In charge of office gift exchange. Need fresh ideas.

[Anonymous]

For about 10 years my office has done the Yankee Swap/White Elephant thing where you choose a gift from the table and someone else can steal it and so on and so forth. It's getting old and people are getting bored and the gifts aren't particularly interesting anymore.

I'm wondering if anyone has any fresh gift exchange ideas. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I would personally rather have a tree with gift requests for children on it, so that each person can pick a gift to obtain for a child in need. I'm all for real holiday parties (don't give to charity, etc.) but I HATE gift exchanges. I'd rather spend more money on a kid who needs it than $20 on a stupid gag gift that will go in the trash.

[Anonymous]

You can have a "recycled gift exchange." Essentially means people bring things that they have received as gifts but don't want but might be desirable/useful to someone else. These shouldn't be used things. Boxed soap sets/decorative olive oil jars/cheap random gadgets are all things that come to mind. Usually ends up being really funny, some people get things they actually want, and people can clear the junk from their closets that they feel bad throwing out.

[Anonymous]

Last year I sponsored a child who was transitioning from foster care. In addition to new items, I collected gently used items so that this woman could furnish her kitchen and bathroom.

Maybe you can find a similar situation and teams could help with everything from cleaning supplies to pots and pans.

[Anonymous]

Office gift exchange with a meaningful twist: Draw names. Keep it secret. Then go buy a gift/toy for that person's "inner child" or what you think he/she would really love to have as a child! NO LIMIT on the cost. Wrap it up, put their name on gift tag, not yours. At the office party everyone gets to open their gift amid much laughter and fun. I've seen everything from a doctor's kit to an artist's kit, a basketball to a lava lamp! Then, all these wonderful, new toys get delivered to a pre-selected charity, such as Toys for Tots. Fun and so much more in the spirit of giving!

[Anonymous]

30$ unwrapped bottle of wine or booze trade swap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Office gift exchange with a meaningful twist: Draw names. Keep it secret. Then go buy a gift/toy for that person's "inner child" or what you think he/she would really love to have as a child! NO LIMIT on the cost. Wrap it up, put their name on gift tag, not yours. At the office party everyone gets to open their gift amid much laughter and fun. I've seen everything from a doctor's kit to an artist's kit, a basketball to a lava lamp! Then, all these wonderful, new toys get delivered to a pre-selected charity, such as Toys for Tots. Fun and so much more in the spirit of giving!

I love this idea!

[Anonymous]

Gift card exchange - restaurants, grocery stores, department stores