Would you like this?

[amaranth]

I was invited to a "Favorite Things" party. Rules are $25 worth of your favorite thing(s) gift wrapped, then we all trade. Normally this seems easy enough but almost everyone was complaining about what they got last year and I feel a lot of pressure as a new invitee to do well. Is the following idea too cliche/lame or would most people be pleased to receive it?

-BBW 3 Wick Candle
-$5 Starbucks Gift Card
-Pack of Andes Mints
-Fuzzy Socks
-Nail Polish

It just feels like every $25 generic gift....

[wanderingenough]

People complained?! You've got some gracious friends. Haha!

I'd be fine with that gift, but I wouldn't be super pumped because I have like 10k pairs of fuzzy socks, candles, and bottles of nail polish. I also wouldn't complain though!

[Deleted]

I would love that gift!

[HoneySpider]

Dec 7, 2016 16:50:07 GMT -5 suzv said:

I'd be super pumped to receive that gift! You had me at Starbucks and Andes mints!

Yes!

I am on nail polish overload right now but I wouldn't be upset to receive it

[katespade]

I agree with wanderingenough. I think that sounds like a great idea and it's a gift I would love to receive, but it's definitely a pretty standard exchange gift. What kinds of complaints did people have about last year?

[amaranth]

The host last year received wooden spoons, raw veggies, bar soap, and something else odd. Others got things like loose leaf tea, wine, coffee... Stuff that sounds fine to me.

What would be better "wow" ideas? New ideas include

-Favorite mascara
-Chocolate covered berries
-Diva Cup (kidding!)
-Homemade cookies & cool cookie scoop
-Bottle of locally brewed favorite root beer
-

[HoneySpider]

I'm a fan of gc (especially for places that are a treat for me) although I know some people aren't...but maybe up the dollar amount on the gc and add in a few treats?

[katespade]

I know $25 isn't much for something like this, but what about some type of jewelry? A cute necklace or bracelet might be fun, and would be different from the types of gifts they didn't enjoy last year.


ETA: Or earrings. I always forget about those because I don't wear them.

[krystee]

Hmm. I agree that I would like that gift but that it will probably be very similar to others'. Maybe a favorite magazine and buy the current issue (or if Amazon has a subscription for under $10, get that)? Favorite game? Favorite book or cookbook?

I have heard of another version of this kind of party, where you invite five people and everyone brings five of their favorite $5 thing, and everyone gets the same stuff/no one feels like someone ended up with the better gift. I have always wanted to throw one of those. Maybe next year!

[amaranth]

Dec 7, 2016 23:38:24 GMT -5 krystee said:

Hmm. I agree that I would like that gift but that it will probably be very similar to others'. Maybe a favorite magazine and buy the current issue (or if Amazon has a subscription for under $10, get that)? Favorite game? Favorite book or cookbook?

I have heard of another version of this kind of party, where you invite five people and everyone brings five of their favorite $5 thing, and everyone gets the same stuff/no one feels like someone ended up with the better gift. I have always wanted to throw one of those. Maybe next year!

That version sounds fun! Definitely easier to be fair that way.

Good ideas on the book or game. I think I'll do that

[wanderingenough]

Dec 7, 2016 23:38:24 GMT -5 krystee said:

Hmm. I agree that I would like that gift but that it will probably be very similar to others'. Maybe a favorite magazine and buy the current issue (or if Amazon has a subscription for under $10, get that)? Favorite game? Favorite book or cookbook?

I have heard of another version of this kind of party, where you invite five people and everyone brings five of their favorite $5 thing, and everyone gets the same stuff/no one feels like someone ended up with the better gift. I have always wanted to throw one of those. Maybe next year!

I've done that version! It was only about 5 gals total, so we did $10 I think. It was fun because you got a bunch of different stuff.

amaranth - I think your new ideas sound great! And now I want root beer.

[MrsMB]

krystee That sounds so cute! I'm going to file that idea away for future reference.

[wanderingenough]

Dec 8, 2016 13:21:51 GMT -5 MrsMB said:

krystee That sounds so cute! I'm going to file that idea away for future reference.

When we did it we combined it with a cookie baking party. Everyone brought premade dough for a few dozen cookies of their choice ready to bake + their small gift for everyone. We threw the cookies in the oven, drank wine while they baked, gossiped, and opened the gifts. Everyone went home with 5 sets of $10 "favorites" + dozens of various selections of cookies to give out to neighbors and coworkers. Since I was hosting, my gift for everyone was cupcake print aprons to bake in. Other gals gave stila lip gloss, favorite local wine, scarves, one girl made little work emergency kits with nail files/tampons/etc. in a handmade zippered bag. I'm jealous amaranth is going to one!

[MrsMB]

Dec 8, 2016 13:45:11 GMT -5 wanderingenough said:

Dec 8, 2016 13:21:51 GMT -5 MrsMB said:

krystee That sounds so cute! I'm going to file that idea away for future reference.

When we did it we combined it with a cookie baking party. Everyone brought premade dough for a few dozen cookies of their choice ready to bake + their small gift for everyone. We threw the cookies in the oven, drank wine while they baked, gossiped, and opened the gifts. Everyone went home with 5 sets of $10 "favorites" + dozens of various selections of cookies to give out to neighbors and coworkers. Since I was hosting, my gift for everyone was cupcake print aprons to bake in. Other gals gave stila lip gloss, favorite local wine, scarves, one girl made little work emergency kits with nail files/tampons/etc. in a handmade zippered bag. I'm jealous amaranth is going to one!

I LOVE IT!