Gift ideas · 7th annual list · updated November 2026

White elephant gifts under $10

Ten dollars goes further than you'd think if you pick something people want to steal. Most of these are on the shelf at Target or Walmart right now.

Pick a date and I'll hide gifts that won't arrive in time.

In stores today1-2 day shippingAllow ~1 week
  1. 1

    Dash Mini Waffle Maker

    Up to $10
    In stores todaySteal factor ★★★★☆

    It costs ten dollars, looks like more, and makes a waffle about the size of a coaster. It often gets stolen ahead of gifts that cost three times as much, and the people who brought those gifts will bring it up in the car home.

    Find it: AmazonTargetWalmart

  2. 2

    $10 in scratch-off lottery tickets

    Up to $10
    In stores todaySteal factor ★★★★☆

    It might be worth $1,000. It's probably worth $2. People steal it for the suspense and scratch the tickets at the end, which is as close to live sports as most office parties get. You have to be at least 18 to buy them, and older in a few states.

    Any gas station or grocery store

  3. 3

    The Screaming Goat (desk toy)

    Up to $10
    In stores todaySteal factor ★★★☆☆

    Press the goat and it screams. Someone will keep pressing it all night, and by the second hour you'll understand why it only cost ten dollars. Target usually has it near the books or the checkout.

    Find it: AmazonTargetWalmart

  4. 4

    UNO Show 'Em No Mercy

    Up to $10
    In stores todaySteal factor ★★★☆☆

    UNO, rebuilt to be meaner. There are cards that make you draw ten. Expect a round to start the moment the swap is over.

    Find it: AmazonTargetWalmart

  5. 5

    Motion-activated toilet night light

    Up to $10
    1-2 day shippingSteal factor ★★★☆☆

    Everyone laughs when it's opened. Then whoever takes it home uses it every night at 3 a.m. and stops laughing.

    Find it: AmazonTargetWalmart

  6. 6

    HotHands hand warmers, 10-pack

    Up to $10
    In stores todaySteal factor ★★☆☆☆

    Looks boring until someone remembers their cold commute or their kid's early Saturday soccer game. Then it's the most practical thing in the room, and they will defend it.

    Find it: AmazonTargetWalmart

  7. 7

    Dinosaur taco holder

    Up to $10
    1-2 day shippingSteal factor ★★☆☆☆

    A triceratops that holds two tacos. It gets the laugh when it's opened, and unlike most gag gifts it actually gets used on taco night.

    Find it: AmazonTargetWalmart

  8. 8

    "If you can read this, bring me wine" socks

    Up to $10
    1-2 day shippingSteal factor ★★☆☆☆

    The classic "bring me wine" socks. The "coffee" and "tacos" versions are the ones to bring if someone from HR is playing.

    Find it: AmazonTargetWalmart

  9. 9

    Shower beer or wine holder

    Up to $10
    1-2 day shippingSteal factor ★★☆☆☆

    A suction-cup holder for a can or glass in the shower. It sounds like a bad idea, and people who own one will explain, at length, why it isn't.

    Find it: AmazonTargetWalmart

Will it arrive before the party?Timeline counting down to the party. Eight or more days out, every gift works, but order the allow-a-week gifts now. Two to seven days out, buy in stores or use 1-2 day shipping. Today or tomorrow, buy in stores only. In mid-December, add a couple of days because carriers slow down.Will it arrive before the party?8+ days outEverything works.Order the 'allowa week' gifts now.2 to 7 daysIn stores, or1-2 day shippingToday ortomorrowIn storesonlyPARTYIn stores today1-2 day shippingAllow ~1 weekMid-December? Add a couple of days. Carriers slow down.
Match the speed tag on each gift to the days left before your party. Save image

Budgets are what the gift typically costs at US stores, not a quote from any retailer, and prices move a lot around Black Friday. Check the price before you buy. Delivery speeds assume you're in the continental US and order before mid-December, when carriers slow to the pace of a group choosing a restaurant. Links go to retailer search results so you can check what's in stock near you.

Running the swap?

My free white elephant game host draws numbers, tracks every gift and steal, and freezes a gift after its third steal. It runs on one phone and you don't need an account.

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