White elephant gift exchanges are among the most popular holiday party activities. The gist of the game is simple: Each attendee brings a low-cost gift and draws a number to determine the order in which they get to pick a present out of the pile. However, a participant can opt to either pick a new gift or steal one that’s already been opened by someone else during their turn — that’s when things get competitive.
Here’s a list of items under $20 — some are quirky, others are practical, but none are gag gifts — that people will actually want. You can purchase most of these gifts in person in Los Angeles and at the last minute, phew. For the planners, there are some to add to your online shopping cart.
Plant from Latinx With Plants
You really can’t go wrong with bringing a plant — a.k.a. the gift that keeps on growing — to a white elephant party. At Latinx With Plants, the popular plant Instagram page turned Boyle Heights plant shop, you can purchase a small plant for less than $15 — consider a pothos, hoya and calathea — then place it inside a Mexican-inspired gift bag or a one-of-a-kind pot that’s been handmade by a Mexico-based artisan.
$20 at Latinx With Plants
Uniqlo’s colorful socks
You can never have enough socks. Grab a few pairs from Uniqlo’s infamous wall of colorful socks, which is known to spark a rush of dopamine with its vibrant hues. The ribbed-knit, unisex socks, which come in 50 colors, are comfortable enough for lounging around the house or dressing up for a night on the town.