Move Over, White Elephant:

8 Creative Gift Exchange Ideas

This holiday season, surprise your friends and family with a fresh spin on the classic gift exchange. After all, giving gifts are a huge part of the holiday fun. Plus, it’s even easier to buy gifts when you’re doing an exchange. Check out these eight unique gift exchange ideas from us at Pottery Barn to invigorate your holiday giving.

Skip the White, Go Green

This eco-friendly gift exchange requires everyone participating to repurpose items that they would otherwise get rid of. Or, they can choose gifts that enhance energy efficiency or help the recipient live a greener life in some way. Examples might include LED light bulbs, decor made from reclaimed wood or organic pillowcases. You can also change the theme as you see fit. One year you could pick all local gifts, and the next year you could choose gifts from another country. Other theme ideas include tabletop items, art or organization items to help everyone get prepared for the year ahead.

Draw Names

Take the competitive edge off your gift exchange games for large groups or small gatherings. Have everyone who wants to participate put their name in a basket. Everyone then takes a turn drawing the name of the person he or she will buy for, and you all establish the dollar limit that you’re comfortable with. Not only does this give everyone the freedom of only having to buy one gift, but it also lets everyone get something a little nicer for their recipient.

Secret Santa

Like drawing names, Secret Santa offers a fun twist. After drawing names, participants all keep their recipient a secret. They can leave clues for that person in the days leading up to the exchange. During the exchange, have everyone place their gifts on a table. While you’re opening gifts, each recipient should try to guess who gifted them their present.

Start a Gift Box

This is a great alternative to traditional gift exchange games for families and friends who aren’t able to get together for the holidays. Grab a box and fill it with locally made goods, handmade crafts, candles or other small gifts. Include one for each person on the gift box list along with a handwritten note to go with each gift. Mail it to the first friend or family member, who will take out a gift and add additional gifts. That person then mails it to the next person on the list. The box continues making the rounds until everyone has their gifts and you get yours in return.

Get Musical

Whether you’re planning gift exchange games for families, friends or coworkers, this take on musical chairs works for kids and adults alike. Have each person who wants to participate bring a wrapped gift. Then, when the time to play the game comes, arrange your chairs in a circle or semi-circle. Put on your favorite holiday song and have everyone pass their gifts clockwise until the music stops. When it stops, whatever gift everyone has in their hands is the gift they open.

Roll the Dice

Like these other creative exchanges, everyone who wants to participate should bring a wrapped gift with them. Gather everyone around the table or in a circle and give one person the dice. Each player has to roll the dice and follow the corresponding instructions that go with the number that they roll. For example, if they roll a 4, everyone playing should pass the gift to the left. Or if they roll a 10, they pass their gifts to the person across from them. Go around and let everyone roll once or twice. Then, they can unwrap and keep the gift they end up with.

Give It Away

Skip the gift exchange altogether in favor of everyone donating or giving gifts to a charitable cause. Everyone could take the money they would have spent and send it to the charity of their choosing. Or, every year, a different person could choose the charity that everyone gives to or pledge to adopt a family and make a child’s holiday special.