Here are seven fantastic White Elephant gift ideas, all priced under $30, that are sure to bring a smile to anyone at your holiday gathering.

Sure, mugs make for a highly popular gift choice, but what about something to fill them with? Even if the recipient isn't a frequent tea or hot cocoa drinker, it’s always good to have something like this around for entertaining guests during the holiday season.

Consider getting a variety of tea flavors, priced around $3 at Trader Joe’s (I personally love the ginger turmeric and harvest blend). Pair it with a quirky mug shaped like a gnome home (as shown above) for $17 at Natural Life. A gift that’s both charming and practical—perfect for sipping during the holidays.

On the topic of charm and practicality: when it comes to white elephant gifts, “quirky” is always a winner. Consider a mini waffle maker in playful shapes like a gingerbread man or snowflake, available for $13 at Dash. Or opt for something that caters to larger groups, such as a double dip bowl (with separate sections for chips and dips) priced at $20 from Cotton On. Quirky kitchen gadgets are not only fun but surprisingly useful.

White elephant gift exchanges are the ideal opportunity to give someone a practical item—something that could genuinely enhance their daily life—that we typically never get around to purchasing for ourselves. Personally, it's things like touchscreen gloves. I know they'd be so useful, yet I always end up waiting for them to magically appear as a gift. A pair of touchscreen gloves will cost you around $12 on Amazon. Other budget-friendly, practical gift ideas include a sturdy water bottle, a tumbler for hot beverages, or a reusable shopping tote.

Okay, perhaps gag gifts will most definitely not be the most coveted item at your White Elephant party. However, the reaction to them will be sure to spice things up. After all, the real appeal of gift-giving is the chance to show off your sense of humor and ingenuity, right?

For conversation-starter gifts, think freaky animal paw socks, a yodeling pickle, or the above-pictured cat butt tissue dispenser. Here are some more ideas for gifts that are just raunchy enough (without going too far, like if this is your company’s white elephant party).

If you're in a cold climate, it's always a safe bet to embrace the holiday spirit with a gift that’s fuzzy, cozy, and warm. These types of gifts also fit into the category of 'things that would truly enhance my life, but I never seem to buy for myself.' You can’t go wrong with a soft reversible throw blanket, available for $30 at Pottery Barn, or some durable wool socks priced at $25 from Darn Tough.

If you're struggling to pick a single gift, why not create a themed bundle of smaller items? Below are some of our themed collection ideas, but feel free to adjust them based on your budget:

• Movie night: Popcorn, unique popcorn toppings, candy, hot chocolate, cozy socks, and maybe even a note with your Netflix login. You can’t go wrong with this cozy movie night kit. There's even a pre-made movie night box available for around $23 at Hallmark.

• Spa day: Pamper them with the classic “treat yourself” essentials—face masks, nail polish, bath bombs, and add a candle to complete the experience.

• Fly right: Pick from travel-sized essentials like earplugs, and consider adding a neck pillow with a note on how to wear it correctly.

The magic of these DIY kits is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts—it's all about crafting a theme that offers both variety and freedom.