Tired of Secret Santa? 5 Budget-Friendly Holiday Gift Exchanges to Try Out

‘Tis the season to save money. 

Last year, I got myself a high-yield savings account for the holidays because I didn’t want to start the new year with debt. This year, I want to save as much money as possible when gift-giving without sounding like the Grinch. You’re probably thinking I’m a joy to be around. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love to spoil my friends and family. But my idea of a thoughtful gift isn’t based on monetary value. I’d rather host a dinner party where I cook my loved ones’ favorite things because you can’t put a price tag on quality time. 

Between the office and family functions, we’ve all participated in some kind of holiday gift exchange. But you don’t have to stick to the traditional Secret Santa to have a good time, and you can even save a buck if you think outside the box.

Read more: How I Saved Money Over the Holidays

5 budget-friendly holiday gift exchanges to try this year

The holidays weigh heavy on our bank accounts, but these gift exchanges have smaller budgets. 

🍪 Cookie swap 

What’s more on-brand for the holidays than cookies? If you enjoy baking, and your inner circle does, too, host a cookie swap. Tell your guests to bring a batch of their favorite cookies and a container to bring more home. From there, the rules are entirely up to you. If you’re a serious baker, you can set a theme and ask everyone to test their creativity. You could even make it into a competition. Best chocolate and peppermint or gingerbread, anyone? 

A cookie swap is a great way to learn new recipes and come home with a ton of sweets you can share with others. But remember to accommodate any necessary dietary restrictions so it’s fun for everyone! 

👩🏽‍🍳 Recipe exchange 

Are we still gatekeeping the secret ingredient to family recipes? I don’t think so. If you have a ton of foodies in your life, play Secret Santa with everyone’s favorite recipe. You don’t have to advertise your Grandma’s top secret ingredient that makes her banana bread top tier, but it would be cool if you did (don’t tell my Grandma I just said that). You can also play this with cocktails if your party guests are 21 and up. And if there’s room in the budget, you can gift the ingredients along with the recipe. 

If you’re playing with kids or a group of avid readers, host a book swap instead! 

🎨 DIY Secret Santa 

I know, I know, everyone is familiar with Secret Santa. But instead of just setting a cap on the amount you want folks to spend, challenge your guests to bring a gift that is entirely homemade. You don’t have to be an artist or a ceramicist to have fun with this. It’s really the thought that counts. You can even set a theme and ask everyone to bring a homemade ornament or stocking that the group can personalize together with the crafts your guests contribute. 

♻️ Play a regift game

If your friends have a good sense of humor, arrange an exchange around gifts you received but don’t have any use for. Listen, we’ve all been there, so don’t tell me you haven’t received a gift that made you wonder if the other person knows you at all. No shade, it’s just the truth. So, instead of a White Elephant with gag gifts you spent way too much money on at a novelty store, regift an unused gift to someone who might actually enjoy it. 

🏴‍☠️ Holiday treasure hunt (for the kiddos)

If you have little ones you’re going to entertain over the holidays, coordinate a holiday-themed treasure hunt. You can get baskets or stockings from any discount store, and send the kids on the ultimate treasure hunt around the house for little trinkets. You can keep these gifts simple; think along the lines of stickers, DIY ornaments, holiday candy, coloring books and so on. This will come in handy if you have a ton of kids to entertain but don’t have the budget to buy personalized gifts for everyone. Plus, this will keep the whole group entertained for a while, and it could even become a fun family tradition. 

Why gift exchanges are worth it 

There are many ways to save on the holidays, such as offering favors or a handwritten note instead of presents, or even setting caps on gifts of $10 or $15 for each participant. Budget gift exchanges are just one way to bring life to the holidays because they focus on the act of giving rather than the gift itself.