’s the deal: This little tube of lip stain leaves a smudge-free, transfer-proof tint on the lips that looks just like lipstick but lasts for hours of wear — through meals, sweat, and even kisses. Yep, it’s an easy add to cart.

Perpetually cold people will rejoice that these warming gadgets are in the mix. Compact and reusable, these handwarmers can keep fingers toasty for up to eight hours before needing a charge. They’re comfortable in the palm and stick to each other magnetically when they’re not in use.

New York Times game devotees will appreciate this hardcover version of their favorite in-app puzzles. From Wordle to Spelling Bee, the Times has pulled together an analog iteration of their fan-favorite games…and it’s pretty much tailor-made to be a great white elephant gift.

This one’s a practical gift that could really make a difference in someone’s daily routine. It has all the food-storage benefits of a jar…plus a clip-off slide panel that transforms it into a bowl for easy eating. Bonus: It has an integrated, sealed capsule for salad dressings or sauces. 

Eye masks can be game-changing…and these reusable ones are the gift that keep on giving. They work simply: Just apply a serum or cream beneath the eyes, then seal in its restorative, revitalizing properties by placing the masks on top and leaving them on for ten to 20 minutes.

When in doubt, bring a candle. But not just any candle, this candle. Its clean-burning soy and coconut wax blend is infused with distinguishable notes of peonies and roses, so that moments after lighting, the lucky recipient of this gift will find their space filled with a delicious, delicate floral duo.

We love Hydroflask’s insulated water bottles, and this little guy is no exception. With a 6.7-ounce capacity, it’s just much smaller (and cuter) than the everyday bottle its recipient might be used to. It has double-walled stainless steel and a leakproof, screw-top lid to help keep beverages of all kinds fresh for up to seven hours, and you can choose from seven different color options.