Secret Santa and Yankee Swap Gift Ideas

It's that time of year... office Christmas party time! Ho Ho Ho and a bottle of cheer it's a Yankee Swap time with some good ideas. And some bad ones too!

If you are unfamiliar with a Yankee swap, here's how it works.

Each participant brings a wrapped, unmarked gift and places it in a designated area. Guests are given numbers as they arrive, or their names are randomly drawn, and they select and unwrap gifts from the pile in that order. The person who has number 1 picks first and unwraps the present. On subsequent turns, participants have the option of unwrapping a gift or “stealing” a gift from another participant.  If a participant’s gift is stolen, they can unwrap another present or steal a gift from someone else.  Gifts can only be stolen three times. The game is over once everyone has had a turn.

Most companies have a cap of 10 or 20 bucks spending when shopping for your Yankee swap. Here are a few things to get your ideas flowing...

Lottery Tickets (cheap dreams with big impact)

Gift Cards (generic or store specific everyone loves gift cards)

Bottle of Wine (soooo many great option under $10) 

Candles (Ladies love them, guys, not so much...hence the swap!!!)

Some not so great ideas for your Yankee swap.

Clothing (too many things to go wrong with this option)

Personal Hygiene Products (although it could get some great laughs...I'd pass on these)

Fruit Cake (Hmmm...you would have to find some where to find them...lol but even if you do...yeah, no!)

Chia Pets (The trump chia may be the exception here)

What do you think would be a great or not so great item for Secret Santa and Yankee Swap gifts?