How to Start the Christmas Gift “Big Four” Tradition

My pals and I are obsessive about Christmas — like, decorating-our-dorms-in-November obsessed. However as faculty college students on a price range, we wanted a solution to make vacation gift-giving reasonably priced and significant.

The idea we selected is easy however ingenious: We “assign” out names Secret Santa-style, and every particular person places collectively a present field for his or her giftee with one factor the particular person wants, one factor they need, one factor that reminds you of them, and one factor of their favourite coloration. I’ve been doing this with my pals for 2 years now, and this yr was even higher than the final.

The Secret Santa format means everybody will get a present with out spending a ton (we every hold it below $50). It’s considerate, budget-friendly, and actually far more thrilling than simply swapping want listing gadgets.

In case you love the concept of attempting this gift exchange method with your pals, right here’s precisely how one can make it occur this vacation season.

This technique seems so properly with my pals as a result of we’re all tremendous clear about the way it will work. In case you additionally need to give it go, set up a spending restrict early on that works for everybody. Once more, my pals and I keep on with $50, but it surely needs to be no matter you and your pals really feel snug with. 

Then, be sure everybody understands the 4 classes: one thing the particular person wants, one thing they need, one thing that reminds you of them, and one thing of their favourite coloration.

If you wish to assign a random particular person to every buddy like my pals and I do, you may draw names out of a hat in particular person or use a web based generator like Elfster in case your group is unfold out geographically. 

In fact, you can too merely use this “Massive 4” blueprint for particular person gifting — it’s excellent for a bestie, sibling, or important different when a full group trade isn’t an choice.

Don’t overlook to consider the 4 classes whereas purchasing to your giftee: In case you hold them as a guidelines in your Notes app, for instance, it makes the entire course of simpler and extra intentional.

Bear in mind to stay to your price range (it retains issues honest for everybody else, too!), and know that thoughtfulness issues greater than value. Go for private touches: Whether or not it’s a DIY aspect or one thing that exhibits you actually “get” your buddy, these particulars make all of the distinction.

Then, for an extra-adorable contact, use a cute field or basket to carry every thing — and don’t overlook festive tissue paper.

Plan a day to fulfill up, swap your containers, and watch everybody’s reactions as they open their presents. It’s so heartwarming to see how considerate everybody will get with their picks! 

In case you and your pals stay throughout, you can additionally ship them to one another after which do a Zoom present trade.

This yr I did all my purchasing at T.J. Maxx, which was a goldmine for cute and reasonably priced presents. I additionally beloved choosing out an ornamental field and tissue paper to tie every thing collectively. Right here’s what I put in my buddy’s field to suit every class.

I selected a framed photograph of our buddy group. My buddy lately moved into her personal residence, and I felt like this was one thing she wanted to make her area really feel extra like residence.

For this class, I went with a beginner-friendly crochet reindeer package. She’s been speaking about desirous to strive crocheting ever since she noticed it trending on TikTok.

An preliminary necklace. My buddy loves layering necklaces, and the one I noticed felt so like her once I noticed it. Plus, preliminary jewellery is tremendous stylish proper now!