It’s now December and you know what that means… The countdown to Christmas is on! Normally we are down-to-the-wire-December-23 in terms of getting Christmas shopping done, but with an unprecedented amount of motivation and planning (and some gift exchange alternatives), we are already done!
Christmas shopping can be stressful and can drag on, especially if you have many people to shop for or few ideas for gifts. Instead of enjoying the sights and sounds of the season, the thought of Christmas shopping and busy malls may bring you nothing but a bah humbug feeling.
If you’re sick of the hunt for the perfect gift, why not try something new? This year, instead of the same old gift exchange, try an alternative activity. Check out some of the things we’ve tried and love!
Game “Exchange” Gift Exchange Alternatives
- Have everyone bring a game they like to play and during the time when you would normally open gifts, work your way through everyone’s games. For the competitive types, you can keep track of each games’ winner and crown your Christmas champion.
- Have a group of indecisive individuals? Can’t decide what game to try first? Wrap up your collection of board games (or toss them in a gift bag for the easy option!) and choose randomly!
- If you have a game that you and your family love to play, make a fun tournament-style afternoon out of it. Create a bracket and compete for the top spot!
- Create a fun puzzle or activity for your group to complete. Last year, we created a Christmas-themed escape room activity that was hit at our Christmas gatherings.
Christmas Potluck
I’m excited to do this with a group of friends this year. Rather than stress over what to get each other, we decided to have a nice meal together, all chipping in to make a main dish or side. After all, what we look forward to most about our annual Christmas get together is spending time together.
Potlucks are great gift exchange alternatives because they take pressure off of the host to coordinate all of the meal plans.
Another idea we might try in the future are to make the meal into more of the main event by choosing a fun theme, divvying up the ingredients and all cooking together!
Christmas Experiences and Events
Rather than spending time and money on gifts for everyone on your gift exchange list, choose a fun activity to do as a group. The best part about an experience gift alternative is that you can choose totally free options, or put the money you’d use for gifts toward admission or equipment for a fun day. The memories you’ll make on this day will be even more valuable than any gift you could give!
- Take in a fun Christmas movie at home or the newest release at your local cinema.
- Go ice skating, sledding, tubing, skiing, or snowshoeing.
- Attend a local Christmas event (a play, outdoor light festivals, ice castles).
Not sure about having no gifts at your Christmas gathering? Add small prizes to any alternative!
If you’re just not sure about eliminating the gift aspect 100%, or if it just doesn’t quite feel like Christmas without opening a few gifts, try adding some small prizes to any of your gift exchange alternatives. You can be as spendy as you like!
Maybe some of these ideas will please your Christmas crew:
- Starbucks gift card
- Target gift card
- A tin of homemade Christmas goodies
- Keepsake Christmas ornament
- Small bottles of alcohol and a mixer
- Lottery tickets/scratch-offs
- Coffee, tea, drink mixes
No matter what you decide to do, make sure that you take time this holiday season to spend some quality time together. You’ll remember those seasonal memories for years to come!
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