Gift Exchange Ideas for a Kid's Birthday Party
Gift exchange games can liven up the traditional gift-giving ritual. For a kid's birthday party, organize a gift exchange so that each guest can leave with a gift rather than simply having to watch the birthday girl unwrap every gift herself. You can turn the gift exchange into a fun party game as well. Make sure you set a clear budget for the gifts ($5, $10, etc.). Have fun trying out one of these gift exchange ideas at your next party. Does this Spark an idea?
Left/Right Passing Game
Each guest selects a wrapped gift from the pile, one that is not the gift he brought. Guests then arrange themselves in a circle, while the party host or parent reads a story filled with the words "left" and "right." Each time the world "left" appears in the story, guests must pass their gift to the person to their left. Each time the word "right" appears in the story, guests must pass their gift to the person to their right. If the host can read quickly enough, the passing will become frenzied and hilarious. For left/right stories, look at partymerchant.com or partygameideas.com.
The "Yankee Swap" or "Grinch Exchange"
This classic gift exchange game goes by many names, but two of the most common are "Yankee Swap" and "Gift Exchange". Place all wrapped gifts in a pile and have each guest draw a number from a hat or other container to determine the order of gift selection. Number one goes first, choosing a gift from the pile and unwrapping it. Each player after number one can choose between selecting a wrapped gift from the pile or stealing another players unwrapped gift. If a player's gift is "stolen," he selects a new gift from the pile. Go all the way around the circle and return to player number one, who can decide to keep her gift or steal another player's gift.
Homemade Gift Exchange
Add a personal touch to the classic gift exchange by asking each guest to bring a homemade object. The object does not have to be an elaborate craft project, but can be simple items such as a custom music play list burned to a CD, a hand-painted tote bag or a beaded bracelet. Have each guest choose a gift from the pile and then trade as desired.
Game Exchange
Have each guest bring a fun party game. Guests can bring classic board games or smaller games such as Bananagrams, Boggle or Quiddler. Have each guest select a game from the pile to take home, and then play the games for the rest of the party.
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