Secret Santa

[wenwilder]

These days a lot of business' exchange gifts within a group by drawing names. I figured this would be a good way to do things this year for a growing group - but - the more I thought about it... it sounded BORING! And redundant and over-done and "did-it-last-yearish" - and I need something different.

I've never been good at doing the same thing over and over again. I like new ideas, fresh ideas and I either make them up or.... ask if anyone has any. I have a couple of people who have handed me good ideas but... they're "good".

One can always do the drawing of names and have everyone tell each other who they have before the end of the day. No one is ever surprised that way!

One idea I have liked is: assign numbers to names (you being the only one who knows what number everyone has) and draw numbers. It sounds good but... with a coed team.... it becomes challenging.

So... I'm here looking for the ideas that steal the show. What do you do for your office party gift exchange?

Decorating is my next challenge!

[jawn_tech]

Here's one game. Everyone buys a gift for the same value amount, like $10, $15, $20, whatever. They can be silly or really good gifts. Doesn't matter what gender (that helps make the fun of the game, as I'll describe shortly). The gifts go in a pile in the center of the room. Everyone draws numbers, and go in numerical order of picking out a gift, not knowing what it is. Everyone watches as they open it.

When everyone is done, everyone draws a number AGAIN. This time, people go in numerical order to formally decide if they want to keep the gift they have, or they can trade with someone else (and that someone else doesn't have a choice).

My relatives have done this game for years. It's lots of laughs because an uncle always ends up with a pink fluffy hanger set and keeps trying to trade it with someone who has tools or a hunting vest. There's always one gift that no one wants and ends up exchanging hands at least a dozen times. So therefore it's better to have a higher number so you can be the last to make the final call of what gift you get.

[esiegel]

Hey Wen... long time no see.
We pick names here. (picked ours yesterday...pulled my boss...threw it back...mixed them up...then pulled him again...figured it was meant to be).

I like the numbers if you want it to be anonymous. How about making the numbers red or blue for gender (let's not get into the girls like blue thing now).

"Generic" gifts never work...
How many times have we heard "guys like fancy bath soaps these days" or "come on....women like Jack Daniels"? They may...but not all of them.

[jawn_tech]

Well there's one gift everyone would love...

a prepaid gas card.

Lol...but not a very exciting gift though...

[Hiops]

Are you guys discussing the idea of giving a gift to all participants of this forum, than i vote for this lol