Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas

by kekka

Around November and December families, friends and co-workers begin discussing having a Christmas gift exchange.  Many people love the idea of participating in a random Christmas gift exchange.  Others politely decline to participate. Why would anyone not want to participate in a gift exchange?  Reasons can vary.  Some include lack of extra cash, disinterest, and fear of receiving a useless and thoughtless gift.  Below are several suggestions that might make more people want to participate.

1.  Set a price limit.  Setting a price limit for gifts is one way that may put the gift giving on equal footing.  Your group can agree that all gifts should cost around $10, for instance.   Another option is to decide that all gifts must come from a dollar store.   Some people just are uncomfortable purchasing a $40 gift for a co-worker and receiving a $1 gift in return. 

2.  Bake gifts.  Baking gifts gets away from the holidays being so commercial.  Yes, you may run into the same problem of people being unsatisfied with their baked gifts.  However, a greater chance exists that the gifts’ costs will be in the same price range if this is a bigger concern.  With a baked good, the emphasis should be more on the time that was taken to produce the gift.

3.  Have a theme.  Instead of participants buying random gifts, organize the gift exchange around a theme.  For instance, some people exchange Christmas ornaments during the holiday.  A fun gift theme is holiday socks or holiday candy.

Yes, everyone knows it’s the thought that counts when it comes to buying and receiving gifts.  However, at Christmas time who wants to hear someone say, “Bah humbug” when receiving a gift?  These tips should make a Christmas gift exchange more acceptable to more people.

August 6th, 2009 by Yolanda D. Young | Posted in Holiday Celebrations, Season Celebrations, Tips | (0)