The 10 Best White Elephant Gifts Under $25 That They'll Definitely Want to Steal

I love a white elephant Christmas party, especially one where my besties and I gather around and exchange thoughtful gifts as a token of our friendship. Luckily, most of my lady friends also love to cook, so buying them gifts I would buy for my own kitchen is usually a hit. Gifts like a silicone spatula, a stoneware mug, and a clip-on colander all provide updates to their daily-use items. And some of these presents might just elevate their cooking and baking skills, too. (I’m thinking gourmet paninis on a seasoned cast-iron griddle.)

So if your next holiday work party, family gathering, or New Year’s Eve brunch requires you to bring a white elephant gift, we’ve got your number. From a color-coded, stainless steel knife set to a portable blender you can throw in a gym bag, any of these 10 white elephant gift ideas will level up the party’s vibe. Guests will scramble to steal the present you brought, and they’ll never even know it was an under-$25 steal. 

The Best White Elephant Gifts Under $25 at Amazon:

• Cuisinart 10-Piece Stainless Steel ColorCore Knife Set, $30, originally $50
• CamelBak Thrive Leak-Proof 16-Ounce Mug, $22, originally $32
• Ototo Clip-On Kitchen Colander, $17, originally $20
• All-Clad Heat Resistant Silicone Grip Set, $22
• Lodge 10.5-Iinch Cast Iron Round Griddle, $20, originally $33
• NutriChef 3-Piece Commercial-Grade Nonstick Baking Pans, $21, originally $34
• GIR Premium Nonstick Silicone Spatula, $13, originally $15 
• Illy Classico Ground Drip Coffee, Medium Roast, $10, originally $15
• Hamilton Beach Portable Blender, $16, originally $22 
• Staub Cast Iron Rooster Lid Knob, $24, originally $29

Cuisinart 10-Piece Stainless Steel ColorCore Knife Set

This fun color-coded Cuisinart knife set helps cooks remember what knife they used for what. It’s a great gift for the absent-minded chef who wants to prevent cross-contamination during food prep. Featuring high-quality stainless steel blades and handles with an ergonomic design, these knives slice, chop, and pare with ease. This set features a paring knife, a serrated utility knife, a santoku knife, a slicing knife, and a chef’s knife. Each knife matches back to its color-coded blade guard, making them safe to store in a drawer, and they’re top-rack dishwasher-safe, so they’ll never rust. 

CamelBak Thrive Leak-Proof 16-Ounce Mug

Everyone has a favorite mug from which they sip their weekend coffee, and this stainless steel number can be one of them! In typical CamelBak fashion, this mug boasts superior temperature retention, assuring your hot beverages stay hot and your cold ones cold. (I’m thinking of cocktails by the fire.) This mug comes in seven colorful options, all of which feature ergonomic comfort and a protective bumper that resists dings and scratches. One five-star reviewer called this mug “Better than a Yeti and at a fraction of the price.” Sounds like a great gift to me!

Ototo Clip-On Kitchen Colander 

If you’re like me and lazily use a pot lid as a colander, raise your hand! Well, this nifty clip-on option makes draining pots easy, even for slacker home chefs. This cute crab-shaped strainer is made of food-grade silicone that easily stretches to fit most pots, and then it folds away for compact storage when you’re done. This white elephant gift assures the recipient won’t be fumbling around (or washing) full-size colanders ever again.

All-Clad Heat Resistant Silicone Grip Set

Whether cooking with cast iron or stainless steel, you need to protect your hands from the hot handles. And, unless you’re cooking over an open fire, gloves don’t seem that practical. That’s where this silicone grip set comes in. Slide one grip over a pot handle and use the other to grab the edge or to pull a cookie sheet from the oven. Both offer heat protection up to 500°F, feature a ribbed, non-slip construction, and are safe for the top shelf of the dishwasher. 

Lodge 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Round Griddle

A $20 price tag for a brand-name cast iron pan is virtually unheard of! And your friends will think you blew the budget with this griddle from Lodge. It’s perfect for turning any stove top into a flat-top griddle for scrambling eggs, cooking pancakes, or even making quesadillas. The shallow sides allow for a wider cooking surface, and the lower rim lends easy access to the contents. The heirloom quality of this cooking pan makes it a great gift to pass down for generations. 

NutriChef 3-Piece Commercial-Grade Nonstick Baking Pans

‘Tis the season for baking, and any aspiring pastry chef will love to get the gift of commercial-grade baking sheets. These steel pans feature a non-toxic, mineral-based, nonstick coating that doesn’t leech into your baked goods. Each pan also comes equipped with silicone handles on either side, allowing a secure and burn-free gripping surface. The set features three sizes — a 13.3-inch, a 15-inch, and a 17-inch pan — that all stack neatly inside each other for easy storage. Plus, they are dishwasher-safe, stain-resistant, and on sale now for only $7 apiece! 

GIR Premium Nonstick Silicone Spatula 

One by one, I’m replacing my wooden kitchen tools with hefty silicone rubber ones. The performance and ease of cleaning alone made me a convert. This little spatula from GIR (Get It Right) will make your gift recipient rethink her quiver, too, as it's engineered for longevity and crafted with thin, sturdy edges that easily slide under pancakes, eggs, hamburgers, or baked goods. The “ultimate” size makes it perfect for delicate dishes, like crepes and omelets, and the flexible ergonomic handle compliments the user’s dexterity.

Illy Classico Ground Drip Coffee, Medium Roast

Sometimes tasty treats are the best bet for a white elephant gift, and this imported coffee tin fits that bill. This coffee is produced in Italy with a proprietary blend of nine different Arabica coffee beans from growers around the world for a medium roast that features hints of chocolate and caramel. This Illy 8.8-ounce tin comes in 10 tasty roasts, and one Amazon shopper commented on its “excellent flavor,” especially when comparing Illy’s decaf to other brands. Illy is also a certified B Corp company committed to sustainability and has established lasting relationships with its coffee growers.

Hamilton Beach Portable Blender 

This gift is a thoughtful addition should your gathering include a health-conscious group of partygoers. Like, who wouldn’t want a portable blender that doubles as a drinking vessel for smoothies on the go? The cutting-edge Hamilton Beach design features stainless steel blades and a powerful motor that powers through ice, frozen fruit, and leafy greens for smooth results. It features a BPA-free travel jar that fits most car cup holders, hidden cord storage, and is dishwasher-safe, so cleaning’s a breeze! 

Staub Cast Iron Rooster Lid Knob

Now, here’s a gift you probably wouldn’t buy for yourself but would love to receive from someone else. Staub’s sturdy rooster knob embellishes any cast iron lid, including those from Le Creuset or Lodge. It adds interest to a gorgeous enameled pot set on a stove and is easier to grab than a typical round handle (especially with oven mitts on). One Amazon shopper called it “the cherry on top” of her expensive cast iron Dutch oven and confirmed that it works with any lid whose knob is attached with a screw.