It’s that time of year again, when we stock up on affordable holiday gifts for office parties, friendly get-togethers and family gatherings. The tradition known as the white elephant gift exchange calls for budget-friendly but fun presents. I don’t know about you, but every year it gets harder and harder to find cheap items that will serve as quality gifts. That’s why I’ve put together this list of eight holiday gifts you can buy for $30 or less.
Discounted Gift Cards
Let’s face it: Gift cards are kind of a copout. But you can make them a bit more fun by spicing up the wrapping. My favorite way to wrap gift cards is in a small box that’s wrapped inside a medium box that’s wrapped inside a large box. That will definitely get some attention at your gift exchange, and the best part about it is you can buy the gift card for less than it’s worth. Services like Cardpool and Raise allow you to get gift cards at a discount. If you’re too busy to shop for gifts, this is a great way to save time and money.
Alcohol
Nice bottles of wine or liquor are always popular items at gift exchanges. Alcohol is a great option because it will make gift steals more fun, and it will only cost you $20 to $30 for a nice bottle. If you aren’t comfortable bringing adult beverages to your gathering, there are alternatives that are almost as fun. Electronic wine openers are a great example. You can find them for as little as $20 and they’re handy tools for wine drinkers.
Group Games
Games like Catch Phrase and Apples to Apples are perfect for a gift exchange because they’re inexpensive and fun. These games will only run you $20 to $25 and they’ll be used for years to come. They might even get some use later on in the party.
Etsy
Etsy.com, a marketplace for handmade goods, is a great option if you’re looking for a unique gift that no one else will bring. You’ll find high quality, handcrafted goodies from around the world in this awesome, online marketplace. I love to shop for stocking stuffers on Etsy because I know I’ll find great gifts that my friends and family won’t be able get anywhere else. And, the best part is you can search by price to stay within your budget.
Lottery Tickets
Scratch-off tickets are a fun option for a white elephant gift exchange because they’re all about chance. Whoever gets the tickets can win a few bucks or hundreds of dollars. And, you can buy as many tickets as it takes to fill your budget. It’s simple and easy, but it could have a huge payoff for the gift recipient. Just make sure you include a note saying they can’t be scratched until the game is over. (Knowing the value would spoil the fun.)
Smartphone Accessories
Almost everyone has a smartphone, so it makes perfect sense to bring universal smartphone accessories to your gift exchange. There are plenty of options that are useful and inexpensive. Portable Smartphone chargers are a great power source for people on the go. You can charge your phone and other devices without searching for an outlet. Smartphone camera lenses are another fun option. These enhance mobile pictures with wide-angle, zoom and other capabilities. Both of those accessories can be found between $15 and $30, so your budget is safe.
Gift Wrapping Services
This gift will take a bit of research, but it’s a thoughtful idea for office parties. We all know wrapping gifts isn’t necessarily the fun part of the holidays, so why not give the gift of professional wrapping? If your office party is being held a couple weeks before Christmas, you can bring a gift certificate for a gift wrapping service so one, lucky coworker can get their gifts wrapped by professionals. If there isn’t a gift wrapping service in your area, wrapping sets are fun alternatives.
Amazon
If you’re looking for gag gifts, Amazon is a great place to start. All you have to do is search for “white elephant gift ideas” in the Amazon search box, and let the laughter begin. You’ll find hilarious gift choices from the Christmas Story leg lamp to bacon-themed Band-Aids.
Whether you’re participating in a gift exchange at work or at home, I wish you a fun party and very happy holidays.
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8 Cheap White Elephant Gift Exchange Ideas originally appeared on usnews.com
