Holiday Gift Exchange

we do this every year and the lotion/ pamper yourself stuff is always there. I sent you a PM too.

DB2B - Have you all ever done secret santa? That might be something different and fun. Also, one of the best Christmas' ever was when I obtained a name of a needy family for my workplace. It was a mom with two small kids. We bought a VCR (this was years ago), movies, toys, clothes and made sure to include a few gifts for mom. We also provided a Christmas basket of food. Each employee took a gift to purchase. We wrapped all of the gifts too before delivery - was a huge blessing to myself and all of my co-workers.

For anyone who doesn't know secret santa - You draw names and keep those names a secret. Then for whatever specified period you can leave your person a very small gift. Rules/time period can be for a few weeks or do like the 12 days of Christmas. It's kind of fun to get frequent small gifts like a small bottle of lotion, a Christmas towel, etc.

We set a dollar limit, and the boys bring boy gifts and the girls bring girl gifts (identified by ribbon color -- red for boys and green for girls).

DB2BMom - Best one I've ever experienced has been when we've adopted a family for the holiday season versus exchanging gifts. Good luck - how did you get stuck w/planning this, anyway??

You can also try a Yankee Swap....each person brings a gift with a specified $$$ amount then when everyone has arrived they draw a number...Number one picks first...then #2 but if # 2 likes # 1's gift they swap with that one...then # 3 picks and if they like #1 or # 2's gift they swap with them...and it continues...needless to say the one with the highest # is luckiest of all...best of luck

We did that same thing (didn't call it a Yankee Swap, tho)and instead of buying a gift, everyone brought "the Christmas item/decoration from home they most wanted to get rid of." It was pretty hysterical, and I ended up having to take home an obnoxious triangle of bells that plays incessant cheesy Christmas music (oops - maybe for some of you it is your most cherished possession... If so, sorry for making fun of it )

A good time was had by all and it didn't cost a thing! I really like the idea of adopting a family and using the money spent that way.

Wow! All good and fun ideas. Thanks everyone!

catchermom03 and lhpx2...We did a similar thing several years ago which we called a "White Elephant" gift exchange. One of our co-workers took it quite literally and found a stuffed elephant and spray painted it white as his gift. That one gift was the hit of the party....everyone wanted to steal it. LOL!

lafmom....that's one we haven't tried before and might be worth a try. Thanks.

URKMB....Just lucky I guess.

AK...I replied to your PM.

One new idea a group of us are doing this year is... we are buying a gift we really wanted to get as a child but never received. You then put it in a brown unmarked bag (unwraped)and bring it to the party. Then the fun begins..The hostess of the party opens up the bags and we all guess which one of us wanted that gift. The guest with the most correct quesses wins a prize. But... the best part of the evening is not only do we have some great stories about holidays past but all the gifts are going to needy childen in our area! Win/Win After all how many more "clutter gifts" do we really need!! Happy Holidays to all!

KMAN-

That sounds like so much fun and a wonderful idea. And as you said, great stories to remember and a good cause too.

Thanks!