Holiday gift exchanges at work or in groups (family events excluded)
 

How do you feel about them?

I only exchange with my sew group and it's not expected or mandatory. I like to find gifts that are suited for each member of the group. It's the only time I shop for other then family and I like it. When I worked gift exchanges were not done. Some did individual gifts to each other at random times though. My favorite generic gift to give is a basil plant in a pretty pot. I can buy the fresh full basil plants at the grocery store for about $5. Some get one plant is small pot some get four or five plants in a big pot.

I'm all for exchanging something handmade, since I love to make things for people as well as receive handmade items, but my friends don't sew, so that's a bummer. At work we have an exchange, but that one I really don't like because the gifts are so generic & they always play that Chinese game where, if you like a gift someone has already opened, you can swap yours for hers. I always end up with crap (or the one gag gift in the lot), but I would never swap it for someone else's gift on principle alone; if I don't believe in it, I will not do it. Someone always ends up in tears, & yet they still play that "game." Go figure.

I do enjoy the gift exchange in our little quilting group. the gifts are usually quite modest - usually reflect the personality of the givers - and are thoughtful!

For the past three years I have been giving those crocheted scrubbies that I buy from a lady in our park while in Florida. They seem to be well-received.

Some of the things that have been given-received - fat quarters, 6-inch ruler, 3 foot tape measure, pottery items, Avon bath stuff, hand-made ornaments, note pads, books, ring pincushion made from a bottle cap, mug rugs - - -

We are a creative group :D

I don't care for them in general. I have enough stuff, and so do my friends. I'd rather just have a nice meal together and enjoy one another's company. The get-a-gift-and-exchange-it thing just seems mean-spirited to me. I know some people have fun doing it, but others walk away with hurt feelings.

I don't like them -- I would rather spend the money and take the time to do for my family. I really don't like to bring home something I really don't want and don't need -- a Christmas card with a heartfelt message from a co-worker would mean more. I always disliked putting into a pool to buy for my boss -- they always used company money to buy for their employees.

my thoughts exactly!!

Ditto !! And I totally don't get that taking gifts away from other people - how is that fun?

I enjoy the holidays so much more since we quit the gift giving years ago. dH and I exchange gifts. That is it. The niece and nephew are grown. The adults can buy whatever they desire. Being together is more meaningful. I wish that my long gone aunts, uncles and parents were here. Life goes on. We just have the memories now.

Sandy

I too agree with giving to a charity. In this PC correct world you just can't win. Why not get together and do some good.

hate them.

I do not care for them. I would rather have a pot luck lunch, chit-chat with others and see everyone bring a gift to put under the Angel tree for a needy child.

There are some working poor that could probably use some help. I would definktrly want what people to bring to be optional. For some, a box of crayons is a sacrifice.

I have a small, very close group of friends that I exchange with. We are all extremely close, and the gifts are always well accepted, heartfelt and wonderful to get, and give. That being said, we also each have specific charities/causes that we support, so throughout the year we support each other by donating, or participating in those events. When I worked, however, that was a different story!!

When I worked at ISUE we used to have gift exchange. One year I drew the boss's name. I gave him a package all wrapped up in brown paper and I wrote on the tag "here are a few of your favorite things". I don't remember what I gave him but they were a few of his favorite things.

I love the idea of putting a gift under the tree for a needy child. Where I worked we had a big Christmas party for the managers. We paid for our own food. Then we paid $20-$40 for a gift for the V.P. In addition the supervisors had to pay for a gift for their director, and everyone had to buy a gift $30-$40 for the Dirty Santa. I am sure this was a stretch for people who had several children or big families.

I hate them. seems I put thought into it and usually get NOTHING back or crap. like $5 worth of 5 yr old lottery tickets. I'd rather pass them up than do them.

I once worked in a jewelry store where after working 12 hr days for the store from the day after thanksgiving till Christmas eve,(yes till 9 pm on Christmas eve) was asked to give in $45 for the owner for a gift. This was in 1986.

Wow Lynnie, that is awful. If you were putting in those hrs, it was obviously for the money. And what would $45 in 1986 equal in 2015??? Considering inflation it would equal $96.66. Too much, in my opinion!!

I totally agree.

When I worked in the office I enjoyed baking quick breads for my coworkers. I could afford to give them to everyone (although some got a few!!). I once went to a women's church swap and some understood and some didn't. So there were really nice things and then gag gifts. It was funny to me as I watched them all say how much they "loved" everything!!
I enjoy putting time in to finding that little thing for those who I gift. For the most part - it is things to share with each other!

Two years ago the quilt shop where I work held a staff Christmas party. We all agreed we needed nothing so one year before, during and after the party we knitted and crocheted scarves to donate to homeless. The next year we each purchased a toy that we had as a child or that represented us. We stealthy put them on a table and attached a number to the gift. We all had to guess who purchased which gifts to see how well we knew each other. Turn out that after working together for 3-7 years, we don't really know each other outside of work very well. Lots of laughs during the party, after which we wrapped and donated them to a group collecting toys for children who may otherwise may not receive any. There are ways to enjoy each others company and share the bounty we each have.

Yeah, when I made $150 a week and supported 2 kids on that, one of the women who was working more for fun than because she needed to (Her DH has very good paying job), started collecting $ for a gift for this person and a gift for that person, and just kept asking kind of endlessly. I finally said, "No. I can't afford it. I have to get my kids some gifts, too." (My kids actually got 2nd hand toys for Christmas that year.)

She was upset that I said no. Then she complained to others. They told her that I was right. That ended the requests.

I love them and have a lot of fun, there is a secret santa swap on this board that i sign up for every year. My ddil has a large family and for the holidays they do a white elephant, no one gets hurt feelings, then all the women do gifts for each other, nothing to expensive. Sometimes I make things for them and they seem to like them.

Hi, I have a long time friend who has a well paying job, we have an aged pension. She would buy gifts for us until I said enough was enough. Now I make some small thing for her (she does not knit or sew) and she gives a plant or a home baked cake to us. We both appreciate the time and thought without the expense.

I managed a delightful staff and we had great fun with them. Then in came a rotten apple. She was so disruptive and we knew she wouldn't cooperate and have fun (and no one wanted to get her name), that we changed it to bringing canned goods for those in need. It worked great. I can't remember if she participated, but we really didn't keep track. Our goal was to share the holiday with the community.

I hate them. I don't like the pressure of finding something for each person. Most of my friends have every quilting item that they need. I don't mind the dirty Santa's where you don't know who is going to receive it.

Hate just random grab bags.......like the kind where you write your name and what you want on a piece of paper, then these are tossed and all involved pull one... One year I listed a glass measuring cup...really needed it that year...and now 10 yrs later, each time I use that anchor glass 2cup measuring cup, I think of that person and smile......I think that is the only year I really enjoyed a "group gift thing".....

Hate them.