$20 gift exchange all-ages

[lucigo]

My family has nixed buying all the uncles flannel shirts, and we have been doing a $20 gift exchange for the past several years (where you pass the presents around in a circle while reading a cute story until it ends and you get what you are holding). So, I have the biggest family (4 kids) and would like to come up with some new/fun ideas for gifts. The family have done some pretty weird things, from regifting ugly art, to electric toothbrushes...its all in fun. But I try to put some effort into it.

Some things we have done are:

A movie basket (popcorn, root beer, DVD)
An emergency kit for the car.
A great deal on clearance from the Disney store on a platter and mugs.

So I need some ideas, I have a feeling this is the place to ask! We do buy for the young kids this is for ages 14 and up.

Thanks!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I have to ask, is it "The Wright Family" story? We do that every year with my Girl Scout troops and the kids LOVE it!!!

 

[Reagan&Co.]

Make the rule that is has to be homamade! That should liven things up a bit!

Or you can do a theme- has to be food, or something made of paper, etc.

We are actually doing something different with all the kids (all cousins to each other) this year. They range in age from 6-15, and in the past they have drawn names. This year we are going to take them ALL to Target (or wherever) and have kid X go to a store nearby while the other kids choose a special gift for kid X together. Then, kid X returns, kid Y leaves, and they all buy for him, etc. Every family contributes $10 for every kid that does not belong to them, so it works out that each child gets one $20 gift.
We also plan to shop as a family for Angel Tree gifts to donate.
This will take the effort of several grown-ups to pull off, and we will go out for hot chocolate and/or a movie afterward. We are hoping the memories of this afternoon will become an important tradition, because it really isn't about the gifts, is it?

 

[lucigo]

I have to ask, is it "The Wright Family" story? We do that every year with my Girl Scout troops and the kids LOVE it!!!

Yes I believe it is! Its a lot of fun

Make the rule that is has to be homamade! That should liven things up a bit!

Or you can do a theme- has to be food, or something made of paper, etc.

We are actually doing something different with all the kids (all cousins to each other) this year. They range in age from 6-15, and in the past they have drawn names. This year we are going to take them ALL to Target (or wherever) and have kid X go to a store nearby while the other kids choose a special gift for kid X together. Then, kid X returns, kid Y leaves, and they all buy for him, etc. Every family contributes $10 for every kid that does not belong to them, so it works out that each child gets one $20 gift.
We also plan to shop as a family for Angel Tree gifts to donate.
This will take the effort of several grown-ups to pull off, and we will go out for hot chocolate and/or a movie afterward. We are hoping the memories of this afternoon will become an important tradition, because it really isn't about the gifts, is it?

That sounds like a great way to do it, the kids will have a great time buying the presents Our family is mostly older kids at this point, we only have 3 littles now, a baby, 4 and 6. All the rest are 14 and up, and we usually have oh....maybe 12 gifts in our exchange circle.

 

[3boymthr]

Well, Yankee Candle has buy two get two free on large jars thru today You could get four for $55 including shipping.

A variety of "as seen on TV" kitchen or household gadgets like big city sliders, the every brownie is a corner one, the popcorn maker that looks like an old fashioned cart, etc. One year my middle DS asked for an got the popcorn maker - it's still used too.

A bouquet of $5 gift cards to inexpensive places like McDonalds, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Dunkin Donuts, Target, Walmart, etc. Include coupons if you've got them.

 

[princess momma]

We do something similar in my family. Everyone brings a $20 gift and we can steal them from each other. It's a lot of fun.

Last year the hit of the exchange were the Chia pets I brought. Another year I bought a variety of ice cream toppings and cute little ice cream dishes.

Hmmmm. I haven't thought about this year, yet.

 

[princess momma]

Well, Yankee Candle has buy two get two free on large jars thru today You could get four for $55 including shipping.

Sorry for going off topic, but is this on the YC website? I don't see it there. I see buy one, get one 50% off. But not that.

 

[PixiePlanner]

My SIL's family picks a letter from the alphabet and every gift in the exchange begins with that letter. One year it was R. My brother bought Red Wine & Ritz crackers. Someone else bought RainX! Fun & creative.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

homemade could lead to more ugly art! I have a relitive who does this every year (well shes young, college) and there improvable peices. Last years was shades of green and once i ploped a 3d rose on it was ok.

 

[maggiew]

Snuggies!!

Maggie

 

[lucigo]

Well, Yankee Candle has buy two get two free on large jars thru today You could get four for $55 including shipping.

A variety of "as seen on TV" kitchen or household gadgets like big city sliders, the every brownie is a corner one, the popcorn maker that looks like an old fashioned cart, etc. One year my middle DS asked for an got the popcorn maker - it's still used too.

A bouquet of $5 gift cards to inexpensive places like McDonalds, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Dunkin Donuts, Target, Walmart, etc. Include coupons if you've got them.

I'll check the candles out for me! LOL Ok whats up with the brownie thing...I thought the centers were the best!?

We do something similar in my family. Everyone brings a $20 gift and we can steal them from each other. It's a lot of fun.

Last year the hit of the exchange were the Chia pets I brought. Another year I bought a variety of ice cream toppings and cute little ice cream dishes.

Hmmmm. I haven't thought about this year, yet.

Funny which things end up being the popular one! I think we have done the chia too

My SIL's family picks a letter from the alphabet and every gift in the exchange begins with that letter. One year it was R. My brother bought Red Wine & Ritz crackers. Someone else bought RainX! Fun & creative.

That sounds like fun, I bet some years are a lot harder than others!!

Snuggies!!

Maggie

ROFL As long as they end up going to the MO family and not us down in Florida! LOL

 

[Perditamarie]

We do a yankee swap and this year are including:

* charging valet

* screaming monkey
http://www.amazon.com/Wesinster-455...e=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1258578059&sr=8-2

* usb drive

Looking for some fresh new ideas as well....I think a snuggie could be a hoot!!

 

[EthansMom]

I'd do a gift that has a couple of low-cost games. We LOVE the games "There's a Moose in the House" (suitable for children about 7 and up) and "LCR" (suitable for children and adults... we substitute quarters for the chips to make things more interesting).

Also, Lotto tickets went over well with the adults in the family last year.

How 'bout some Zhu Zhu's Pets?

 

[Dizneydaz]

We've been doing the "stealing" game for years now. The limit changes. The person who's house Christmas Eve is at make the decision. We've done anywhere from $15 to $30 but usually it's from $20-$25. The first year we got a lot of DVD's and gift cards so we made are rule no movies or gift cards.

Things that have been popular have been: warm "fur" blankets; selection of Yankee votive candles; Bath sets; anything from Oakley (relative works there); tools; live orchids; etc. It's been getting harder though every year as more and more of the kids get older and want to participate. It can be hard to think of something a 13 y/o would like as well as a 70 y/o.

This year I'm thinking we should do a "white elephant" exchange. Everyone can bring something they don't want anymore but someone else could use. It could be funny. Maybe the younger generation could do their own as well. I think we have enough of them now.

 

[RachelsMommie]

Both sides of our family are doing that this year...our limit is $25. I have 4 gifts to do (since my husband doesn't shop).

I have finished one. I used the JCPenney $10 off $10 or more coupon and got a $15 snuggie (so it was $5) and it came with a booklight. I'm going to add a Half-Price Books gift card, some toffee popcorn, a mug, and some hot chocolate to make a reading basket.