White elephant gifts often get a bad rap for being last-minute buys or regifts from parties past—but they don’t have to be. This year, don’t settle for something that will end up at the bottom of a drawer. Instead, bring a gift that everyone will actually want.
To help, we’ve rounded up our best gifts under $50 that are practical, chic, and guaranteed to spark a few “I wish I had gotten that!” moments. Whether you’re swapping at the office or with friends, these thoughtful finds will make your gift the one everyone talks about. From gourmet pantry picks to handmade table decor, discover delightful (and delightfully-priced) gifts for your coworkers, friends, cousins, and everyone else you’re gifting this season.
We have yet to find a person that doesn’t love this mini Dansk butter warmer. It’s made from a durable carbon-steel which makes it easy to clean and gives it that mid-century modern aesthetic. Plus, it’s great for making browned butter baked goods and garlic confits.
This glass dish from Mosser Glass is both stylish and functional—perfect for holding soap, jewelry, or small trinkets. It can elevate a bathroom vanity or make a great catchall dish on an entry-way table, too.
If there’s one thing every pizza lover needs, it’s this pizza topping. Infused with aromatic garlic, chili, and herbs, their best-selling oil is great on everything from pizzas and pastas to roasted veggies.
These wine chilling coasters keep your wine at the perfect temperature as you sip and socialize. Simply pop the coasters in the freezer until you're ready to serve, and fill the glasses with pre-chilled wine. And, the coasters are handmade from reclaimed granite, making it a one-of-kind gift.
Everyone could use a nice cutting board for chopping, slicing, and—ideally—serving. This one board does it all. Its durable plastic surface makes it easy to clean, while its multi-colored confetti pattern makes it cute enough to display.
This stackable glassware set from Hawkins New York is both sleek and space-saving, making it a must-have for any table setting. The pitcher is ideal for serving everything from water to cocktails, while the stackable glasses make for easy storage and passing around.
This Bodum x MoMa electric kettle is the perfect statement piece for any kitchen countertop. Whether you’re brewing tea, french press coffee, or making hot cocoa, it’ll quickly become the go-to kettle for both form and function.
When it comes to cozy knit socks, Verloop has some of the best. Their house socks come in a range of vibrant colors and kaleidoscope patterns, and are fully fleece-lined for maximum warmth. Plus, their designs are unisex, making them an ideal white elephant gift.
It’s the collaboration you didn’t know you needed: A special blend of Jacobsen’s salt and premium pasta from Flour + Water Foods. This kit has almost everything you need to create a classic cacio e pepe, or really any of your favorite pasta dishes.
Each coaster is hand-patterned and cut in Sugarhouse’s Nova Scotia studio, making it a great option for when you want a functional gift that still feels special. And, the neutral tones ensure it will fit into any room, making it a great pick for a white elephant gift that stands out.
DO NOT gift any of the Hawkins New York Essential Stackable Colored Glassware & Pitcher. They break with "normal" use and don't offer exchanges or refunds. Imagine paying $48 for a set of four glasses to gift a friend only to have them break in a month because of an ice cube. Then reaching out to customer service to ask for a refund or exchange only to be told you need to be delicate placing ice in a cup. Telling an adult who spent over $50 how to properly use a cup instead of apologizing is beyond me. Anyway, please read the reviews on these things, and set the filter to lowest rating. It seems like F52 has the ratings defaul to show the highest ratings first, which is particularly deceiving
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