It’s been years and years since I went to my dad’s family’s annual Christmas party. I think Rockford and I have been there once since we’ve been married. (And the time I’m remembering might have been before we were married.) My dad has three brothers, and when they and my cousins all show up it’s a big group of people. When I was a kid, it was noisy and chaotic, and there was always a lot of food. Noisy and chaotic has never been My Kind of Thing, even when I was a kid. Even so, it was maybe my favorite day of the year growing up, and I’m very much looking forward to being there this year.
What with it being a largish family, it would be tough to buy presents for everyone. They used to draw names for gift-giving, but a few years ago they decided to do a Yankee Swap sort of thing instead. Everyone brings a gift, then they draw numbers to determine who picks the first present from the pile. When the next person’s turn comes, they can “steal” the first person’s gift or pick something from the remaining wrapped presents.
The little kids don’t participate — they’ll have something specifically for them under the tree — so I need to come up with two gift ideas for the exchange. I have an idea for one present, but I’m having trouble coming up with a second. And what do I do when I’m having trouble deciding on a thing? I ask the internet. The first gift will be food-related, so I’d like to come up with something else that isn’t.
So, people of the internet, what’s a $25-or-less-present for which you’d gently shove your grandma? (Note: I don’t think it’ll come to that. But that’s just because Grandma won’t be there.)
I sure miss those family Christmas’s. I can’t think of anything to suggest cause I’m not in the Christmas shopping mood, so I hope you come up with a good gift.
The snuggie was a huge hit at a Christmas party we attended last year. I know it’s totally random, but was especially fun as it was a zebra print!
well, were looking forward to it also.when are you coming the 23th and how long can you guys stay?? i don’t think his brothers are coming for christmas so i’m not sure if we’ll be doing the gift thing,but we’ll be getting together with them at some point anyway.my girls are coming over christmas eve. gonna be a busy week…. then were leaving for florida. this thanksgiving all his brothers and that are coming over for dinner, so that’s gonna be alot of fun. can’t wait .hay we need more pics of the kids, did you get christmas ones yet. we’d love to have one if ya did.talk to ya later
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/elephant-poo-paper-journal-note-box
I got something like this for a christmas exchange a few years back, I think it’s fun to do things that are a little silly too.
Don’t forget about Etsy, what a great place to find something completely unique.
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/gardeners-seat
This is pretty cool and useful.
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Movie tickets + money for concessions?
I am never any good with those group exchanges. I almost always just end up doing a gift card 🙂
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How about a big jar of that butterscoth sauce,some sundae bowls and spoons, andsome sprinkles and cherries- a Sundae kit?
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I did something like that last year, with chocolate and caramel sauces and a gift certificate for a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. I mailed a few of them, and the jars I used (from Ikea) were not good for shipping. My dad had to wash the chocolate off of his gift certificate.
Maglite. Who doesn’t love a nice quality flashlight?