Need Chinese Auction Gift Idea

[Mickey527]

We are having a Christmas party here at work this year. We usually collect for a needy family and forgo the gifts. This year with all the stress we all have been under they decided to do the collection AND have gifts for us too.
I have no idea what to buy. This is for women in the 45-55 age group. Does anyone have some idea of what I can get?
A chinese auction for those of you who don't know is where you all bring a gift. You draw a number from a hat and choose your gift according to your number. Then #2 person can keep their gift or take from #1, # 8 person can keep their gift or take it from # 1-7.
I went to a few card type stores and couldn't find anything that caught my eye. I am sure some of you have gone to these type of parties and might have some idea of what is the big gift that people all want.
Any ideas? Peggie

 

[Kirby]

Do you have a price limit or amount? Last year we did this with my husband's family instead of buying gifts. We each had to bring a $20 gift. A book by Tom Clancy, gift certificates and money were the hot items.

Maybe something from Bath and Body Works, Yankee Candles, or one of those cute purses that are out now with I Love Lucy on them.

 

[luv2nascar]

knowing the dollar amount woukd help
lotter tickets, restaurant gc, mall gc

 

[powellrj]

I am going to two this year and for both of them I got cloth napkins with placemats and napkin rings. Snow globes and candles and ornaments are always popular or maybe a coffeetable book.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

ditto on candles. Or a nice Photo frame. A throw blanket is nice, too.

 

[Mickey527]

Sorry, we have to spend $20. I want to try and get something different that someone else wouldn't think about but would love to get. I thought of the Bath and Body works stuff but I am afraind someone else might also think of it. Peggie

 

[DD2Disney]

I dont think it is very original or "different" but the really popular items at the last one I went to was the Christmas Decorations. I guess since it before Christmas so they can actually display them this year.

 

[clh2]

I guess I don't see a problem if 2 people were to bring gifts from Bath and Body Works. It would just indicate that 2 of you have a great idea!

Another idea might be to get some gift certificates to restaurants close to your work. It is always nice having a free lunch!

As mentioned before - candles are a great idea too!

What about a basket fill with chocolate treats?

If you work with coffee drinkers - what about a couple of pounds of a good coffee?

If any of your coworkers drink wine - wine charms are a fun gift too.

 

[Charleneluvsdisney]

We do this every year at our office, except we don't call it a Chinese auction we call it "Tis the Seize'n". Some of the better gifts that always seem to be "taken" from a person have been nice fleece blankets, gift certificates ie: Media Play, Borders, or local mall. Other ideas are grocery store gift cards, lottery tickets, holiday music/movies, movie theatre gift certificates. Or, everyone's favorite just plain old money in an envelope! It's not glamorous, but I can tell you people will always take it!

 

[lynetteSC]

Hiya! We had one of these parties last week and another next weekend! At last weeks party, the hot items were: Starbuck's Christmas Blend coffee, gift certificate to the place we eat lunch at several times a week, wine, and box of chocolates.

Dh suggested we take a chia pet to the next party! Last year, someone bought lottery ticekts and rolled them up in a jar so we didn't know how many were in there.

Let us know what you decide on and how party goes!!! Merry Christmas!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

We do this every year at work and call it "Thief's Christmas Exchange". We have a wide age range where I work and it is both men and woman. Some of the hits from past parties have been:

A night at the movies - a fleece blanket, microwave popcorn and a blockbuster rental gift card.

Photo time - 3 or 4 cute little frames and a disposable camera.

Pier One - anything from Pier One seems to be a hit with our group. One year a set of wine glasses was "stolen" 5 times!

Good luck - I have to go out and pick up my gift this weekend. Our pot luck and grab bag is Tuesday.