Choosing a White Elephant Gift: Titanium Mugs or a Leatherman Tool?

Gear Question
1

Hi, I’m struggling to decide on a White Elephant gift for this year and am torn between Snow Peak titanium single-wall mugs (450+600) with hot lips, and a Leatherman Bond. Everyone in my family enjoys camping, so either gift would be practical. However, I’m leaning towards the Leatherman since everyone already has plenty of stainless vacuum mugs for beverages, but not everyone owns a multi-tool. I understand that a Yeti mug is not the same as a titanium mug that can be used directly over a flame, but I’m not sure if that’s a significant factor for anyone.

Which of these two gifts would you prefer to give or receive?

2

Definitely the Leatherman. Most folks already have plenty of drinking containers.

If my wife receives one more coffee mug, I might lose it.

3

Ash said:
Definitely the Leatherman. Most folks already have plenty of drinking containers.

If my wife receives one more coffee mug, I might lose it.

Agree! There’s always somewhere—a bag, a glove box, a backpack—where a multitool could be handy. Just make sure whoever gets it remembers they have it, so it’s actually used when needed.

4

Honestly, neither of these really fits the spirit of a White Elephant gift, which should be amusing or impractical. If you’re looking for a funny but not totally useless outdoor-themed gift, consider something like CuloClean bottle bidets or a quirky Portable Sundial. For something really in line with the theme, how about a weirdly shaped Cast Iron Pan?

5

@Cleo
This confusion annoys me. When people don’t understand White Elephant, you end up with a mix of joke gifts and serious gifts, making it awkward. If it’s not for laughs, it’s just a gift exchange.

6

@Jaden
I learned this the hard way at a White Elephant exchange with my husband’s friends. We were the only ones who brought a funny gift—an old 8-track player. It was a hit with everyone except the person who got it. I’ve been wary of these exchanges ever since.

7

@Vic
I make sure the host clarifies the expected type of gifts now because of experiences like yours.

8

@Cleo
I’m glad it’s not just me feeling this way!

9

@Cleo
Honestly, go for one of those ridiculous 25-in-1 tools. It’s a shovel, a hammer, a saw, and more, and it only weighs 14 pounds!

10

Micah said:
@Cleo
Honestly, go for one of those ridiculous 25-in-1 tools. It’s a shovel, a hammer, a saw, and more, and it only weighs 14 pounds!

That’s just more junk for the landfill.

11

Seems like people are confusing White Elephant with Secret Santa. White Elephant should be about joke or impractical gifts.

12

Keir said:
Seems like people are confusing White Elephant with Secret Santa. White Elephant should be about joke or impractical gifts.

Actually, this is a White Elephant. It’s about swapping gifts, not buying for a specific person.

13

@Jonah
“White Elephant” specifically refers to joke or unwanted gifts. What you’re describing is more akin to a Yankee Swap.

14

I’d prefer the Snow Peak mugs.

15

I’d choose the Leatherman!

16

I also vote for the Leatherman.

17

Personally, I would prefer the Leatherman.

18

My vote goes to the Leatherman.

19

I love Leatherman tools, but for camping-specific gear, consider the Gerber Stake Out or Armbar series. They’re priced similarly without pliers but might be more useful. The Leatherman Signal is a better camping tool than the Bond but it’s likely over your budget.

20

@Tilden
Big fan of the Stake Out.