Christmas Gift Exchanges provide an activity to bring everyone together, exchange gifts, and have fun. So whether you decide on a charitable focus, a ‘real’ gift, or a white elephant gift. The gift is really just the tool used to have a great time together.

It can be a bit challenging to find new ideas for the Christmas gift exchange each year. And we all know have experienced that using the same idea year after year normally means less thought put into the gift with less participation. So it becomes necessary to come up with a new, fresh idea at least every other year. I prefer a new idea each year. Here are a few suggestions to help you with a new Christmas gift exchange idea.

CHARITY

If it is a company gift exchange, you may want to consider a charitable focus. Especially with our current economy there are tons of local services needing donations, during the Christmas season.

As an add-on to the Christmas gift exchange, you may also ask for a shoes, coat, or canned food donation. I think it is always a good idea to help others think about those who are in need during the holidays.

Another way to contribute to charities could be that each person writes down his/her favorite charity. The slips are exchanged and each person is asked to give a donation to that charity.

GREETING CARD

You set the dollar amount and theme of the greeting card. A $4 funny greeting card could be a Christmas gift exchange topic. At the end of the exchange, each person would have a useable funny card. You could also have prizes for the funniest, etc.

GOODWILL PURCHASE

One year, we did a $5 goodwill gift at an extended family get together. I am proud to announce that I found a ‘beautiful’ olive green clock decorated with rocks as my gift. The person receiving the gift was truly moved the beauty of the gift.

DINNER IN A DISH

For a Christmas exchange, you could ask each person to bring a recipe with the key ingredients to make that recipe. This idea would help everyone with different ideas for dishes, as well as, as receiving a real gift.

ORNAMENT EXCHANGE

Beautiful ornaments are not something that people purchase each day. I have not ever participated in an exchange with this theme, but think it would be fun. You could have a theme for the ornaments depending on the people participating. Choose a decorative, sports, outdoors, or funny theme. You get the idea.

FIRST LETTER Set a dollar amount and letter of the alphabet for the gift to begin with. Then let people create the perfect gift. These gifts can be real or funny or a mix. Take these ideas and personalize them to your setting.

So whether you decide to go with a more meaningful gift or wacky and fun, have fun with your Christmas exchange this year. The real importance is to have fun with those that are important to you.

copyright © 2008 Rodney Grubbs