The 51 Best White Elephant Gifts Under $50 - Editor-Approved Picks That are Both Stylish and Fun

You needn't sacrifice style and design for fun and funds when you shop the official Livingetc edit of white elephant gifts - playing cards, wine glasses, books, puzzles, and more

a collage of holiday gift ideas
(Image credit: Urban Outfitters, Jonathan Adler, Dusen Dusen, Taret, MoMA, Baggu, Amazon, Target, Nordstrom)

Just as synonymous with the holidays as bright lights and decorated pines is the white elephant gift exchange, a low-pressure and quirky swapping of presents that's popular among strangers and close-knit friends and family alike. 

The only problem? Participation in a white elephant usually means you're about to walk away with a kooky toy or contraption you'll seldom use. I know I've lost loads of cash in the past buying a decent (and affordable!) contribution, only to receive a bummer pick in return. Very rarely are these purchases from one of the best home decor sites — and while that's often in the spirit of the exchange, sometimes you just don't want another gag gift collecting dusk on your desk!

So if you're tired of the low-brow white elephant, but still want to bring something exciting and different, I've spent hours and hours digging for design-forward, timeless presents that are not only affordable but also something you might even consider buying for yourself, white elephant or not.

$15 and Under White Elephant Gifts

$25 and Under White Elephant Gifts

$35 and Under White Elephant Gifts

$50 and Under White Elephant Gifts

If you like this, take a look at our edits of the best luxury Christmas gifts on sale, gifts for people who love fashion, and timeless presents.

Brigid Kennedy
Style Editor

Brigid Kennedy is a Style Editor at Livingetc.com, where she scours the internet for the best and most stylish deals on home decor and more. After earning a degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, she spent the first 2.5 years of her journalism career covering U.S. politics and culture at TheWeek.com. She describes her design style as colorful and clean, and in her free time enjoys reading, watching movies, and curating impossibly niche playlists on Spotify. She recently relocated from Manhattan to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she's decorating and DIYing a new home downtown.