Any good Ideas for Xmas gift exchange with family?

[mar3990]

My family used to draw names for Xmas then some scrooge in the family put an end to that. For several years just the kids exchanged, now some don't even want to do that. I would like to hear of any creative ideas to recharge my familys gift giving like a game to play with $5.oo gifts something of the sort. I know its not the meaning of Christmas but its a fun thing to do on the Holiday and I still have some little ones who like to exchange presents.

 

[BarbN.]

This is one we are going to try this year for the first time, all the grownups are bringing a wrapped gift. then they pick a folded piece of paper that has a number on it, the one with number 1 goes first and picks any gift they want, then they open it.
The person with number 2, can either take number 1's gift or pick another one. (if # 2 takes # 1's gift, then # 1 picks a new one and opens it, etc, etc. I hope I got the rules right, my Mother in Law told me about it, and I was only halfway paying attention!

 

[Meriweather]

Originally posted by BarbN.
This is one we are going to try this year for the first time, all the grownups are bringing a wrapped gift. then they pick a folded piece of paper that has a number on it, the one with number 1 goes first and picks any gift they want, then they open it.
The person with number 2, can either take number 1's gift or pick another one. (if # 2 takes # 1's gift, then # 1 picks a new one and opens it, etc, etc. I hope I got the rules right, my Mother in Law told me about it, and I was only halfway paying attention!

We've played that game at a lot of parties...work parties are great.
It is so much fun!!

 

[Princess_Aurora]

We kinda do it the same way but without opening the presents first. You just have to go by the look of the wrapping. Once everyone has a present then everyone opens them at the same time.

 

[d.kurz]

Originally posted by Princess_Aurora
We kinda do it the same way but without opening the presents first. You just have to go by the look of the wrapping. Once everyone has a present then everyone opens them at the same time.

That's how we play it....I like to put my gift in one of those Christmas-themed beer 12 paks....it gets traded around a lot!!

 

[abaldacci]

Here is one you can make up a christmas story using right and left and evertime right or left is mentioned the presents moves to the right or the left this is fun too.
IE Santa jump in his sleigh and went right to work delivery the packages. He left soandso a big shinny car or whatever. Use your famlies names and have fun. And when the story ends you open the present you have in your hands.

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

Here is what we do - very unique and a ton of fun!! The only thing is we do this with adults (kids are still too little).

First we pick out names from a hat (you cannot have your spouse). The name you pick is kept a secret. We have a set amount for the gift ($30) and you have to wrap this gift uniquely. You just can't wrap it in Christmas wrapping paper. We have had great themed wrapping - some have been great. For example when the whole Y2K bug was going around in 1999 my DH made a computer (monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and tower) with bugs. Some others have been a christmas tree, a melted snowman, a spool of ribbon, a hot air balloon, a wreath, etc. The gift has to be incorporated with the wrapping so that makes it a bit more challenging.

We always have Christmas at my Aunt and Uncles house so what we do is put our gift in a black plastic bag to bring it in so nobody can see what it is and then my Grandfather (who does not participate) is the one who takes all the gifts out of the bags and assembles them. Then each person goes in one by one and makes changes and fixes things that need to be fixed.

After they are all set we have a piece of paper and we number each gift and on our paper we write who we think made the gift and who we think it is going to.

It is a ton of fun. JUst recently (these past couple of years) we have put a wager on it. You donate $5 per person and the person that picks your gift as the "BEST" wins the money ($40).

It really makes you think and try your best to make yours the most uniquely wrapped gift knowing that there is a prize involved too!!

Lisa