White Elephant Season (or Secret Santa Season; adjust depending on your friend group/colleague circle, etcetera, etcetera) is upon us again. White Elephant is cool, it's fun, it's great- you only have to worry about buying one gift versus a whole list of them. But now the stress is: which one? This can be especially tricky if your group spans a host of genders and interests. But not to fear- this list has something for even the pickiest of persons, and is sure to incite some gift-giving (and stealing) envy for your next round of White Elephant.
1) French Press
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Give the gift of pretentiousness this holiday season. But no, really- as ostentatious as you may sound describing the brewing method, french presses are fun, interesting, and growing in popularity again. Plus, they just make a really great cup of strong coffee. Snag a mini one-serving press, or a full-size one like this Bodum pitcher for under $20.
2) Cool socks
Everyone always needs a new pair of socks. You can never go wrong when fashion and functionality go hand-in-hand.
3) Heat-changing mugs
These temperature-sensitive mugs (like this Harry Potter Marauder's Map one, above) change their outward graphics after being topped off with a hot beverage.
4) Clever notebook
Whether for lists or doodling, planning or poetry, an aesthetically-pleasing notebook will always be appreciated. In particular by those who won't invest in a quality booklet that surpasses the price and ruggedness of .50 back-to-school deals and instead just stare at them longingly while passing through the stationary aisle at Books-a-Million. Not speaking from personal experience.
5) Soap rock
Yes, that really is soap! Almost too pretty to use. Almost.
6) Funky ice cube tray
Silicone ice cube trays are already awesome for their being like, 103% (approximately) easier to use than normal, plastic ice trays. And really, no drink is complete without a little Edvard Munch. Your life has been a lie.
7) Mini tarot set
What began as a French parlor game and has since seen a resurgence of popularity among the new age crowd and spiritual stores, can now be purchased in cat-print mini form at your local Urban Outfitters.
8) Stranger Things candle
All hail Saint Eleven. That is all.
9) Mason jar shaker
Look like Martha Stewart while shaking up ~another~ round of Screwdrivers. It looks straight out of a Pinterest board, so your mom can't argue with the utter classiness of the gift you've chosen.
10) Wreck This Journal
It's good to color outside of the lines every now and then. Therapeutic. Cathartic. A stress-relieving necessity, actually. Manage this and a whole lot more creative wreckage with a copy of one of these best-selling guided journals.
man running in forestPhoto by 
