33 White Elephant Gifts Every Food Lover Will Want to Steal

My family tried a white elephant gift exchange for the first time last year. It was a chaotic mix of genius and disaster. Let me explain. The upside? Surprisingly, most people brought genuinely great gifts, and almost all of them were food-related. My whole family, including my grandmother, cousins, aunts, and uncles, loves to eat and cook, so even without setting a theme (just a price range), the table ended up packed with kitchen gear and culinary gems. The downside? Everyone wanted everyone else’s gift. That led to stolen tea kettles, snatched personal blenders, and a few wounded egos. Some of us walked away amped up. Others left a little salty, settling for whatever they got after the game ended.

White elephant gift exchanges can be unpredictable. No matter what you bring, it’s hard to know what everyone will want to steal (or pawn off). That’s why I created this gift guide: to help you show up with something worth adding to the pile. It includes tested tools our editors love, trendy picks worth the hype, pantry gems, and cookbooks that won’t sit around collecting dust. With prices ranging from $10 to $50, there’s something here for every budget. I can’t promise you’ll leave the game happy with your final snag, but I can guarantee someone will try to snatch the gift you bring.

White Elephant Gifts Under $15 

A Use-on-Everything Hot Sauce

Tia Lupita Habanero Hot Sauce

$15

$12 at Amazon

Despite being made with fiery habanero peppers, this creamy hot sauce is well-balanced and not burn-your-face-off hot. (It's made with mangoes and date syrup!) Try it on grilled meats and fish, or slathered on a burrito.

A Pearl-Hued Caviar Spoon and Key

Caviar Dream Cavi Key + Cavi Spoon

View on Caviardream.co

Savoring caviar during the holidays or any celebration isn’t just about taste; it’s about the experience. Sure, a regular spoon gets the job done, but this mother-of-pearl utensil from Caviar Dream adds a luxurious touch. It even comes with a caviar key to complete the ritual.

A Cookbook for Bread (and Pizza!) Lovers

Flour Water Salt Yeast: The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza

$38

$27 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Barnesandnoble.com

Perfecting yeast-based baking can feel as complex as learning about wine. That’s why this cookbook remains one of our top recommendations for both beginners and seasoned pastry chefs. It includes everything from quick loaves that come together by dinnertime to slow-fermented bakes that require days of resting.

A Finishing Extra-Virgin Olive Oil That We Absolutely Love

Cobram Estate Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, 100% California Select, 375mL (Pack of 2)

$13 at Amazon

After tasting 28 olive oil brands, our top pick for a well-balanced finishing oil came from Cobram. Fruity, slightly salty, and rich with buttery notes, it adds peppery and grassy flavor to so much, including warm baguettes, grilled steaks, and tomato salads.

A Very Comfortable Oyster Shucking Knife

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Non-Slip Oyster Knife

$15 at Amazon

$25

$15 at Macy's View on Oxo

Opening oysters without the right knife makes the job both difficult and risky. That’s why we recommend this OXO shucker. In testing, it stood out for its comfort and control, making quick work of stubborn shells.

A Vintage-Looking Crock for Softening Butter

Norpro Glazed Stoneware Butter Keeper

$15

$10 at Amazon View on Shop.com

Softening butter—whether for slathering on toast, creaming into cookie dough, or mixing into cake batter—shouldn’t mean leaving it out on the counter uncovered. The risk of the butter absorbing unwanted odors or getting tainted with kitchen dust particles just isn’t worth it. That’s why we’re big fans of this cottagecore-looking butter crock. It’s simple to fill and even easier to scoop out that yellow stuff.

A Minimalist Bamboo Salt Cellar

Totally Bamboo Salt Cellar

$12 at Amazon View on Walmart

Salt doesn’t technically expire, but when it’s not stored properly, it can definitely get sketchy. And nothing’s more annoying than having to go and find more salt mid-recipe. That’s where salt cellars come in. This bamboo one works like a trusty sidekick, sitting right by the stove, ready for quick pinches, and its swivel lid offers a route to close it shut when the cooking is all done.

A Milk Frother for Lattes, Hot Chocolate, and More

Zulay Kitchen Milk Boss Original Electric Milk Frother

$22

$15 at Amazon $25 at Wayfair

Milk frothers make it easy to whip up cafe-like drinks at home, such as frothy hot chocolate and silky lattes. After testing 24 models, this one from Zulay came out on top for aerating milk and cranking out cold foam with ease. It comes in a few colors and includes a stand for easy countertop storage.

An Oniony and Spicy Chili Crisp

Mr. Bing Chili Crisp

$10

$9 at Amazon View on Pearlriver.com

Chili crisp belongs in every pantry. Spoon it over eggs, whisk it into vinaigrettes, or drizzle it on ramen; it adds instant spice and flavor. With so many brands on shelves now, it’s hard to choose one. But after tasting 18 different jars, Mr. Bing stood out as one of the tastiest. It’s a garlic lover’s dream and packs a balanced amount of heat.

A Children’s Book About the Olive Harvest Traditions of Palestinian Farmers

Olive Harvest in Palestine: A Story of Childhood Memories

$11 at Amazon

This children’s book offers more than just a quick bedtime story; it illustrates harvest traditions and histories passed down by Palestinian farmers for generations. Adults will pick up something new, too, as the narrative breaks down how the olives go from the tree to the press, into bottles, and finally into the hands of the community.

White Elephant Gifts Under $25

A Trendy Cambro to Keep You Hydrated In the Kitchen

Tilit x Cambro Cam Cup

View on Tilitnyc.com

Seeing chefs drink from real cups is rare, especially with deli containers always within reach. This cup nods to that kitchen culture but elevates the drinking vessel. It includes a straw and a lid that snaps on securely, making it possible to move through the kitchen while staying hydrated.

A Golden Flame Torch for Crème Brûlée, S’mores, and Beyond

JOBON Torch Lighter

$22 at Amazon

Scorching dishes with fire adds excitement to cooking and hosting. That’s why we love the torch from JOBON. It delivers two flames (one strong, one gentler) and comes in a metallic gold finish that’ll look exciting in front of guests when browning crème brûlée at a dinner party.

A Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Pan That We Can’t Recommend Enough

Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet

$25 at Amazon $25 at Target $25 at Home Depot

Gifting a cast iron pan shows real love. Lodge’s skillet performed best in our reviews, thanks to its durable build and the fact that it doesn’t need extra seasoning. The nonstick surface works straight out of the box. Whoever grabs this gift will cook with it for years.

A Cookbook That Explores the Entire Region of the Caribbean

Caribe: A Caribbean Cookbook with History

$45

$32 at Amazon

The Caribbean spans a wide region. Rather than collapsing its many cuisines into a single narrative, Keshia Sakarah draws on research plus extensive travel to unpack the diversity of its foodways. From Haitian Independence Day soup joumou to Guyanese pepperpot to Montserratian fish broth, this collection offers plenty to soak up.

A Mini Ocean Teal Slow Cooker That Aced Our Tests

IMUSA USA GAU-80113T 1.5 Quart Slow Cooker

$21 at Amazon

This slow cooker topped our extensive tests, holding steady temperatures without needing constant resets. Game days, house parties, and holidays all benefit from its presence. Use it for buffalo dip, chili, stewed meats, and more.

A Wine Tumbler Fit for a Weekend in the Woods

CamelBak Horizon 12-Ounce Wine Tumbler

$23 at Amazon View on Camelbak.com View on Dick's

Wine tumblers work well for game days, outdoor events, and camping trips when glass adds unnecessary risk. Insulated options like this one from CamelBak also keep iced lattes cold during the commute. We love this wine tumbler because it’s durable, has a lid that stays shut, and maintains internal temps like a pro.

A Winning Cocktail Muddler for Mojitos

OXO Good Grips Steel Muddler

$20 at Amazon $20 at Sur La Table View on Webstaurant Store

Making a solid mojito (boozy or not) requires a muddler to crush citrus and herbs and release their oils and juices. After testing nine popular brands, we found that this one from OXO delivers a secure grip for easier crushing and uses sturdy materials built to last for years.

A Bamboo Steamer for Dumplings, Bao, and More

Helen’s Asian Kitchen Bamboo Food Steamer with Lid

$23

$19 at Amazon

Steamers handle dumplings and bao with ease, while also working well for vegetables and delicate fish. After we tested 10 models, this bamboo pick from Helen’s Asian Kitchen earned the top spot. Its two tiers allow for steaming multiple ingredients at the same time.

A Lightning Fast Instant-Read Thermometer for Perfectly Cooked Steaks

Lavatools PT12 Javelin Digital Instant Read Thermometer

$23 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Lavatools.co

Avoid undercooking or charring steak, chicken, or fish by using a reliable thermometer. Instant-read models remain our top recommendation because they deliver fast, accurate readings. After consistent high performance in our tests, this pick from Lavatools earned a top spot.

A High-Performing Spice Grinder

Kuhn Rikon Mini Pepper Grinder

$22 at Amazon View on Kuhnrikonshop.com

Freshly grated black pepper transforms recipes, making it tough to return to the pre-ground stuff. Grinding up spices unlocks more aromatics and deeper flavor. This model from Kuhn Rikon holds half a cup of peppercorns and can grind a full teaspoon in just 19 seconds.

Earlywood Large Flat Sauté

View on Earlywooddesigns.com

This isn't one of our favorite wooden spoons, but associate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm reaches for it all of the time. It's perfect for scraping and stirring, and its wooden construction makes it safe for scratch-prone nonstick and enameled cast iron cookware.

White Elephant Gifts Under $50

A Cute Cow Print “Mooka” Pot and Espresso Kit

Couplet Coffee The Ultimate Espresso at Home Starter Kit

View on Coupletcoffee.com

Couplet Coffee packs everything into this set for easy stovetop coffee. The box includes a cow-print moka pot, their iconic Espresso for Everyone Blend (a light-medium roast of Brazilian, Nicaraguan, and Peruvian beans), and a fridge magnet with step-by-step instructions on how to get started with a moka pot.

A Luxurious Lobster Mac and Cheese Dinner

Murray’s Lobster Mac and Cheese

View on Murrayscheese.com

Keep this one wrapped up and stashed in the freezer if you plan to bring it to a white elephant gathering. Whoever unwraps it is in for a decadent treat. Murray’s heat-and-eat lobster mac and cheese combines a secret three-cheese blend, Mornay sauce, radiatori, lobster bisque, and chunks of rich lobster meat, all finished with a cheesy panko topping. Bonus: It heats up in under 30 minutes, turning gooey and bubbly fast.

A Filipino Fruit-Inspired Beaded Cup for Lattes

Karryokah Beaded CupholderBeaded Cupholder

View on Karryokah.com

I came across Karryokah, a brand that makes drink carriers, and immediately had to buy one. A purse for iced lattes? Sold. Handcrafted with beadwork rooted in Filipino tradition, each design pulls color inspiration from Asian fruits. This carrier is my go-to and tags along on all my morning cafe walks.

A Hand-Painted Stoneware Serving Plate Set for Oysters

Mud Pie Oyster Server Set

$40 at Amazon

Plenty of people might pass over this gift when it’s wrapped. A platter-shaped package doesn’t usually spark excitement. But whoever ends up with it—especially an oyster lover—will appreciate the beauty and function of this hand-painted, stoneware serving dish, designed with built-in indents for half shells.

A Bamboo Plantain Smasher

Loisa Durable Tostonera Plantain Smasher

$35 at Amazon

Plantain lovers rely on a tostonera to flatten slices of the starch for dishes like tostones. This one from Loisa is crafted with bamboo and a durable hinge that won’t give up after a few uses. Besides flattening plantains, it also presses dumpling or empanada dough into circles.

A Box Filled With Japanese Snacks, Candies, and Teas

Bokksu Snack Subscription Box

View on Bokksu.com

Order this gift ahead of time and wrap it up, or treat someone to a one-month subscription to Bokksu’s goodie box. Each collection packs over 20 different snacks, candies, and teas—think mochi, senbei, cakes, cookies, chips, matcha, hojicha, and more sourced directly from centuries-old family makers in Japan.

A Stainless Steel Pair of Tongs to Pluck Tinned Fish

Fishwife Tinned Fish Tongs

View on Bespokepost.com View on Eatfishwife.com

Tinned fish continues to take over, with brands like Fishwife, Siesta Co., and Scout delivering flavorful seafood packed in briny or olive-oil-rich liquids. Pulling fillets from metal containers, though, often risks tearing delicate proteins. These stainless steel tongs solve that problem. Designed by Japanese artisans, they have a long, tapered profile that grips each piece with precision.

A Guidebook to Pairing Wine With Foods From the African Diaspora

Wine Pairing for the People: The Communion of Wine, Food, and Culture from Africa and Beyond

View on Amazon

This book breaks new ground by pairing wines with foods from across the African diaspora, pushing back against the idea that vino can’t go along with dishes that pack punchy, spicy, tangy, salty, and sweet flavors. Inside these pages are recipes and pairings for staples like Moroccan tagine, Jamaican jerk chicken, shrimp po’ boys, peach cobbler, and more.

A Dozen Handmade Mini Donuts

BlissBomb Gourmet Mini Donuts Gift Box

View on Bliss-bomb.com

Whoever opens this gift will face a choice: hoard or share. I’d go with keeping them all to myself, no shame. The box includes a dozen mini cake donuts in flavors like apple cinnamon, chocolate salted caramel, red velvet, pistachio rose, and more, each one, in my opinion, worth savoring solo.

A Box of Chocolates Inspired By the Flavors of Vietnam

Socola Chocolatier Assorted Chocolate Truffle Box

View on Socolachocolates.com

Few gifts hit like a box of chocolates, especially when packed with flavors inspired by Vietnam: think guava, jasmine tea, and passionfruit vanilla bean. When ordering a collection online, go ahead and grab a second one for yourself, too.

Excellent Marzipan

Niederegger Classic Loaves - Pure Marzipan Covered in Crisp & Dark Chocolate

$30 at Amazon

Another chocolate option is this marzipan, which is Riddley's favorite. "My husband introduced me to it," she says. "His family is from Lubeck, Germany, where this marzipan is made, and it's a staple in their house, especially during the holidays."

A Cute, Speckled Cutting Board

Big Night Small Cutting Board

View on Bignightbk.com

This might not be one of our favorite plastic cutting boards, but it's undeniably pretty. Its small size is ideal for halving a lemon, slicing a block of cheddar for a snack, or assembling and serving a sandwich on.

FAQs

What are the white elephant gift exchange rules?

White elephant is a fun holiday game that can be enjoyed with friends, family, or colleagues. Each player brings a wrapped gift to contribute to a shared pool. Players then draw numbers to determine the order in which they can select gifts. Once the first player chooses a gift from the pool, then comes the fun part. Each subsequent player can either take a gift from the pool or “steal” an already chosen gift from someone else. Don’t worry—everyone will still end up with a gift to unwrap at the end, but it stays a surprise until then.

What’s a good white elephant gift?

White elephant gift exchanges are meant to be fun and casual, so don’t overthink it! Consider the audience—is this a gift exchange at the office? among friends? extended family?—and go from there to determine what to buy. If you’re not sure how much to spend, ask the organizer what the target price point is and use that as your guideline.

What’s the best cheap white elephant gift?

“Best” is subjective, so, again, go with your gut! We like a gift that’s fun but practical, so if you’re on a tight budget, consider something like Pisqueya Passionfruit Hot Sauce. It’s less than $15, it’s versatile, and it’s memorable.

Why We’re the Experts

• Ashia Aubourg is a Serious Eats contributor with experience reviewing cooking gear and working in kitchens (and farms!).
• Her work with Serious Eats spans product reviews and food history deep dives. 
• Ashia is one of Serious Eats' most meticulous gear testers: She's literally watched ice melt, filled her house with the smell of bacon, and shattered dishes on her patio, all in pursuit of the best gear.