14 White Elephant Gift Ideas That Get Stolen Every Time

A round blanket printed like a giant flour tortilla gets a laugh the moment it's unwrapped, and then it turns out to be soft and cosy. That's the perfect white elephant balance. It's the kind of gift that gets stolen twice before the night is over. The bigger sizes are the funniest, because you can properly wrap yourself up in them.

Best for

Parties that want a funny gift that isn't wasted money.

Skip if

Your group did this one last year. Novelty gifts only surprise once.

An absurdly large mug gets a big reaction, and it's still a real mug that holds a very real amount of coffee, soup or cereal. For office parties, it's safe and funny at the same time. Fill it with a bag of coffee or hot cocoa to round out the gift.

Best for

Office parties and coffee drinkers.

Skip if

You're shipping gifts. Big ceramics break in the mail.

The Dash Mini is cheap, cute and oddly beloved. It makes single, crisp waffles in a few minutes, and people use it for hash browns, grilled cheese and "chaffles" too. It comes in lots of colours, and grown adults get competitive over it.

Best for

Breakfast lovers and small kitchens.

Skip if

The limit is $25 and you want to hit it. Add a bottle of real maple syrup.

Giant cones of caramel, kettle and cheddar popcorn look generous and get torn into on the spot, which keeps the party going. Food gifts are safe at a white elephant because nobody is stuck with clutter. They're also easy to share with whoever loses the steal.

Best for

Family and office parties.

Skip if

Someone has a severe allergy and the gift may be opened in the room. Check the label.

Exploding Kittens is a card game you can learn in two minutes. It's basically Russian roulette with cats, and it's often opened and played before the gift exchange is even over. It works for families and friends alike, and there's a separate party pack for bigger groups.

Best for

Friend groups and families with teens.

Skip if

It's a very formal office event. Choose something that doesn't need explaining.

Squishmallows are marshmallow-soft plush toys with a following that spans kids, teens and a surprising number of adults. At a white elephant, one often causes a steal war. A 16-inch size looks big enough to feel like a proper gift. Choose a festive character for a holiday party.

Best for

Mixed-age parties and anyone under 30.

Skip if

The crowd is mostly older adults. It may be the gift left behind.

The Quencher is probably the most recognised tumbler in the world right now. It has a handle, a straw lid, and it fits in car cup holders despite its size. It's the kind of name-brand gift that people will steal openly. Choose a popular colour.

Best for

$50 exchanges and mixed crowds.

Skip if

Your group is tired of the trend. Lots of people already own one.

At a winter party, the heated throw is often the single most-stolen gift, because everybody gets cold and nobody buys one for themselves. Sunbeam's throws are soft and have several heat settings plus an automatic shut-off. It looks generous when wrapped, too.

Best for

$50 exchanges in cold climates.

Skip if

The party is somewhere warm. It becomes a very expensive regular blanket.

LEGO's Botanicals range is designed for adults: build a realistic orchid, then keep it on a shelf as a plant that never dies. It's a relaxing evening project and a nice piece of decor. Adults at white elephant parties get surprisingly competitive about it.

Best for

Adult crowds, plant lovers and people who like to build.

Skip if

Your limit is $25. The smaller Botanicals sets, such as the Succulents, may fit better.

Press a button and the cork's out. The electric wine opener is a gadget people don't buy themselves but love to own, and it's fun to demo at the party. It charges on a stand and includes a foil cutter.

Best for

Wine drinkers and hosts.

Skip if

It's a dry event or an office party with no-alcohol rules.

A Bluetooth microphone with a built-in speaker creates chaos at the party and fun at home. It connects to a phone, plays the music and amplifies the singer. Kids love it, and so do extroverted adults after one glass of eggnog.

Best for

Families with kids and loud friend groups.

Skip if

The crowd is reserved. The person who ends up with it may be mortified.

App-controlled LED strips that change colour, sync to music and stick behind a TV or along a bed frame are a favourite of younger crowds. Govee is one of the best-known brands, and setup takes minutes. It's a fun room upgrade that feels bigger than its price.

Best for

Teens, students and gamers.

Skip if

The crowd skews older. They may not want LEDs anywhere near their living room.

The Otamatone is a Japanese electronic instrument shaped like a musical note with a face. You squeeze its cheeks to make it "sing". It's ridiculous, genuinely playable, and guaranteed to be passed around the room all night. Of all the gag gifts, this one gets stolen the most.

Best for

Groups who want a laugh and musicians with a sense of humour.

Skip if

The person who'll likely take it home has small kids and a low tolerance for noise.

For bigger-budget family exchanges, the Instant Pot is one of the most wanted kitchen gadgets. It's a pressure cooker, slow cooker and rice cooker in one, and it makes weeknight chilli or pot roast fast. It's big and heavy, so it gets picked from the pile first and stolen often.

Best for

$75 to $100 family exchanges.

Skip if

Everyone in the family already owns one. It was a hugely popular gift for years.