Gathering with friends, family, or colleagues this holiday season? A holiday gift exchange always adds a lively touch to the mix, and certainly serves as a festive icebreaker. Today we are breaking down the different types of gift exchanges and giving you gift ideas for all of them – for both adults and children!
First, let’s clear up some confusion around gift exchanges. We have readers all over the country and what we’ve realized is that what you call a Christmas gift swap party depends on where you live!
A Secret Santa is pretty self-explanatory. Draw names from a hat or use a website and purchase a gift for the person whose name you draw.
A Yankee Swap — which many also call a White Elephant party — is when everyone brings a gift to party in a certain price range. Guests draw a number and that determines the order in which people open their gifts. Guests can choose to steal a gift from someone that opened a gift before them (and that person would pick a new gift). The host usually sets a limit for how many times someone can steal a gift (otherwise the party would go on forever!).
Sometimes a White Elephant party can mean just a normal gift exchange party while other times the gift should be funny or something no one wants. Some people slso call this a Dirty Santa party. If unsure, clarify with the host!
And on top of that, many of these gift exchanges often have themes. We’ve listed some below along with some fabulous gift ideas!
Couples & Families Gift Exchange
Our favorite gifts for newlyweds, parents, children, and friends. Our Gift Guide for Couples and Families has even more great gift ideas.
Favorite Things Gift Exchange
Only the best for your BFFs! Be sure to check out Lee’s Favorite Things for inspiration as well. Need an under $30 idea? Click here.
Office Gift Exchange
Great gifts for colleagues — both men and women! Check out our Under $30 Gift Guide and Stocking Stuffer Guide for lots of ideas for office exchanges, small gifts for office besties, and so much more.
Under $10 Gift Exchange
Class Gift Exchange
These gifts don’t have to cost much, but we can guarantee the ones below will delight any child! Our post on Classic Christmas Children’s Books is another great resource! So is our Stocking Stuffers for Children Guide.
Teen Girl Gift Exchange
More cute gift ideas in our Teen Girl Stocking Stuffer Guide.
Ornament Gift Exchange
Always so much fun! These ornaments would make for a great gift idea for any of the gift exchanges listed here!
Funny Gift Exchange Ideas
If you’re hosting a gift exchange with close friends, why not add a little humor into the mix?! These ideas are so fun for White Elephant exchanges, too!
We have 26 categories in our Holiday Gift Guide – browse for more great gift ideas!
Shop The Post
Hi Lee—
Love you most recent post…but your plaid button down jacket/sweater caught my eye! Care to share if it is a recent purchase and if so, from where? Happy Holidays!
Thank you! It is from Zara a few years ago!