{"id":12853,"date":"2021-01-19T09:45:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T14:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/?p=12853"},"modified":"2022-10-03T18:50:16","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T22:50:16","slug":"how-to-host-a-gift-exchange","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/how-to-host-a-gift-exchange\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Host a Gift Exchange"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Everything<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

While we often relegate gift exchanges to Christmas fellowships, gift exchanges can be done throughout the year<\/strong>. Sometimes a gift outside of the Christmas season is even more appreciated!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A gift exchange can be a great tool for encouraging women to connect and love on one another.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You (or your team) will need to decide:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  1. How information will be collected<\/strong><\/li>
  2. How gifts will be distributed<\/strong><\/li>
  3. How the giver will be revealed<\/strong><\/li>
  4. What the spending limit<\/strong> will be<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Let’s walk through a few options for each of these decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Collecting Information<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    I’m a logistics-girl, but even the details of coordinating a gift exchange were throwing me for a loop. I was hoping there was a simple solution online that could be used as-is or adapted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Basically, you’ve got three options:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
    1. Use an online name generator that does it all<\/strong> \u2013 collect emails, send out names, and some include a wish list option. Easy for you to manage but may be difficult for some women to use.<\/li>
    2. Use an online name generator to create a master list<\/strong> that you send out. A little more work for your exchange coordinator, but it keeps all of the info in-house and is easiest for your women.<\/li>
    3. Create your own list of names. <\/strong>This option can be a lot of work if your group is large. You’ll need to be careful that you don’t forget anyone.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      Online Name Generators<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

      I asked the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Community Facebook<\/a> group leaders if anyone had used an online gift exchange website or app, and a couple of suggestions were shared. I discovered there’s no shortage of online Secret Santa generators, but they are all Christmas or Santa-themed.<\/strong> (If you find a gift exchange name generator that’s not Christmas-themed, please let me know so I can add a link for other leaders here.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      I decided to create a test account with DrawNames.com<\/a> to see how it worked. It was pretty straightforward to use, and it sends out reminder emails if women have not clicked the link to draw a name. It also prompts women to create a wishlist; however, they can only choose from items on the site (I’m relatively certain they receive a commission on ordered items). While that can be a convenient option, and Christian gifts were available, it also felt a bit spammy. And some women may not feel comfortable entering their information on a site unrelated to your church.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Another alternative option is this name generator<\/a>. There’s no sign up required. The organizer enters all the names and then receives a link to send each participant that reveals who will be the recipient of their gift. While it may require a little more work for someone on your team, it’s the simplest solution for a group concerned about women struggling with a new piece of technology.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Before you make a final decision, consider whether you’ll want your women to register their information on a website rather than keeping things in-house. You’ll want to check to make sure they don’t get spammed with emails. And you’ll want to know if you can easily re-send links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Creating Your Own List of Names<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

      If you have a small group, I’d recommend skipping the online generators and randomly assigning givers and receivers yourself.<\/strong> Alternatively, you could use an online generator to create a master list that you send out yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Once you’ve decided how you’ll match your group members, you’ll need to gather everyone’s contact information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      You will want to collect each person’s:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
      1. Name<\/li>
      2. Email address (to communicate details)<\/li>
      3. Mailing address (for gift delivery, if needed)<\/li>
      4. Wishlist or favorite things list (if desired)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        A Google Form could be used to collect the information above. It’s easy to share a link to the final spreadsheet with all participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Our team asked participants to share a few of their favorite things. You might want to ask them to share their snack food, restaurant for lunch, and color. We also added a spot for a prayer request so women could pray for one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Gift Distribution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        To encourage as many women to participate as possible, you’ll want to make gift distribution as easy as you can.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Shipping and mailing gift exchange suggestions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n