Christma Gifts Exchange?

Question

my three friends and I do a USD20 gift exchange for christmas each year. we'd write our four names on a note and draw. so long we do not draw on our name, we'll then get a gift for that 'secret pal'.

over the years, i have exhausted my mind on what to buy. any one has any ideas how to do it differently (besides drawing names) or any creative gifts to recommend?

fyi, one is a rich lady who "has everything", one is a homely lady with only husband and kid in mind, one is a feminine lady who likes pretty stuff.

thanks.

Answer 1

At our work we used to write 3 ideas that we want that would cost less than 15 dollars. That way you get want they want and you are not stressed. Or give a Christmas oranament.

Answer 2

One option you can look into is getting rid of the gift giving all together and instead use that money to do something together as a group. In essence giving each other a girl's day out as a Christmas gift. Some ideas of things to do:
go to a day spa for facials, manicures and pedicures.
go to lunch at the hot new spot that you've always been wanting to try.
go to the theater to see a play, then out for cocktails after.
Some down-time is always appreciated and especially needed during the holiday season. We women tend to put ourselves last, and the gift of giving ourselves some time to just enjoy each others company is rare. You all might enjoy it for a change.
If you all really want to just keep with the gift exchange, try making the gift. You can pick up an inexpensive basket, then fill it with something you know the person will like, such as bath items, potpourri, candles, etc. Or if the friend likes cooking you can put together a basket with cooking items. Last year I made one with a high end pancake mix and real maple syrup and some flavored syrups. You can do a coffee one with a couple of unique coffee mugs and single pot bags of flavored coffees, coffee syrup, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Answer 3

Skip the gift idea and do the "potluck" idea. Every year someone has it at their house so that keeps you rotating for at least 4 years.
You could do the dinner out idea, but then the expense of eating out gets ridiculous when you include drinks. You also have to be concerned about the length of your stay in most restuarants (they do have other paying customers). When you stay in, you can enjoy trying out a new receipe, a good bottle of wine and maybe a good X-mas movie or two. And, should anyone have too much X-mas cheer, turn it into a slumber party.
You could even have theme X-mas dinners, eg - X-mas in Thailand, or China, or Italy (you get the idea, it doesn't have to be boring).
Enjoy!

Answer 4

why do a gift exchange? Have you ever thought of suggesting that the 4 of you get together for lunch? Everyone kicks in their 20 bucks, and you all get to have a relaxing time together. It can be a great stress reliever, especially before the holidays. I find that in gift exchanges, you always end up with things you don't really want, or use

Answer 5

how about a yankee swap instead of a secret santa? Everyone buys one gift valued at $20 and then you swap them around. Everyone draws numbers.. #1 picks a wrapped gift first. #2 picks second and can take #1's gift or keep hers,... and so on.

Another fun idea is for everyone to bring in a gift from home that they don't use or want. Nothing that is old and gross, just something to "re-gift" and swap those around. You could do that in conjunction with the $20 secret santa if you wanted to. That is kind of fun, and funny. All of the ladies, regardless of financial situation, etc might have fun with that.

Or, you could pick a theme for gift giving. Maybe make it a $20 gift and make it specific... like:

$20 drinkable gift (could be coffee, cocoa, liquor, wine, wine glasses, insulated mug, coffee mug, etc).

$20 pampering gift (lotions, foot massager, etc)

$20 CHARITABLE gift... always a nice thing to do. Everyone puts their name on a piece of paper. Then they also put their favorite charity on the paper. You draw names and whomever's name you draw, that's the charity you donate to and you donate in their name. OR... you could all buy toys to donate to toys for tots (that's what we are doing at work instead of buying co-worker's gifts).


Maybe everyone goes out to dinner one night and spends the $20 on a nice night out instead?

Answer 6

My favorite way of doing this kind of exchange is to attach a "wish" list to the names.

We'd list the kind of things we'd like to get (within the dollar limit). We would ask that there were enough item listed to make the shopping easier and interesting.

That way, everyone will get something they really want, but can still be surprised by what it turns out to be.

For example, if I were to make a list for this year, and for under $20, I'd include:

Any science fiction book published since 2004.

Indigo girls CD

Folk music anthology album

Historical, epic, action/adventure DVD

SD memory card

Long sleeve tee shirts

Gift certificate to: import store, Amazon dot com, bookstore, almost any online store.

Assorted "desk drawer" foods: jerky, nuts, seeds, trail mix, granola bars, etc.

Answer 7

Why not play Dirty Santa? Each of you brings a gift. Roll dice to see who chooses a gift first. Then they unwrap it. Next person chooses a gift and unwraps it but if they like the other person's gift more, they get to keep it. This goes on until everyone has a gift.

Answer 8

Get something personal like pictures through the years and make a special scrapbook for them,anyone loves a gift of pictures proudly displayed in a scrapbook!

Answer 9

get something more sentimental that everyone can use. like a really nice picture frame, or you can't really go wrong with chocolates and candy or a nice bottle of wine, or comfy PJ set with bath salts and candles, or even a gift certificate to a spa for a massage or something. i know it's hard to find gifts so good luck

Answer 10

How about you all just go out and buy a gift for a homeless person, or just give them $20

Then you don't have to worry about what you would get for each other.