On the 10th Blog of Christmas

Some great White Elephant/Chinese gift exchange gifts.

Game setup:
 

• Everyone brings 1 gift within a certain price range.  Put all of the gifts in a pile
• Count the number of people at the party & put those numbers on scraps of paper
• Put the paper scraps in a hat/box/tub
• Each person at the party will grab a paper scrap with a number.  This is the order you will pick out a gift

Game rules:

• The first person picks a gift from the pile & unwraps it
• Now person #2 can either pick a new gift from the pile, or steal the gift person #1 has taken
• Each gift can be stolen up to 3 times.  After the 3rd steal the gift becomes "frozen" in the hands of the recipient who most recently stole it
• This goes on until all numbers have a gift.  You can steal from anyone who has picked a gift before your gift has been stolen or your number has its turn
• When your gift has been stolen you immediately steal someone else's gift OR unwrap a new one from the pile

After my many years of large family gatherings and organization and school parties, I have narrowed down a pretty decent list great for most parties.  And they are....:

1. The obvious: alcohol.  My extended family loves to thrown in a bottle of cheapish liquor or 6-pack of beer or bottle of wine.  It's almost always a crowd favorite and gets "frozen."  Personally, I would probably buy a little gift basket with glasses or something in it too, just to make it more of a present.                                                         
2. A family-friendly game.  This year, our biggest hit was Catchphrase because our youngest is around 12 so everyone can play after the gift exchange.  Other great ideas include: Millionaire Monopoly, LIFE, puzzles, Mad Gab, & Trivial Pursuit. 
3. The foodie gift basket.  Put together or buy a basket of hot sauces, salsas, cheese and crackers, chocolates, coffee & a mug, or a more novelty food item.  Even bake a pie! 
4. The movie date.  Throw in some popcorn, boxed candy, a bottle of soda, & a couple cheap movies for an easy DIY gathered basket gift.  
5. The gift cards.  Wrap it in a big box so no one is the wiser & make it to a universally liked place. Top ideas include: Starbucks, a VISA giftcard, SIMON malls gift card, fandango, a restaurant chain, Macy's or JCPenney, Target, or a gas station.  
6. The gag gift that isn't inappropriate for youngins (unless this is an all-adult party, know your audience!).                                                
7. The home decor.  Something that can be decorative in any home.  Examples: picture frames, holiday platters, candles, wall quotes, stationary, floral arrangements... 
8. The good book.  Most everyone enjoys reading, so pick out a unisexual book from a recent best sellers list or an old classic everyone enjoys.   
9. The homeowner gift.  Flashlights, tools, small hardware, Home Depot gift cards.  Anything you can really think of that anyone can use, but typically buys themselves. 
10. The gender-specific gift.  These are great if you're going to a party of predominantly 1 gender.  If it's all girls you can bring a girl gift and they'll love it.  If it's predominantly guys you can bring a guy gift and they'll love it, OR a girl gift and they'll laugh over it or give it to their girlfriends (because they probably forgot to get one for them already...)!

Good luck & happy gifting!!  :)