If our guild is doing an exchange (some years we do; some years we don't), we usually use a "Wright Family" story. Everyone stands in a circle with a gift, and the speaker starts reading the story. When the word "right" or "left" is read in any form, everyone passes the gift in that direction. At the end of the story, each person keeps the gift they are holding. There are usually mess ups during the reading where someone has two or more gifts, and those have to be straightened out. It sounds simple, but it is amazing how many grown women mess up. Just google "Wright Family".

It would be difficult to find a quilting item that no one had already for $5. What were some of the gifts?

I made a mug rug and I got a magnet for picking up pins. Last year I gave a needle threader that was less than $5 with a Joanne's coupon and I got a pretty little needle case.

Our guild had our Christmas party last week. We played Dirty Santa. It took about 45 minutes and we had a blast. We only had 22 members present. We really shortened our business meeting to give us plenty of time to party. Our gifts are supposed to be quilt/sewing related with a value around $15. They can be purchased or made.

As each participant arrives, she places her gift in the collecting area and receives a numbered ticket. A matching numbered ticket goes into a box, bag, or basket.
1. (easiest) When it is time for the exchange, you draw the tickets one or two at a time and those numbers choose from the display. Or, pick up a gift, draw a ticket, and that is what she gets (fastest).
2. (wildest) When each ticket is drawn, person may choose either from the table or "steal" from someone earlier. That person then may take a new gift or "steal". Limit the number of times an item may change hands to two or three.
3. (more work, but makes distribution go faster) Place numbers on all gifts before exchange. No drawing needed, just have small groups of participants come up at a time to find their numbers.

We do a "home made" gift exchange. Participants (in October) put a favorite piece of fabric in a brown paper bag that has a number on it. The facilitator, has a list of all of the people who are participating and gives out the bags. (You cannot get your own.) The recipient has to make something using the bagged fabric, but it can be added to, used on the back, etc. Folks have made mug rugs, small wall hangings, ornaments, etc. Finished gifts are then given back to the original participant, at the December meeting. Clear as mud? Maybe I can explain better.

Mary puts fabric in Bag #1
Jane puts fabric in Bag #2
....and so on....

Mary gets Bag #2 and has to make a gift for Jane (using the piece of fabric in the bag)
Jane gets Bag #1 and has to make a gift for Mary (using the piece of fabric in the bag)
....and so on....

Hope this clears things up.

the way our guild does it its open to whoever wants to you bring a gift in no more than 10.00 put on table then during break you go get a gift off table but not one you brought. its fun.