Do you find Gift Exchanges boring? A waste of time? Or money?
These
are a few Fun Exchange Ideas
This year you may make the gift card exchange a little more fun. Try these exciting gift card exchange ideas to put a whole new twist on gift-card giving at office parties or gatherings of family and friends.
White
Elephant Gift Card Exchange
“White elephant” gift exchanges, sometimes called “Yankee Swaps,” or “Dirty Santa” games, are a fun way to spice up your typical “grab bag” or “Secret Santa” gift exchange ideas. And they’re perfect for gift cards.
Ask your guests to bring a recently
bought gift card or a card of any denomination that they’ve held onto forever
but haven’t used. A white elephant exchange lets you trade in that card for
something you will use.
The rules of white elephant games sometimes vary
based on family traditions. In general, every person is given a number, and you
go in order to pull a gift card (wrapped or otherwise concealed) from the pile.
The next person who goes has the option to steal someone else’s gift card or
take a new one from the pile. Everyone holds their gift cards until the end
when you can open them. (Alternatively, players can open the gift cards as they
go, revealing the type of card but not the amount.)
You can ask each person to bring more than one
gift, but still within a reasonable dollar amount. Doing so will extend game
play and keep the activity a little more interesting.
Target Practice Gift Card Exchange
If you have a sporty group, consider setting up a gift card shooting gallery. Affix gift cards to a wooden board, bulletin board, or even a wall, shed, or garage door. You can play this game inside or out.
Each player, in turn, shoots a foam dart at the
wall of gift cards and takes the one he or she hits. For a more challenging
twist, use foam darts with suction cups on the end. If the dart doesn’t stick,
the player doesn’t get to claim the prize. Players can always take another turn
so no one goes home empty-handed.
“Better Than Goldfish” Game
Like in the Town Fair! But, what if those goldfish
bowls had gift cards in them, instead? Now that sounds like fun! Set up
goldfish bowls on a ping-pong table or any flat surface, place gift cards
inside, and let players throw the ping pong ball to claim their prize.
You can also use red plastic cups. Tape the gift cards
beneath the cups or place cards into each cup. Lay the cups out on the table.
When you land the ball in a cup, claim that gift card.
Ready
to Pass?
The host or hostess of the party reads a story that uses the words right and left frequently. (Here’s a game version of “The Night Before Christmas” with “left” and “right” added.) You can even write your own story using the people in the party as characters.
When players hear the words “right” or “left,” they
pass the gift card in that direction. When the story is over, everyone opens
the gift card in their hands.
Or you can also do a
version of the Hot Potato.
Tips:
When you’re choosing the perfect gift card for any
of these gift card exchange ideas, you want gift cards to popular stores that
nearly anyone will appreciate.
Restaurant gift cards fit
perfectly with beverage-inspired games.
Big box stores make are a good idea, but also think local. You may help your friend's business or the local gift shop to find more revenue during the holidays. Even a bakery or small boutiques could have grift cards.
And also think about experiences, like, movie theatres, spas, escape rooms, etc.
And remember Serendipity Paper also has Gift Cards!!
How much it too much for a gift card exchange? You can set a price amount for the cards — $15 to $20 is usually fair. But it will depend on the kind of group you are in of course.
Have a Fun and Merry Holiday Season!
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