For Christmas this year my husband's family is doing a family gift exchange for the adults. He comes from a large family and in the past we have drawn names to do gift giving. This year we are doing it a bit different and doing a gift swap activity where everyone brings a gift that could eventually be swapped or "stolen" (this game has lots of names so I'm hoping most of you know what I'm talking about--white elephant, Yankee swap, etc.).
Gifts should be something practical and nice--we are doing a separate joke gift swap (b/c we have been doing that for years). I'm not sure where to start. We have a diverse group of relatives from all over the U.S. but in general everyone likes to do family related things so I'm thinking some sort of game/activity, etc. Everyone has kids with ages ranging from 3-13 (most are 8-13). Our price limit is about $35 and cannot be too bulky as some people will be flying in and have limited suitcase space. I'm really into cooking so saw a sushi making kit and a mozzarella cheese making kit that seemed like fun....(to me! :-))
Any thoughts? Thanks for your help!
Something like an Amazon gift card (that will apply to anyone) will be the wanted item. I went to a work gift exchange and people were swapping gifts left and right to get the one gift card. It was the coveted gift.
You could also do something fun like a big bowl filled with microwave popcorn, candies and a DVD of something like A Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation.
Just a thought re: facilitating the gift exchange. If you have some bulkier luggage clogging items. Just circulate a picture of the item, with the giver when doing the swap. it can be shipped to whomever ends up with it at the end of the game.
Best to you and yours,
F. B.
i LOVE this variant on buying for families. we started it a few years ago on both sides, and it's both a relief and a pleasure.
kitchen gadgets are always good! so are scented candles, fuzzy blankies (i'm always astounded at how quickly these get snapped up even when they're offered every year), gourmet popcorn and chocolates, anything from starbucks or harry ands david, cartoon fleece pajama pants (really!) and the ubiquitous (although boring) gift card.
:) khairete
S.
I've done the White Elephant exchange for both good gifts & gag gifts.
Some of the nicest "good gifts" we've gotten included a set of towels for the kitchen & bathroom, decorated for the holidays, serving trays & utensils, popcorn along with a big bowl and shakers for seasonings. You get the idea.
For the "junk gift" exchange, for the longest time we did the same thing - went to Goodwill or 1/2 Price Books & picked out 2-4 movies in a theme on VHS. Action/adventure, chick flicks, etc. & put them in decorated bags to match the theme. Add a packet or two of microwave popcorn, & our gag gift turns into a date night!
Unfortunately, many people don't have VHS players anymore, & the DVD's haven't quite gotten down to $1 apiece...
For a nice gift, keeping in line with your love of cooking, you can pass that on. Find a recipe that is easy, doesn't require a lot of ingredients (or really hard to find/expensive ones) & build around that. You can print out a recipe on nice paper for homemade pizza dough, & include seasonings, pizza cutter, oven mitt/potholder, bottle of vino... Or a brownie/cookie recipe with a nice mixing bowl, quality wooden spoons & apron.
Personally, I've seen the little "kits" that are sold for various things. They tend to be overpriced & not very useful beyond what they are designed to make. I'd rather put together something myself & invest in a few quality items (bowl, spoons, oven mitts) that can be used over & over.
Think outside the box & have fun! T.
It probably needs to be a somewhat neutral item right? Not sure how a sushi thing might go over for a person who doesn't do sushi lol. Games are a good bet. The big hit game last year for our family was "ticket to ride" we love board games. I bought it for my husband and then my 3 grown children each went and bought there own game to play with their friends. Gift cards are good also. I like cards too places I can shop as apposed to Amazon which requires you to know what you want and requires you to pay shipping.
What about the game "Clue?"
That's fun.
Or by the brand "Think Fun", the game "Rush Hour." It can be played by anyone up to 100 years old and for kids too. And can be played by yourself or with another. My kids and us love this game.
Or the game "Chocolate Fix" also by Think Fun.
Think Fun makes GREAT games. For all ages. And adults.
And it is not bulky.
We have several of these games.
Also, this place has great fun gifts:
www.thinkgeek.com
They even have cooking/kitchen fun gifts.
Our family does it, too. The things that get stolen the most seem to have to do with alcohol. One year it was a nice bottle of whiskey with some pretty glasses.
I like to do a theme. One year I put different kinds of movie theater sized candy and popcorn in with a few dvds of stuff that I know my family likes. One year I put in the statue that keeps showing up in family presents (started 30 years ago when an uncle bought it for an aunt for Christmas and she returned it to him, then he gave it to her son for his birthday, etc.) along with movie theater gift cards.
Last year the big thing that kept getting stolen was a light up statue of Snoopy with a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. I was so disappointed it got stolen from me that my husband bought me one the next week. :)
Our family also does a lot of camping/fishing, and nice coleman lanterns or other camping stuff will show up. The best part about these things is the random nature. We still use the lantern we ended up with one year whenever the power goes out. It's come in really handy.
since so many people, don't get too hung up on it needing to be appealing to everyone. It only needs to be appealing to one or a few:)
Gift cards are good or a subscription to a "fruit of the month" for one or two months.
OR you could give a voucher for a gift to be shipped to their home later (Harry and David, etc).
Or go with the cooking idea. super fun and someone will love it and "fight" over it:)
A family board game or two a movie package (different dvds some popcorn and candy) during the holidays different stores normally have cheap dvds for all ages especially black friday
Apples to Apples
SQuarrels (card game, LOTS of fun, my friend created it) http://www.squarrels.com/
Scattergories
Forbidden Island
Killer Bunnies
Those are all fun games to play. My family and friends LOVE them.
Wine, coupon for edible arrangements, gift card to Walmart
