The soon-to-be here Christmas holiday often has people wondering how to do a gift exchange. Here's a fun way that's good for parties, group gatherings, teens and adults: Have everyone bring a gift ($10 or less) and sit in a big circle holding their gift. Then, read this story out loud and every time they hear "left" they pass the gift they are holding left. Every time they hear "right" they pass the gift they are holding right. At the end of the story whatever gift they have in their hands is theirs to keep. Here's the story:
Christmas was almost here, and Mother (RIGHT) was finishing the Christmas baking.
Father (RIGHT), Sue (RIGHT), and Billy (RIGHT) returned from their last-minute Christmas errands.
"There's not much (LEFT) to be done," said Father (RIGHT) as he came into the kitchen.
"Did you leave the basket of food at church?" asked Mother (RIGHT).
"I (LEFT) it (RIGHT) where you told me to," said Father (RIGHT).
"I'm glad my shopping is done," said Billy (RIGHT). "I don't have any money (LEFT)."
The hall telephone rang, and Susan (RIGHT) (LEFT) to answer it.
She rushed back and told the family "Aunt Tillie (RIGHT) (LEFT) a package for us (RIGHT) on Grandma (RIGHT)'s porch.
I'll go over there (RIGHT) now and get it." she said as she (LEFT) in a rush.
Father (RIGHT) (LEFT) the kitchen and brought in the Christmas tree.
By the time Susan (RIGHT) returned, Mother (RIGHT), Father (RIGHT), and Billy (RIGHT) had begun trimming the tree.
The entire (RIGHT) family sang carols as they finished the decorating.
Then they (LEFT) all the presents arranged under the tree and went to bed, hoping they had selected the (RIGHT) gifts for their family.
Now I hope you have the (RIGHT) present for yourself, because that's all that's (LEFT) of our story.
Except to wish you a Merry Christmas. Isn't that (RIGHT)?
By Diane from Rochester, NY
This page contains the following solutions.
Our family usually draws names and we have a limit to spend on each person. Next year we decided to do something out of the ordinary and have a 'thrift store gift Christmas'.
Each holiday season we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as exchanging gifts, festive foods, and family get-togethers. We traditionally do this in my family by me screaming at the children to clean their rooms for a week.
If you get together with extended family over the holidays, gift giving can get really expensive (especially if you get everyone an individual gift). To cut down on costs we have instituted a "Dirty Santa" or "Yankee Swap" gift exchange for the adults.
Family Gift Exchanges. My brother, sister and I (and families) exchange at Christmas. We set a dollar amount per family. Every year, we know which sibling's family we will have (I have my brother one year, my sister the next and then back to my brother).
Gather neighbors and friends and exchange gift certificates for jobs and tasks that others can do to help each other for no charge. For example: haircuts, babysitting, baking, raking, etc...
When I was young, we each had our Christmas at our own home Christmas morning and then rushed to Nanny's house where Great Aunts and Uncles and everyone showed up for a gathering.
Got some $10 gift exchanges to do? Hit the dollar store for ingredients for a theme basket, like same scent toiletries, hair accessories and a hairbrush for a girl, art supplies for a young artist, flavored coffees, teas, cocoa for someone who likes them. Put them all in a 50 cent gift bag and finish with a bow of your choice. By Linda
This is a page about paper themed Christmas gift swap ideas. Some families and groups like to give gifts based on a chosen theme.
This page contains white elephant gift ideas. Christmas party fun can include buying a gag gift that you don't know who will end up with it until the end of the exchange.