Christmas Party Gift Exchange Ideas

From LoveToKnow Party

Make the most of a festive occasion with some fun, memorable Christmas party gift exchange ideas. Infuse this annual tradition with unexpected twists for a truly memorable event.

Traditional Exchanges

What's a Christmas party without some fun and games? The traditional gift exchange can either be the most anticipated event of the party or the most boring. Even if your gift is an inexpensive, impersonal object you wouldn't ever purchase for yourself, you won't lose out on having a great time if the exchange is planned properly.

Though many people love to see Santa Claus stroll in and dole gifts out from a large sack, others love something that demands more guest participation. Planning a fun game as part of your Christmas party gift exchange ideas is an easy way to make things more interesting. Here are some ideas to put you on the track to party perfection!

The Left-Right Present Swap

The left-right present swap requires some attention and creativity. Here's how it works. All guests must purchase and wrap a present appropriate for anyone at the party (small gadgets, candles or candy are usually safe bets). Everyone sits in a large circle, present in hand, while one guest tells a story. Each time the storyteller says the word "left," the present is handed over to the person on the left. When the storyteller says, "right," the present is handed over to the right. This goes on until the story is complete. The gift left in your hands is the one you keep.

Secret Santa

It's an oldie, but it's definitely a goodie. The Secret Santa swap is favored for its simplicity. Prior to the party, each individual draws a name of a fellow partygoer. The name listed is the person you'll shop for. This can be super easy or super difficult, depending on how well you know the person. Once party time rolls around, appoint a "gift patroller" or Santa Claus to hand gifts out to the appropriate people.

The Charity Exchange

The season of goodwill towards men is always an appropriate time to make a charitable donation. Put an interesting twist on the traditional gift exchange and make it a charity exchange, instead. All guests jot down the name of their favorite charity. The slips of paper are then drawn, and each guest makes a donation to the charity that is written. It's a simple, effortless exchange that touches upon the true meaning of the holiday. Keep in mind, though, that all guests should understand in advance of the exchange that a donation to the selected charity is expected.

Sweet Christmas Party Gift Exchange Ideas

It's for good reason that this is one of the most delicious holidays of the year. Between festive dinners and indulgent desserts, there's barely time to think of anything but food. Give your gift exchange a tasty twist with the tempting cookie swap.

It's a baker's dream. Even novices can get in on the fun of a cookie exchange. Christmas cookies are not only delicious, they're attractive. Decorating them is as fun as making them. Invite your guests to bring a few dozen cookies in one flavor of their choice to the party. If there are 30 guests attending, three dozen cookies is an appropriate number to bake. The idea is to have enough for every guest. In order to ensure that everyone bakes a unique flavor, request that each guest inform you which type of cookie they'll be bringing along. That way, you won't end up with 30 dozen boxes of chocolate chip.

Line a table with holiday-themed boxes, easily found at craft stores, for each guest. Be sure to line each box with cellophane or foil. As each guest arrives, have them place their cookies on the table. Each guest will fill his or her box with one cookie from each batch. The end result is a delicious potpourri of flavors. It's all but guaranteed that there will be something for everyone in this tantalizing gift exchange!

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Comments

Ashley, I'm not familiar with a specific book that would work for this type of gift exchange. However, here are a few sites with different "right" and "left" stories you could use:

  • www.homemakingcottage.com/holidays/cmas/gift_exchange1.htm
  • www.santalady.com/xmasgame/leftright.html
  • www.homeschoolzone.com/writer/christmasgiftpass.htm

For some extra fun, you could even write your own story using the names of friends and family members.

Hope this helps!

-- Contributed by: Lorie Witkop

For the left right gift exchange do you have a recommendation for a book that has "left" and "right" in it a few times?

-- Contributed by: ashley

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