Christmas Gift Exchange

Up until a few years ago, when (almost) everyone would be home for Christmas, we had a gift exchange plan that worked well for our family. Names were exchanged the day after Thanksgiving, and each person bought a gift for one other brother or sister. But, the "exchange" did not work well when family members were excluded by distance or other Christmas plans. We (meaning I) decided that only those who would be present for Christmas should participate primarily so that the younger ones, especially, would have the joy of giving and receiving their gifts in person. Now that new families are sprouting and the youngest children at home are growing up, I think we need a new Christmas gift exchange plan.

A friend told me that in her family there is a rotation plan. Each individual (or family) buys for one other individual (or family) each year--that remains the same as our plan. But the schedule is set in advance; there is no secrecy. Peter and Jess, for example, would buy a gift for Matt and Emily the first year, Ben and Michal the second year, Jon the third year, and on around the family until they had bought a gift for each other brother and sister (or family). This plan would allow everyone to participate without a burden on anyone. It also opens up a greater possibility of hand-made gifts that might take longer than a month to complete. Every family member could add creative touches to the gift.

Since we have already exchanged names for this Christmas, I am proposing that we begin the new plan with Christmas 2009. The list would be published at the beginning of January. So....please consider this proposal and respond with any queries, addenda, suggested modifications, or a simple thumbs up or down. Thanks.