Dirty Santa? is there anybody....

that hates that gift exchange more than me? I've participated in two over the last two days... yesterday was good, very few exchanges, even for the guys who received girly gifts.

but today, a different story. once again I was left with a lame gift, a candle, which I don't use (allergies in our home)... so gave it to my friend.

I've never taken another gift in lieu of opening a new one, but sure have had lots of gifts taken from me...

so okay, it's the thought (? huh ?) that counts....

There are just so many other ways to do a gift exchange in a large group without drawing names.

Dirty and Santa should not be used in the same sentence as far as I'm concerned, unless you're talking about the soot on his outfit after having come down the chimney!

The only time I played this game (wasn't called dirty santa but same idea), was when dh had a job where they did it at the holiday party. It seemed kind of fun and made the gift exchange last longer. A few times I liked what I got, and a few times I didn't. There were lots of laughs during the entire gift opening time, making really fun. I admit I was happier when I got one I liked, but it didn't really matter much. I would never do this at a family party or where gifts are person specific, otherwise I it is ok to me. Sorry it upsets you Dee. Perhaps you should not attend the ones that intend to play this game.

I love this game. We do it every year, everyone buys a gift specifically for the game, and we set a $10 limit, and adults only. We are usually all tipsy by then, so it's alot of fun, and there are usually some rather...interesting gifts.

Two local groups I belong to... so can't not attend because I like the rest of the festivities.

Way back when I worked, we did a variation, but it was always white elephant gifts that were fun to watch go back and forth. But when I see the looks on some of our visiting Japanese members as we play this version, and they don't totally understand, I feel bad. And the group that I participated in today seemed very "give me the best gift". I always feel bad for the person who brought a gift that everyone tries to unload... I take whatever I get and if I can use it fine, if not, it ends up in the silent auction next Nov (and no one would remember that I receive it) or I give it to some who would enjoy (no exchange require... like today, I gave my candle to a neighbor who does burn candles and she wanted to give me her gift (which was a scented electrical thing) which I declined. I don't mean to sound ungreatful, but I watch the women's faces and meins, it makes me sad. On the other hand, I brought a gift that went back and forth 3 times (the limit) and the look on some, was, well, gosh "I really wanted that" even though they may have gotten an equally nice gift.

I just think there are nicer and fun ways of doing a gift exchange (especially we we don't have all afternoon, but a limited time). I like you get a number, you choose a gift, and you go home with that gift... Just remember it's better to receive than get!

I've talked with many people about my feelings, and a lot of people are like "hey, it's fun" I don't think so. just saying. and sticking to it.

when we do a yankee swap, I like to have a little fun..people usually bring the same tpe gifts every year cheap chocolates, candles, etc. This is what I do (of course I can't do it every year, I can only do it with different groups of people who haven't caught on to me yet). I buy one of those single individually wrapped rolls of Scott toilet paper. I take the wrapper off unwrap the toilet paper 2 or 3 turns, and put a $10 bill inside. Wrap the toilet paper back, put the wrapper back on and wrap it in Christmas paper. The minute someone opens it, it becomes the "dud" gift that everyone tries to pass off to everyone else all evening. I wait until the very end when the trading is done..then I let the person who got "stuck" with the TP know that maybe they should open it and unwrap the TP a bit...and they find the $10 bill inside...

Ha, too funny.... someone did that today, it was a puzzle, maybe a $3 gift we had a 6-10 dollar spread. The gal that one it after someone took a really cool gift from her, got it, of of course no one traded. Then as #1, she got the last picked and traded it off for something. then the gal who brought puzzle said there was a special gift, inside the puzzle pieces was a $10 JPC GC ... maybe the joke was a 'greedy' #1

We don't do normal gifts....well they are normal for us. Last year there were at least 4 "massagers" , a kama sutra book, ...you get the idea. We really try to outdo each other with the most outrageous $10 gift.

too funny Erin, we have a more straight laced Newcomers Club of ladies to go crazy... also Christmas stuff (decos, etc) which is okay. I think in a less formal situation, your idea is fantastic!