7 fun ideas to spice up your gift exchange

Forget the usual Secret Santa exchange this year! Find creative ideas for gift exchanges that work great at home or in the office.

Second in popularity only to traditional Secret Santa exchanges, a white elephant exchange can offer a fun twist on holiday gift-giving.

• Everyone supplies a gift and then the host draws a number.
• When a gift-giver’s number is called, he or she can choose a gift or steal a gift that’s already been chosen.

This game provides a great opportunity for group fun and maybe even a sing-along at the office or at home.

• Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
• According to the song, what does your true love send to you on the seventh day of Christmas?
• If you know the answer, you can claim a gift!

Across cultures, cooking is an integral part to any seasonal celebration. Invite your friends, families or co-workers to bake their best holiday dish and stage a fun-filled cakewalk. Everyone’s sure to have a happy holiday when they get a delicious, home baked treat to enjoy.

This is an excellent gift exchange idea, especially for children and the young at heart.

• Take a moment to write a fun little holiday story that includes lots of references to left and right directions (the more the merrier).
• Assemble your group and have everyone form a circle while holding their gift.
• Recite your holiday story out loud and have your guests pass their gifts left or right according to the references in the story.

Let your imagination run wild with a thematic gift exchange this season.

• Set a theme and have each of your participants choose gifts that fit the category.
• For example, maybe a tacky holiday sweater exchange is right for your group of craft co-workers.

Keep your team well-read this holiday season by staging a book exchange. Have everyone select names and choose the perfect book for their partner, helping others discover new authors and new genres.

Take a moment to honour some of your favourite charities this holiday season by having each member of your gift exchange group select a charity that’s close to their heart.

• Draw names like you would for a regular Secret Santa, but in a twist, gift givers must donate to the recipient’s charity of choice.
• This is a great way to spread the holiday cheer and benefit local and international charities in the process.

No matter what you decide, make the holidays memorable and help your friends or co-workers enjoy a truly unique gift exchange.