14 Genius White Elephant Gifts Travelers Will Actually Use — All Under $25 at Amazon

White elephant gift exchanges have become a staple at casual holiday gatherings, office parties, and more. The best white elephant gifts are unique, fun, or sometimes simply practical. But finding the perfect white elephant gift — one that’s both amusing and affordable — can be a challenge. You want something that’s not only budget-friendly, but also memorable enough to spark a little friendly competition over who gets to take home the prize.

Whether you’re shopping for a coworker you barely know, distant family member you see once a year, or close friend who has a hefty travel bucket list for 2025, we’ve compiled a selection of the best white elephant gifts under $25. These gifts balance practicality while ensuring you’ll be remembered for your gift-giving prowess. From best-selling tech gadgets to cozy winter accessories and trendy novelty items, these gift ideas are sure to make you more popular than ever. 

Apple AirTag

An Apple AirTag could be the gift that helps a friend locate their luggage, cat, or even car keys. Put this coin-sized Bluetooth tracker just about anywhere — in the pocket of a special jacket or on the TV remote — and always know where to find it via Apple’s Find My app. It doesn’t even matter if the recipient already has one, because there’s always a need for more.

Ododos Mini Belt Bag

Despite its small size, Ododos’ Mini Belt Bag can fit all of your travel essentials. Available in a whopping 35 colors, a passport, wallet, phone, and AirPods can easily fit in the interior of this belt bag — with room for snacks. Whether waiting impatiently through a busy airport security line or sprinting through a terminal to catch a flight, the fanny pack will allow you to be hands-free while still keeping your most precious belongings close. When not in transit, it’s the ultimate accessory to take out while sightseeing, but can easily be dressed up for a night out on the town, too. It contains two external zippered compartments, one of which has three mesh compartments inside it to keep items organized. 

Bagail Packing Cube Hanging Toiletry Bag Set

A well-packed bag involves organization and efficiency, but if we’re being real, we know that packing can also come with a whole lot of anxiety. That’s why we recommend reaching for packing cubes to mitigate pre-travel stress, especially during the holiday season. They keep outfits organized, but this particular 6-piece set includes a bonus waterproof hanging toiletry bag so the lucky winner of this item will likely also end up being the least stressed out holiday traveler in your crew.  

Riemot Luggage Travel Cup Holder

Our top hack for buying travel-friendly gifts? Shopping flight attendant-recommended items. Luckily, Travel + Leisure has many to recommend, but one of the best under-$25 options is this travel cup holder. The suitcase handle slip-on feature is so practical and helpful for holding all go-to necessities — not just a hot cuppa. One flight attendant got this as a gift for themselves and a friend, saying that they both get lots of compliments on the handy gadget as they get to walk “hands-free” through airports with their coffee and phone in tow. “You can’t beat it. I highly recommend it if you travel frequently.”

Anker Power Bank

We dubbed one of Anker’s chargers as the best possible portable charger you can travel with. This one is rated five stars by 78,000 people, and despite being so light and slim, it’s also notably durable. It endured a drop onto concrete by one reviewer without any evident damage.

Bagsmart Travel Electronics Organizer

Ideal for the techy people at the party whose travel bags are constantly brimming with devices and charging cables, this electronics organizer keeps everything tidy and tucked in an eight-by-four-inch travel case. Inside, it has five mesh pockets and a larger polyester pouch for a power bank, external hard drive, or even small e-reader. For under $10, it can make life a whole lot easier. 

Owala SmoothSip 20-ounce Coffee Tumbler

The brand behind one of our favorite water bottles also makes a coffee tumbler that keeps beverages hot or cold for up to six hours. The 20-ounce mug is made with durable stainless steel and comes in the cool colors that Owala water bottle enthusiasts love: hip cactus (light green), telescope tales (dark purple), cloudscape (white), and hot pink watermelon breeze.

Mzoo Sleep Eye Mask

This padded blackout eye mask has more than 72,000 five-star ratings. Reviewers say it gives them 100 percent light blockage and comfort. One traveler wrote, “my girlfriend and I usually don’t sleep well on planes but found ourselves sleeping for three to five hours at a time while wearing these.” Reviewers said they use it for better sleep in hotel rooms or even just at home, too.

Melasa Beanie With LED Headlamp

Here’s a useful accessory (and funny gift) that nobody at your party will already own. It’s a regular beanie embedded with a built-in headlamp that can be removed and recharged via USB. With three brightness settings that last for four straight hours on one charge, it’s the ideal gift for frequent hikers and campers, nighttime joggers, or even garage tinkerers. Reviewers love it for skiing, working on cars, and winter dog walks.

Gvber Portable Massage Gun

This 30-speed massage gun is truly a gift for anyone, from athletes to office workers or frequent fliers. It’s relatively light and compact — measuring eight by eight inches and weighing just one pound. Plus, it’s wireless. It packs seamlessly in a suitcase for post-flight aches and pains, then charges easily with a USB-C cable — from a power bank, even.

LtYioe Mini USB Humidifier

Humidifiers are essential in the winter time, and this mini one is great for traveling with or just keeping at your desk. It’s about three by five inches and can run for up to six hours on one charge. Reviewers say they also used it on road trips. “This small mist humidifier fits beautifully in the cup holder,” one wrote. “My husband has dry eyes and hasn’t been able to go on long trips in the car, but this has helped tremendously.”

Kitsch Face Ice Roller

A tried-and-true antidote to puffy “flight face” as well as everyday inflammation, this ice roller is primed to become the best part of your gift recipient’s skincare routine. Pop it in the fridge or freezer for 15 minutes, run it over your face, et voilà. “What a dreamy icy cool pick-me-up that depuffs and brings your skin to life,” said one reviewer.

Panduo Lumbar Support Pillow

Reviewers say they use this lumbar support pillow on planes, in the car, and at their desks. “I squished this up in a small carry-on bag for my plane ride,” one said. “When I took it out it bounced back in shape. It was amazing. No back ache from sitting so long in usually uncomfortable plane seats.” It’s made of memory foam and shaped to hug the lower back and waist.

Ewa Portable Bluetooth Speaker

This teeny tiny speaker is under two inches tall and wide, weighing in at just four ounces. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket and light enough to hang on the smallest of hooks with a little carabiner that comes with it. It can handle being submerged in water for 30 minutes, so while we don’t recommend throwing it in a river, it can safely hang it in its waterproof case on the wall of a shower.

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