How does a Yankee Swap work?

[mtemm]

I've been invited to one just for moms in my neighborhood. It has a $10 limit. How does it work exactly? Also, any recommendations for good gift to bring?

 

[BedKnobbery2]

I love Yankee Swaps!! The way the ones I've been to work, is everyone draws a number from a hat, based on the number of participants. Everyone chooses a gift to open based on their number. Number 1 opens a gift, and waits. Number 2 opens a gift and can either keep it, or exchange it with Number 1. Number 3 opens a gift, and can either keep it or exchange it with Number 1 or Number 2....and so on and so on until the last gift is opened, and then Number 1 gets to exchange his or her gift with anyone else. You cannot decline to exchange; once you've opened a gift, if anyone else wants to exchange, you are stuck with what they give you!

As far as what to bring, anything goes!! Since there are a number of people who will be there, there will be a number of tastes to appeal to.

 

[KingsFanInRI]

Yes, Yankee swaps, also known by the less-PC name Chinese Auction, are fun. Some people will bring cool stuff, some will bring more of a gag gift. You will find that in the process of the exchange itself, one particular item will be more sought after than any other and may get traded at least half as many times as there are participants.

If you are particularly crafty, you may consider making something as a gift. I have seen homemade items highly coveted as well. Whatever you decide to bring, have fun and don't harbor any ill will if you have something cool and lose it. I've had it happen, and it's not fun, but you just have to roll with the punches.