Christmas Gift Exchange

[Queen of the Beach]

Well it's that time of year when the Christmas decorations go up at the retailers and shopping malls, Carols are playing, and people are bustling about looking for gifts. So is everyone or anyone part of any Christmas gift exchanges at work? With Family or with friends? What is a good generic gift to get from your secret santa? And what was the worst gift you've ever received from your secret santa? You can fess up...even if you've never ever gotten what you really wanted...the Real Santa won't be reading this.

[Ems]

Got this site from a friend since we might be doing a gift exchange. Concept is pretty cool, but when I went to make my wish list, I can only really tell people about my music and literary interests. Other than that, your wish list would have to be very specific. Luckily I already spent time on my top 10 songs from Mule56's thread :)

Kudos to whoever thought of it.

http://www.thesecretsanta.com/ (http://www.thesecretsanta.com/)

[Mok]

Got this site from a friend since we might be doing a gift exchange. Concept is pretty cool, but when I went to make my wish list, I can only really tell people about my music and literary interests. Other than that, your wish list would have to be very specific. Luckily I already spent time on my top 10 songs from Mule56's thread :)

Kudos to whoever thought of it.

http://www.thesecretsanta.com/ (http://www.thesecretsanta.com/)
actually you can enter more than just music and literary interests...they have other categories such as: movies, software, general, toys for grown up....

it is true that they only allow you to enter music and literary requests when you are in the process of registering though.

[Melissa]

I think the best present for secret santa exchanges will depend on who you're buying the gift for. Personalized gifts are always a great idea. I personally like making gifts myself, but if I don't know the individual that well, I will probably inquire from elsewhere (asking others what they 'would' like to receive).

Fortunately, I have never received a secret santa gift that I absolutely hated. My church however, had a christmas gift draw, and there, I got the cheeziest christmas gifts...
- an umbrella with very 'lo toe' design... very china style
- plastic music box with all smileys on it :eek:

I find it a lot more pleasurable to do christmas shopping for other people. It makes me really happy to get a gift to show my appreciation for the friendship or relationship with that person. I think christmas is a time of giving, and time to spend with friends and family. Thinking of which... christmas is my FAVORITE season hehe :)

[Queen of the Beach]

I think the best present for secret santa exchanges will depend on who you're buying the gift for. Personalized gifts are always a great idea. I personally like making gifts myself, but if I don't know the individual that well, I will probably inquire from elsewhere (asking others what they 'would' like to receive).

Fortunately, I have never received a secret santa gift that I absolutely hated. My church however, had a christmas gift draw, and there, I got the cheeziest christmas gifts...
- an umbrella with very 'lo toe' design... very china style
- plastic music box with all smileys on it :eek:

I find it a lot more pleasurable to do christmas shopping for other people. It makes me really happy to get a gift to show my appreciation for the friendship or relationship with that person. I think christmas is a time of giving, and time to spend with friends and family. Thinking of which... christmas is my FAVORITE season hehe :)
Wow Melissa. I think that you are so nice to say that you didnt' hate those gifts. They are definitely cheesy. I have a Kris Kringle at work every year. So far I have received picture frames, bottles of wine and a jewelry box. Pretty nice generic gifts for under $25!

[Queen of the Beach]

Got this site from a friend since we might be doing a gift exchange. Concept is pretty cool, but when I went to make my wish list, I can only really tell people about my music and literary interests. Other than that, your wish list would have to be very specific. Luckily I already spent time on my top 10 songs from Mule56's thread :)

Kudos to whoever thought of it.

http://www.thesecretsanta.com/ (http://www.thesecretsanta.com/)
Thanks Ems. That is a nice website to simplify things. There is another website that is similar. http://www.elfster.com/ (http://www.elfster.com/) but it is for those that live in the US.

For the clueless shoppers out there, here are some helpful links:
http://www.sephora.com/browse/section.jhtml?categoryId=C9959 (http://www.sephora.com/browse/section.jhtml?categoryId=C9959)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/103-9519058-8816655?type=wishlist (http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/103-9519058-8816655?type=wishlist)

http://shopping.sympatico.msn.ca/softcontent/softcontent.aspx?scmId=217 (http://shopping.sympatico.msn.ca/softcontent/softcontent.aspx?scmId=217)