Holiday shopping can get out of hand if you’re not careful. One popular solution is to buy cheap white elephant gifts instead of fancy presents. White elephant gift swaps are meant to provide entertainment and fun and they’re a good way to keep your holiday expenses under control.
At Addition Financial, we love to have some holiday fun – and we love to give our members suggestions about how to embrace the holidays without putting their financial stability at risk. With that in mind, here are ten ideas for cheap white elephant gifts – and we’ve thrown in some cheap stocking stuffer ideas as a bonus!
#1: Fun Socks
Fun printed socks are everywhere these days and they make a great gift. If you’re doing them for a white elephant exchange, you may want to buy several pairs and bundle them. For a stocking stuffer, choose a pattern or theme you know the receiver will love. For example, these Harry Potter socks would be perfect for someone who’s a big fan of the book series.
#2: Reusable Straws
Disposable straws get a lot of bad press – and so, what better way to help the environment than to buy a package of reusable straws for your gift exchange? Reusable straws come in an array of fun colors, and are available in metal, silicone, glass and even bamboo. Many sets cost less than $10, making them ideal for your white elephant gift swap.
#3: A Journal
Journals come in a huge range of sizes and styles, and there’s one for everybody on your list. For the person who doesn’t journal – or for a white elephant exchange – you might consider a “one line a day” journal like these ones. Or, you could choose a journal that provides prompts about what to write. You also have the option of choosing the design and color based on the tastes of the recipient.
#4: A Nail Polish Holder
Is there someone on your holiday gift list who loves to do at-home manicures? If so, you may want to grab a colorful nail polish holder to help them out. They hold the nail polish bottle in place, and help to prevent drips, spills and other mishaps. If you wanted to make the gift feel a little more substantial, you could include a bottle of nail polish and a package of emery boards to round it out.
#5: A Pet Feeding Tracker
A lot of us own pets and it can sometimes be difficult – especially when more than one person shares the responsibility of feeding them – to keep track of whether they’ve eaten. This handy magnetic tracker hangs on your fridge and helps you stay in communication about your pooch’s stomach. There’s also a “Did You Feed the Cat?” version available.
#6: A Pop Socket
Most people have had the experience of dropping an expensive cell phone. It’s not fun and it can be expensive, too! One fun way to protect someone’s phone is to gift them with a pop socket. It pops onto a cell phone or case and provides a convenient handle to make it easier to text, watch videos or take selfies. They come in a huge array of colors and styles.
#7: A Sleep Mask
So many of us are sleep deprived that we take being tired for granted. It’s an epidemic – which is why a nice sleep mask makes such a good white elephant gift or stocking stuffer. Most of the sleep masks we found on Amazon cost less than $10. To make the gift more substantial, you might pair it with earplugs or a soothing aromatherapy sleep balm.
#8: A Travel Mug
If you have a friend or coworker who always seems to be on the go, then you may want to consider getting a travel mug for your white elephant swap. Travel mugs can work for both hot and cold drinks. Many come with reusable straws included and you can pair them with a bag of coffee or a box of tea bags if you choose.
#9: Sheet Masks
One of the best ways to pamper yourself at home is to use a sheet mask. You can get a multi-pack of masks for less than $10 on Amazon. For a bigger gift, combine the sheet masks with some nice bubble bath or a bath bomb for a truly pampering experience.
#10: A Portable Phone Charger
We’ve all had the feeling of being away from home and realizing that our phone battery is nearly dead. That’s why portable phone chargers make great gifts! They’re small and can easily fit in a purse or pocket, and the recipient will never be stuck with a dying phone again.
It can be tricky to find cheap white elephant gifts and stocking stuffers, but the ten ideas we’ve listed here should help you get your shopping done on time!
Need some help saving for next year’s holiday shopping? Click here to learn about Addition Financial’s holiday savings accounts!
Posted on Dec 15, 2019
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