Top 10 Fun Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas

We have all probably been to Christmas exchanges where everyone draws a name, and you end up with some stinky bath soap or a dorky pair of mittens because no one really knows what to get. People set arbitrary gift limits like $15, then when you take back the earrings that you got because your ears aren't pierced, you find out they only cost $5, although you spent $17. It definitely ruins the spirit of the holidays when you end up with a crappy gift! Here are some gift exchange ideas that will be fun for any group looking to have a good time.

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For most of the following exchanges, I recommend the "Dirty Santa" approach. This is when you determine a gift order by either drawing numbers, playing cards, age, seniority, birthdays, or something like that. The first person opens a present, and the second person can either steal the opened present or pick one from the pile. A gift can only be stolen three times, and cannot be stolen directly from the person who stole it from them. This way, the most people have a chance of ending up with something they actually like, and it is much more entertaining than just watching everyone open up one present.

If you really want to go all out, another way to exchange gifts is through BINGO. Everyone brings 5 small gifts to put in the middle of a table. Whoever gets bingo gets to take a gift. You can also steal from people when you run out. Play until someone blacks out their card, then you open all the gifts at the end!

10. Short on Christmas cash? For this exchange tell all your guests they are not allowed to spend over a dollar. Tell everyone to stop by a thrift or dollar store to find a funny or useful gift. This is great for last minute exchanges or with groups of people that you don't know very well.

9. Here's another low-budget exchange: Tell people to bring something from home that they could wrap up. Burnt mix CD's, a pack of light bulbs, whatever you want as long as it's actually something people would want. I did this at a party where there were about 25 people, and I didn't know there was a gift exchange at all until I got there. Instead of being empty-handed I was able to put together a gift sack from random stuff in the trunk of my car. I ended up opening a pack of fireworks, which I loved.

8. Here's an exchange idea to put the Spirit into Christmas Spirit! Everyone bring their favorite alcoholic beverage to trade! Wine, six packs of fancy microbrew, 30 packs of keystone, peppermint schnapps and hot chocolate mix... so many options! Then you can enjoy them at the party!

7. Dirty Gift Exchange... I did this with a group of my girlfriends in college, and we had a hilarious time. We all got goofy presents at the local porn shop. Shopping was an experience in itself because we all had to go together for moral support. One girl ended up with a DVD called "Hung Wankenstein", and I think I received Christmas underwear with jingle bells on them.

6. A Re-Gift exchange... You could do this exchange a few days after Christmas if you want. Wrap up those gifts that you didn't want, and pawn them off on your friends! Just be careful no one who gave you the gift will find out.

5. Christmas Sweater Extravaganza: As long as most of the people are average size, this exchange won't leave anyone out in the cold. Everyone bring a tacky Christmas sweater to trade. When all the sweaters have found their new owners, you can put them all on and take a picture you will enjoy for years to come.

4. The pet exchange: This one is not for you, but for your furry friends, and your friends' furry friends too, for that matter. Your pets can exchange names and buy each other gifts! Homemade chew-bones would make great party favors for this one.

3. No matter what you and your friends are into, there is sure to be some common interest that you can all agree upon. Whether it's music, movies, books, art, or Star Wars action figures, come up with a theme that fits your buddies and let the good times roll!

2. If you are the crafty type, or if you have kids, a good activity for a Christmas party is to make gifts that your guests can give to other people. Come up with an idea, (like clothespin ornaments painted to look like reindeer) get the supplies, and make sure you know how to instruct the guests. Make a few ahead of time to ensure that you know what you are doing and to show examples.

1. The game exchange... Everyone brings a good party game to play, after the exchange you can make use of these gifts! You can be a big spender and go for the deluxe editions of old favorites, or keep it thrifty with playing cards, Uno, dice, or other cheap games.

Whatever you decide to do... have fun, and Happy Gifting!