christmas exchange gift essay

December 16, 2023

Why Do We Give Gifts? An Anthropologist Explains This Ancient Human Behavior

Gifts play an important role in human relationships and are about more than consumerism

By Chip Colwell & The Conversation US

Liliya Krueger/Getty Images

The following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation , an online publication covering the latest research.

Have you planned out your holiday gift giving yet? If you’re anything like me, you might be waiting until the last minute. But whether every single present is already wrapped and ready, or you’ll hit the shops on Christmas Eve, giving gifts is a curious but central part of being human.

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While researching my new book, “ So Much Stuff ,” on how humanity has come to depend on tools and technology over the last 3 million years, I became fascinated by the purpose of giving things away. Why would people simply hand over something precious or valuable when they could use it themselves?

To me as an anthropologist , this is an especially powerful question because giving gifts likely has  ancient roots . And gifts can be found in  every known culture  around the world.

So, what explains the power of the present?

Undoubtedly, gifts serve lots of purposes. Some psychologists  have observed  a “warm glow” – an intrinsic delight – that’s associated with giving presents. Theologians have noted how gifting is a way to express moral values, such as love, kindness and gratitude, in  Catholicism ,  Buddhism  and  Islam . And philosophers ranging from  Seneca  to  Friedrich Nietzsche  regarded gifting as the best demonstration of selflessness. It’s little wonder that gifts are a central part of Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and other winter holidays – and that some people may  even be tempted to regard   Black Friday , the opening of the year-end shopping season, as a holiday in itself.

But of all the explanations for why people give gifts, the one I find most convincing was offered in 1925 by a French anthropologist named  Marcel Mauss .

Giving, receiving, reciprocating

Like many anthropologists, Mauss was puzzled by societies in which gifts were extravagantly given away.

For example, along the northwest coast of Canada and the United States, Indigenous peoples conduct potlatch ceremonies. In these dayslong feasts, hosts give away immense amounts of property. Consider a  famous potlatch in 1921 , held by a clan leader of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation in Canada who gave community members 400 sacks of flour, heaps of blankets, sewing machines, furniture, canoes, gas-powered boats and even pool tables.

In a now-famous essay titled “ The Gift ,” originally published almost a century ago, Mauss sees potlaches as an extreme form of gifting. Yet, he suggests this behavior is totally recognizable in most every human society: We give things away even when keeping them for ourselves would seem to make much more economic and evolutionary sense.

Mauss observed that gifts create three separate but inextricably related actions. Gifts are given, received and reciprocated.

The first act of giving establishes the virtues of the gift giver. They express their generosity, kindness and honor.

The act of receiving the gift, in turn, shows a person’s willingness to be honored. This is a way for the receiver to show their own generosity, that they are willing to accept what was offered to them.

The third component of gift giving is reciprocity, returning in kind what was first given. Essentially, the person who received the gift is now expected – implicitly or explicitly – to give a gift back to the original giver.

But then, of course, once the first person gets something back, they must return yet another gift to the person who received the original gift. In this way, gifting becomes an endless loop of giving and receiving, giving and receiving.

This last step – reciprocity – is what makes gifts unique. Unlike buying something at a store, in which the exchange ends when money is traded for goods, giving gifts builds and sustains relationships. This relationship between the gift giver and receiver is bound up with morality. Gifting is an expression of fairness because each present is generally of equal or greater value than what was last given. And gifting is an expression of respect because it shows a willingness to honor the other person.

In these ways, gifting tethers people together. It keeps people connected in an infinite cycle of mutual obligations.

Giving better gifts

Are modern-day consumers unknowingly embodying Mauss’ theory a little too well? After all, many people today suffer not from the lack of gifts, but from an overabundance.

Gallup reports that the average American holiday shopper estimates  they’ll spend US$975 on presents in 2023 , the highest amount since this survey began in 1999.

And many gifts are simply thrown out. In the 2019 holiday season, it was estimated that more than  $15 billion of gifts  purchased by Americans were unwanted, with  4% going directly to the landfill . This year, holiday spending is expected to increase in the  U.K. ,  Canada ,  Japan  and elsewhere.

Modern-day gifting practices may be the source of both awe and anger. On the one hand, by giving presents you are engaging in an ancient behavior that makes us human by growing and sustaining our relationships. On the other hand, it seems as if some societies might be using the holiday season as an excuse to simply consume more and more.

Mauss’ ideas do not promote runaway consumerism. On the contrary, his explanations of gifts suggest that the more meaningful and personal the present, the greater the respect and honor being shown. A truly thoughtful gift is far less likely to end up in a dump. And vintage, upcycled, handmade goods – or a personalized experience such as a food tour or hot air balloon ride – might even be more valued than an expensive item mass-produced on the other side of the world, shipped across oceans and packaged in plastic.

Quality gifts can speak to your values and more meaningfully sustain your relationships.

This article was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

A Sociologist Studied Christmas Gifts, and Here's What He Learned

Christmas shopping is worth stressing over: Anthropologists and sociologists have long believed that ritualized gift exchange is one of the most important mechanisms keeping our fragile social networks intact. The French anthropologist Marcel Mauss hypothesized in his seminal 1925 essay, “ The Gift: The form and reason for exchange in archaic societies," that when an object is given as a gift, it becomes inextricably tied to the giver. “To make a gift of something,” he wrote, “is to make a present of some part of oneself." Mauss identified three obligations associated with gift exchange: giving, which he equates with the first step in building a social relationship; receiving, which signifies acceptance of the social relationship; and reciprocating, which demonstrates the recipient’s integrity. If gifts are refused or unreciprocated, relationships can be threatened.

In 1979, University of Virginia sociologist Theodore Caplow, in keeping with the tradition of a generation of sociologists led by Robert and Helen Lynd , travelled to the small town of Muncie, Indiana—a stand-in for “Middletown, USA”—to study something the Lynds had neglected: the annual exchange of gifts on Christmas, a ritual in which even the most socially isolated residents participate. Caplow interviewed 110 adults on their experience of Christmas the previous year, and from their responses was able to collect data on 366 Christmas gatherings and 4,347 individual gifts. Though he discovered strict rules underlying nearly every aspect of holiday gift-giving—from who gives what to how presents are wrapped—Middletown residents denied the existence of such rules, preferring to envision Christmas gifting as a voluntary, spontaneous demonstration of love and friendship. “Gift exchange,” Caplow concluded, “is a language that employs objects instead of words as its lexical elements…. The language of prestation, like the verbal language, begins to be learned in early childhood and is used with increasing assurance as the individual matures and acquires social understanding.”

He presented his findings in two essays, “ Christmas Gifts and Kin Networks," which appeared in American Sociological Review in 1982, and “Rule Enforcement Without Visible Means: Christmas Gift Giving in Middletown ,” published in American Journal of Sociology in 1984.

Gifts must be given to the right people

"The 110 respondents in the sample gave 2,969 gifts and received 1,378 gifts, a mean of 27 given and 13 received. Participants in this gift system should give (individually or jointly) at least one Christmas gift every year to their mothers, fathers, sons, daughters; to the current spouses of these persons; and to their own spouses. By the operation of this rule, participants expect to receive at least one gift in return from each of these persons excepting infants…Gifts to grandparents and grandchildren seem to be equally obligatory if these live in the same community or nearby, but not at greater distances. Christmas gifts to siblings are not required.

Parents expect to give more valuable and more numerous gifts to their minor children and to their adult children living at home than they receive in return. This imbalance is central to the entire ritual. The iconography of Middletown's secular Christmas emphasizes unreciprocated giving to children by the emblematic figure of Santa Claus, and the theme of unreciprocated giving provides one of the few connections between the secular and religious iconography of the festival-the Three Wise Men coming from a distant land to bring unreciprocated gifts to a child.

There is little reciprocity in the gift giving between non-kin. A large number of the gifts in this category are addressed to persons who provide minor services; reciprocation in those cases would be bizarre. Gifts from employers to employees, from grateful patients to physicians, and from pupils to teachers do not call for reciprocation."

Gifts must be given in the right way

"Christmas gifts should be distributed at gatherings where every person gives and receives gifts. More than nine-tenths of the 1,378 gifts our respondents received, and of the 2,969 they gave, were distributed in gatherings, more than three-quarters of which were family gatherings. Most gifts mailed or shipped by friends and relatives living at a distance were double wrapped, so that the outer unceremonious wrappings could be removed and the inner packages could be placed with other gifts to be opened at a gathering.

Christmas gifts must be wrapped before they are presented…. Difficult-to-wrap Christmas gifts, like a pony or a piano, are wrapped symbolically by adding a ribbon or bow or card and are hidden until presentation."

Gifts must be the right type

"Clothing was by far the most common type of gift (35 percent of all gifts); followed by toys (10 percent); money and food/beverages (9 percent each); decorations/ornaments (7 percent); cosmetics/toiletries, household equipment, and jewelry (6 percent each); appliances and sports/hobby equipment (3 percent each); and plants/flowers (2 percent). The preference for clothing over all other categories is probably accounted for by the automatic individualization of items of clothing. In effect, they describe the receiver by age, sex, appearance, and style.

Money is an appropriate gift from senior to junior kin, but an inappropriate gift from junior to senior kin, regardless of the relative affluence of the parties."

Giving the right way can strengthen a relationship

"Most of Middletown's gift giving occurs between close kin…the pattern it displays shows up the two principal points of stress in the contemporary American family. The first point of stress is the insecurity of the spousal relationship. Viewed cross-culturally, the contemporary American family is unusual in exhibiting a very high level of interaction between spouses while permitting easy, almost penalty-free divorce at the initiative of either spouse at any point in the life cycle. Since divorce is always more than a remote possibility in a Middletown marriage, the relationship with affinal relatives [in-laws] is always a little uneasy.

The individual message [of a gift] says, “I value you according to the degree of our relationship” and anticipates the response, “I value you in the same way.” But the compound message that emerges from the unwrapping of gifts in the presence of the whole gathering allows more subtle meanings to be conveyed. It permits the husband to say to the wife, “I value you more than my parents” or the mother to say to the daughter-in-law, “I value you as much as my son so long as you are married to him” or the brother to say to the brother, “I value you more than our absent brothers, but less than our parents and much less than my children.” These statements, taken together, would define and sustain a social structure, if only because, by their gift messages, both parties to each dyadic relationship confirm that they have the same understanding of the relationship and the bystanders, who are interested parties, endorse that understanding by tacit approval."

Giving the wrong way can be the end of a relationship

"In the dialect of Christmas gift giving, the absence of a gift is also a lexical sign, signifying either the absence of a close relationship, as in the Christmas contact of cousins, or the desire to terminate a close relationship, as when a husband gives no gift to his wife.

The spouse’s or lover's gift that is disliked by the receiver is a sign of alienation. Two of the five couples in our sample for whom such gifts were reported at Christmas 1978 had separated by the time of the interview several weeks later."

Alice Robb is the author of Don’t Think, Dear: On Loving and Leaving Ballet .

Essay on Christmas

Here we have shared the Essay on Christmas in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on Christmas in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams. 

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on Christmas in 150-250 words

Essay on christmas in 300-400 words, essay on christmas in 500-1000 words.

Christmas is a joyous festival celebrated around the world to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of love, warmth, and togetherness. On this day, people exchange gifts, decorate Christmas trees, and share delicious meals with family and friends.

The festive spirit is evident in the vibrant decorations that adorn streets and homes. Colorful lights twinkle, wreaths hang on doors, and stockings are hung by the fireplace in anticipation of Santa Claus. Christmas carols fill the air, spreading cheer and goodwill.

Children eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus, hoping to find gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. Families come together to exchange presents and share heartfelt moments. The true essence of Christmas lies in the spirit of giving and showing gratitude for the blessings in our lives.

Religious ceremonies take place in churches, where believers gather to remember the significance of the birth of Jesus. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and finding solace in the message of hope and redemption.

Christmas is a time when people set aside their differences and embrace the values of love, compassion, and forgiveness. It is a celebration that brings people closer, fostering a sense of unity and goodwill that extends beyond religious boundaries.

In conclusion, Christmas is a cherished holiday that encapsulates the spirit of love, joy, and generosity. It serves as a reminder of the importance of family, faith, and spreading happiness to those around us.

Christmas is a widely celebrated festival that holds deep cultural and religious significance for millions of people around the world. It is observed on December 25th each year to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, who is considered the central figure of Christianity.

The preparation for Christmas begins weeks in advance, with homes and streets adorned with colorful decorations. Christmas trees, covered in lights, ornaments, and tinsel, become the centerpiece of many households. Wreaths, mistletoe, and holly are hung, adding a festive touch to doors and windows.

One of the most exciting aspects of Christmas is the exchange of gifts. People carefully select and wrap presents for their loved ones, keeping in mind their interests and desires. The act of giving gifts symbolizes the love and appreciation we have for one another, mirroring the gifts brought by the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus.

Another cherished tradition is the gathering of family and friends. Christmas is a time for loved ones to come together and share in the joy of the season. Festive meals are prepared, with feasts consisting of roasted turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, and various other delectable dishes. The dining table becomes a hub of laughter, conversations, and bonding.

Religious ceremonies are an integral part of Christmas celebrations. Churches hold special services, including midnight Mass, where believers gather to worship and reflect on the birth of Jesus. Hymns and carols are sung, evoking a sense of spirituality and creating a serene ambiance.

For children, the highlight of Christmas is the anticipation of Santa Claus. They eagerly hang stockings by the fireplace, hoping to find them filled with gifts the next morning. The myth of Santa Claus embodies the spirit of kindness and generosity, encouraging children to be well-behaved and considerate.

However, beyond the festive decorations, gift-giving, and feasting, Christmas holds a deeper significance. It is a time for introspection and reflection, reminding us of the values of love, compassion, and forgiveness. It serves as a reminder to extend a helping hand to those in need and to appreciate the blessings in our lives.

In conclusion, Christmas is a cherished and widely celebrated festival that brings joy, love, and unity. It is a time to come together with family and friends, exchange gifts, and express gratitude. While it holds religious significance, its essence of spreading happiness and goodwill transcends religious boundaries, making it a festival that is celebrated and appreciated by people of diverse cultures and beliefs.

Title: Christmas – Celebrating Joy, Love, and Togetherness

Introduction :

Christmas, a widely celebrated festival around the world, holds immense cultural and religious significance. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ and symbolizes love, joy, and the spirit of giving. This essay explores the traditions, customs, and symbolism associated with Christmas, highlighting its impact on individuals and communities.

Historical and Religious Significance

Christmas has its roots in Christianity and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. According to biblical accounts, Jesus was born in Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary and Joseph. The nativity story of the baby Jesus in a manger, visited by shepherds and the three wise men, forms the core of the Christmas narrative. For Christians, Christmas is a time to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus and the message of hope and salvation that he brought to the world.

Festive Preparations and Traditions

The celebration of Christmas involves a range of customs and traditions that vary across cultures. Weeks before Christmas, people engage in festive preparations, including decorating homes and public spaces with lights, ornaments, and Christmas trees. Exchanging greeting cards, hanging stockings, and displaying Nativity scenes are also common traditions.

One of the most cherished traditions is the Advent calendar, which counts down the days leading up to Christmas. Each day, a door or compartment is opened, revealing a surprise or Bible verse.

The Joy of Giving and Sharing

Christmas is a time of giving and sharing. The exchange of gifts symbolizes the gift of love and generosity that Jesus brought to the world. Families and friends exchange presents, expressing their love and appreciation for one another. Many also engage in acts of charity, donating to those in need, volunteering at shelters, or participating in community service projects. The spirit of giving fosters a sense of compassion, unity, and goodwill during the Christmas season.

Culinary Delights and Festive Feasts

Food plays a significant role in Christmas celebrations. Traditional dishes and festive feasts are prepared, reflecting regional and cultural preferences. Roasted turkey, glazed ham, Christmas pudding, cookies, and cakes are popular culinary delights associated with Christmas. Families gather around the table to share a bountiful meal, fostering a sense of togetherness and gratitude.

Cultural Celebrations and Customs

Christmas is celebrated with diverse customs and traditions around the world. Carols and hymns are sung, portraying the joy and significance of the season. Community gatherings, Christmas markets, and parades are organized, featuring music, dance, and festive performances.

In some regions, such as Latin America, the celebration extends beyond Christmas Day to include the nine-day novena leading up to Christmas, known as Las Posadas. This tradition reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.

Reflection, Faith, and Hope

Christmas is a time for reflection and renewed faith. It provides an opportunity for individuals to contemplate the spiritual aspects of the season, reconnect with their beliefs, and find solace and hope in the message of Jesus’ birth.

Conclusion :

Christmas is a time of celebration, love, and togetherness, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. It reminds us of the importance of compassion, joy, and the spirit of giving. The customs and traditions associated with Christmas foster a sense of community, strengthen family bonds, and inspire acts of kindness. Beyond the festivities, Christmas holds a deeper meaning, inviting individuals to reflect on their faith, seek peace and unity, and embrace the message of love that resonates throughout the season.

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30+ Gift Exchange Ideas—Including Games, Traditions, and Tips

Try one of these festive gift exchange ideas to make this year the best holiday season ever.

• For Friends and Family
• For Colleagues
• Gift Giving Tips
• International Traditions

The holiday season is rife with opportunities for creative gift exchange ideas. From the office Secret Santa to a White Elephant gift exchange among friends to a frenetic Christmas morning with the family, holiday gift giving doesn't have to feel like a never-ending to-do list.

We have games, ideas, and tips to make your gift giving even more fun this year. Let our team of elves—specifically entertaining and etiquette experts, as well as Real Simple readers—inspire you with innovative strategies to make any holiday gift exchange more memorable.

Gift Exchange Etiquette

If you're the coordinator of a gift exchange, here's info to share with your invitees:

• Who's involved
• Price range for the gifts
• Any theme you've chosen—like requesting only gag gifts, baking tools, or books
• Who they're buying for and any preferences they have
• Rules about what to give—such as allergies or other issues among participants
• Whether to wrap the gifts or not
• When, where, and how the exchange will occur

Gift Exchange Games for Friends and Family

Turning your annual gift exchange into a game makes a fun activity more fun, more memorable, and—even better—it makes the fun last longer. Put your game face on and organize one of these activities for your next gifting party.

Start a Rotating Gift Box

Anna Baldwin, a reader from Arlee, Montana, rotates a gift box among her three best friends from college, all of whom live too far away to visit at Christmas. She fills a box with locally made, low-cost items—one for each friend—and a personal note, and mails it.

The first friend takes out her gift, puts in three of her own, adds to the note, and then ships everything on to the next. The box rotates like that until it has made the rounds of all the friends, ending up back with Anna, complete with personal notes from her pals and their gifts to her.

Introduce a Gag Gift

Wrap up your most egregious or inexplicable Christmas present from last year (sad-eyed ceramic cat, anyone?) for an unsuspecting family member. It becomes that person's responsibility to pass it along, like a hot potato, the next year.

Have a Cobweb Party

This wacky gift game was all the rage during the Victorian era. You essentially make it as hard as possible for your loved ones to find their gifts. To set this up:

• Designate one room for the party, and assign each player a yarn color.
• Tie one end of a spool of yarn to each gift—blue yarn to one player's gift, red yarn to another, and so on.
• Unwind the yarn as you zigzag across the room, trailing it under furniture, looping it around banisters and over curtain rods, and anywhere you can. You want to make it as difficult as possible for the gift recipient to follow his or her yarn through the "cobweb" of different colors to find the present.
• Hand each person his or her spool of yarn and let the mayhem ensue.

Gift Exchange Games for Work Colleagues

While these games are great for livening up a gift exchange among co-workers, they're fun to play with family and friends, too.

When choosing a gift for a gift exchange, consider who's participating in the exchange: Is it your all-female book club or family members of a wide range of ages and backgrounds? For the latter, we recommend simple gifts that work for just about anyone —including people you don't know really well—such as a stylish planter or a fun game.

Host a White Elephant Gift Exchange

Also known as a Yankee Swap or Dirty Santa, a White Elephant gift exchange game's "stealing" aspect gives it an element of unpredictability. Here's how it works.

• Invite everyone to contribute a wrapped gift.
• Draw numbers out of a hat to see who gets to pick from the pile first.
• Player No. 1 chooses and unwraps a gift and then shows it to everyone.
• Player No. 2 then "steals" that present or picks and unwraps another one from the pile.
• Player No. 3 can then steal either gift, or choose and unwrap another, and so on.

Any player whose gift is stolen gets to pick again. The game continues until everyone has a gift.

Here's a twist on a Yankee swap, suggested by Real Simple reader Christine Gritmon of Pearl River, New York, who sneaks decoy gifts into the mix.

Christine Gritmon of Pearl River, New York

"They look like normal presents from the outside, but once you look inside, you see that the original item has been replaced with a note card bearing an instruction, such as 'Switch gifts with a person of the opposite gender' or 'Choose a new gift—and no one can take it from you.' This little twist was a surprise to everyone the first year, but now it is our favorite part of the ritual."

Play Holiday Trivia

Can you name all nine of Santa's reindeer? If so, you get first pick of the presents in the pile. Players can use clickers or simply raise their hands to answer. If correct, they get a present and leave the competition. At the end, the moderator opts to take the last gift remaining or steal a gift from somebody else: a one-time-only privilege for their hard work.

Gift Exchange Games for Kids

Generally, kids don't need any help to make gift giving fun, but as party hosts, sometimes we need a few tricks for organizing and drawing out an activity that can otherwise quickly devolve into chaos. Here are a few ideas.

Try a Trinket Hunt

Save a few stocking-stuffer gifts—small and inexpensive—to wrap and then hide around the house. After the kids finish with Santa's gifts, they go off and search for new trinkets, allowing adults to take a breather, get another cup of coffee, and gear up for unwrapping their presents under the tree.

Play a Word Game

Either of these word games works for a kid-friendly gift exchange:

• Finish the Carol: Seat kids in a circle and have them pass each gift around to the tune of a holiday song. Designate someone to stop the song mid-verse. The person left holding the gift has to finish the line. If they succeed, they get the gift and sit out the rest of the game. If they don't, they remain in the game and the song continues. Repeat until all the gifts are gone.
• Word Guess: Tape a fill-in-the-blank holiday phrase on each gift and have children answer before unwrapping. For example, Not a creature was stirring, not even a _________.

Spin a Bottle

Try a twist on spin-the-bottle to take turns opening gifts. With everyone seated around the room, give a bottle—or perhaps a large candy cane—a spin. Whoever it points to opens a gift or, if that child doesn't have any gifts left, designates another child to do the same.

Play Musical Chairs, Gift-Exchange Style

This version of musical chairs makes gift-getting more exciting than just picking one from a pile, and it doesn't even require chairs. For this one, kids sit in a circle and pass wrapped gifts while Christmas music plays. When the music stops, the child holding the gift keeps it and leaves the game. The music continues with a new gift until each child has one.

Themed Gift Exchange Ideas

A themed gift exchange helps gift givers by narrowing down the vast array of gifts to choose from to a more focused selection.

Host an Old Fashioned Cookie Exchange

The granddaddy of themed gift exchanges is the cookie swap . This is where guests arrive with dozens of one kind of home-baked cookie and leave with a dozen each of a wide variety of homemade cookies. Double-down on the baking theme with an add-on gift exchange featuring aprons, cookbooks, or baking supplies.

Set Up an Ornament or Craft Exchange

Entertaining expert Jeanne Benedict suggests making handmade ornaments out of 4-by-4-inch boxes that are light enough to hang on the tree. Inside the box, fashion a small kit of some kind, like a stamping kit, a jewelry-making kit, or a knitting kit: something fun that would be easy to pick up as a hobby. Each party guest should bring a kit to the party and then exchange it, so that everyone takes home a handcrafted ornament and gets a new project to start in the New Year.

Try a Pet Present Exchange

Incorporate your furry friends into your holiday celebration. Gather fellow pet parents with their charges dressed in holiday garb—like a Santa hat, if they'll allow it—for a pet gift exchange. "Obviously you want to stay within the same species, either all cats or all dogs," Benedict says. Theme the presents toward the pets: bones and biscuits for dogs, claw scratchers and catnip for cats.

Swap Cocktails

Give the gift of holiday "spirits." Have each guest bring a gift bag with items needed to make a certain holiday cocktail —like coffee liqueur, orange cognac, and Irish Cream for a B-52—and then exchange the bags. For a different take, exchange red, white, or sparkling wines.

Gift Giving Ideas and Tips

Use these strategies to make your gift giving experience simpler, less expensive, more charitable, and more fun!

Make Gift Giving Simpler

If gift giving is stressing you out, you're doing it wrong. Try one of these ideas to make your gifting tasks easier.

• Go in on a gift with your family. In lieu of presents, consider renting a ski cabin for the weekend after Christmas or going on a beach escape together.
• Buy recurring gifts. Eliminate the guesswork and give the same gift every year. This way, you know what to give and the recipient looks forward to getting it. It might be an annual shipment of Florida citrus or Vermont cheese, a series of theater tickets, a museum membership, or a nice desk calendar. Smart gift card ideas can also work well here.

Robin McClellan of Lehigh Acres, Florida

"I ask gift recipients to send me a wish list that I buy from. It saves time, effort, and returns, yet still preserves an element of surprise,"

Make Gift Giving Less Costly

Make your celebration more about the giving than the gift. Consider these ideas for a more budget-friendly holiday:

• Have a heartfelt conversation. Tell recipients up front you're going to cut back. "Don't make it a money issue with your kids, but talk about it in the context of what the holiday really means," says Sue Fox, founder of Etiquette Survival and author of Etiquette for Dummies . "This is the time to be with family, not for getting new skis."
• Be upfront. Tell friends and family of your leaner gift-giving philosophy early, and be direct. Say, "I'm paring down this year, so why don't we just exchange cards or go out to lunch?" You may find your giftees are actually relieved.
• Refrain from reciprocation. When someone unexpectedly gives you a gift, "By all means, say 'Thank you,'" says Peggy Post , coauthor of The Gift of Good Manners. "But other than being super-appreciative, you do not have to reciprocate."

Make Gift Giving Charitable

Instead of targeting gift giving toward friends and family, pivot your gifting to the needy by implementing one of these ideas:

• Adopt another family for the holidays. Instead of buying gifts for one another, sponsor a needy family. If you have kids, talk to them about the difference the gesture can make to the other family and make sure they're okay with giving up presents. (You can always get them something little.) One way to give is through the Angel Tree program sponsored by your local Salvation Army branch, which provides a needy family's wish list to shop from.
• Put a charitable spin on Secret Santa. Benedict suggests adding a philanthropic twist to the game: Instead of giving material gifts, make a $20 donation to a charity your recipient would support. For instance, donate to the ASPCA in the name of an animal lover. It makes a more meaningful gift than another stocking stuffer.
• Swap toys with Santa. Along with cookies and milk, leave gently used or outgrown toys under the tree on Christmas Eve for Santa to "take back to the North Pole." You can subsequently donate those toys to an organization like Toys for Tots or Goodwill .

Make Gift Wrapping a Group Affair

Gift opening is inherently fun, but gift wrapping can be a chore. Since presents are unlikely to wrap themselves, get the job done and have fun with one of these pre-Christmas party ideas:

• Host a wrapping party. Divvy up responsibility among guests for bringing supplies—ribbon, paper, decorative bags, bows, tags, scissors, and tape—and have them also bring their own unwrapped presents. Set out the supplies, cue the festive music, and have everyone work together to get the job done.
• Try a cookie swap packing party. Think of this as a holiday cookie exchange plus . Besides cookies to swap at the party, guests bring extras, along with metal tins, takeout containers, plastic boxes, and packing materials. Together, you carefully box up the extra cookies to ship to out-of-town family and friends. Alternatively, team up with an organization like Treat the Troops and ship those cookies (for free!) to U.S. military members serving abroad.

International Christmas Gift Traditions

Americans aren't the only ones with gift-giving traditions. Here's what they do in other parts of the world.

Germany and Czech Republic

German and Czech families hang an advent calendar on the wall four Sundays before Christmas Eve. Each day on the calendar has a little window, behind which tiny toys and pieces of chocolate are hidden . Children open a new window every day until Christmas, delighted by the unveiling of a new treat and the countdown to the big day.

The Netherlands

Dutch children receive their gifts on December 5, St. Nicholas Eve, when families gather to play treasure hunt games and exchange riddles. Presents are anonymously signed " Sinterklaas ," but a dedication is written on the wrapping paper to offer clues to the real gift-giver's identity.

A rhyming verse teases the recipient (in good humor, of course) or offers a hint at what's inside. Other small, unwrapped gifts are hidden in odd places—like inside a potato or a cup of pudding—the more surprising, the better.

Swedes used to practice a tradition called julklapp, which translates as "Christmas knocks." A gift-giver knocks on a friend or relative's door on Christmas Eve, quickly tosses a present inside the opened door, and then sprints away before the recipient has a chance to ID him. The mysterious packages were wrapped in many layers, one box inside another.

Sometimes the only thing inside the final box is a clue to the real gift's location. The more time the recipient spends on figuring out who gave the gift and where it was, the more successful the julklapp . Swedish children also believe in an alternative gift-giver to Santa Claus—the jultomten , a little gnome in a red cap who hides under the floorboards or in the attic until Christmas Eve, when he emerges to hand out gifts to the children.

Nova Scotia, Canada

During the 12 days of Christmas—December 25 to January 6—masked jokesters called belsnicklers run around Nova Scotia neighborhoods ringing doorbells, making loud noises, and demanding treats. If the hosts correctly identify the masked strangers, the belsnicklers unmask themselves and ask the children of the home if they've been good. Upon hearing the inevitable answer of "Yes," they distribute candy to the children, like a reverse trick-or-treat.

On January 5, Epiphany Eve, Spanish children set their shoes outside their home and fill them with straw, carrots, and barley for the camels of the Three Kings, who they believe pass through Spain on the way to Bethlehem. Overnight, the kings—not Santa Claus, who isn't widely celebrated in Spain—fill the children's shoes with gifts.

Rather than Santa, Italian children believe in La Befana, an old witch who travels throughout Italy on a broom during Epiphany Eve. She doles out presents, candies, and fruit to the good children and bags of coal to the bad ones. A few weeks before her arrival, the children write wish lists with all the presents they want and then hide them in a chimney for La Befana to find.

Italians practice another gift-giving tradition called the Urn of Fate, where a tall urn is filled with wrapped presents—one for each family member. Each person takes turns picking until they find their rightful gift.

The peak of gift-giving in China is the Chinese New Year, which they celebrate on the first day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar. (That's February 10 in 2024.) On New Year's Day, elders hand out special red envelopes called hong bao , filled with money, to the young people in their lives. The amount of money is always an even number, like 88, but never includes the number 4, which signifies bad luck.

On January 1, Greeks bake a special cake or bread called vassilopita , which hides a foil-wrapped gold or silver coin. Whoever finds the coin in their piece of cake will be lucky for the next year. Put a modern gift-giving spin on the tradition by wrapping slips of paper inside foil. On each piece of paper write an IOU for a movie or a night out for pizza.

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The Tradition of Gift-Giving Has Become Little More Than a Transaction; So Why Do We Still Do it?

Children figure out early on that the reason for wrapping gifts is to conceal what’s inside; to make a guessing game out if it, even for just a few seconds after being handed the gift, or for an entire torturous week while it sits beneath the Christmas tree. Even before Schrodinger’s cat, generations of children imagined all sorts of things that could be inside a box.

Growing up in the 90’s, I have lots of memories of gifts from Kris Kringle. But back then, a box of Jack and Jill’s choco pretzels, a box of Sour Balls, or a box of Gard bath soap would do. Anything you could buy in a sari-sari store was good enough as long as it came in a box, because, once wrapped, it would look like any other gift. The fun really lay in finding out who it was that had a gift lined up for you and had been thinking about you.

But somehow, things changed in the decades since. Maybe it was the economy or an increasing financial literacy rate, because suddenly we had rules to ensure fairness and quality. Some rules were innocent at first—it had to be something “soft,” or something “red” to fit a particular theme. Then food items got banned; the gift had to be more “material,” and less ephemeral. Then it became a standard that the gift had to be worth a certain value. There had to be a minimum amount one had to spend.

And to satisfy expectations, people came up with wish lists. Of course, it sounded like a good idea now that you wouldn’t have to be hassled spending so much time deciding and looking for what to give. You wouldn’t have to worry whether the person will like it or not. It’s quick and easy, like everything else in our ever-growing consumer society.

The pinnacle of this trend I encountered a few days ago, when at a party, I found out it was becoming normal for people to just put “money” on their wish list, thus guaranteeing that they got back the full value of what they put out.

It seems that the tradition of gift-giving (at least the ones we do in schools and offices) has now become a mere transaction. We’re literally just buying things for each other now that we could buy for ourselves anyway, and which we’d probably do a better job at. Knowing what one is getting eliminates the element of surprise and the need for it to be wrapped. Knowing that you asked for it negates any effort and thoughtfulness on the part of the giver.

So why do we still do it? What do we get out of it? What are we really hiding beneath all the wrapping paper?

Some people I asked said that our wish lists are things we don’t have time to get, or things we would feel guilty or unsure about if we bought them ourselves. But I suspect the real reason is more of a consequence of our corporate and alienated culture. That because of our innate need to feel loved, we now go to great lengths to make ourselves feel loved, even if resorting to simulated gestures of thoughtfulness and generosity. We have become dependent on a system to give the impression that yes, someone remembered us! The feeling is that someone took the time and effort to get me something and understands me enough to know what I actually wanted!

If Christmas has become a consumer holiday, then exchanging gifts has become a consumer service necessary for self-validation and self-worth: “I am what I receive,” is the underlying message.

But “gift” and “give” share the same etymology and we ought to be reminded that the former is more of a verb than a noun. A gift is about the hows and the whys instead of what. “It’s the thought that counts,” isn’t just some holiday cliché—it is age-old wisdom citing our deepest needs to be part of a community that genuinely cares and thinks about each other, which in our age of being constantly distracted by technology, work and social media we are experiencing a serious drought of.

Looking at it this way, we can realize that we wrap gifts not just to make them look pretty. The beauty of a gift wrap is that it conceals the item for the time being to allow us “to see” the real gift—the fact that someone else thought about us. That we are part of something beyond ourselves. It invites us to pause and consider the unknown as already a gift in itself. To render the material invisible, and make the act of giving visible.

May we all understand gifts this way this Christmas.

Derik Cumagun is a college instructor from Lipa, Batangas.

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Gifts of one who loved me, — 'T was high time they came; When he ceased to love me, Time they stopped for shame.

In his essay "Gifts," Ralph Waldo Emerson delves into the intricacies of giving and receiving presents, emphasizing the importance of thoughtfulness, sincerity, and simplicity. He underscores that the true value of a gift lies not in its material worth but in the genuine expression of love, friendship, or gratitude it represents. For Emerson, the most meaningful gifts reflect the giver's understanding and appreciation of the recipient's character, needs, and desires, transcending the mere transactional nature of gift-giving.

Emerson also explores gift-receiving etiquette, stating that gracious acceptance is as crucial as giving. He encourages recipients to recognize the giver's intentions and appreciate the emotional significance behind the gift rather than focusing solely on its material aspects. By cultivating mindfulness and humility in giving and receiving, Emerson believes that individuals can strengthen their relationships and foster a more profound connection with one another.

I t is said that the world is in a state of bankruptcy, that the world owes the world more than the world can pay, and ought to go into chancery, and be sold. I do not think this general insolvency, which involves in some sort all the population, to be the reason of the difficulty experienced at Christmas and New Year, and other times, in bestowing gifts; since it is always so pleasant to be generous, though very vexatious to pay debts. But the impediment lies in the choosing. If, at any time, it comes into my head, that a present is due from me to somebody, I am puzzled what to give, until the opportunity is gone. Flowers and fruits are always fit presents; flowers, because they are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. These gay natures contrast with the somewhat stern countenance of ordinary nature: they are like music heard out of a work-house. Nature does not cocker us: we are children, not pets: she is not fond: everything is dealt to us without fear or favor, after severe universal laws. Yet these delicate flowers look like the frolic and interference of love and beauty. Men use to tell us that we love flattery, even though we are not deceived by it, because it shows that we are of importance enough to be courted. Something like that pleasure, the flowers give us: what am I to whom these sweet hints are addressed? Fruits are acceptable gifts, because they are the flower of commodities, and admit of fantastic values being attached to them. If a man should send to me to come a hundred miles to visit him, and should set before me a basket of fine summerfruit, I should think there was some proportion between the labor and the reward.

For common gifts, necessity makes pertinences and beauty every day, and one is glad when an imperative leaves him no option, since if the man at the door have no shoes, you have not to consider whether you could procure him a paint-box. And as it is always pleasing to see a man eat bread, or drink water, in the house or out of doors, so it is always a great satisfaction to supply these first wants. Necessity does everything well. In our condition of universal dependence, it seems heroic to let the petitioner be the judge of his necessity, and to give all that is asked, though at great inconvenience. If it be a fantastic desire, it is better to leave to others the office of punishing him. I can think of many parts I should prefer playing to that of the Furies. Next to things of necessity, the rule for a gift, which one of my friends prescribed, is, that we might convey to some person that which properly belonged to his character, and was easily associated with him in thought. But our tokens of compliment and love are for the most part barbarous. Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself. Thou must bleed for me. Therefore the poet brings his poem; the shepherd, his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing. This is right and pleasing, for it restores society in so far to its primary basis, when a man's biography is conveyed in his gift, and every man's wealth is an index of his merit. But it is a cold, lifeless business when you go to the shops to buy me something, which does not represent your life and talent, but a goldsmith's. This is fit for kings, and rich men who represent kings, and a false state of property, to make presents of gold and silver stuffs, as a kind of symbolical sin-offering, or payment of black-mail.

The law of benefits is a difficult channel, which requires careful sailing, or rude boats. It is not the office of a man to receive gifts. How dare you give them? We wish to be self-sustained. We do not quite forgive a giver. The hand that feeds us is in some danger of being bitten. We can receive anything from love, for that is a way of receiving it from ourselves; but not from any one who assumes to bestow. We sometimes hate the meat which we eat, because there seems something of degrading dependence in living by it.

"Brother, if Jove to thee a present make, Take heed that from his hands thou nothing take."

We ask the whole. Nothing less will content us. We arraign society, if it do not give us besides earth, and fire, and water, opportunity, love, reverence, and objects of veneration.

He is a good man, who can receive a gift well. We are either glad or sorry at a gift, and both emotions are unbecoming. Some violence, I think, is done, some degradation borne, when I rejoice or grieve at a gift. I am sorry when my independence is invaded, or when a gift comes from such as do not know my spirit, and so the act is not supported; and if the gift pleases me overmuch, then I should be ashamed that the donor should read my heart, and see that I love his commodity, and not him. The gift, to be true, must be the flowing of the giver unto me, correspondent to my flowing unto him. When the waters are at level, then my goods pass to him, and his to me. All his are mine, all mine his. I say to him, How can you give me this pot of oil, or this flagon of wine, when all your oil and wine is mine, which belief of mine this gift seems to deny? Hence the fitness of beautiful, not useful things for gifts. This giving is flat usurpation, and therefore when the beneficiary is ungrateful, as all beneficiaries hate all Timons, not at all considering the value of the gift, but looking back to the greater store it was taken from, I rather sympathize with the beneficiary, than with the anger of my lord Timon. For, the expectation of gratitude is mean, and is continually punished by the total insensibility of the obliged person. It is a great happiness to get off without injury and heart-burning, from one who has had the ill luck to be served by you. It is a very onerous business, this of being served, and the debtor naturally wishes to give you a slap. A golden text for these gentlemen is that which I so admire in the Buddhist, who never thanks, and who says, "Do not flatter your benefactors."

The reason of these discords I conceive to be, that there is no commensurability between a man and any gift. You cannot give anything to a magnanimous person. After you have served him, he at once puts you in debt by his magnanimity. The service a man renders his friend is trivial and selfish, compared with the service he knows his friend stood in readiness to yield him, alike before he had begun to serve his friend, and now also. Compared with that good-will I bear my friend, the benefit it is in my power to render him seems small. Besides, our action on each other, good as well as evil, is so incidental and at random, that we can seldom hear the acknowledgments of any person who would thank us for a benefit, without some shame and humiliation. We can rarely strike a direct stroke, but must be content with an oblique one; we seldom have the satisfaction of yielding a direct benefit, which is directly received. But rectitude scatters favors on every side without knowing it, and receives with wonder the thanks of all people.

I fear to breathe any treason against the majesty of love, which is the genius and god of gifts, and to whom we must not affect to prescribe. Let him give kingdoms or flower-leaves indifferently. There are persons, from whom we always expect fairy tokens; let us not cease to expect them. This is prerogative, and not to be limited by our municipal rules. For the rest, I like to see that we cannot be bought and sold. The best of hospitality and of generosity is also not in the will, but in fate. I find that I am not much to you; you do not need me; you do not feel me; then am I thrust out of doors, though you proffer me house and lands. No services are of any value, but only likeness. When I have attempted to join myself to others by services, it proved an intellectual trick, — no more. They eat your service like apples, and leave you out. But love them, and they feel you, and delight in you all the time.

What did Emerson say about the gift giver and the gift receiver?

In his essay "Gifts," Ralph Waldo Emerson discusses the roles of both the gift giver and receiver, emphasizing the importance of thoughtfulness, sincerity, and understanding. According to Emerson, the true value of a gift lies in the expression of love, friendship, or gratitude it represents rather than its material worth.

For the gift giver, Emerson believes the most meaningful gifts reflect a deep understanding and appreciation of the recipient's character, needs, and desires. A thoughtful and sincere gift transcends the mere transactional nature of gift-giving and creates a meaningful connection between the giver and the receiver.

As for the gift receiver, Emerson stresses the importance of gracious acceptance. He encourages recipients to appreciate the emotional significance and intentions behind the gift rather than focusing solely on its material aspects. By doing so, the receiver acknowledges the giver's thoughtfulness and effort, cultivating mindfulness and humility.

In summary, Emerson's views on gift-giving and receiving revolve around the ideas of thoughtfulness, sincerity, and fostering deeper connections between individuals. He believes that both the giver and receiver have essential roles in making the exchange of gifts a meaningful and enriching experience.

What are the Rules of Gifts according to Emerson?

Ralph Waldo Emerson doesn't necessarily lay out specific "rules" for gift-giving in his essay "Gifts." Still, he does convey several important principles that can guide giving and receiving gifts. Some of these principles include:

Thoughtfulness: The most valuable gifts demonstrate a deep understanding of the recipient's character, needs, and desires. The gift should be chosen with care, reflecting the giver's genuine affection and appreciation for the recipient.

Sincerity: A gift should be an honest expression of love, friendship, or gratitude. It should come from the heart and not be given out of obligation or as a mere formality.

Simplicity: Emerson suggests simplicity is often the key to a significant gift. Extravagant or expensive gifts may not necessarily be more meaningful than simpler ones, especially if they lack a personal connection or thoughtfulness.

The gift's intrinsic value: The true worth of a gift lies not in its material value but in its emotional significance and the connection it creates between the giver and receiver.

Gracious acceptance: As a gift receiver, it is important to be mindful and humble, focusing on the emotional significance and intentions behind the gift rather than its material aspects.

Reciprocity: Emerson touches on the idea that gift-giving is often reciprocal but also emphasizes that it should not be a tit-for-tat exchange. The focus should remain on expressing genuine feelings and fostering a deeper connection between individuals.

In conclusion, while Emerson does not lay out specific rules for gift-giving and receiving, he emphasizes the importance of thoughtfulness, sincerity, simplicity, and graciousness in the process. The giver and receiver can create a more meaningful and enriching experience by following these principles.

Why do we find it difficult to receive gifts?

Receiving gifts can be difficult for some people due to various reasons, including the following:

Feelings of unworthiness: Some individuals may feel undeserving of gifts or attention, leading to discomfort when receiving presents. This could be rooted in low self-esteem, past experiences, or cultural beliefs.

Fear of obligation: Receiving a gift may create a sense of indebtedness, making the recipient feel as though they are now obligated to reciprocate the gesture. This pressure to give back can be uncomfortable and may cause some people to feel uneasy about accepting gifts.

Discomfort with vulnerability: Accepting a gift requires acknowledging that someone has thought about and cared for you, which can make some individuals feel vulnerable. This vulnerability may be challenging for those who prefer to maintain emotional distance or self-reliance.

Concerns about the gift's appropriateness: Some people may worry about the suitability of the gift, whether it is too expensive, too personal, or not aligned with their tastes or values. This concern can create unease when receiving a gift.

Fear of appearing greedy or materialistic: Accepting a gift might cause some individuals to worry about appearing selfish or overly focused on material possessions. This fear can make it difficult to accept a present graciously.

Cultural differences: In some cultures, accepting gifts may be associated with specific customs or expectations that can create anxiety or confusion. For example, certain cultures may dictate that a gift should be refused several times before finally accepting it or that an immediate reciprocal gift is required.

To overcome these difficulties, it is essential to cultivate gratitude and graciousness when receiving gifts. Remember that a gift is often an expression of love, friendship, or appreciation; accepting it graciously can strengthen relationships and foster a deeper connection with others.

What is the meaning of gift giving?

Gift-giving is a universal expression of various emotions, sentiments, and social bonds. It serves several purposes and carries different meanings depending on the context, culture, and personal intentions. Some of the key meanings and purposes of gift-giving include:

Expression of love, affection, or friendship: Gift-giving is often a way to show love and care for someone, reinforcing the emotional connection between the giver and the recipient.

Celebration or commemoration: Gifts are often given to mark special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or holidays, to celebrate and create lasting memories.

Expression of gratitude or appreciation: Giving a gift can be a token of thanks or recognition for someone's kindness, support, or hard work.

Strengthening social bonds: Gift-giving is essential in building and maintaining relationships, whether among family, friends, or colleagues. It promotes goodwill, trust, and reciprocity, fostering stronger social connections.

Cultural or religious traditions: Many cultures and religions have specific gift-giving customs and rituals, reflecting the values and beliefs of the community. In these contexts, gifts can carry deeper symbolic meanings and serve to uphold cultural identity and continuity.

Acts of generosity and charity: Giving gifts to those in need, such as through donations or volunteering, is an expression of compassion and empathy, contributing to the well-being of others and the greater good.

Overall, the meaning of gift-giving is multifaceted, encompassing emotional, social, cultural, and even spiritual dimensions. By giving and receiving gifts, individuals can express their feelings, strengthen relationships, and create lasting memories, making it an essential aspect of human interaction and connection.

Ralph Waldo Emerson left the ministry to pursue a career in writing and public speaking. Emerson became one of America's best known and best-loved 19th-century figures. More About Emerson

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"Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Essay on Christmas Celebration

Students are often asked to write an essay on Christmas Celebration in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Christmas Celebration

Introduction.

Christmas is a festive season celebrated globally on 25th December, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of joy, giving, and family gatherings.

Decorations

Food and gifts.

Special meals are prepared, and families exchange gifts. Cookies and milk are left out for Santa Claus.

Church Services

Many attend church services, sing carols, and enact nativity plays to remember the birth of Jesus.

Also check:

250 Words Essay on Christmas Celebration

Christmas, celebrated globally on December 25th, is a festival that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of joy, generosity, and family gatherings, imbued with profound spiritual significance and vibrant traditions.

The Significance of Christmas

Christmas is not just a religious event; it is a cultural phenomenon that transcends geographical and religious boundaries. It symbolizes peace, goodwill, and compassion, fostering a sense of community and global unity. The festive season is also a period for introspection, to reflect on the past year and look forward to the coming one with renewed hope.

Christmas Traditions

Christmas traditions vary significantly across cultures, yet some elements remain universally recognized. The decoration of Christmas trees, exchange of gifts, and singing carols are prevalent practices. In many cultures, a special meal is prepared on Christmas Eve, bringing families together in a feast of celebration.

The Spirit of Giving

In essence, Christmas is a celebration of love, peace, and joy, transcending religious and cultural barriers. It serves as a reminder of our shared humanity and the universal values that bind us together. Despite the commercialization often associated with it, the true spirit of Christmas lies in its ability to unite people in a shared celebration of life and love.

500 Words Essay on Christmas Celebration

Christmas, celebrated on the 25th of December each year, is a universally recognized festival, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. It transcends religious boundaries, becoming a time of joy, love, and community spirit. The celebration involves various traditions, rituals, and symbols, each carrying its own significance and history.

The History and Significance of Christmas

The roots of Christmas trace back to the 4th century when the Roman Church officially recognized the 25th of December as the day of Christ’s birth. The date coincided with the winter solstice and pagan festivals, which were transformed into a Christian celebration. The term ‘Christmas’ is derived from the Old English phrase ‘Cristes Maesse’, meaning ‘Christ’s Mass’.

Christmas Celebrations and Traditions

Christmas celebrations are rich and varied, reflecting the cultural diversity of those who observe it. Preparations often begin with Advent, the period of four weeks leading up to Christmas. Houses are adorned with decorations, including the iconic Christmas tree, wreaths, and lights. The tree, an evergreen fir, symbolizes eternal life, while lights represent Christ, the ‘light of the world’.

Christmas Food and Festivities

Christmas is also a feast for the senses. Traditional foods vary across regions but often include special breads, cookies, and the main festive meal. In many Western cultures, this meal includes a roast, Christmas pudding, and mince pies. These delicacies add to the festive spirit and bring families together.

The Impact of Christmas on Society and Culture

Christmas has a profound impact on society and culture. It’s a time for family, community, and charity, promoting values such as love, generosity, and unity. The season encourages acts of kindness, often inspiring charitable activities and community outreach.

The economic impact of Christmas is significant too. The surge in retail sales boosts the economy, providing job opportunities and commercial growth.

In essence, Christmas is a celebration that transcends its religious origins to become a global festival of love, joy, and community spirit. It’s a time when the world seems to pause, and people come together to celebrate life and love. The traditions, symbols, and rituals associated with Christmas add to its charm and deepen its significance, making it a truly special time of the year.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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14 Best Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas for Spreading Cheer this Year

The holiday season comes with buying many gifts for different occasions. Whether it’s a gift exchange with your college friends or something for a few people at the office, or an annual family get-together, it can be very overwhelming—and expensive—to shop for a group.

Before you panic, take a look at this list of thoughtful and inexpensive gift ideas great for any holiday occasion. We also included some tips we included to make your shopping experience a bit easier this year. 

Table of Contents

The Best Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas for 2023

1. 4-cup espresso & cappuccino maker.

This 4-Cup Espresso & Cappuccino Maker is perfect for the caffeine addicts in your life. 

Not only is this machine simple to use, but its variable steam control also allows them to make lattes and cappuccinos like their favorite barista.

And when you shop with Giving Assistant, you can find additional coupons when shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond .

2. Retro Posters

Whether they want to decorate their office, basement, or bar, sometimes the best gift is showing someone how well you know them. What better way to do that than by getting a Retro Poster of their favorite movie, band, landmark, or athlete? With over 1,000 posters to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the perfect one. 

Shop for gifts at Walmart and use coupon codes with Giving Assistant.

3. Quadrocopter With Camera Drone

It doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for a kid or an adult, a remote-controlled Quadrocopter Drone is a fun gift for anyone. And with its voice remote controls, this drone is out of this world.

With a high-quality camera and bright LED lights, this drone will look amazing flying through the air while capturing beautiful scenic shots. 

Check out Giving Assistant for promo codes when you shop for other fun gift ideas at AliExpress.

4. Crockpot 7-qt Slow Cooker

We all have those people in our lives who love to prepare a great meal for friends and family, but don’t have the time to cook it.

The adjustable cooking settings of this Crockpot Slow Cooker allow them to set a specific time to slow cook an entire meal for up to 9 people. Cook dinner and get things done with this awesome slow cooker. 

Giving Assistant shoppers can find all the best Kohl’s deals and coupons .

5. LUXMO Raindrop Lights

A simple addition of beautiful lighting can really bring character to a specific area. These LUXMO Raindrop Lights stretch over 10 feet in length and give the impression of a meteor shower or snow falling to transform someone’s yard, home, or garden.

6. Woolzies Natural Wool Dryer Balls

Sometimes a great gift is something simple and practical. The Natural Wool Dryer Balls are a great item that can make the entire laundry process easier. 

These dryer balls don’t just freshen laundry, they are a natural fabric softener, reduce wrinkles, and save drying time.

Shop with Giving Assistant to find coupons when shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond .

7. Boom Box Game

Any gift that delivers someone a sense of nostalgia is usually a hit. This Boom Box Game will have people reminiscing about their favorite songs from the 80s and 90s. The only problem is getting those catchy one-hit-wonders out of your head when the game is over…

Start shopping with Giving Assistant for books, games, and other great items at Barnes & Noble to get the best deals.

8. Paws & Pals Rolling Backpack

We all have those people in our lives that dislike going anywhere without their furry friends. For them, the perfect gift is this Backpack Pet Carrier .

Perfect for traveling, hiking, long walks or any other outdoor activity, this pet carrier is ideal for anyone who lives an on-the-go lifestyle and enjoys bringing their fur babies along for the journey. Available in red, blue, green, yellow, or black, you can find the perfect carrier that fits your friend, loved one, and their pet.

Make sure to shop for your pets at Petco with Giving Assistant to get great deals.  

9. Shut The Box Game

Sometimes there is nothing like sparking a little competition amongst friends. Shut The Box is a fun game to either play for a little bit of money or just for fun. Since there’s not much to it, it’s an easy thing to bring from one party to the next. 

Shop The Home Depot for other great gifts with Giving Assistant for coupon codes and deals.

10. Yankee Candle Gift Set

Whether you are looking for a multi-candle set or just one, Yankee Candle has plenty of scents, sizes, and themes to choose from.

The large, two-wick tumbler is a popular option. And since it can burn for 75-110 hours, it’s easy to see why. 

Shop for candles and other gifts at Yankee Candle to get the best deals .

11. Skullcandy In-Ear Headphones

A great pair of Bluetooth headphones always makes a great gift. The right pair of headphones can improve someone’s workout, commute, or overall music experience.

These Skullcandy In-Ear Headphones are great gifts for anyone who wants to enjoy music, podcasts, or hands-free phone calls. With 12-hour battery life, they never have to worry about their phone dying before their headphones. 

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12. Batman Seat Covers

Whether it’s to give the old family car a new look for a first-time driver, or just to add some personality, these Front and Rear Seat Covers can transform any car into something worth talking about, like the Batmobile…

With plenty of seat covers to choose from, you’ll definitely find the perfect match for those drivers in your life.

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13. Selfie Kit

Taking “selfies” has come a long way.  Now with a variety of gadgets and tools to choose from, people are taking much higher quality photos and even creating their own content. 

This Selfie Kit is a great gift for anyone who’s into social media or photography. Complete with an extendable tripod/selfie stick, universal Smartphone mount, and wireless remote control, this gift offers everything needed to take perfect selfies that are guaranteed to get “likes”.

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14. SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker

Many people love sparkling water but are stuck buying wasteful plastic bottles. 

This Sparkling Water Maker is perfect for those people in your life who love sparkling water on the go. With replaceable gas cylinders, you no longer have to worry about stalking up on expensive bottles and cans. 

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How to Give the Best Christmas Exchange Gift

It can be incredibly rewarding to give a gift to someone, but it’s not always the easiest thing to do, especially for the people who are hard to shop for. 

Sure there are those who always nail their gift-giving every year, but for the rest of us, we could use a little help. Here are a few helpful tips for you during the season of giving.

1. Give the Gift of an Experience

Focusing a gift around someone’s interest is the first step. For example, if they love a specific band, finding a vintage shirt or their favorite vinyl record is a great gift! If you want to make it even more special, find out if the band has any upcoming tour dates and make a road trip out of it.

2. Make a List

Listing a group of items that someone likes (even if they have nothing to do with each other) is an easy way to find a unique gift that you know they’ll enjoy. For example, if they are into dancing, coffee, and road trips, you could get them a dance-themed coffee tumbler and take them on a nice day trip to one of their favorite spots.

3. Look into the Past

Think about their life events. If they recently got married, had a baby, or adopted a pet, you can get a framed picture of the event for them to display in their home or office. It’s a nice way to be a part of their memory. 

4. Ask Yourself (or Someone Close to Them) What Do They Need

Sometimes the best gifts are thinking about what someone needs rather than what they want. Even if it seems like something basic like an air fryer, getting something to make their life easier can be just as meaningful. 

5. Do a Little Digging

Sometimes a little extra research with good intentions is okay, especially if it’s to find someone’s favorite coffee shop or where they get their nails done. A gift card to one of these spots is a great way to show you pay attention to them.

6. Make Them Laugh

When in doubt, turn to humor. Turn something they love into a ridiculously funny gift. Are they a movie buff? Why not get them a life-sized cardboard cut-out of their favorite movie character?

Turn Your Next Gift Exchange into a Chance to Give Back 

Other Christmas Party Gift Ideas You Might Find Interesting:

• Dirty Santa Gift Ideas
• Secret Santa Gift Ideas
• Gag Christmas Gift Ideas
• Yankee Swap Gift Ideas
• White Elephant Gift Ideas

Essay On Christmas for Students

Table of Contents

Essay On Christmas: The winter season marks the beginning of festivities for people all around the globe, especially Christians, who celebrate the festival of Christmas on 25 th December every year. Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the ‘Messiah of the People’. The day reminds people to follow in his footsteps of love, peace and kindness.

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Short Essay on Christmas of 100 Words

Christmas is a religious holiday celebrated by Christians worldwide. The holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is typically marked by gift-giving, family gatherings, and festive food. For Christians, Christmas is a time to reflect on the teachings of Jesus and to celebrate the hope of salvation offered through his birth.

Christmas is a festival celebrated worldwide with great joy and happiness. It is a festival for Christians. On this day, Jesus Christ was born. People exchange gifts, greetings, and blessings on this day.

10 Lines on Christmas in English

Christmas is a time of happiness and joy. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Families get together and exchange gifts. They celebrate by eating Christmas dinner and singing Christmas carols. It is a time to be with loved ones and friends.

In today’s society, there are many different types of families. There are traditional, single-parent, blended, and adoptive families. Each family has its own unique set of challenges and rewards.

A married couple with children typically heads traditional families. These families are often considered the “typical” American family and usually have the most traditional values. Single-parent families are families where the parents are divorced, widowed, or never married. These families often face more challenges than traditional families but can also be very close-knit and supportive. Blended families are families where the parents are divorced and have re-married. These families can be complicated, but they can also be very loving and supportive. Adoptive families are families where one or both of the parents are not the children’s biological parents. These families can be very diverse, but they often have a strong sense of family unity.

Each of these families has its own unique set of challenges and rewards. Traditional families may face challenges such as balancing work and family responsibilities, but they often have a strong sense of stability and support. Single-parent families may face financial challenges, but they often have a close bond with one another. Blended families may have to deal with complicated family dynamics, but they can also learn a lot from each other. Adoptive families may face challenges, such as adjusting to a new family dynamic, but they often have a strong sense of love and support.

Ultimately, each family is different, and each family has its unique rewards. I am excited to see what the future holds for blended and adoptive families, and I know they will continue to thrive and grow.

List of 500+ Essay Writing Topics and Ideas

Origin of Christmas

In 4 BC, on the coldest of nights, a baby was born to Mother Mary and Father Joseph in the small town of Bethlehem. It is believed that this child was the son of God and had incarnated as a human to end the world’s misery. Many Christmas folklore suggests that on the night of the birth of Jesus Christ, an angel descended from heaven to the shepherds of Bethlehem and said, “I bring you the great news that will bring joy to all people”. As the news of this event spread, wise men and kings from far and wide set on a journey to Bethlehem. When baby Christ was born, he was surrounded by shepherds and sheep in the stable. Three wise men, called ‘the Magi’, paid Jesus a visit and gave him gold and other valuable offerings.

Although Christmas is celebrated on 25 th December every year, the preparations and merriment start much before that. The festive season begins with Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Wednesday of every November. People eat a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and express gratitude for a good harvesting season and other amenities of life. After Thanksgiving, people start preparing for Christmas. This includes buying presents for their near and dear ones, making Christmas cards, decorating their houses with lights and ornaments, and setting up a Christmas tree. People usually decorate a pine tree with stars, candy sticks and light bulbs. The Christmas tree symbolises a fresh and rekindled spirit for the upcoming new year.

On the day of Christmas, people visit their family members to exchange greetings and gifts. A special mass is held in Church, called ‘The Holy Communion’. Children are especially excited for this day as they get to eat loads of cake, candies and other delicious treats that make up the Christmas feast. After Christmas dinner, people gather around the Christmas tree to exchange presents. It is a tradition to pack Christmas presents in socks. Common folklore suggests that every Christmas at midnight, a saint named Santa Claus visits each household and leaves presents for well-behaved children under the Christmas tree.

To please Santa, children go carolling and sing the famous Christmas carol, “Jingle bells, jingle bells! Jingle all the way!”. Since Santa Claus is dressed in red and white attire, these colours are associated with Christmas, and people dress in red and white themselves. Other common Christmas traditions also include performing Christmas-themed plays that spread the values of love and kindness. On the occasion of Christmas, every church decorates the chapel and sets up a ‘manger scene’ to commemorate the events of Jesus Christ’s birth.

Institutions like schools also host grand Christmas celebrations every year. Before the beginning of winter vacation, there was a well-organized cultural program in my school. Every student of my school participates in this cultural event. Various competitions, like a carol-singing competition and skit competition, capture this festival’s essence. A grand Christmas tree is set up in the school hall that the students decorate. We also have a huge feast on the school premises, where we eat a lot of delicious food. Finally, some teachers dress up as Santa Claus and give each pupil a present.

There is a lot of singing, dancing and merrymaking on this special day. After we are done with our celebrations in school, we ride the school bus to the town orphanage to spend some time with the needy and wish them a ‘Merry Christmas’. We also give Christmas presents to the orphanage kids as that is the real value of Christmas – spreading joy and love among our fellow people. We then return to our homes to spend time with our families and friends. Christmas Day is one of the most fun days of the school year, and I will never miss it!

Paragraph on Christmas

Although Christmas is mainly a Christian festival, it is celebrated by people everywhere in the world, irrespective of their culture and religion. It is a festival that spreads joy and brings people together. Christmas is a reminder that one does not need to be rich to be happy. Rather, the jewels of love and companionship make life fulfilling. Christmas is also the time to recollect the teachings of ‘the Great Messiah’ and try to embody his teachings of love, peace and harmony in our lives.

More on Christmas:

• Christmas Speech
• Slogans on Christmas
• Christmas Rhymes

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    American Holidays > Christmas Introduction I Martin Luther King Day I Washington's Birthday (President's Day) I Memorial Day I Independence Day I Labor Day I Columbus Day I Veterans Day I Thanksgiving I Other : Ethnic & Religious Observances I Other Celebrations I Halloween Background · Americans Celebrate Christmas in Diverse Ways · Celebrate! Christmas Day   · Christmas at the Holiday Zone · Christmas on the Net · History Channel > Christmas · New York Times > Christmas · The Story of Christmas · Today in History: Christmas · USA kulinarisch > Weihnachten Original Documents & Lyrics · The Story of Silent Night · The Story of the Twelve Days of Christmas · T'was the night before Christmas . · Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus Multimedia · Christmas Music · Christmas Songs · Online Christmas Song Book Exhibits - Digital Images · Christmas around the World · Christmas at the White House · Photo Gallery: Christmas Reflects American Diversity · Photo Gallery: Winter Celebrations For High School Students · Christmas Day, Dec. 25 · Christmas Time · How Christmas Works: The Complete Guide to Christmas Traditions · NORAD Tracks Santa · Santa Claus · Santa's Secret Village Teacher Resources · Christmas > Classroom · Christmas. Lesson Plans · Facts for Features: Holiday Season 2009 · Teaching Topics > The Spirit of the Season Link Lists · Google > Holidays > Christmas · Librarians' Guide to the Internet: Christmas · Yahoo! Holidays and Observances: Christmas   2004 Capitol Christmas Tree Christmas is a most important religious holy day for Christians, who attend special church services to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas is not only a religious holy day, but became one of the first federal holidays in 1870. On this day most businesses and offices remain closed and the greatest possible number of workers, including government employees, have the day off. Many places even close early on the day before. Naturally Christians observe Christmas according to the traditions of their particular church. Besides the strictly religious traditions, however, other common Christmas practices are observed by people who are not religious or who are not Christian. In this way, some Christmas traditions have become American traditions. Gift-giving is so common at Christmas time that for most stores it means a sharp increase in sales. Stores, in fact, are full of shoppers from Thanksgiving time in late November until the day before Christmas. This situation has caused many religious people to complain that the religious meaning of Christmas is being subverted, that Christmas has become "commercial." Despite the criticism, Christmas shopping is a major activity of many Americans in the month of December. Gifts are given to children, members of the family and close friends. They are given to people who have done favors to others or who work for them. Some people bake cookies or make candies or other special food treats for friends and neighbors. Many businesses give their workers a Christmas "bonus" - gifts of extra money - to show appreciation for their work. Christmas is also a time when most Americans show great generosity to other less fortunate than they. They send money to hospitals or orphanages or contribute to funds that help the poor. Holiday Shopper in New York City. Photo by Heather Schmaedeke for the U.S. Census Bureau. Most Americans send greeting cards to their friends and family at Christmas time. Some people who are friends or relatives and live great distances from each other may not be much in contact with each other during year - but will usually exchange greeting cards and often a Christmas letter telling their family news. The decorating of homes for Christmas is very common. Most American who observe Christmas have a Christmas tree in their homes. This may be a real evergreen tree or an artificial one. In either case, the tree is decorated and trimmed with small lights and ornaments. Other decorations such as lights and wreaths of evergreen and signs wishing a "Merry Christmas" can be found inside and outside of many homes.   Feature Article Dionna Kogassagon, 9, gets a hug from an Alaska National Guardsman dressed as Santa Claus. (© AP Images) Americans Celebrate Christmas with Many Traditions By Michael Jay Friedman. Christmas, celebrated by most Christians on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Americans, like many of the world's peoples, have developed their own Christmas traditions and observances, and these have changed greatly over time. (America.gov, December 22, 2008) Christmas Reflects America�s Diversity (Photo Gallery. America. gov )   Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.   DISCLAIMER Any reference obtained from this server to a specific commercial product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the United States Government of the product, process, or service, or its producer or provider. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government. U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany /Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers   Updated: September 2010

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My Christmas Celebration

• Categories: Tradition

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Published: Mar 20, 2024

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Reston’s Christkindlmarkt Returns with German Hospitality and Charity

By Charlotte Geary

Reston’s German Christmas Market is one of the area’s most popular holiday events, and for good reason. As anyone who has visited Germany in December can attest, Christmas markets are beautiful, cozy, and joyful celebrations. This tradition dates back to the late Middle Ages and is still a beloved part of the holiday season in the German culture.  But what makes this Reston event particularly special is that it raises money for  Cornerstones  to support local people in need of food, shelter, and other services. Reston’s German Christmas Market is a charity fundraiser, cultural experience, and fun party all in one.

The Reston Christkindlmarkt (“Christ child market”) is hosted each year by the German Armed Forces Command  in front of their offices at 11150 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston. This year’s market will take place Thursday, December 8, 2016, from 4:00-9:00pm.

The Reston Christkindlmarkt will offer several booths that sell Christmas crafts, food, and traditional, hand-crafted German gifts. The event is family-friendly, but be prepared to keep an eye on the little ones in tight crowds.

Adults will enjoy German Glühwein, which is a warm red wine mulled with various spices. There will also be a large beer tent where you can enjoy sausages, soup, and of course, German beer.

People with more of a sweet tooth can indulge in marzipan, gingerbread, decorative sweets, and a large variety of homemade treats prepared by volunteers. Items from the commercial vendors have fixed prices, but some of the volunteer booths sell treats for any amount that you choose to place in their donation boxes. Be sure to bring cash to donate to Cornerstones.

One of my personal favorite parts of the Christkindlmarkt is their selection of traditional, hand-crafted German Christmas decorations. Browse their booths to purchase nutcrackers, incense smokers, candleholders, tree ornaments, and more. (Note that most of these commercial vendors are unaffiliated with Cornerstones.)

The market will also include musical performances, games for kids, and presentations by representatives of the German Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces).

The Reston German Christmas Market is a wonderful gift from the German Armed Forces to their host community of Reston. Volunteers work countless hours to make crafts, bake treats, prepare kid’s activities, serve food and beverages, and sell products. All proceeds are given back to the community — the event typically raises over $12,000 for Cornerstones . We at Modern Reston love this annual event, and are truly grateful for all the volunteer contributions from the German community to share this aspect of their culture and give back to our town.

Reston’s German Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt) will take place on Thursday, December 8, 2016, from 4pm-9pm, at 11150 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston. Admission is free, but several items are available for sale. Please consider bringing enough cash for generous donations to Cornerstones charities. 

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40 Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas and Games

| September 16, 2020

| Updated: October 12, 2023

Christmas gifts… what would a Christmas party be without a Christmas gift exchange game! Swapping, grabbing, unwrapping, and pleading for someone to take it…

These Christmas gift exchange ideas are funny, sweet, and maybe a little sentimental. Something for every taste.

You’ll find here exciting ideas for Christmas gift exchange

• themes (24) and
• games (20).

If you are here just for the games, jump to the Christmas Gift Exchange Games .

This post contains affiliate links. After clicking one of these links, I might get a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase.  Read our full disclosure and liability disclaimer .

Let’s start with themes!

24 Christmas Gift Exchange Themes

It’s the Christmas party time of the year! It can be fun, it can be stressful… and it can get costly.

Having a theme for the gift exchange makes shopping easier and so much more fun.

And you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money; many or perhaps all of these are Christmas gift exchange ideas on a budget.

This could be anything for home or car, clothing, book, candy, or anything!

Pick a season, get ready to shop, and to receive all kinds of cool things, from beach bags to umbrellas.

A great way to learn something about the state you choose.

Perhaps the gift is simply a t-shirt, or it could be something odd like a state bird, hopefully, a decorative and not a real one…

Made in the USA is a popular version of this. It does not have to be made in the country you choose, but something that reminds you of it, like a gift with all the flag colors.

Pick a room, and get room-themed gifts.

• kitchen towels
• serving platters
• tea strainer

Living Room

• throw blanket
• box for remote controls
• picture frame

Board games, card games… it will be fun! After unwrapping the games, go ahead and use them right there at the Christmas party.

Everyone will enjoy some kind of book. There are so many options to choose from; here are a few:

• jokes and riddles

Scented or not scented, either way, candles create the coziest atmosphere in any room.

Can we really have too many mugs?

10. Clothing

Buy any clothing or pick one type, like scarves, gloves, hats, socks, or t-shirts.

If you are a family who loves DIY projects, this is the one to go with. Everyone gets to prepare a DIY gift.

12. Re-gift

We all have received items that we never use. Pass on the gift to someone who would love it.

13. Gift Cards

How about a gift card exchange! Get creative with the wrapping, though, to make it more fun.

14. Activity

Give a gift of doing an activity together with the gift receiver. It could be something simple like going to movies, hiking, picnicking, or something extravagant like a cruise.

15. The Initials

Everyone writes their initials on paper. For example, Ally Smith would write AS. Whoever buys a gift for her would look for an item with those letters like bASket or SoAp.

Pick a letter, and everyone buys gifts that start with that letter.

Need some ideas for gifts that start with the letter A for kids ?

17. The Decade

Pick a decade, and everyone buys gifts related to that decade.

18. The Birth Year

This is especially fun for adults. Buy a gift that has something to do with the birth year of the gift receiver, like a movie that came out that year.

19. Stuffed Animal

A cute idea for kids.

20. Musical Instrument

Yeah, you need some music at your Christmas party. This can get quite crazy, but it will be a hoot.

or musical instrument inspired things such as

• coaster with piano keys
• trumpet lapel pin

21. The Greatest Memory

Give a gift that has a ton of sentimental value. Something that reminds you of the gift receiver, maybe a vacation you have taken together.

22. Organization

After the Holidays, all the house cleaning and organization begins.

Everyone needs some kind of storage thing. It could be for the desk, closet, cupboard, counters, or storing magazines and books.

23. Fitness

Yep, the other thing that is super popular after the Holidays. Any kind of fitness item, from jump ropes and hand weights to yoga mats, would be fun.

24. Outdoors

Anything you can use outdoors: sled, beach ball, buckets and, gardening stuff.

2o Christmas Gift Exchange Games

1. Draw a Name

This popular way to do a gift exchange can sound boring but it does not need to be so.

You can make it fun. I’ll give you some awesome ideas.

Plan The Name Drawing Event

Some things to think about when planning the occasion.

• Organize the name drawing: many families do this on Thanksgiving; if you all aren’t together, you could also do a virtual name drawing or simply choose a couple of people to do the drawing and inform everyone of the results. There is also a fun online app called drawnames.com that can be used for this.
• Group the people . Do this if you want the guys to buy gifts for each other, the kids for each other, and so on. You could group the people in various ways: gender, age, family, and location.
• Decide the spending limit (minimum and maximum) to something everyone can afford.
• Secret or Not : Do you want the gift receiver to know who the gift is from?
• Shop with a wish list ? Either way is fun. Wish lists make it easier and could simply just state favorite colors, hobbies, etc.
• Pick a fun name drawing game .

Fill Out Secret Santa Wish Lists

Christmas gift exchange wish lists make shopping easy! Pick a style that you like the best: gift sack, sleigh, or Christmas tree.

Then choose which wish list you want to use.

Take a closer look at the Gift Exchange Wish Lists and pick the one you like the best! These are free.

Play a Name Drawing Game (4 fun ideas)

You can always do the bowl or paper bag way. Nothing wrong with that, but to add a little bit of excitement and fun to the drawing, do one of these activities:

Option 1: Scavenger Hunt

Attach the names to candy canes and hide them in the game area. Everyone scatters to look for the candy canes and will get a name AND a sweet treat.

Option 2: Gift Tree

Attach name tags or write names on ornaments and hang them on the Christmas tree.

You could also use clear ball ornaments and put a rolled-up paper with the name and the wish list inside.

This could get quite crazy, with everyone running to the tree to grab an ornament.

Option 3: Names Under the Chairs

Tape the names and wish lists under the chairs. Doesn’t have to be the dining room; it could be couches, armchairs, etc.

At some point, ask everyone to look under their seat and grab the paper with a name.

Option 4: Put a Sticker on It

Write names or glue pictures of family members on a large piece of paper.

Take turns blindfolded to choose a name by placing a sticker on the “game board.”

Use the closest name to the sticker if it doesn’t land exactly on a name.

2. Christmas Gift Exchange Chaos

This can be chaotic depending also on how fast-paced you make it.

All you need is Christmas Gift Exchange Chaos cards. Put the cards in a bowl or paper sack and take turns picking one and doing what it says.

80 Christmas Gift Exchange Game Cards

NEW design and more cards!

Take it slow or create chaos. It’s up to you.

Whatever way you choose to play, it will be a blast!

View the Christmas Exchange Game Cards in our store at ShopRelaxedHostess.com

Digital pdf file. Nothing will be shipped. Currently, only available to customers in the USA .

3. Holiday Cheer Game

How to play: 

The gifts stay in place in this game, and the players move. It can get quite chaotic, especially if the gifts are unwrapped!

• Sit in a circle.
• Place a gift in front of everybody. (It can be wrapped or unwrapped, your choice.)
• Read the statements one at a time.
• Players stand up if the information applies to them.
• Those standing up switch places with each other and sit down in the new spot.
• Once you have read all the statements, everyone opens the gift in front of them.

Take look at the Christmas Cheer Gift Exchange Game at our store.

4. Left or Right Game

A simple  left or right game  where you read a story with the words “left” and “right” scattered throughout. Every time one of those words is read, the players pass the gifts in that direction.

5. Cobweb Gift Exchange

Kids will love this game!

• Tie yarn around each gift.
• Unwind the yarn going over and under the furniture.
• When it’s time to play the gift exchange, everyone grabs an end of yarn and starts rolling it into a ball until they reach the gift.

6. Hot Potato Gift Exchange

An easy gift exchange game anyone can play.

You’ll need a timer or some music.

• Sit in a circle and pass one or two presents at a time around the circle. (Or do all the gifts at the same time.)
• When a timer goes off or the music stops, the ones holding gifts keep them.
• You can open the gifts right away or wait until everyone gets theirs.

7. Treasure Hunt

Hide the gifts in the game area. You might want to write down the hiding places… some of us can’t always remember where we hide things.

The players look for the gifts.

When they find one, they can take it or keep looking. If they don’t want to keep it, they should be quiet about it so someone else can have the joy of finding it.

8. Guess the Guest

This is a great game for a large group.

Guess the Guest Christmas gift exchange game.

Not as easy as you might think!

This is a great ice breaker or get-to-know-each-other game for a Christmas party where the guests don’t know each other well.

• As the guests arrive, ask them to write on a “Who Am I” card something about themselves. It could be serious or silly.
• Put the cards in a basket, Santa hat, or a paper bag.
• Read one card at a time.
• The guests try to guess who wrote the statement.
• Whoever guesses correctly first gets to pick a present and unwrap it. That person is out of the game.

Variation:  Add the excitement of snatching someone’s present. The players can grab an unwrapped gift from someone. In that case, the person without a gift is back in the game.

View the Guess the Guest Christmas Gift Exchange Game in our store at ShopRelaxedHostess.com

Digital pdf file. Nothing will be shipped. Currently, only available to customers in the USA.

9. Roll the Dice Gift Exchange

For this Christmas gift exchange with dice, you’ll need the Roll the Dice game sheet and dice.

It’s easy.

Roll the dice and do what it says on the game sheet.

Roll The Dice Game Printable

You’ll have lots of fun with the Roll the Dice game! It’s a perfect Christmas gift exchange game for the office or home.

Take a look at the lovely and inexpensive Roll the Dice Christmas Gift Exchange Game . (Comes in two sizes.)

Digital, pdf file. Nothing will be shipped to you. Sold via our store ShopRelaxedHostess.com. Currently available only to customers in the USA.

10. Spin the Candy Cane

This is a fun Christmas gift exchange game for a small group.

• Sit in a circle and spin a candy cane.
• Whoever it points to gets to pick a gift and open it. (Or he can grab someone else’s present.)
• Once the player opens a gift, he should get out of the circle. If someone takes his gift, he gets back in the game.

11. Holiday Trivia

• Ask Holiday trivia questions .
• The player who knows the answer first (shouts, raises a hand, or jingles a bell) gets to pick and unwrap a gift.
• After that, each player can choose a new gift or take an unwrapped gift from someone else.

12. Find the Punch Line

The more people you have, the more fun this game is, so; it is the perfect Christmas exchange game for large families.

• Write jokes or riddles on note cards.
• Write the punchline or the answer on separate paper and attach those to the gifts.
• A player picks a joke card, reads it out loud, and finds the punchline card.
• He keeps the gift the punchline is attached to.

13. Guess The Gift Giver or Do a Dare

Before playing the game, prepare some “dare” cards , like reading a Christmas poem or running around the room while balancing an ornament on your head.

• Give everyone a gift and an index card.
• The players open the gifts and guess who the gift they are holding is from. They write their answers on index cards.
• Take turns presenting the guesses.
• If the player guesses wrong, he has to pick a “dare” card from Santa’s hat.

14. Do You Know This Christmas Carol?

• Play a short clip of a Christmas carol
• Whoever guesses the song’s name first gets to choose a gift from the gift pile and open it.

As a variation : play a short section of a Christmas song and ask the guests what word comes next.

15. What’s the Name of the Christmas Movie

Play like the Christmas carol game, except that in this game, you play a short clip of a Christmas movie and ask the guests to name the film.

You could also read quotes from Christmas movies. The one who guesses the name of the film the section is from gets to pick a gift.

16. Christmas Lane

If you are looking for a Christmas gift exchange game for large families, then this is the one.

Turn on some Christmas music and walk around Christmas Lane.

The Christmas Lane game is like a cakewalk game, except you keep playing until everyone gets a gift.

It’s easy to set up and easy to play. 

• Print the beautifully illustrated Christmas Lane pages (preferably on cardstock), and write numbers on them based on how many players you have.
• You may want to laminate the pages or cover all the edges with tape.
• Form a circle with the Christmas Lane pages. They don’t have to be touching. It’s better if they are spaced out.
• Print and cut out the number cards. You only need the numbers that equal the number of Christmas Lane pages you have.
• Put the cards in a Santa hat or a paper bag.

How to Play:

• Turn on some Christmas music. While the music plays, the players walk around Christmas Lane, either stepping on the papers or walking by them, your choice.
• When the music stops, everyone stops next to a Christmas Lane page.
• Draw a number; whoever is next or closest to that number on the lane gets to pick a gift and open it.

Like many other games, you can play this so the players can choose a new gift or steal someone else’s.

Buy the beautifully illustrated Christmas Lane Gift Exchange Game and go for a walk to collect a gift.

17. Deck the Halls

For this game, you need two decks of cards and a big pile of presents. Maybe two or three for each player.

• Pass out the cards to the players.
• Use the other deck to draw a card and call it, for example, three of hearts.
• Whoever is holding that card chooses a gift from the pile.
• Once all the gifts are gone from the pile, the players start taking gifts from other players.
• Keep going until you have called all the cards.

18. Pictionary or Charades

Play a fun game of Christmas Pictionary or Charades. Whoever wins the round gets to choose a present.

If you want to, you can add the gift-stealing option too.

19. Knock ‘Em Down

This is something new and different, I think…

Bowling version:

Play a few rounds of bowling, and the one with the highest score gets to pick a gift first.

Nerf gun version:

Stack up paper cups and write points on the cups. Everyone gets a set amount of shots. Whoever has the highest score gets to choose a present first.

Make it even more interesting:

• Number the gifts and the bowling pins or the nerf gun targets.
• Space the targets far apart, so each player is more likely to knock down only one of the targets.
• If the gifts are already unwrapped, this can be even more fun with guests trying to knock down a specific number and perhaps avoiding certain ones.

20. Gift Auction

Gift exchange auctions are so much fun.

Find out how to do a Christmas gift exchange auction , and grab the free printable, as well.

21. Whose Gift Is It?

In this game, everyone goes home with a gift they actually like.

The fun part is in guessing whose gift it is.

In this game, everyone gets a gift they actually want.

BEFORE THE PARTY:

• The guests buy and wrap a gift they want to get.
• As the host, buy an additional gift like a gift card or ask everyone to pitch in a dollar for the game prize.

AT ARRIVAL:

• As the guests arrive, put the gifts in Santa’s sack.
• Open the gifts one at a time. Players write down who they think bought that gift.
• Once all the gifts are opened, reveal the gift buyers.
• Whoever got the most correct wins the prize. If it is a tie, play rock, paper, scissors.
• Everyone goes home with the gift they bought. And the lucky winner gets a prize!
• Place the gifts on a table. (Number the presents.)
• The players write down their “whose gift it is” guess based on the wrapping.
• Open the gifts all at once or one at a time. Players write down another guess.
• 3 points for guessing correctly based on the wrapping
• 1 point for guessing correctly after the gift was unwrapped.
• Whoever has the highest score wins the prize. If it is a tie, play rock, paper, scissors.

Whose Gift Is It?

• two game sheets (up to 10 or 25 players)
• instructions

This Whose Gift Is It? Christmas exchange game is excellent for adults. Play it at home or at work. 

Christmas Gift Exchange Themes and Games Summary

• Make the Secret Santa event fun with a theme. It can be anything from a book, color, or mug to the greatest memory.
• Fill out the wish lists and match the givers and receivers.
• Or play one of the many white elephant gift exchange games, such as Deck the Halls, Christmas Lane, Roll the Dice, Guess the Guest, or Find the Punch Line.

Lots of different gift exchange games to choose from! Which one will you pick?

Make This Holiday Season Joyful

• These Christmas party games are a blast!
• Choose a fun Christmas party theme for work or home .
• Take a look at the advent calendar fillers for teens, and fill those countdown calendars in a snap!
• Older kids will love to solve these Christmas scavenger hunt clues !
• The New Year will be here soon! Have fun with the New Year’s Eve Activities for Family!

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