Gift exchanges have been a time-honored tradition around the holiday season. They can add humor to celebrations. Selecting a gift for a white elephant exchange can feel like a strenuous task, especially with a tight budget. We have assembled a curated list for fans of any sport all under $30.
From the NFL to Formula 1, this list caters to everybody. They are chosen to be both memorable and on theme whether you are choosing to play it safe or make it a true white elephant exchange. Our list strikes that balance through affordable items all on Amazon.
We have also carefully selected some hidden gems to help make you the best gift-giver of the season. We have items ranging from stationary to a hockey 3D lamp to legos. These bring a refreshing twist to a gift exchange and could even become conversation-starting pieces.
The beauty of this carefully-selected list lies in its affordability. With every item priced under $30, this list proves that the best presents can be both budget-friendly and tailored to the recipient's passion for sports, creating a win-win scenario for everyone involved in the gift exchange festivities.
White elephant gift ideas for football fans
Gcasio Vintage Classic NFL winter beanie hat
Product features:
- Soft and comfortable for comfort and performance
- Hand Wash
- Ironclad Durability
Amazon customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
As the temperature gets colder, wearing just a t-shirt or jersey won’t cut it. A perfect gift to show fandom of an NFL team is this timeless pom beanie for a great price on Amazon. Any fan would be happy with this stylish piece. You may even be crowned the best gift-giver.
YouTheFan NFL 3D StadiumView Coasters
Product features:
- 2 coasters per pack
- Unique 3D stadium design hand assembled from four individual layers of 1/16'' acrylic
- Strong, non-slip backing
Amazon customer rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Get into the end zone with these NFL 3D StadiumView coasters. Sure, you could buy a generic set of team coasters with a logo or a helmet. Or you can step your game up and get these one-of-a-kind coasters showing a birds-eye, 3D view of your favorite team's stadium. Whether its AT&T Stadium, Arrowhead or Lambeau, each of these showcase features specific to each actual NFL stadium. Next time you're hosting a watch party or locked into every snap in solitude, enjoy a refreshing beverage in style.
NFL 11-Piece Stationery Set
Product features:
- Full Color NFL Design
- 11-piece set includes two 9"x12" folders, a 70-page spiral notebook, a 50-page memo pad, vincy pencil pouch, four pencils, sharpener and block eraser
Amazon customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
This stationary set, while leaning towards the white elephant theme, surprisingly packs a practical punch. The contents may not be the most coveted items on everyone's wish list, but they certainly make for a thoughtful and functional package. It comes with four pencils, two notebooks in two different sizes, an eraser, a pencil case, and two folders. This is certainly a gift of unexpected value.
White elephant gift ideas for college sports fans
The Northwest Company NCAA Cloud Travel Pillow
Product features:
- 15 inch diameter
- 94% Polyester, 6% Spandex
Amazon customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Sometimes traveling to the big game can be an unpleasant experience. This travel pillow made out of easily washable synthetics is a great gift for the NCAA fanatic. It’s designed for portability and comes in multiple variations for the most popular teams. When this pillow is not on the road it is a great display piece to show off fandom in a guest room, den or fan cave. Northwest Company also makes pillows in a variety of sizes with officially licensed NFL, NHL and Disney themes in addition to colleges.
YouTheFan NCAA 3D Wall Art
Product features:
- 12"x12" dimensions
- Floating wall-mount design
- Comes ready to hang
- Officially licensed product
Amazon customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Unique wall art is a great addition to any office, media room, or man cave. This wall mount comes in a variety of teams and is easy to hang. It’s made out of heavy material indicating quality and has great reviews on amazon. This adds a sense of sophistication to it, separating it from a simple poster or two-dimensional sports art piece. This gift is slightly out of a box for a sports fan, but it’s sure to enhance their space.
White elephant gift ideas for hockey fans
Fullosun Ice Hockey Lamp
Product features:
- 16 different colors with four modes of changing color (smooth, fade, flash and strobe)
- Dimmable
- Remote controlled
- Includes 18 month warranty and full 180-day 100% money back guarantee
Amazon customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
These lights are a very cool gift. They are unique and look great in any ‘man cave’, gaming, etcetera. This one in particular is nice because it is not associated with a specific team so it's a great item to give if you’re not a fan of what team. The company that makes these lamps also has very good reviews and the warranty is a plus. Overall, this is one of the most fun gifts you can give for an exchange.
NHL 2024 Box Calendar
Product features:
- Features a new hockey fact or trivia question for every day of the year
- Daily tear-off style calendar
- Built-in stand
Amazon customer rating: No Available Ratings Yet
This calendar is a really cute and affordable holiday gift. It’s great to bring to a gift exchange, especially if you do not know specific teams people are a fan of. This makes a good accent on a desk and may actually come in use. It also fits the white elephant theme well given that an NHL-themed tear off calendar isn’t at the top of most wishlists, but it will certainly be used.
White elephant gift ideas for NBA fans
Ultra Game NBA Arched Plexi T-Shirt
Product features:
- Machine washable cotton and polyester blend
- Athletic fit
- Officially licensed
Amazon customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
This is a super affordable gift if you know there will be NBA fans at your gift exchange. These shirts are high quality and the best price you can get. And with over 6,000 five-star reviews, you can be sure these get the stamp of approval. The shirts run true to size and are very soft. Unlike some items on Amazon, this t-shirt is available for all NBA teams making it perfect no matter which NBA market you live in. The combination of a reasonable price, accurate sizing, soft fabric, and licensed design makes it a standout choice.
NBA vinyl, waterproof stickers
Product features:
- 30 stickers, one for each team
- Sun-fade and water resistant
Amazon customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Laptops, luggage, tumblers, snowboards... yes, even adults use stickers! These are perfect for any NBA fan. Also, like a number of items on this they are not specific to one team so this may come in handy for exchanges where there are fans of multiple different teams. Stickers are also a good way to play it safe. Did we mention they're cheap? They are perfect for personalization and will typically find use somewhere.
White elephant gift ideas for baseball fans
Major League Ballparks Scratch Off Poster
Product features:
- Durable paper made from 100lb archival cardstock
- Packaged very carefully and easy to frame
- Scratch-off pictures of the ballparks
Amazon customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
If you're a baseball fan who loves visiting different ballparks, then this is the perfect gift. Checking off stadiums is a time-honored tradition shared by baseball fans spanning all generations. And now, that source of fan pride can be turned into a nice, classy piece of framed art.
47 Brand Clean Up MLB adjustable hat
Product features:
- Officially licensed
- 100% cotton
- Adjustable strap, relaxed fit
Amazon customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
The ‘47 Brand cleanup hat is a timeless and stylish gift. The clean up is designed to be able to fit anyone because of its softness and adjustable strap which makes it the ideal item for a baseball fan at a gift exchange. These hats are very comfortable and feature a curved bill which distinguishes them from a proper, on-field baseball hat. It offers the ‘dad hat’ look and is being sold at a great price.
$16.95
White elephant gifts for soccer fans
Premier League team stickers
Product features:
- Printed out outdoor-grade vinyl
- Made in the USA
- Officially licensed
Amazon customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Stickers are truly an underrated gift. They add personalization to almost anything from water bottles to notebooks to cars. These premier league officially licensed stickers are perfect if there are soccer fans in the group. They are printed on outdoor-grade vinyl which makes them weather resistant and of high quality. These will add an excellent touch of team spirit to your gift exchange.
Premier League team flag
Product features:
- Polyester & Machine Washable
- 60 x 36 inches
- Silky-feel
Amazon customer rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
A flag is a good way to play it safe at a gift exchange. It could go either way. You could intentionally buy a flag of a team everyone dislikes and play to the point or get one for teams you know people like. These flags are great bang-for-your buck products and feel silky and are easily foldable. Overall, these make a good gift no matter the purpose.
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