We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food News and Trends Gift Guides 35 White Elephant Gifts Under $25 Everyone will want to steal these gifts! By Donna Currie Donna Currie Donna Currie has been in love with cooking and gadgets since she was a child, and has been writing for food publications for over a decade. Her reviews have been published at Serious Eats, The Washington Post, The Spruce Eats, and more. She has also published a cookbook: Make Ahead Bread. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Updated on November 30, 2023 Photo: All Recipes / Kristin Kempa Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift for a white elephant exchange or you’re stumped about the perfect secret Santa present for a colleague, this list has you covered. You might want to keep a few on-hand for spare gifts for guests who arrive bearing unexpected gifts. Maybe pick out one for yourself, too, because you deserve it. These won’t break the bank, and wrapping should be a breeze since they’re all compact enough to carry along with the casserole for the potluck. We’re sure you’ll find the perfect gift here! ThermoPro TP03 Digital Meat Thermometer Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Buythermopro.com Great for all kinds of cooks, this thermometer can be used to test the temperature of roasting meats, chops, and steaks, but since the temperature range is from -58 to 572°F, it can be used for so much more. It’s handy for taking the temperature of tempering chocolate, oil for frying, food in the fridge, or even boiling sugar when making candy. The display is backlit, so it’s easy to read in dim light, and even at night when you’re grilling outdoors. It’s powered by three AAA batteries, which are included, so it’s ready to go right away. Amish Country Popcorn Variety Set with ButterSalt Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on IHerb Who doesn’t love popcorn? This giftable box comes with six different types of popcorn kernels, along with buttery-flavored salt, ready for sprinkling on the popped corn. Just supply the bowl and the movie! Each bag of kernels pops about four quarts of popcorn, so there’s plenty to eat and share, and you can decide which is your favorite for future orders. The varieties included are rainbow, red, mushroom, blue, medium white, and purple. Other sets are available, like this one that comes with Amish Country's preferred oil. Jelly Belly 20-Flavor Clear Gift Box Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Jellybelly.com Jelly Belly is a favorite among jellybean lovers. These beans are great for snacking, with 20 different flavors to sample solo, or to eat in interesting combinations. The jellybeans are packed in a clear, compartmented plastic box so the flavors stay separate, and you can be sure you’re snagging the very cherry rather than the cinnamon. This is a 1-pound pack, so there’s plenty to share. When the box is empty, it’s great for holding small craft items, jewelry, and more. Sugarplum Chocolates Beer & Bourbon Liquor Nut Tin Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Sugar-plum.com Aw, nuts! These aren’t the usual peanuts you’ll find in the snack section of the grocery store—each one is flavored with beer or booze, and kettle-cooked in small batches. There are three different flavors in this 1-pound set: Jamaican lager, Kentucky bourbon, and Irish stout. These are packed in individual bags, and come in a sturdy tin for easy wrapping and gifting. Great for anyone who likes nuts, cocktails, or both! Sabatier Charcuterie Board Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Wayfair Ready for the holiday table, this fun board is made from bamboo with charcuterie suggestions on one side, prompting the cook to place sweet, sharp, salty, creamy, and other ingredients for a well-balanced combination. The opposite side of the board is blank, so it can be used for slicing and chopping without damaging the decorative side. The board is 11 x 14 inches, and has recessed grips, making it easier to carry when it’s full. MTAPF Tabletop Firepit Amazon Buy on Amazon Great for festive décor, and for cooking s'mores indoors, this tabletop firepit is just too cute for words. There’s no need to cut timber to feed it since it burns ethanol, and it doesn’t require electricity so you can place it anywhere. The rubbing alcohol burns cleanly with no smoke and no ashes to clean up later. A cover snuffs the flame when the fun is done. This includes two skewers for marshmallows, but fuel is not included. 7 Ways to Upgrade Your S'mores This Summer Iberia Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oils Amazon Buy on Amazon Infused olive oils are fun to use. These are made for drizzling over finished foods, so they add a burst of flavor when the food is ready to be served. Great for meats, vegetables, and more. The set includes three bottles, infused with fine herbs, garlic, and white truffle. Not just for fancy dinners, the fine herbs or garlic could dress a simple salad, while the white truffle can be used to dress up take-out fries or even a casual bowl of popcorn. Fannie May Mint Meltaways Amazon Buy on Amazon A Midwestern favorite, Fannie May Mint Meltaways are a holiday tradition. Packed in a holiday-themed box, this contains 14 ounces of minty milk chocolate candies. Half are covered in milk chocolate and the other half are pastel green. Perfect for a special treat for Santa, or a sweet treat after dinner. Not into mint? The Pixies are another favorite, with chocolate, caramel, and pecans. Genuine Fred PIZZA BOSS 3000 Circular Saw Pizza Wheel Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart A somewhat silly design, but still useful kitchen tool, this is a pizza cutter that looks like a miniature circular saw. The blade is made from stainless steel, and is easy to remove for thorough cleaning. It comes in a box with a see-through window so there’s no need to unpack it at a party to show it off. Not only for pizza, this can also be used for cutting bar cookies, pasta dough, cookie dough, and more. YETI Rambler 10-ounce Stackable Mug Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Yeti.com Buy on Dick's This is for anyone who wants their coffee or tea on-the-go, or even for sipping at the desk, since this isn’t as spillable as a standard coffee mug. It’s double insulated, so drinks will stay hot, and the generously sized handle is easy to hold. Cleaning is easy, too, since this is dishwasher safe. The mug holds 10 ounces, and it’s stackable for easy storage, or if you need to carry a few at a time. It comes in a wide variety of colors, so there’s something everyone will love. Twinings Tea Bags Sampler Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart So much tea! This collection of teas from Twinings includes varieties for every taste, every occasion, and every time of day. There are green teas, herbal teas, and teas designed for cold brewing or iced tea. There’s one of each flavor, so this is perfect for sampling as many as possible, so the favorites can be purchased in larger quantities later. Great for guests, too, so they can choose the ones they like best. OTOTO Mamma Nessie Colander Spoon Amazon Buy on Amazon When the neck is sticking out of a pot, this is supposed to resemble the fabled Loch Ness monster. But it’s not all about looks. This large colander spoon is very useful in the kitchen. It’s great for scooping vegetables out of their cooking water or for pulling the solids out of simmering soup stock before the final straining. Use it for scooping pasta out of cooking water without having to dump the whole pot into a strainer. There are other Nessie-themed spoons for a complete collection. Retro Record Coasters with Vinyl Player Holder Amazon Buy on Amazon Fun for music lovers and fans of retro, this is a set of six coasters that look like retro vinyl records. They come with storage that looks like an old-school record player, so this set will look cute on a shelf or on the coffee table, even when the coasters aren’t in use. The coasters have a rubber disk on the bottom to protect tabletops and to make sure the coasters won’t skid. Hazel & Creme Biscotti Gift Basket Amazon Buy on Amazon This box of biscotti takes the familiar cookies to a whole new level with delicious and attractive toppings. The biscotti flavors are butterscotch, marble, and cranberry almond. They come in an attractive gift box that’s shrink-wrapped to keep everything intact. Just add gift wrap and a bow, and you’re ready for the gift exchange! Runamok Organic Vermont Maple Syrup Pantry Favorites Collection Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on REI Buy on Runamokmaple.com There’s more to maple syrup than the big brands at the grocery store. This 4-pack from Runamok includes a few flavors that might be new, but they’re sure to become favorites. They include ginger root infused, sugarmaker’s cut, bourbon barrel infused, and cinnamon and vanilla infused. These are perfect for pancakes, waffles, and French toast, but also for baking, glazing hams, and in tea. Coffee Mug Warmer with Auto Shut Off Amazon Buy on Amazon How many times have you set down a cup of tea or coffee, only to find it cold when you take another sip? This coffee mug warmer solves that problem nicely. It can sit at your desk and will be ready any time to keep a mug warm. It has a simple button on the front to turn it on and off, and it also has an auto-shutoff so it won’t keep running when it’s not needed. Even better, it has two temperature settings, so the drink will always be just right. Totally Bamboo 3-Piece Bamboo Cutting Board Set Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Cutting boards have so many uses, particularly if they’re attractive, like this set of three bamboo boards. The three boards are different sizes so you’ll always have the perfect one for a task: 9.5 x 13 inches, 8.5 x 11 inches, and 6 x 8 inches. The two larger boards have a hand-hole for carrying; the smallest is solid. These are great for cutting, but also for serving. Perfect for charcuterie, cheese plates, and also for serving bread to be cut at the table. The 6 Best Cutting Boards for Meat, According to Our Tests Cerez Pazari Turkish Delight Candy Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Turkish Delight is a unique confection, also called locum, that most Americans only know from The Chronicles of Narnia. The base is very sweet, so it’s often flavored with tart fruit flavors to offset the sweetness. This includes strawberry, peach, melon, tangerine, and blackberry flavors packed neatly in a box for easy wrapping and gifting. Perfect for an after-dinner sweet, or snacking, or sharing. These are gluten-free and vegan, and come in a 1-pound box, so there’s plenty to sample and enjoy. ECOSALL Natural Wood Trivets Amazon Buy on Amazon Trivets are handy to have in the kitchen, but often they’re plain-looking or even a little, well, ugly. These decorative wooden trivets are nice enough to be on display when they’re not in use. Made from beechwood, with dark and light stains, the pair will look good in the kitchen to hold a hot Dutch oven, or on the table, to hold a hot casserole to protect the dining room table. LXOMILL Funny Kitchen Towels Amazon Buy on Amazon Kitchen towels are always useful, but these are cute enough that they might be displayed but not dirtied. This is set of two, each with a cheesy theme. Or rather, the theme is cheese. The towels are made from an absorbent waffle-weave microfiber that works well, if you choose to use them. They’re a generous 16 x 23.5 inches when fully unfolded, and are machine washable for easy care. Not into cheese? Other themes are also available. These Are the Best Dish Towels For Keeping Your Kitchen Clean and Tidy Babycakes Mini Donut Maker Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Donuts are tasty, but who wants to deal with a vat of oil to fry them? Baked donuts are possible, but require a special pan, and then you’re heating up the oven and the kitchen. This mini-donut maker makes the whole process easier, since it bakes four mini donuts at a time. Each batch takes just 4-5 minutes. You can use a recipe designed for the donut maker, or get creative with your favorite cake recipe. Or try filling with muffin or cornbread mix for something completely different. Spicewalla Masala Chai Pani Masala Collection Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Spicewallabrand.com Indian food has its own unique flavors, each one requiring a balance of multiple spices. It can be complicated to get the combinations right, but it’s so much easier with ready-made spices mixes. This is a set of three different mixes, including garam masala, tandoori masala, and madras curry powder. These are a great introduction to Indian cooking and a super-simple way to create authentic-tasting dishes with a lot less fuss. Each tin holds 1.5 ounces, and they come in a compact box for easy gifting. Infused Sea Salt Sampler Set Amazon Buy on Amazon Most cooks will tell you that salt is essential for getting food to taste right. These infused salts take that seasoning to another level. They are meant as finishing salts, to sprinkle on the finished dishes right before serving—or even at the table. This sampler includes six different salts, each in a round tin, and held in a larger rectangular tin. A wooden spoon is included for serving. The flavors are smoked bacon chipotle, Hawaiian bamboo jade, five pepper, garlic medley, rosemary, and Hawaiian black lava. Table Salt vs. Sea Salt vs. Kosher Salt: What's the Difference? Fly By Jing The Spicy Duo Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Flybyjing.com Buy on Umamicart.com Chili crisp has become a popular condiment, appearing on everything from scrambled eggs to avocado toast to charcuterie platters. The spicy, crunchy condiment can also be used in stir-fry or added to dressings and dips. Oh, but that’s not all. This set also includes a jar of Zhong sauce, which is a sweet, savory condiment that’s just as versatile. Great for anyone who loves a little—or a lot—of spice. Genuine Fred Perched Bird Sponges Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Barnesandnoble.com Buy on Uncommon Goods Everyone needs kitchen sponges, but those yellow and green ones aren’t very attractive. These sponges are shaped and colored to look like birds, and they have a hole so they can perch on the included wooden stick. The stick has a suction cup on one end to hold tight to the side of the sink, keeping the sponge handy at all times. Not fond of birds? Then the set of sloths that hang in a similar way might be just right. HOMBENE Porcelain Oil and Vinegar Dispenser Set Amazon Buy on Amazon Keep your favorite oil and vinegar handy in these attractive cruets that can displayed on the counter. Since the containers are completely opaque, they protect olive oil from damaging sunlight, so it doesn’t need to hide in a cabinet. One cruet has an olive branch design while the other has a bunch of grapes, so you can tell them apart. While these are typically for oil and vinegar, they could hold any two liquids you use often. DASH My Pint Electric Ice Cream Maker Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Target Buy on Walmart When you want a little bit of ice cream, this compact ice cream maker will come to the rescue. And it makes just a small amount—just about a pint—so you won’t have a giant batch of ice cream to store. This can be used to make ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt, and other frozen treats. It takes about 30 minutes to churn, then you’ve got soft-serve ice cream to eat now, or freeze for a firmer texture. Monkey Business Penne Pan Holder Amazon Buy on Amazon Potholders and mitts will keep your hands safe from hot pot handles, but how often have you looked around the kitchen to see where you left them last time you used them? This amusing silicone handle cover, shaped like a tube of penne pasta, is meant to be put on the pot when you’re cooking, and left there, so you can grab the pot without a mitt. It’s made from silicone so it’s washable if it gets splattered, and has a hole so you can hang it on a hook when not in use. The Best Sauté Pans for Home Cooks, According to the Pros Belgian Boys Dutch Caramel Stroopwafels Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart A fun treat for sweets-lovers, and nice to have on hand for guests. They’re a waffled cookie filled with delicious caramel. Some people like to rest a stroopwafel atop a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, so the caramel melts a bit from the heat, but they’re just as good with ice cream or on their own. Stroopwafels can be added to the holiday cookie platter, saved for savoring later, or brought to work to share. This is a set of two tins, with eight cookies per tin. Each cookie is wrapped individually. When the cookies are gone, the tins can be used for storage or crafts. Gihunk Embossed Rolling Pins Amazon Buy on Amazon Decorative cookies are so easy with this embossed rolling pin. It’s meant for cut-out cookies that hold their shape when baking, so the design will remain. Just use this pin for the final roll of the dough, cut with cookie cutters of any shape, and bake. The swoops, swirls, and snowflakes (which could be flowers!) aren’t holiday specific, so the cookies can be appropriate any time of the year. Other pin designs are also available. These Are the Best Cookie Tools for an Easier Holiday Cookie Tin Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce Variety Pack Amazon Buy on Amazon While this is called a barbecue sauce, it’s not the familiar American style. Instead, it’s a flavorful addition to stir fry or as a dipping sauce for dumplings. It also makes a great marinade, glaze, or sauce for pork or chicken, whether it’s cooked in the oven or on the barbecue. This set includes the original flavor as well as miso. Hot and spicy, yuzu, and gluten-free are also available. TRUFF Mayo 2-Pack Set Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Truff.com Mayonnaise may not be the first thing you think of when looking for a gift, but truffle mayonnaise is a whole other level of condiment. This will take your simple ham sandwich to new heights, your deviled eggs will sing, and your BLT will never be the same. This is a set of both the original version and a spicy version, in 8-ounce jars. They come in a box for easy gift wrapping. Don’t be surprised if the spicy version becomes a dipping sauce for fries. Rabbit Super Wine Aerator and Pourer Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Buy on Crate & Barrel Wines, especially red wines, should be aerated before drinking. Sometimes that means decanting the wine. Or opening the bottle to let it breathe. This aerating pourer makes the process faster and easier. Just insert the aerator into the bottle and pour into a glass. You might not use this tool on the ancient, expensive bottle you’ve been saving for a special occasion, but it’s perfect for everyday wines. Cadrim Butane Torch Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart Cooking is all about sharp things and fire, right? This torch takes care of the fire, without a lot of fuss. It has dual flames and can operate one or both. It also has flame adjustment, so you can set it just the way you need it for crème brulee or for touching up that steak or roast that has a few pale spots. It also works well for blistering peppers, toasting marshmallows for s’mores, or melting a bit of cheese. This requires butane fuel, which is not included. Blank Slate Zhug Sauce Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Blankslatekitchen.com Buy on Murrayscheese.com Not the usual sauce you’ll find in a grocery store, Zhug sauce is unique. The Middle Eastern flavors pair well with lamb, kebabs, and hummus, it’s also great with all types of meats. Great as a dip on its own, or mixed yogurt or other ingredients. The ingredients in the sauce include jalapeno, cilantro, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper, cumin, cardamom, and it’s gluten free and vegan. Want to add a bit more to the gift bag? The company also makes a Sichuan chili oil. How to Pick the Right White Elephant Gift Type of Gathering Getting creative with your gifts can be fun, but making sure what you're picking out is applicable to a range of attendees is key. If the white elephant is themed to the gathering you're attending or is being held in honor of a specific holiday like Christmas, those factors can help influence your purchase as well. Price Has a budget been implemented by the organizers of the white elephant? If so, make sure to stick to the designated price range, typically between $10 to $25, to keep things fair for your fellow attendees. Why Take Our Word for It? Donna Currie has been writing about kitchen gadgets and appliances for over a decade, with a love for cooking that was sparked by an Easy Bake Oven in her childhood. Beside writing for online publications, she’s also the author of Make Ahead Bread, a cookbook dedicated to making bread-baking more convenient for busy cooks. Jacqueline Weiss is a professional food writer with more than five years of experience and a lifelong lover of working in the kitchen. Her writing has appeared in Eat This Not That, EatingWell, Taste Of Home, Simply Recipes, and more. For this article, she researched unique and thoughtful gifts available from a variety of online retailers. Originally written by Jacqueline Weiss Jacqueline Weiss Jacqueline Weiss is a writer specializing in kitchen product reviews and roundups. She has over five years of experience writing food, entertainment, and Her work has appeared in outlets including EatingWell, Simply Recipes, and The Spruce Eats. Learn about our editorial guidelines Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit