Need Changes in Old Games

you could just have everyone bring a neutral gift... not make it specific for a man or woman.... that's what we do at my in-laws. or make a theme for the gifts just to get away from generic "candles and bath stuff"... say everything has to be edible! or it has to have a certain color... or it must be a craft or a board game! I know someone that does a board game exchange with the kids in her family.
you could make it gag gifts... that could be funny! My sister went to an exchange that everyone brought the worst gift they recieved and they did an exchange... though that's more for after christmas.

Hi H.,

At school we made symbolic gifts. We asked everyone to write down on an index card what 1 or 2 things things that the person liked.

One stated, he would like to get his diploma. Someone made him a graduation cap out of construction paper and printed the Definition of Success on a scoll designed paper.

Just a thought. Good luck. D.

For a few years we purchased fairly gender neutral "tacky gifts"--the goal being to find the tackiest thing one could find. All wrapped and exchanged with the kind of "musical chairs" system. They should be the cheapest, totally tacky things one can find at the dollar store or a yard sale. We'd vote for the tackiest winner at the end.
Then....
I have 4 sibs who each have families, and it had gotten to the point where buying for everyone was extremely expensive, plus the adults were difficult to buy appropriate and meaningful gifts. So we moved to a system whereby we buy gifts ONLY FOR CHILDREN (when a kid goes to college, he/she is an "adult") and then give a dontation to a charity of our choice, whatever $ amount we each felt was affordable/appropriate. Much less stressful, and it allowed us to really enjoy each other's company (we're spread out through 3 states and only see each other once or twice a year at best), AND feel like we're doing something charitable (rather than just buying a sweater for someone we know probably won't wear it). We all enjoyed watching the kids open their presents, shared which charity we were donating to (and nobody needs to know how much each family donates; families go through hard times at different times and it's nobody's business how much is donated).
Best of luck!
L.

Something we do is Toys for Tots party. Each person 'draws' a name and buys a toy they think best represents that person. The person opens the wrapping (leaving the package intact, of course) and all the gifts get delivered as soon as possible. It doesn't have to be a Toys for Tots organization, you could contact your local Children's Hospital and see how they receive gifts for their sick children.

What about having people put 20$ in an envelope with a charity's name on it? Then people could fight over which charity they wanted? Or maybe use the time for everyone to present their idea for a service project for the family to do and let people fight over who's should be done? (OK, maybe only my family and friends are big enough geeks to do that?!?)

Games for adults are hard, and maybe not worth doing? I do like the idea of a gift exchange for adults. Maybe you could draw names out of a hat and then do the "white elephant" for who gets to give to whom next year (if that wouldn't cause hurt feelings.)

H.,
The CHRISTMAS NAME! GOOD FOR YOU .
now, I am sure you have the 'room' for games without knocking down the tree ...?
great.
#1 rule= EVERYONE LOVES LOVES to W_I_N !
#2= your twist ... make a challege to 'compete' and WIN WIN WIN !!!!!!
3= a contest ....[ yet ; secretly everyone wins a gift ...chuckle]
4= the children ; gather up gifts [wrapped $5.00 max. each, cash, gift card,summer toys in winter'cool',tons of stuff if you look starting now] the game " hot potaoe' with ' rock around the christmas tree 'passing around an ORNAMENT [ unbreakable] a snowman, a gift.... every age can play and WIN WIN WIN ...!!!!!!
no tears .
keep all GIfTS in a WAGON !!!!!!!!!!![all gifts suitable for boy girl teen toddler] let them win win win ...how proud
fun
5= adults =
they too NEED COMPETITION ... a race to win .
ALL GIFTS MALE & FEMALE GET ON A HUGE PILE [ or wagon, etc] price limit $15.00 [ wrapped, suitable for male / female, no names]
6= bingo , game 'trouble' has a pop up # ..quess the #,or
pile of monopoly property cards ...quess the card [ park place ? , boardwalk] make EASY ,yet FUN and USE COMPETITION ...
7= new rule ....NO STEALING .....unless you got your own gift ! they will fight w/ fire !
stay away from techy games , wii , etc ... your goal is to 'CREATE" TRADITION with an OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS With crazy fun wrapped gifts, family , foods , good for you H. !!!!!!
I plan way ahead too.
ps= you can also do ' door' prizes ... the person standing under mistle toe , the plate w/ a sticker on the bottom, the person eating the gingerbreadman, the person who can sing ' Oh little town of Bethlehem'
be creative .
t the hairdresser

We did a game where the gifts were passed left, right or across depending on the indturctions in the story
(Mrs right moved across the floor and to the left) and so on. there are severl good storie - or make up your own concerning the years events in your family.
My family did away with Christmas 2 years ago. we C. dinner for anyone in the community who has no where to go on Christmas Day for whatever reason. (homeless, no family, single, elderly couple) My family donates everything needed for a complete meal - ham, turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegies and rolls, my mom and siter do desserts. We have done this for two years, have a church donated the site or hall. It is free - we just ask for people to call so we know how many to expect - or at least a rough quesstimate. We charge no one, but do have a few people send us a check to help cover expenses, which we donate to The Salvation Army near us.