Need gift ideas for family exchange

[Mama Steph]

We do a random gift exchange for the adults in our family at Christmas. We have 4 men (the brothers) and 3 women. We are supposed to spend $25-$30. Gifts go in the center and the first person chooses. Next person can choose from the center or steal. This goes on until someone takes the last gift from the center.
I'm trying to think of a couple of unique, fun, useful gifts for this year. They do not have to appeal to every person but should appeal to most.

 

[scrapquitler]

We do a random gift exchange for the adults in our family at Christmas. We have 4 men (the brothers) and 3 women. We are supposed to spend $25-$30. Gifts go in the center and the first person chooses. Next person can choose from the center or steal. This goes on until someone takes the last gift from the center.
I'm trying to think of a couple of unique, fun, useful gifts for this year. They do not have to appeal to every person but should appeal to most.

Candy, gift cards, alcohol, scratch tickets, candles, kcups, first aid kits, a silly hat, auto care kit (or emergency kit), a nicer flashlight, a tool of some sort, a funny book -- those are some of the things that have been in my family grab bag in recent years. There's always the strange thing in there as well that causes a lot of laughs (one year someone put a plunger in the gift exchange), the 'silly hat' has been a big hit the last couple of years - it has become something of a tradition for a different ridiculous hat to be in there, and everyone gets their picture taken in it. Last year it was a gigantic purple velour top hat, the year before that it was a gaudy elf hat that moved and layed music.

 

[clh2]

We do a random gift exchange too.

The one thing that always trades often in our exchange is a variety of bunge cords. Our limit is in the $10 -$15 range.

A Penzies spice selection is also another one that trades well!

One year, we bought a bunch of Breast Cancer awareness office supplies. That was a highly sought-after gift that year!

 

[happily single]

I am on my ipad and can't do much, but on Facebook today i saw what i plan on buying for my gift swap......ready?? "Adult sippy cup" which is a wine glass encased in a tervis tumbler. They are about $16

 

[ldo]

immersion blender for smoothies, sauces. Good $$$ chocolate sauces for ice cream, dip fruit in.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We do a gift exchange with a large group of adults every year. I always enjoy making themed baskets - coffee, chocolate, movies, etc. One basket had a Subway card, plus a few bags of chips and bottles of soda. Another had coffee, cookies, mugs, and a Starbuck's card. Last year I ended up with a stuffed dog that dances when hooked up to an iPod. For some reason I really liked it! Alcohol gift sets go over well, like a set with Bailey's and glasses or mugs. One year, I got a really cool Santa that holds a bottle of wine on his back instead of a sack. It came with the wine, of course.

 

[pat fan]

That'd be a Yankee Swap! Our family does this as well, but with a lower $$ limit.

Dunkin's gift bag (coffee, mug etc..), Yankee Candle set, a great DVD with popcorn/candy etc..., say to heck with gender nutrality and do a bubblebath/candle/lotion basket or beer/pretzels/cigar basket.

Yankee Swaps are fun!

 

[iheartwalt]

We do a similar gift exchange (but we do the dice game, so more smaller gifts and everyone gets a few) and the popular items are gas gift cards, soft fuzzy blankets, lottery tickets, anything edible, sharpies, and hand warmers.

 

[strmtroopr96]

We call this White Elephant and always do it on Thanksgiving. We used to do more gag type gifts but now lottery tickets tend to play more a part in most gifts.

 

[Pooh2]

Dunkins coffee or gift card, high quality chocolate. I always get stuck with the dust collectors and end up donating them at the church yard sale!

 

[snowwite]

The most popular items at our swap were the Red Sox snuggie, which is going to be more popular now, and the $20 roll of dollar coins. The coins seemed silly to me but we took them to Bermuda and used in the soda machines. Other popular ones were the dunkin coffee, gourmet chocolates and kick a$$ hot sauce set.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

We do this with my husbands family, 5 of us girls and 4 men. Our limit is 20.00. Any type of gift card is always popular. But the most popular is a gift we always bring. I put together a bunch of snacks/candy. Nothing high end, just everyday candy/snacks that people enjoy. I put them in a useful "container". Over the years, I have used beach bags, backpacks, and coolers. The "container" is something that I usually get on 75% off clearance at the end of the summer. So while, the "container" is a 20.00 item, I have only paid 5.00 for it. I then fill it. Every single year, this gift is traded around the most!

 

[Green Tea]

We do a similar thing. Items over the years that have been stolen: a tower warmer (from BBB I think). A nice bird feeder, local pottery pieces, kitchen appliances like electric skillets and buffet (multi crock )pots. We are supposed to avoid gift cards, and it's good to take into account if people have to fly home. If so, wine isn't as good.

 

[Green Tea]

Tools are popular in the younger homeowner group. If everyone is established they probably have all the basics.