10 Best Secret Santa And White Elephant Gifts Under $35 – Smarty

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secret Santa and white elephant gifts

Gift exchange games are a tradition among families, friends, and co-workers during the holiday season. Be it Secret Santa, White Elephant, or any other game, the true spirit of holidays is felt when a group of people gather to surprise each other with gifts. But choosing the perfect Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts might be difficult if you do not know the recipient.

And we understand! With this gift guide, you can navigate your stress about shopping for perfect gifts and select the best ones. From cozy socks to cosmetics, here is a list of gifts you can get for your mystery friend that is under $35.

What is Secret Santa

Secret Santa is a fun-filled Christmas tradition where gifts are exchanged between family members, friends, or co-workers. In this game, each participant has to choose a random name from the crew and get them a gift. Later the gifts are shared secretly, and the recipient has to guess who gave the gift.

Steps to Host a Secret Santa Gift Exchange Game

  • Write the names of all the participants on a piece of paper and decide on a budget for buying gifts.
  • Draw the names randomly so that each player gets a name.
  • Fix a date for exchanging gifts.
  • Ensure the recipient’s name is on the gift box (not the name of the Santa), and let them guess who has been their Secret Santa. 

This game goes beyond gift exchange. The real fun is guessing who your sneaky Santa actually was.

If you wish to play this game with family members or with colleagues at the office, you should use Secret Santa Generator Tool, it can help you to send the invitation digitally, and you can enjoy your Secret Santa extravaganza. Use this gift guide and ship the products directly to the recipient’s address. You can also arrange your virtual party to continue the tradition of the guessing game.

What is White Elephant

Also known as Yankee Swap, this holiday gift exchange is a cheerful game where a group of people come together with wrapped gifts. While in the game, each person gets a gift for others, but when choosing one for themselves, it’s their choice either to pick one from the pile of gifts or swap a gift with their peers.

Steps to Host a White Elephant Gift Exchange Game

  • Decide on a date to play the game and dedicate a budget to get the gifts.
  • Keep all the gifts together in a place where you are planning to play the game.
  • Write numbers on a sheet of paper, and each player has to draw the number. 
  • When the player gets their turn, either they have to unwrap a new gift or steal from the others (When player X steals a gift from the player Y, Player Y gets the chance to either unwrap a new gift or swap from the other player and the game continues. No! No! No! You can’t steal the same gift again).
  • The game ends when each player has one gift to take home.

While unwrapping a new gift is a pleasure, swapping the best gifts among your peers is the real fun.

Secret Santa and White Elephant Gifts:

1. Spruce Things Up Bracelet Set – Luca + Danni

Bracelet - Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts

When you’re looking for an amazing gift within your price threshold, this bracelet set from Luca + Danni is a great choice.

These bracelets are handcrafted using brass and artisan metal and come in pairs; one has a Christmas tree icon, and the other has a vintage-red truck design. These bracelets are so cute that you would want to keep them for yourself (And if your Secret Santa or White Elephant giftee turns out to be your friend, you can gift her this bracelet set and get one for yourself from the same pair).

2. Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Kenneth Cole

When gifting a water bottle, you’re reminding them to stay hydrated and start a healthy lifestyle this New Year. 

This classy stainless steel water bottle with double wall insulation keeps your drink piping hot or icy cold for hours and is a perfect gift for anyone. It’s comfortable, leakproof, and can be carried to the office or on a weekend trip. So anyone who receives this gift on Secret Santa or White Elephant gift exchange would love to keep it for themselves.

Water bottle - Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts

3. MerryMint Naturally Scented Candle – Plant Therapy 

If you are looking for a gift that doesn’t go to the trash or sits worthlessly in the closet of your mystery friend, gift them this candle. Because who doesn’t love the scent of fresh mint with a note of floral and wood?

Merry Mint naturally scented candle from Plant Therapy creates magical moments and fills the room with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. With up to 40 hours of burn time, this 8 oz candle comes in an elegant frosted glass jar and is a perfect gift choice not only for these holiday games but for every occasion.

Candle - Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts

4. Sleep Easy Bath Bomb set – Nectar Bath Treats

Your friends or co-workers would need a gift of relaxation after a long stressful day. If you are looking to wrap such gifts for ladies, you can’t go wrong with bath bombs.

Coming in vibrant colors and two different shapes of moon and clouds, this Sleep Easy Bath Bomb set from Nectar Bath Treats will immerse the recipient in the soothness of incredible scents and a refreshed feel. Each bath bomb is made with natural ingredients and is free from sulfate and paraben. 

Bath bombs - Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts

5. PAP+ Whitening Strips – Hismile

Let us admit we all are scared to visit dentists regularly and regret not going to them sooner, especially during the festive season or before attending your date night. Because who wants to get embarrassed with those yellow teeth?

PAP+ whitening strips from Hismile are the best gift for anyone who wants to get rid of this embarrassment (and I am sure all of us are on the list, right?)

These strips are clinically proven, safe, and convenient and provide instant whiteness without fearing tooth sensitivity or irritation. And no doubt, they are gonna be fantastic Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts. 

teeth whitening strips - Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts

Related Article: Special & Unique Holiday Gifts for Men in 2022 – Smarty

6. Cupcake Bundle – Gir

Here’s another great gift choice loved by everyone, especially the bakers in your game (Oh yes, you heard baking… yum!!!). 

This cupcake bundle from Gir comes with high-quality silicone cupcake molds along with a whisk and spatula to whip the tasty treats. These molds are sturdy, reusable, and safe, making baking easy. 

And don’t forget to ask your giftee to treat you with a freshly baked cupcake this New Year’s eve!

cupcake molds - Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts

7. UGG Trey Rib Knit Cozy Crew Socks – HisRoom

It might sound crazy, but adults love a pair of warm and cozy socks in the winter. So what’s better than this to gift as your Secret Santa or White Elephant gift?

Get this sturdy pair of Trey Rib knit cozy crew socks from UGG, and let them slip into comfort and enjoy the warmth. They are made of polyester and are compatible with machine wash.

Socks - Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts

8. The Upcycle Eyeshadow Palette – Pyt Beauty

What if all you know about your mystery friend is – she can’t step out of her home without makeup? Or you have two or more participants in your White Elephant game who are crazy about cosmetics. This eyeshadow palette from Pyt Beauty is what they will love beyond words. 

Made with sunflower seed oil and vitamin E, this cool crew nude eyeshadow palette is vegan, chemical-free, and sustainable. They are easy to blend with many skin tones, give bold looks, and are irritation free. 

eyeshadow palette - Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts

9. 20 oz Al Around Tumbler – Hydro Flask

A hot cup of coffee or tea is the basic requirement to kick-start our day and energize us during work. 

This double-walled vacuum-insulated tumbler from Hydro Flask, made of stainless steel, is best to carry your beverages and smoothies to your workout sessions, trips, or office. It keeps your drinks refreshed, protects from spillage, and is dishwasher-safe. Undoubtedly, it’s a great gifting choice. 

tumbler - Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts

10. Crocband Terrazzo Clog – Crocs

Who doesn’t love to step out in style and comfort? These crocband collection from Crocs come with lightweight cushioning that offers comfort and have ventilation ports to enhance breathability.

Their nature-inspired colors and graphics make them unique footwear, and their midsole stripe provides a great fit and sporty look for both men and women. Do you really think anyone who receives this gift can deny it?

crocs - Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts

Make Lasting Memories with these Secret Santa and White Elephant Gifts

Whether you are looking for a specific Secret Santa gift or a generic gift that fits all, we hope our gift guide gave you some inspiration to choose some special and unique Secret Santa and White Elephant gifts that are under $35 so that you don’t put a dent in your wallet.

Related Article: Gifts For Him And Her: 13 Christmas Gifts To Make Them Feel Special