Shopping Writer-Approved White Elephant Gifts Everyone Will Want to Steal

White elephant gift parties are one long-standing family tradition I look forward to every holiday season. After countless years of swapping and stealing gifts, it’s safe to say that I know exactly what to bring to the annual exchange—and where to find it. Amazon has everything I need to win this year’s game, with popular finds starting at just $13.

As a shopping writer at Real Simple, I spend the majority of my week digging through new products and deals to bring the very best to our readers.  So I’ve compiled a list of my top eight white elephant gift picks that will have everyone in your group fighting over. Get ready to score Le Creuset cookware, Capri Blue candles, Rifle Paper Co. journals, and more popular finds from Amazon’s Holiday Shop. The best part? Everything is under $40. 

Best White Elephant Gifts Under $40 at Amazon 

Le Creuset Stoneware Mini Round Cocotte

Most of the white elephant parties I attend have a price cap, so it’s always fun to show up with a gift that looks more expensive than it actually is. Case and point: This Le Creuset stoneware cocotte is on sale for just $22. The mini dish is a cookware piece anyone can use for years to come, thanks to its stain, crack, and scratch-resistant design that’s safe to use in the microwave, oven, or freezer. Use it to bake little casseroles or as a candy dish in your kitchen.

Bedsure Throw Blanket

This $12 Bedsure fleece blanket will instantly elevate anyone’s bedroom, guest room, or living room space with its plush fabric and ribbed design. The blanket comes in 26 gorgeous colors and several sizes, ranging from throw to California king. It’s no wonder the blanket has already been purchased by more than 20,000 shoppers in the past month. 

Rifle Paper Co. Embroidered Journal

My trick for any white elephant party is to bring something that I want myself, and this year it’s this stunning journal from Rifle Paper Co. The luxe-looking journal is designed with a book cloth cover, an embroidered floral pattern on the front, and a built-in ribbon bookmark. It comes with 240 lined pages to jot down your thoughts, to-do’s, or goals for the new year. I’m grabbing one in each available color! 

Yeti Rambler Travel Mug

In a large-sized group, it’s almost guaranteed that there will be some coffee lovers. Cue this insulated Yeti travel mug that will keep a cup of joe piping hot for hours on end from home or on the go. The No.1 Amazon best-seller has secured more than 8,800 five-star ratings from shoppers who love the convenient design that’s easy to carry and fits into a cup holder. The stainless steel mug also comes with a matching leak-proof lid, so you don’t have to worry about any accidental spills. 

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Heathered Socks

These Barefoot Dreams socks have been a go-to stocking stuffer of mine for years, and they’re always a big hit among my friends and family. After trying a pair myself, I’m stocking up on a few more to take to this year’s white elephant exchange. The sock’s heathered fabric feels buttery soft and keeps my feet toasty warm. Not to mention, the one-size-fits-all design is ideal for large groups.

Capri Blue Tinsel and Spice Holiday Candle

In my experience, you can never go wrong with a scented candle for a gift, especially when it’s as festive as this Capri blue holiday candle. The candle is made with long-lasting soy wax, with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and juniper berries that bring a warm and fresh aroma to the space. It comes in a glass jar that’s coated in maroon glitter so you can display it virtually anywhere in your home. 

Salt & Stone Hand Cream

In the colder months of the year, everyone in my family always has a tube of hand lotion on hand to keep our skin hydrated. So I’m going with a practical option this year, aka this Salt & Stone hand cream that’s packed with nourishing ingredients like niacinamides, seaweed extract, and snow mushroom. Plus, it comes in three of the brand’s classic scents: santal and vetiver, black rose and oud, and bergamot and hinoki.

We’re Not Really Strangers Card Game

I’ve been playing the We’re Not Really Strangers card game for years, and it’s one of my favorite ways to learn more about someone. The game comes with 150 curated questions, with three different levels to choose from. The higher the level, the deeper the questions. I’ve played the game with strangers, close friends, and family members, and it always guarantees a fun time together.