Secret Santa and White Elephant gift exchanges are a common holiday custom, whether you like them or not. A White Elephant party typically involves everyone purchasing a gift within a specific budget, assembling all of the presents in a pile, and selecting a gift from the file by drawing numbers. Frequently, there are restrictions on whether guests may choose a freshly wrapped gift or one that has already been opened. Conversely, Secret Santa exchanges involve selecting a person’s name from a bowl or hat and then purchasing a gift for them. In either scenario, it frequently entails finding a wonderful present for a someone you may not know well or at all. After all, these kinds of interactions frequently entail presenting a gift to a coworker you may not know, a friend of a friend, or even a complete stranger, in contrast to buying for a gift for your mother or a teacher in your life.
We compiled gift suggestions from previous NBC Select stories and suggestions from NBC Select staff members to help you buy and ease the stress of your Christmas season. Some of the greatest presents for White Elephant or Secret Santa events may be found below.
GO Ahead and Skip2024’s top White Elephant and Secret Santa presents | Why should I trust NBC Select?
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Best overallJBL Clip 4
$39.95$64.95Amazon
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Best budget pickTwelve South AirFly SE
$undefined$34.99Amazon
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Best for foodiesSiesta Co. Sea Salt Flakes
$undefined$29.95Siesta Co.
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The best Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts in 2024
To assist you in selecting the ideal present for your Secret Santa and White Elephant gift exchanges, we have compiled a list of suggestions based on our prior coverage and NBC Select suggestions.
JBL Clip 4
JBL Clip 4
Those who enjoy traveling or who can’t go anywhere without music will love this JBL travel speaker, which earned an NBC Giftable Tech Award last year. It is compact and light (approximately half a pound), and it features an integrated carabiner that allows you to clip the speaker onto anything. Additionally, it is water and dust resistant (IP67), making it ideal for traveling or simply hanging in the shower.
Moft Phone Tripod Stand
Moft Phone Tripod Stand
This phone tripod stand works with iPhone models 12 through 16 and may be used as a selfie stick or to hold your phone up so you can see things more readily. This Mag-Safe compliant stand folds up to about the size of a credit card when not in use. With ten color options, it’s simple to choose a hue that the person you’re presenting it to will like.
Courant Catch:1
Courant Catch:1
“This charger is one of my most used gifts (and one of the best ones I’ve received,” says Biana Alvarez, an associate writer at NBC Select. “White elephant is the time to give things people actually want to use.” I have several Courant chargers, which fit in perfectly with various areas of my house and are practical for anyone in need of a fast charge. OEKO-Tex-certified Belgian linen covers the charging pad, which features a non-slip bottom and a more stylish appearance than most chargers.
Roku Streaming Stick
Roku Streaming Stick 4K
This gadget was on our list of the top streaming gadgets. You can use it to watch your preferred TV series on apps such as Apple TV+, Peacock, Max, Netflix, and Hulu. Because of its portability and modest size, connecting it to another TV is simple. The remote includes voice commands if you prefer to manage what you watch, as well as buttons that can take you straight to specific streaming services.
Twelve South AirFly SE
Twelve South AirFly SE
This little dongle, which won an NBC Select Travel Award, is a must-have travel accessory for anyone with Bluetooth headphones or earbuds since it enables wireless connection to a plane’s seatback TV. Rebecca Rodriguez, the editorial projects manager for NBC Select, says she always travels with the wireless Apple AirPods Max and recommends them to anyone who enjoys traveling. According to Rodriguez, the AirFly will identify your wireless device whenever it is on and close by following an initial pairing process.
Apple AirTag
Apple AirTag
Helpful and reasonably priced What more could you ask for in a present from Secret Santa? Put the Apple AirTag on a wallet, passport, purse, or any item you need to keep track of. If your AirTag is within 30 feet of where you planted it, you can use the Apple FindMy app to find its precise location. If the location is outside of that range, the app will use maps to direct users to it. “I use Apple AirTags for all kinds of travel: everything from international trips to commuting to work,” says Harry Rabinowitz, an NBC Select reporter who keeps one in his suitcase, keys, and work backpack.
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Mug
Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Mug
Our list of the top travel mugs and tumblers included this stainless steel mug. According to the brand, it has Hydro Flask’s patented TempShield insulation, which keeps drinks hot for up to six hours and cold for up to twenty-four. It features a splash-proof press-in lid and is insulated for the best temperature regulation. Do you want to give this present something extra special? Serve it with a box of tea or a bag of coffee beans.
Calpak Tech Organizer
Calpak Tech Organizer
With this Calpak pouch, you may assist someone in keeping their technology organized while they’re on the go. The zipper bag features elastic bands that may hold items like a smartwatch, earphones, or other goods, as well as several mesh pockets made especially for cords, chargers, and other accessories. Additionally, the bag has a small amount of padding for protection.
Govee RGBIC Floor Lamp
Govee RGBIC Floor Lamp
Occasionally, the most enjoyable White Elephant or Secret Santa presents are something that you might not purchase for yourself. This floor light is a fantastic illustration of that. This is ideal for any area that could benefit from some ambient lighting, so whenever someone stops by my flat, they always ask me where I got it, explains Alvarez. I can control it from my phone and change the lighting to fit my mood, movie, decor, and more. That’s the nicest part.
Cards Against Humanity
Cards Against Humanity
What if the objective of the game is to make other players laugh the most? Sure, please. The cards in Cards Against Humanity are black and white. After dealing ten white answer cards to each player, the dealer hands a black card that either has a question or a fill-in-the-blank statement. Every player must hand a white card to the dealer; the winner of the round is the one whose humorous response makes the dealer laugh the most.
Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone
Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone
You can sing along with songs from any app using this karaoke microphone, which pairs with your phone over Bluetooth. From the microphone, you can change the level of the music and microphone, as well as jump directly to the next song. This fun device comes in 14 colors and has a 4.4-star average rating from over 79,900 reviews on Amazon.
Bananagrams
Bananagrams Game
One of the most gifted items on Amazon, think of Bananagrams as a cross between a classic crossword and Scrabble. To play, each player gets the same number of tiles and places them facedown. To start, someone yells split and everyone turns their tiles face up and tries to arrange them in their intersecting word grid. When someone uses up all their tiles, they yell peel, and every player has to take another tile from the bunch. The first person to use all their tiles in a grid wins.
Saiji Laptop Bed Tray Table
Saiji Laptop Bed Tray Table
A laptop bed tray table made our list ofdorm room essentials, but it s also useful for those out of college. This lap desk can work on your computer while in bed or on the couch or as a dining tray. It has a soft wrist pad and retractable blockers to protect your laptop from falling if you want to use the desk at an angle. It also folds flat, making it easy to transport and store. The Saiji Laptop Bed Tray Table has a 4.6-star average rating from over 7,740 reviews on Amazon.
Papier Nose in a Book
Papier Nose in a Book
Need a gift for a book lover? This reading journal from Papier allows you to jot down novels you want to read, take notes and write down favorite quotes from anything you re in the middle of and has journal prompts that will help you think even more deeply about whatever you re currently skimming. There is even a curated list of books Papier recommends at the back for those what-should-I-read-next moments.
Gritin Rechargeable Book Light
Gritin Rechargeable Book Light
Speaking of book lovers, nighttime readers will appreciate this compact light. The rechargeable LED-powered light can be clipped onto a book to provide enough light to read. According to the brand, it has three color temperatures to choose from, and one full charge gives up to 80 hours of runtime.
Necktek Heated Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager
Necktek Heated Shiatsu Neck & Back Massager
Gift an at-home spa experience for the back and neck with a Necktek massager. This one comes with hand straps to easily adjust the massager, a head pillow and the option to deploy heat to soothe tired muscles. According to the brand, it has 8 deep-kneading nodes that provide bidirectional massage to really get into tight muscles. This massager has a 4.3-star average rating from over 60,980 reviews on Amazon.
Kitsch Ice Roller
Kitsch Ice Roller
Stick this tool in the freezer and then roll it over your face gently to de-puff and soothe. The stainless steel barrel stays cool for an extended amount of time and the ergonomic grip makes it easy to hold, according to the brand. You can also use it with your favorite serum to help it glide more easily over skin.
ESW Beauty Raw Juice Cleanse Mask Set
ESW Beauty Raw Juice Cleanse Mask Set
Sheet masks are one of my favorite ways to elevate my skin care routine and I always love gifting loved ones these masks, says Alvarez. I love this set because you can use a mask when you notice a specific issue pop up. For example, if I notice my skin is dry, I use the hydrating watermelon mask. The set comes with five sheet masks, each addressing a different common complexion problem clogged pores, dullness and more.
Kate McLeod The Body Stone Mini Sampler Set
Kate McLeod The Body Stone Mini Sampler Set
This beauty brand makes pampering products that get lots of buzz on social media. According to NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider, the hype is well-deserved especially on the brand s best-selling body stone lotion bar. I don t always feel in the mood to put on lotion sometimes the texture really bothers me or I m just feeling lazy, she says. The solid lotion stones are my perfect solution for those moments because all it takes is a few swipes up my legs and arms and I m good to go. Plus, the process of rubbing the stone on my body actually feels really luxurious and calming. This gift set includes four mini-sized lotion stones in different sets one with vetiver, another with rose and one with lavender.
Marycele Candle Warmer
Marycele Candle Warmer
Candles can add a nice ambiance and pleasant scent to any room. However, burning a candle can leave soot on the walls and even be a fire hazard. This candle warmer gives you all the perks without any of the negatives. Simply place a candle on the base, turn it on and a warming light will melt the wax to release the scent.
Free Rein Best Sellers Bundle
Free Rein Best Sellers Bundle
Few people wouldn t appreciate getting this caffeinated gift in a Secret Santa or White Elephant exchange. The set comes with three different 12-ounce bags of Free Rein s best-selling coffee a light, medium and dark roast. You can purchase the set with either ground or whole beans. The coffee is made in Texas and was founded by a working cowboy.
Siesta Co. Sea Salt Flakes
Siesta Co. Sea Salt Flakes
Home chefs and foodies will appreciate getting their hands on this set of sea salt flakes. It comes in four different flavors regular sea salt, smoked ginger, citrus and black all of which can add a finishing touch and extra flavor to your dish. I was immediately drawn to these Siesta Co. Sea Salt Flakes because of their aesthetically pleasing packaging, says Alvarez. I love how they come in a set already bundled up nicely so I don t have to worry about packaging it up nicely as a gift.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bethany Heitman is awriter for NBC Selectand a journalist who has been covering beauty, style and home, and writing gift guides for nearly 20 years. For this article, I included highly rated products and items from brands we ve previously covered.
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter for NBC Select who curated the gifts in this article. She chose items based on NBC Select s previous coverage and reporting, NBC Select-staff favorites and highly rated items from brands we love.
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