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The Kitchen Table

Ideas Needed for Christmas Gift Exchange

15 years ago

For the first time, this year we're doing a generic gift exchange for the family. We've always drawn names, and it's getting harder each year, but I'm finding this is just as hard!

There are 6 of us, couples. The limit is $50.

It's generic because someone will choose a gift from the tree. The next person that goes, can either take the already opened gift, because they like that one, or choose a wrapped gift.

The opened gift(s) can only change hands twice.

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Comments (5)

juellie1962
15 years ago
I don't like them, but I'd probably go the easy route and get a gift card to a restuarant. Or maybe a movie night basket....???? Don't know what you mean by "family", are there kids involved?
dotmom
15 years ago
That really sounds like fun. (especially after a couple Tom & Jerrys, LOL)Actually I do like gift cards and one year I got a family a dinner and movie night, gift. Gift cards to Perkins (because they are everywhere) and a movie theater. They really liked it.
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I like the disposable camera idea--I know that the thrill of being the one to pick what to take a picture of what a neat thing. As far as the "disappointment over only 1 present" problem goes, you have 2 paths: 1) let them adjust; 2) give them 2 presents. Your choice, I think; either is fine. You can make the second present something silly and inexpensive. (I give my kids a box of cereal for Christmas each year--Cocoa Puffs, or Rainbow Rice Krispies, or something else that I might not get them anyway. It's big and colorful and sweet, and it goes away after they eat it, and they get to have fun eating "their present" for several days. If you're a member of a warehouse club, a HUGE box is about $7; at the grocery store, a regular large box runs about $6)
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Not knowing her age, country of origin, or tastes, it becomes difficult to suggest things. I'm thinking that something Americana that would not be available in her country, or maybe something to remind her of her visit to this country. An 'el cheapo' would be a wall calendar with American scenes or early day farm equipment. If you have a good photographer in your family, make well done prints of items such as covered bridges, light houses, water mills, and log houses. You could make photos of historical artifacts such as the Wright Brother's airplane. A replica is in the musuem at Kitty Hawk. Also there is the sewing machine used to fabricate the cloth panels. If her country made a contribution to the early formation of this country, photograph items associated with that event. Some of the monuments are not well known and pretty mcuh forgotten by our general public. For example, if your student was German, you might photograph the monument to Baron DeKalb and include a short history of his contribution during the Revolutionary war. Look him up in the World Book Encyclopedia. It will tell you about Baron DeKalb and where his monument is located. Also note that DeKalb, IL is named after this man. If your student was French, photogaph items asociated with Laffette. Laffette spent the winter with George Washington at Valley Forge. There are a number of places in the US that carry a French name. Laffette, IN is one of those; Fort Sackville, now Vincennes, IN, is another, and of course, there is New Orleans. In 1884, the French people presented the Statue of Liberty to the New United States.
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susie53_gw
15 years ago
We have done this for years and we have a blast every time. We do have a larger crowd which makes it easier..We divide into men and women. If there are children each parent brings a gift for their child. Some suggestions would be gift cards, lottery tickets, movie certificates, one person rolled up pennies,a neat house tool box,magazine subscription, a gift card to a nursery, a nice grilling cookbook. Look around when you are out shopping.. I picked up a birdbath and everyone loved it. One year I bought a really good pair of scissors. If it is too large for the tree, take a picture and place it in a card... Hope this helps...
NanaCherie
15 years ago
what we did one year was that EVERYONE brought giftcards...home depot, restaurant cards, visa cards walmart, target, sears, etc etc....it was wonderful because everyone's gift card was the same amount...we played a game called rob your neighbor...like the game you're talking about....it worked out really good and was a lot of fun!!
cynic
15 years ago
I assume that since it's couples there's no kids involved unless you're from the south somewhere! ;) And if you know the Springer 800 number I *don't* want to know about it!

For a generic gift often something like a bottle of wine, a jug of booze, gift cards or the like are good. Basket of good chocolates with some cheese, crackers, sausage type things are usually good. For gift cards I really encourage using the prepaid credit cards rather than a specific place card. That way if they need gas, would like to go out, need groceries, would like to rent movies or even if they want to put it toward a new TV, it'll usually work rather than having to make a point of going to a particular place and spend that amount.

The other thing could be a gift certificate for Amazon, Netflix or something. Gifts are so unique to the person the only real generic ones are going to be cash, food or booze. Hopefully they're not too picky.

Unless you're doing a key exchange! ;)

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