There is absolutely nothing wrong with typical traditions for gift-giving. Tradition can be gratifying, comforting, and fun for all involved. 

But if you’re looking to break a tradition or two and start your own, you’ve come to the right place. We’re about to explore some creative alternatives and even embrace how technology can change the way we find and give gifts to others. Maybe you’ll discover a new tradition or two to use with your family and loved ones. 

Pick a theme for gifts each year

When it comes to big holidays, choose a theme for gifts. Consider themes like “gourmet foods,” “subscription boxes,” or “a day around town.” You’d be surprised how creative and surprising these gifts can be. 

If you’re planning a big vacation, use that as your theme: the beach, the mountains, Paris, etc. Your family’s task is just to find a gift someone else would use to make the most of the vacation, like a snorkel and fins, a pair of binoculars and hiking boots, or a subscription to a language learning app. 

These themes can help break traditional presents and inspire new ideas.

Buy group presents as a gift-giving tradition

There’s no rule that you have to buy a separate gift for each of your family members. Vacations, concert or sports tickets, or memberships to local zoos, museums, or theme parks are wonderful experiences the family can enjoy together. 

You could also spend money on a big-ticket item everyone benefits from, like equipment for a home gym, furniture for a video game area, or a new family game night cabinet. 

A similar type of gift might be a “gift for the year.” Instead of giving your mom a present for Christmas, her birthday, Mother’s Day, and her anniversary, pick a date to give one meaningful present.

Give long-distance gifts

Social media and the internet have a way of connecting people across the globe in a manner unimaged just a few decades ago. Your family could live on the other side of the world, and you can stay in touch with e-mail, social media posts, and video calls. 

Take advantage of technology to send these important people gifts. You can search for, buy, and ship gifts from the comfort of your computer or smartphone. 

If you want to save on international shipping, consider these tech-friendly and less traditional types of gifts you can easily give to anyone:

• A smartphone app subscription 
• An ebook 
• A gift card to an online store 
• A digital magazine subscription 
• A gift certificate to a virtual class (for cooking, art, writing)
• A year of an online TV/movie/music streaming service

Before you know it, you’ll have your own tradition with a long-distance family member, like a new app a year.

Reach everyone with a digital gift exchange

Traditionally, gift exchanges take place with gatherings of people who are all in one place. But distance doesn’t have to prevent you from enjoying a Secret Santa-style gift exchange. 

Here’s how technology can help you start new traditions for sharing surprise gifts. 

Use a digital tool for drawing names

A traditional option for picking names is pulling a piece of paper out of a hat or bag. If the participants don’t live close together, this is a tricky step to pull off. Alternately, one person could draw names for everyone and tell them who they’ve “picked,” but then the surprise is ruined for the host.

Fortunately, there’s Giftster, an online wishlist maker. It can also organize and generate a Secret Santa gift exchange for you. It has these amazing benefits:

• Each participant’s pick remains completely secret
• A host can add exclusions, so couples can’t draw each other, for example
• Everyone can create and see each other’s wishlists

Even if all of the givers in your gift exchange live close enough to draw names from a hat, the benefits of a digital Secret Santa generator may mean you’ll make Giftster part of your in-person traditions, too.

Need some help convincing family to go digital? See why an online family gift registry makes sense.

Host a virtual meeting for opening presents

Who says you all have to be in the same room to open presents? You can all be in the same video chat, instead. Just make sure to send everyone their wrapped or packaged gift before the scheduled virtual call.

Secret Santa gift exchange rules still apply. Everyone takes a turn opening their gift. 

Parents of small children might even prefer a virtual gift exchange every once and a while. It means no traveling with little ones, and they can mute their microphones so the kiddos don’t distract from another family member’s gift opening time.

Create categories to simplify gift-giving

Have you ever heard of the gift-giving tradition for children: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read? It’s a great rhyme and serves the purpose of reducing unneeded or unwanted gifts children get throughout the year. 

Try something similar. Create your own categories of four or five types of gifts you can try to find for big occasions.

Here are some category ideas:

• Hobbies
• Arts and crafts
• Technology
• Learning
• Experiences
• Health and Wellness
• Fashion
• Places to visit
• Food

These categories can also help your kids come up with gift ideas. Your family will appreciate the wide range of present ideas on your kids’ wishlists. And your kids will know they have to ask for more than just a dozen new video games.

Turn off the technology for your gift-giving tradition

Modern technology can bring people together, but it can also make them feel apart. Embrace technology as part of your strategies to give presents and spend time with your family around the world. 

But for time when you’re all together, consider turning off the TV, computers, smartphones, video game consoles, e-readers, tablets, and smartwatches so you can experience gift-giving traditions without distractions.

Happy gifting! 

The post Breaking Tradition: How to Start Your Own Family Gift-Giving Traditions appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

Here are some thoughtful ways to celebrate the spirit of giving without compromising your budget. 

Set gift expectations ahead of time

Establishing clear boundaries and expectations before engaging in gift-giving can effectively prevent you from overspending. By openly communicating your gift preferences and budget limitations, you alleviate the pressure to purchase extravagant presents that strain your finances. With this in mind, organizing a white elephant exchange can be a clever strategy to maintain the holiday spirit while staying within your means. This approach not only promotes financial mindfulness but also allows you to avoid purchasing multiple gifts for each family member.

Consider a Secret Santa exchange

A Secret Santa doesn’t only add fun to your holidays; it is also an effective way to cut down the expenditure on items to buy as gifts. Secret Santa exchanges typically come with spending limits, with many capping prices of gifts at $20 to $30. If your budget is really tight, you can bake cookies or give coupons for a night of babysitting. Tap into Giftster’s Secret Santa guide to get started.

Incorporate group gifts

Another great way to handle gift-giving with low budgets is to go in on a group gift. A group gift is where you split the cost of a gift with another person. For example, you can team up with a like-minded sibling and split the cost of a gift for your parents. To maximize this strategy, consider covering the total cost of the gift with a rewards card to help you rack up a few extra points.

Take advantage of coupons and promos

Getting smart with coupons and promos is an easy way to buy a valuable gift without stretching your budget to the high heavens. As the holiday approaches, keep an eye out for promotions and coupons such as early bird offers, referral rewards, and buy-one-get-one promotions to get crazy deals on priced gift items. 

Offer other alternative forms of giving

If your family members insist on exchanging gifts, but it is beyond your means, suggest other forms of support. You can offer to help with preparations, decorations, cooking, and any other task that demonstrate your love and affection for them.

The following are other homemade gift ideas that don’t cost a thing:

• Write down some wonderful moments with specific family members
• Write heartfelt “just in case” letters to suit different occasions. Leave a note to encourage them to read the letter when feeling blue.
• Create a video tribute by compiling memorable photos of the family members.
• Put together a little box with priceless artifacts such as old ticket stubs, playbills, and brochures.
• Craft a personalized music playlist to share with them. Or better yet, write a song or poem.

Although it is a crucial part of the holidays, gift-giving can be a real budget buster if not well planned. If your budget doesn’t match your family’s expectations, you don’t have to cower away in guilt or shame. Remember, the best gifts are not always the most expensive. The tips we have shared above can help you navigate the holiday season with love, thoughtfulness, and open communication. Leverage Giftster’s wish lists, gift guides, and online exchanges to celebrate the spirit of giving with your loved ones.

The post How to Satisfy Family Gift Expectations with a Limited Budget appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

But what about all those single folks out there?

It’s easy to feel a little lonely when others are receiving roses and chocolates. Luckily, you can celebrate Valentine’s Day with your friends, so everyone feels a little special.

At Giftster, we have some tips for a virtual gift exchange and a few other fun, non-romantic activities you and your friends can enjoy on Valentine’s Day.

Pick a secret Valentine

Secret Santas are popular. Why not try the same type of gift exchange any time of the year, including Valentine’s Day? It’s a fun surprise for a group of friends.

And it’s easy with Giftster. Simply visit our Secret Santa Generator & Gift Exchange Draw. 

Don’t let the “Santa” in the name fool you – you can use this tool for any type of gift exchange year-round. Plus, there’s no cost to join, and all participants have the ability to create a wishlist of items. You don’t even have to get together to draw names, since it’s all virtual – unless you need another reason to see your friends.

Watch how to draw names using Giftster’s Secret Santa:

Then, on Valentine’s Day, have a get-together and exchange gifts. Everyone can have a fun surprise opening their presents and discovering their Secret Valentine. Plus, the gift exchange will spread some non-romantic love and appreciation to all the participants.

Plan activities for the gift exchange

No one likes to feel left out on Valentine’s Day. Celebrate friendship instead of romance by planning some activities together, to go along with your gift exchange.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Glamorous night out

Get glammed up for a night of delicious food and drinks. Or just wear your best heels and hairstyle to get some fast food. Who cares what you eat? The point is, you’ll look beautiful and have a memorable time with friends. 

2. Cozy night in

Wear cozy, comfortable PJs for a sleepover-type get-together. Watch movies, make popcorn and ice cream sundaes, and enjoy some facials or manicures. You really can’t go wrong with an evening dedicated to comfort and friendship. 

3. Crafts and cocktails

Gather some supplies like glitter, glue, and magazines, and create your best uplifting Valentines for each other. You can also get crafty with drinks. Try making some DIY Valentine’s cocktails, like strawberry champagne floats or a lady rose. 

4. Bonfire

Has a fiery romance fizzled out? Are you struggling with feelings for an ex? If what you need on Valentine’s Day is to gather friends and burn an old photograph or two, we won’t judge. Just stay warm (and safe).

Of course, don’t forget about your gift exchange. After all, giving a present to your secret valentine is the perfect, supportive balance to any glam, makeovers, glitter, and old flames.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The post How To Setup a Virtual Valentine’s Day Gift Exchange with Friends appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

Traditionally, guests arrive with wrapped gifts. No one in the exchange is supposed to know who they’re from and they aren’t meant for any guest in particular. 

As you can probably tell, some guests leave with gifts that they love, while others may feel stuck with something a little less ideal. That’s all part of what you sign up for when you participate.

In fact, many participants in white elephant gift exchanges pick out gifts that are funnier than they are useful. It can even become a bit of a contest to see whose gift is the most (or least) wanted.

If you’re heading to a white elephant gift exchange this holiday season, it might be difficult to find the perfect “not” present that will be the hit of the party.

We have a helpful guide to gifts that are hilarious and, just maybe, useful. But first, we have a few tips for participating in a white elephant gift exchange.

How a white elephant works

There are a few varieties of white elephant gift exchanges, but most of them follow this basic procedure:

1. Everyone brings a wrapped gift.
2. Participants draw numbers to see who picks a gift first. You can also pick an order based on age, birth month, height, etc.
3. The first gift is opened so everyone can see it.
4. The second participant has to choose whether to steal the already-opened gift or open a new one.
5. The game progresses, usually with a limit to how many times a gift can be “stolen” before the participant locks the gift in for him or herself.
6. The participant who picked the first gift also gets to go last, with a chance to steal any gift that’s left.
7. After the final turn, you’re stuck with whatever gift you have.

Tips for hosting a white elephant gift exchange

While the procedures are fairly common, anyone hosting a white elephant gift exchange can create a few rules or guidelines for their particular event. If you’re hosting, here are some things to think about and tell all the guests:

• Price range: How much should everyone spend on gifts? Offer a range that is practical for all the guests, such as “twenty to twenty-five dollars” or “about fifty dollars.” Without a price range, some gifts might be worth much more than others.
• Off-limit gifts: You can also tell guests that certain types of gifts are off-limits, such as alcohol or lottery tickets.
• Theme: Some people prefer useful gifts instead of funny ones, so you might want to let participants know what to expect before they agree to join your exchange.

If you’re sticking with the traditional white elephant gift exchange with humorous gifts, here’s an amazing list of ideas:

1. Colorful, Themed Socks

You can find almost anything printed on socks: dinosaurs, coffee cups, video game characters, and even celebrity faces. If you’re participating in a white elephant gift exchange with open-minded adults, you can probably even find “not safe for work” images. 

But ultimately, any themed socks are a humorous and even useful gift for wearing with long pants or while lounging around the house. 

2. Giant Candy Bar

Bigger is better, right? This is absolutely true when it comes to sweets and hilarious white elephant gifts. 

With a trip to a novelty candy store or a bit of online browsing, you’ll discover sweet treats in ridiculously large sizes, like a five-pound chocolate bar. Or, you can buy yummy candies in bulk.

The size makes this gift pretty funny, and who doesn’t want a lot of delicious candy?

3. Novelty Food

There are foods for every discerning palate. And then there are foods that are just… unique. Tickle some taste buds with a tin full of pickle-flavored popcorn. Or everyone’s favorite, a holiday fruitcake. 

(In fact, fruitcake has such a bad reputation that we’ve already written about it at Giftster. Check out our fruitcake post to learn a little more about why it would be such a great white elephant gift.)

By the end of the exchange, you might even realize one of your friends or relatives really loves bacon-flavored candy canes (and, yes, those do exist). 

4. Infomercial Products 

Head to your favorite neighborhood box store, and pick out an infomercial or “as seen on TV” product or two for some truly “useful” and hilarious white elephant gifts. 

These aren’t always cheap (that’s why companies offer easy payments of $19.99), so make sure to stick to the gift exchange budget. 

Otherwise, a creative infomercial product is sure to lead to lots of laughs. And just maybe, it will be an item the recipient can actually use. 

5. Elaborately Wrapped Gift Cards 

Like most good jokes, this funny white elephant gift is all about the delivery. 

Get creative with wrapping a gift card or group of gift cards. It’s an easy way to stay on budget and get some giggles out of the crowd. 

Think wrapped boxes inside wrapped boxes, glitter, reused holiday gift bags, and lots and lots of tape. It’s the gift that keeps giving as they make a mess and finally reach the tiny gift card. 

The most amusing part of this gift is probably for everyone else who gets to watch.

6. Questionable Artwork

Singing fish? Leg lamp? Framed printout of Michelangelo’s famous nude Renaissance sculpture, The David? Check, check, and check. 

It’s always hilarious when someone opens an absurd decoration or piece of art that they’re supposed to display publicly in their home. Plus, questionable artwork can double as a conversation starter when guests are visiting.

If you’re really going for laughs, and the center of attention, why not give a beautiful canvas print of yourself?

7. Adulting Items

There’s just something about the term “Adulting” that raises a collective laugh of understanding. Adulting includes almost anything, from waking up early, paying bills, attending meetings, and just generally trying to be a responsible spouse, parent, or member of society.

So gather some Adulting checklists, stickers, magnets, or printed memes and add a little bit of humor to the world of being an adult. Here are some ideas:

• Adulting To-Do List
• Being a Functioning Adult Magnet
• Because Adulting is Hard Coffee Wall Art

It might surprise you how many guests at the white elephant get excited to collect little items about mortgages and dishwashers.

8. Bathroom Accessories

Who wouldn’t fight over a toilet night light? After all, it sounds like such a blast to have colored lights come from the toilet during a 3 am bathroom trip.

There’s nothing quite like a white elephant gift that belongs in the bathroom. From poop emoji trinkets to toilet timers to potty humor books, there’s almost no end to the hilarious white elephant gift ideas that are bathroom themed.

And since everyone has a bathroom, these are universally useful gifts, too.

9. Kitchen Gadgets

There are a lot of great, useful kitchen tools and appliances like toasters, waffle makers, and blenders. We aren’t talking about those.

The best kitchen gadgets for a white elephant gift exchange are useful…but only in very specific circumstances. Consider, for example, a microwavable s’more maker, a countertop popcorn popper, lightsaber chopsticks, or a singing pasta timer. 

The right person at your exchange will really want one of these, and everyone else is sure to laugh.  

10. Game Night Games

There are family game nights, and then there are adult games nights. If you’re participating in a gift exchange with a younger crowd, you can pick out some fun and random games from almost any store.

If your white elephant gift exchange is made up of more of an adult crowd, the options are nearly endless for games full of innuendo or downright inappropriate content.

This is the gift that keeps on giving because the games can be used again and again. Plus, it’s a perfect white elephant since many of the games you’ll find aren’t well-known classics. It will be a fun surprise for the recipient to play them for the first time.

11. Home Bar “Non” Essentials

This idea is another good one for an adult white elephant exchange. Everyone would love new bar essentials, like a nice shaker or set of whiskey glasses. But to up your white elephant game for humor, we recommend some “non” essentials.

For example, you can wrap a giant wine glass that fits an entire bottle of wine or pick out coasters with sayings related to drinking and bad decisions.

If someone at your white elephant gift exchange doesn’t drink, that’s ok. This gift can always be stolen by someone else.

12. Thrift Shop T-shirts

Maybe it’s the song “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore, but something about a collection of amazing T-shirts from a thrift store is just hilarious. Plus, they are fun to shop for. 

Head to your local thrift shop and browse for donated T-shirts for bands, nostalgic TV shows and movies, and pop culture references. This gift isn’t about being cheap or lazy, it’s about finding a good number of fun and funky clothes.

We recommend buying a variety of sizes or sticking to the safety of size large. Even if the recipient doesn’t wear these shirts daily, they make good pajamas or clothes for lounging around the house.

13. Books of Questionable Helpfulness

Novelty books can be universally appealing for a white elephant gift exchange. Head to a local bookstore and browse for bestsellers by famous authors, cookbooks, and trivia books.

Ask an employee for help finding parody books. Or, check out this collection of humorous book options we’ve gathered:

• Are You My Uber?: A Parody by Sarah Dooley  
• The Bob’s Burgers Cookbook: Real Recipes for Joke Burgers by Loren Bouchard
• That Was Awkward: The Art and Etiquette of the Awkward Hug by Emily Flake
• Dad Jokes: The Good, the Bad, the Terrible by Jimmy Niro

Many of these will end up on coffee tables or in guest bedrooms so others can enjoy their humor, too.

14. Holiday Decorations

White elephant gift exchanges tend to take place around the holiday season. What better gift than some holiday decorations? 

There are a few funny options you can try for this category of gift. You can find a decoration that is so over the top that it’s hilarious to look at (but probably won’t ever get used), wrap up a silly giant inflatable outdoor decoration like a Christmas dinosaur, or just go straight to a collection of naughty Santas.

No matter what you choose, everyone is sure to have a giggle or two.

15. An Ugly Holiday Sweater

You might say that we’ve saved the best for last, and this gift idea almost speaks for itself. Somehow in the past few decades, the sweaters your grandmother used to wear for Christmas dinner became all the rage for parties.

If you want to learn more about this tradition, we’ve covered it in our post Where Did Ugly Sweater Parties Come From Anyway?

Prepare for some trips to the clothing store or on shopping sites to find the absolute best holiday sweater to hide in a gift bag for your white elephant gift exchange. We bet this one will be a winner.

Of course, you can’t go wrong with any of these hilarious and creative white elephant gifts that (almost) everyone will want. 

Holiday Gift Exchanges with Giftster

If you are participating in any other holiday gift exchanges, such as Secret Santa, we can help you with that, too. 

Giftster is an online wish list maker that has a Secret Santa generator. Participants can also build their wish lists on Giftster, and others can shop lists and anonymously mark items as purchased. 

When it’s time for your next Secret Santa (or any gift exchange), draw names for your Secret Santa online at giftster.com and share wish lists between members.

Happy gifting!

The post 15 Hilarious White Elephant Gift Ideas appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

Secret Santa gift exchanges are no exception.

Do you know where Secret Santa originates?

The tradition’s start is just as inspiring as the magic surrounding it in today’s society.

In December of 1979, a man named Larry Stewart was in a restaurant mourning the loss of his job. When he noticed a waitress wearing a worn-out jacket, he decided to change his perspective and give to others instead of feeling sorry for himself. He realized that many people were struggling much more than he was.

Each December, he would hand out $100 bills to people in need in his area. He became an American folk figure known as “Kansas City’s Secret Santa.” 

Over his lifetime, it’s estimated that he donated over $1.3 million, including donations in New York City after the events of 9/11 and in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.

In fact, no one even knew his real name until 2006.

Now, he is known as the man whose philanthropy started the Secret Santa tradition. He even spent later years of his life “training” other Secret Santas to pick up his work making anonymous donations to the needy.

So this season, when you’re planning your next Secret Santa gift exchange, remember its inspirational origins. For an amazing Secret Santa gift exchange this year, here are some rules and tips you can follow to make the most of the holiday magic.

Using a Secret Santa Generator

Our top tip for organizing a Secret Santa gift exchange is to use an online Secret Santa generator, like Giftster. It makes it easy to keep track of participants and draw names while keeping everything completely anonymous.

Each participant can also build their wish list right in Giftster, keeping all of the Secret Santa details in one easy place. Here are some of the other benefits of using Giftster as your Secret Santa organizer:

• Invite participants to your group to share wish lists with each other
• Add a Secret Santa draw to your group
• Include any rules, including a budget
• Easily add gift ideas to your own wish list by manually inputting the details or by using Fetch to capture the item’s information from a website link
• Mark items on your group member’s lists as purchased without the list maker knowing who you are or what you’ve marked purchased
• See which items are still available on other’s lists, so your group can avoid duplicate gifts and returns
• Use any mobile device to access your list and preferences

Choosing participants for the Secret Santa gift exchange

You can host a Secret Santa gift exchange with almost anyone: friends, neighbors, children, relatives, or coworkers. In fact, you might have several different gift exchanges each year.

Decide who will be participating in the gift exchange

Has your family grown since last Christmas? Or are your in-laws going to be opting out of this year’s exchange? 

Make sure you have everyone who will be taking part in your exchange in your family’s Giftster group. Send them an invite to your group or ask them to do a member search to join your group. This is also a great time to email your group and ask them to start updating their wish lists and gift preferences.

Schedule when and where your exchange will take place

Let everyone know when the exchange will take place and where so they can start planning their shopping. Add the location to your Secret Santa draw rules (if you’re the group owner).

Set your Secret Santa budget

Choose a budget that is affordable for everyone so as many people can participate as possible. To really keep the cost down, consider a white elephant gift exchange where participants wrap up a funny or repurposed gift.

Or do a combination of both to mix it up for your group this year.

Set the tone for your gift exchange

Does your exchange have a theme? Is it meant to be sincere or a bit on the silly side, or a little of both? My family has, on occasion, assigned where all the gift exchange items should be purchased, like the grocery store or Walgreens or a craft shop. 

Also, it’s important to let people know what is and is not acceptable for the exchange. If you have family members with food allergies, maybe you choose not to gift food items in your exchange. Now’s the time to set the tone so everyone is on the same page.

Suggest ideas for items to list

We’ve all suffered from the “Hmmm…I don’t really know what I want for Christmas” response. Check out this extensive list of 100+ prompts to help build a wish list. Also, remind everyone about the budget that has been set for the exchange, and ask them to include gift ideas that fit the set amount.

State any gift-wrapping rules

Some people like to go all out on their wrapping, while others (…ahem…me…) prefer the quick and easy gift bag. Since there is an element of surprise with the exchange, decide if you’ll have any wrapping guidelines so you keep that little piece of mystery in place for as long as possible. 

Also, decide how the giftee’s name should be displayed on the package (I prefer gift labels) and if the “FROM:” part should list the gifter’s name or maybe “Your Secret Santa.” This would be a good time to say how you’ll reveal who each Secret Santa is.

Draw names for your Secret Santa

1. Simply go to your Groups page at giftster.com and select Secret Santa at the top of the screen to get started. 
2. Enter the draw rules and remind people to update their wish lists.
   
   Here’s a template that you can copy and paste into your draw rules and fill in with your own information. 
   
   When:
   Where:
   Budget:
   What’s Expected/Theme:
   Wrapping/Labeling Rules:

3. Choose the members of your group that will be participating. 
4. Select exclusions so that spouses and siblings don’t select each other or, if you’ve done a draw with Giftster in the past, select a past draw, and the exclusions will transfer over with the added bonus of no one choosing the same person they had last year. 
5. Press save and activate draw and you’re all finished! Everyone in your group will be notified that the draw has taken place by email. 
6. All you need to do is log in to Giftster and look for the little Santa hat in the Shop for the section next to the name of the person you drew. Even the coordinator will remain a complete surprise as well.

Time to shop! Check out your draw’s wish list and gift preferences and get shopping. Remember to be mindful of peoples’ preferences and allergies. If you’re shopping for a child, please keep in mind any parental preferences (i.e. no electronics, video games, etc.).

Send a reminder before your Secret Santa event

It never hurts to give people a little nudge to get their shopping done (I speak from experience; remember the giant stuffed walrus?).

It’s gift exchange time! Gather with your family or friends. Place the gifts under the tree. Enjoy each other’s company. Unwrap a little holiday cheer!

Don’t forget to update your Giftster wish list and gift preferences to help our your Secret Santa.

The Dos and Don’ts of a Secret Santa Gift Exchange

Here are a few guidelines to follow to make the event fun and satisfying for everyone…

Do get to know the person you are gifting

When it comes to gift-giving, it’s always best to choose something that the recipient will truly adore. To make this happen, take the time to understand their gift preferences and interests rather than leaving it to chance and potentially missing the mark. Learning more about someone may mean planning activities together, going out for dinner, or just sitting down and talking about stuff you guys love. Another great way to pick a thoughtful gift is to use an online wish list maker to take the guesswork out of the equation completely.

Don’t be cheap

Definitely, you need to stick to the budget and maximize your funds, but by all means, don’t be cheap. If you have committed to gifting someone, buy a new item. Although it is okay to repurpose unused gifts, giving out old items is generally considered a poor form of giving, even if it has barely been used. Secret Santa typically has a price cap of about $10 to $20 per gift, which is quite affordable. Plan your Christmas gift budget around that figure.

More importantly, stick to the gift budget. Don’t be the person who brings a $100 item to a $10 party. 

Do have participants open gifts simultaneously

Let participants open their presents simultaneously to eliminate the problem of people guessing their Secret Santas by process elimination. Once they open their gifts, let them individually write down their Secret Santa guesses on pieces of paper. Go around the room to check who was correct.  

Don’t show disappointment

Just because you fancy yourself as a really good giver doesn’t mean you share the same enthusiasm with everyone. Don’t act disappointed if you receive a gift you consider less appropriate. Doing so is a sure way of killing everyone’s Christmas spirit. No matter the gift you receive, thank the giver and let them know they made your day memorable.

Do offer a prize for guessing their Secret Santa

To make your Secret Santa Exchange rewarding enough, consider offering a prize to those who correctly guess their Secret Santa. Gifts such as Christmas cookies, cocktails, lottery tickets or even cash can incentivize participants who guess first. 

How to play Secret Santa online

You can also set up a Secret Santa game for friends and family spread across the country. Today’s technological advancement allows anyone from anywhere can join the Secret Santa Online event and celebrate their Christmas in style. 

Here are the rules to get your online gift exchange:

• Invite other players: Create an Online Secret Santa gift exchange and send email invitations to everyone within your circles who may want to join in.
• Create a wish list: Encourage participants to create a comprehensive wish list. You can leverage gifts and gifting inspiration from platforms such as Target, Etsy, and Amazon. Alternatively, send out a Secret Santa Questionnaire to find out what they love without accidentally blowing your cover.
• Exchange gifts: Wrap your gifts and mail them out. Alternatively, select items from their list and have the gifts shipped directly. Consider providing a postage stipend to each participant.
• Host an online party: All participants must wait to unwrap their packages on the appointed virtual exchange day. Set up live video meetings using Zoom or WebEx to host your online holiday party and play other virtual holiday games. Each participant should try to guess the identity of the gifter once they open the present.

Alternative gift exchanges for hobbies and special interest groups 

The following are a few alternatives to traditional gift-giving that suit the needs of special interest groups:

• Shared experiences: Contrary to the popular messaging around Christmas, gifts don’t necessarily have to be physical objects that you purchase. They can also be experiences. Instead of purchasing individual presents for your loved ones this year, consider investing that money in a group activity or adventure that you can all do together. These can range from going to local theme parks, sporting events, museums, a gym, or national parks. Buy a season pass for each member and present it as a Santa gift.
• Gift swap games: Coordinating a group gift swap gift such as White Elephant, Yankee Swap, or Dirty Santa can be a fun way of including everyone without spending lots of cash. Instead of buying a gift for each guest, ask every attendee to bring one wrapped gift to play.
• Custom coupon books: Custom coupon books are a creative way to appreciate a loved one. Spend time researching what the person you are creating the coupon for really needs. For example, if you are making a book for nursing parents, they would really appreciate a night out on the town without their little loved ones. Gifting a babysitting coupon is definitely a welcome gift. 

What is the difference between Secret Santa and White Elephant?

Secret Santa requires you to actually shop for the person whose name you picked. Because you already know who will receive your gift, you will shop for an item with them in mind. This personalizes the gift-giving experience.

With White Elephant, all participants bring in a gift which is then placed into a pool. Everyone takes a turn picking one at random. This means you won’t know beforehand who will leave with the gift you brought.  

There is no doubt we love Secret Santa gift exchanges. It provides an easy and fun way to ease the pressure off gift-giving during this festive time of year. Take advantage of Giftster’s wish list maker, gift guides, and Secret Santa generator to spread Christmas cheer throughout the seasons.

The post Secret Santa Gift Exchange Rules appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

End-of-season league team celebrations are a perfect way to wrap up the season. Players of all ages, from toddler and youth sports to adult leagues will enjoy one last time together as a team.

If you’re hosting one, here are 10 tips for an affordable team party that won’t break the bank.

1. Decorate strategically in team colors

A lot of decorations and Pinterest-inspired DIYs might look amazing, but they can really add up in terms of cost and time.

So here’s a great end-of-season team party tip: buy some streamers, balloons, and disposable table cloths in the team’s colors. These supplies are relatively inexpensive, easy to hang up, and disposable when you’re done.

Whether you’re celebrating little kids, big kids, or an adult league, these decorations will make a fun first impression and help to get guests in a celebratory mood.

2. Create a slideshow of the season’s best moments

Memories add a lot to a team party. Players of all ages, parents, and coaches enjoy looking at the season’s funny moments and highlights.

An easy way to collect these moments is with a slideshow or video. You can collect everyone’s favorite photos from the season and assemble them digitally at no cost.

During the end-of-season get-together, use a tablet or laptop at a central table to play the slideshow where everyone can see it.

3. Book a park or pavilion for an easy outside team party

Sports teams can be pretty large. This makes it hard to find a good place to celebrate together. You can offer up your home or yard, but this can be a big commitment.

Instead, take full advantage of the summer weather and book a park or pavilion where the whole team, parents, and coaches can gather. There’s a good chance you can find one for little to no cost.

If the party has to be inside, try a bowling alley or laser tag arena where everyone can pay their own way.

4. Organize a potluck and a variety of foods

When you’re the one hosting a team party, you’ll find that everyone else is generous and willing to help out, especially with food.

As host, you can provide the main food if you want, like burgers or hotdogs. But if you arrange for a potluck, there’s a good chance there will be plenty of food in a wide variety for even the pickiest of eaters.

You can also consider asking some families to bring paper products like plates, cups, napkins, and utensils.

5. Collect donations for a coach gift

The team’s coach puts a lot of time and energy into the season, and a thoughtful way to recognize this effort is with a combined gift. Include any assistant coaches, too.

A few weeks before the end of the season and team party, ask for players to donate money for a coach gift from the team.

Great gift ideas include a gift card for the coach’s favorite restaurant, a framed jersey or picture signed by each member of the team, or a gift basket. 

6. Sign team photos or jerseys

If the league arranged for professional photographs of the team and players, the end-of-season team party is a smart place to distribute them. Teammates can sign each other’s pictures, like a sort of yearbook, for sentiment, fun memories, and inside jokes.

Some players might even offer up the season’s jersey for signatures. 

Dedicate a table to this fun activity. Just provide a tablecloth, markers, and supervision if necessary.

7. Plan games and activities

If you’re hosting an end-of-season team party for a younger league, a park with a playground can provide endless entertainment. For older kids, use outdoor areas for water games like balloons or super soakers, go for a hike, or bring some frisbees.

The goal is just to keep everyone entertained and offer some fun ways for the team to bond one last time.

8. Arrange a gift exchange between the players

Teammates see each other frequently throughout the season and can become close friends. It’s natural for many of these players to want to get little gifts for each other as the season comes to an end.

For an inclusive and cost-saving way to allow for gift-giving, consider arranging an exchange at the team party, like a sports team Secret Santa.

Giftster is a fun wish list maker that can help you create a group, draw names for an online gift exchange, and organize gift ideas for others and yourself.

9. Enjoy a delicious themed cake or dessert

Cakes add a little something extra to the end of every team party. They tend to signal the end of the season and the celebration but in a delicious way.

If you don’t plan on collecting donations for a cake, this might be an expense you’ll take on. But the cake doesn’t have to be Instagram-worthy to be fun and themed. Most grocery chains can create a tasty sports cake with a fun message for the team.

10. Play one last competitive game

The end-of-season team party provides a great opportunity to play one last sports game. And you can really mix it up, with players against parents, or putting coaches on opposite teams. 

Everyone can relax and have fun, and make a few more fun memories to close out the season. As an added bonus, it will work off some of the food and treats.

Throwing an end-of-season league get-together doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate. With a little creativity and collaboration, teammates can celebrate and enjoy each other’s company one last time.

When everyone finally leaves the team party, they can say their last goodbyes and look forward to next summer.

The post 10 Tips for Hosting End-of-Season League Team Get-Togethers appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

For example, if you enjoy trying different types of wine you could set up a quarterly wine exchange. Each member of your group would buy a bottle of wine for the person they drew.

Or maybe your circle of friends loves to garden and you hold a seed exchange every spring with new flowers or vegetables to try growing.

Holding a themed gift exchange can be a fun excuse to get together or a reason to create a circle of friends in the first place.

There’s no easier way to build friendships than around common interests and hobbies.

Themed Gift Exchange Ideas

Here’s a list of different themes that could work great for an exchange:

• Craft and Art Supplies (swap patterns, favorite tools, paper, paint, etc.)
• Books
• Fan club memorabilia (TV Shows, movies, games, etc.)
• Pet treats and accessories
• Chocolate, desserts, and sweet treats
• Wine, beer, and spirits
• Homemade items (produce, flowers, seeds, preserves)
• Self-care items (bath salts, massage/spa experiences,
• Makeup and nail polish
• Kids toys (great for swaps too)
• Clothing and fashion accessories

Experience Exchange

For the more adventurous, holding an experience exchange between friends or family can also be really fun.

How does it work?

1. Each person in the group draws a name (try Giftster to draw names online with Secret Santa).
2. Every person must give their pick a gift certificate to try an experience. Or the experiences could be free. You decide on the rules for each exchange.
3. To set some boundaries (optional), every participant could make a Giftster bucket list of all of the different experiences they want to try.
4. After the exchange is complete the group could hold a get-together to share stories about their experiences. You could even choose to do the experience together with the person you pick in the group for another unique twist.

Types of Experiences

• Outdoor Activities: Paddleboarding, skiing, snowshoeing, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, etc.
• Classes: Cooking, crafting, photography, writing, baking, etc.
• Sports Events
• Travel
• Food & Drink: Visit a new restaurant, winery, or brewery to try something new

How To Draw Names

Giftster (free) is a fun service to use to create wishlists and draw names automatically. Once you’ve created a group with 3+ people you can add a Secret Santa draw. Giftster will automatically draw names and each member of your group is alerted to who their pick is. Traditionally, this fun feature is used for holiday gift exchanges and games such as a White Elephant.

Themed gift exchanges are a fun way to connect with friends and try things you may not have otherwise. Like a book club or sports group, regular exchanges are great excuses to get together and build more memories with loved ones.

Try Giftster today for your next themed gift exchange.

The post Themed Gift Exchanges for Hobbyists and Friends appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

Here are 7 ways you can use Giftster to make your life easier this holiday season:

Update your wish lists

• Give your family gift ideas for you by updating your wish list see how
• Archive items you received using the “I got this” button found on any item see how
• Delete items you no longer need see how: Giftster app
• Review items you’ve suggested and remove or add new ideas see how

Archive items you’ve already received using the i got this button.

Pay it forward

It’s been a difficult year for many. If you have been fortunate throughout 2020, consider helping out your community or loved ones a little more this holiday season.

How? Do you have a favorite non-profit, restaurant, or event venue you’d like to support? Add it to your wish list and ask your family to do the same.

A little support can go a long way. 

Freshen up your gift preference profile

Move this year? Change clothing sizes? Update your interests, measurements, and mailing address using your gift preference profile located under the My Lists section. This is another way to ensure your family feels confident in the gifts they are choosing for you. See how

Remind family to update their lists

Send out some nudges to remind your family to update their list. Look for the lightning bolt at the bottom to send an anonymous reminder.

Invite new friends or family members to your existing group

Meet some new friends you haven’t yet invited to your group? Has there been a new addition to your family in 2020? Invite them to join in on the fun!

Add a child account and manage a list for someone else

Has there been a new addition to your family this year? Child accounts work great for kids, pets, and even parents. You might also have a family member who has no interest in making an online wish list or who doesn’t have the ability to make a wish list for themselves.

Check out the below video to see how to create a child account.

Start a new group

Now is the perfect time to start a new group so your members have enough time to create their lists and do their shopping.

See how to start a group

Start a Secret Santa gift exchange draw

If you haven’t already, take a minute and end last year’s Secret Santa draw (if you had one) so it can be ready for this year. It will be one less thing to have to do late. Go to My Groups, select the group the draw is in, click Secret Santa and then End Draw when you reach the draw page. Don’t worry – Giftster will remember who received whom last year and you can have our Secret Santa remember that when assigning this year’s draw.

Note: You first need a group to start a Secret Santa draw and at least 3 people in your group. 

Log on to your Giftster account today and get started making your 2020 holidays a bit brighter this year.

Happy gifting!

The post 7 Ways To Prepare For a Successful 2020 Holiday Season appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

Over the past few years, one interview has eluded me: a chat with Santa Claus about wish lists and Giftster. So you could imagine my surprise and excitement when I received a call from Stephanie, the wonderful Executive Assistant Elf to the big guy himself, saying that he had a cancelation in his schedule and had time to chat with me. I quickly rearranged everything I had for the day, gathered all the questions for the interview, and made a cup of cocoa to sip during our video chat (because it was short notice, I couldn’t work out a flight to the North Pole for an in person interview).

Good afternoon, Santa! May I call you Santa or do you prefer Mr. Claus?

Ho ho! Santa is just fine. Mr. Claus is my dad.

I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me today. I’m sure things are getting busy in the North Pole.

Oh my yes. Things really start moving right around the time children go back to school. All of our department leads have worked for months creating their reports on what is new since last year, what classic toys are still a big draw (Lincoln Logs, Legos, and Play-Doh never seem to go out of style) and where we need extra hands on deck (it’s usually with our electronics department). I could never do what I do on Christmas Eve without the support of everyone at the North Pole. Everyone has a job and works tirelessly to make each Christmas delivery the best ever.

It’s been our position for years that children should share their wish lists with you directly, but their full wish list should be shared with their family on Giftster. Do you agree with this?

Ho ho ho yes! I have a system that has worked very well for some time now, and I find it’s best to hear directly from the children. They can visit with me if they would like or send a letter to the North Pole. This also helps me compile my naughty and nice lists (my nice list is always far longer than my naughty list).

But parents can help me with the children’s Giftster lists. If they know their child has a wish they’ve shared with me and they’ve also put it on their Giftster wish list, do me a favor and mark it reserved so grandparents and aunts and uncles don’t bring them the same gift. My elves work night and day getting everything just right and I don’t want them to have to return duplicate gifts from others.

So you don’t use Giftster for bringing children gifts, but do you use Giftster for your personal gift giving?

I certainly do! Mrs. Claus is very particular about her cookie cutters and Giftster has helped me give her some that she doesn’t already have. I have to be very sneaky around the workshop when I ask the elves to make her gifts. Last year, I gave her a special wooden rolling pin carved with Christmas trees and snowflakes that our chief woodworker, Devon, made. Mrs. Claus was very pleased and has already begun her baking for the holidays. The rolling pin has been her go-to tool.

Oh! Mrs. Claus also loves to read about history and traditions from all around the world. Sometimes, I’ll reserve books on her Giftster list and pick them up while I travel so I’m ahead of the game for her birthday.

What are some of the things you list on your own wish list?

One of my favorite gifts to receive are socks! I go through quite a few over the course of the year because of my heavy boots, and Mrs. Claus always makes such lovely knit socks. One year, she made me a few sets with rainbow stripes! I just love colorful socks. I also love crossword puzzles, word searches, and Sudoku, and I often find new puzzle books in my stocking.

Speaking of stocking stuffers, how do you decide what to slip into Mrs. Claus’ stocking?

I love looking over her gift preferences on Giftster so I have an idea of what little items to surprise her with. Usually, I include different candies. Mrs. Claus enjoys a good peppermint and our elves who focus on food gifts work to make little tins of peppermint candies for her. I can never remember if she also likes butterscotch or licorice candies, so I make sure to check her preferences.

We have a feature on Giftster called Secret Santa. Does anyone at the North Pole use Secret Santa for gift exchanges?

Ho ho ho! Yes! Ho Ho HO! It brings us lots of laughs! I joke around that it’s a “secret me” exchange. Ho! Ho! HO! We include all the elves throughout the North Pole who are in the workshops, the stables with the reindeer, all the office staff, and of course the reindeer (although they need a little help with the wrapping). Some of the best gift givers are Donner, our operations elf, Stephen, Esme over in textiles…come to think of it, Giftster is such a great help that there isn’t a bad gift giver in the group! Well, except maybe me. Everyone is always so happy that I have their Giftster wish list to guide me to the best gift ideas for our gift exchange presents. I never knew how much I relied on the elves and Mrs. Claus until I had to work on a gift to give all on my own. The year before we started using Giftster, I had given Cupid peanut butter oatmeal snacks and I had completely forgotten about her nut allergy. Oh – and then there was the year that I gave Oscar in tools a sweater that was three sizes too big. Giftster has definitely helped me give better gifts.

Do you prefer to use Giftster on your mobile device or through your computer?

I’m not the most savvy smartphone user, so I like to update my wish list through my computer. But Andrew, my lead navigator, along with Rudolph are aces with their devices. They help me update my list when we’re out and even take pictures of items to add to my list. And sometimes we find ideas to suggest on Mrs. Claus’ list, too.

One last question while I have you: what kind of
milk and cookies do you prefer when you visit houses on Christmas Eve?

Oh I get this question all the time, ho ho ho! I love to snack on whatever cookies and milk are enjoyed in the home I’m visiting. There’s so much variety! Each home is always a little different than the next and it’s like I’m getting millions of little presents all night long.

Thank you so much for your time, Santa! I hope you have a giftsterific holiday!

Ho ho ho! Why, thank you, Aimée. Keep up the good work. I’ll see you on my nice list.

*************************

Santa and his team diligently work to get gifts right every time, and, at Giftster, we work to help you do the same. Create your free Giftster account today.

The post EXCLUSIVE: Santa Claus Talks Giftster appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.

Can you
believe that the holiday gift giving season is just a few months away? Now is a
great time to check in with your group so everything is ready in time for you
to hit the stores.

1 – Make sure all group members are included.

Have there been any new additions to your family? Or members you’re no longer exchanging gifts with? Make sure that all the members of your family are in your group. If they aren’t, send them an invitation. If you’ve invited them in the past and they haven’t accepted your invitation, then send them a reminder (go to My Groups, select the group you’ve created, and click the envelope next to the person’s name to send the invitation again).

2 – Add additional groups.

Do you have
a new group of family members or friends that you’ll be exchanging gifts with?
Set up the group now and send out invitations so everyone can begin to make
their wish lists.

3 – End last year’s Secret Santa draw.

If you haven’t already, take a minute and end last year’s Secret Santa draw so it can be ready for this year. It will be one less thing to have to do late. Go to My Groups, select the group the draw is in, click Secret Santa and then End Draw when you reach the draw page. Don’t worry – Giftster will remember who received whom last year and you can have our Secret Santa remember that when assigning this year’s draw.

Groups on Giftster are what make wish list sharing easy. Log on to your Giftster account today and give your group a quick check up.

The post Group Check! Get your group ready for this year’s gift giving appeared first on Giftster and was written by Giftster.