https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 08:51:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-exchange-alternatives#post-2356009 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 17:26:45 +0000 pwnstar 2356009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I was going to suggest something similar. Like a Flat Stanley round robin . . . Flat Stanley spends some time with each family, take a few fun pictures around town/during activities with FS, and then pass him along to the next family. At the end of the year, the journal can be combined and everyone gets a copy. Although it would require someone to take on the responsibility of compiling everything and distributing the copies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-exchange-alternatives#post-2355948 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 16:29:47 +0000 Chillybear 2355948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>this may or maynot work for you but we do a pollyanna and pick the recipient on thanksgiving limit was $50 and a few years ago everyone was just putting GCs. So we tried 2 different things 1. making a rule no gift cards, 2. we tried the pollyanna where you steal everyone had to bring $50 GC but you picked the store... I think its really hard to do those kind of exchanges when you dont see the people in person., though </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-exchange-alternatives#post-2355923 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 16:10:26 +0000 shellio 2355923@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the great ideas! This may have created more work for me... now the wheels are turning in my head with all these exchanges I want to create :) </p> <p>@Truth Bombs: @Meowkers: Yes! Thanks so much. I have just floated the ornament idea for 2 of our 3 exchanges. Probably will just skip the third. </p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: I like this idea! May try to start doing something like this with my kids... need to give it some thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-exchange-alternatives#post-2355895 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 16:00:00 +0000 Meowkers 2355895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: I was also going to suggest an ornament exchange. Great idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-exchange-alternatives#post-2355825 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 15:11:38 +0000 bunnylove08 2355825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>dinner exchange? Get gift cards to favorite restaurants? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-exchange-alternatives#post-2355821 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 15:07:44 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2355821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about find a favorite picture and journal a memory for one another? Create a growing scrap book every year? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-exchange-alternatives#post-2355820 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 15:07:30 +0000 Mamaof2 2355820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Donation in their name to a local charity?</p> <p>Cookie exchange? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-exchange-alternatives#post-2355819 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 15:06:38 +0000 Truth Bombs 2355819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe just an ornament exchange? Cheaper and more narrow in scope of what you have to get/come up with. But still forces you to really get something you think that particular person would like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gift-exchange-alternatives#post-2355813 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 15:03:09 +0000 shellio 2355813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I have been participating in Christmas gift exchanges with our families for the past few years. I feel its a big improvement from having to shop for (and receive from) everyone but honestly it still feels like a chore rather than a fun thing to do. Plus we have SO MUCH STUFF and coming up with wish lists for ourselves is really tough. We have already opted out of all the exchanges but have hurt some feelings in the process - one person mentioned that she feels like it keeps us all in each other's thoughts even if we can't all be together. (To me it is just the opposite - when we can't get together it feels even more impersonal to select a couple of items off someone's list and just order it online with a couple of clicks.) </p> <p>I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for an alternative. This is all with older relatives who will still buy stuff for the kids so they are not involved. As I mentioned, we can't all get together because people are spread out, so an activity together in lieu of gifts doesn't really work. I did think about exchanging some type of consumable (food or drink) like a wine exchange or something but some folks are not big drinkers and that seems like more trouble than its worth. Please help!! </p>