How to have a Yankee Swap

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By amberdawn
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Yankee Swap

You've heard of a Yankee Swap. But what is it? Well, it's a fun way to exchange gifts for a large crowd of people, such as at work, or for a large extended family on a budget. If you've never done what and don't know what to expect now that you've been invited to one, or if you'd like to host one, this article will give you tips about Yankee Swaps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

One gift
Little bits of paper
A "hat" (or bowl is fine)

Step 1

Tell everyone who is thinking of participating in the Yankee Swap what the price limit for the gift is. Often times it is $20 to $25, but if the majority of people wish for more or less you can certainly adjust this. Just make sure everyone knows the limits so no one gets embarrassed, and people can decide if they can/want to participate.
Step 2

Buy a generic gift and wrap it. In a Yankee Swap, you don't know who is going to receive the gift, so you don't want it to be too specific to one person's tastes. Some popular gifts include coffee, (with mugs and things to add up to the set cost) chocolate, candles, a cookie jar filled with cookies, and holiday decorations such as a table top snowman figurine.
Step 3

Put your gift with the others on the day of the Yankee Swap, usually under the Christmas tree. The host will count the gifts (say there are 20) and write on slips of paper the numbers 1 through 20. Then place all the numbers in a "hat."
Step 4

Draw numbers. Each person will pick a number (no peeking!). That is the order in which gifts will be chosen at your Yankee Swap.
Step 5

See who has number 1. That person will choose the first gift. They open it and show it off to everyone.
Step 6

See who has number 2. That person will choose the next gift. They open it and show it off to everyone. Then that person decides if they want to keep it, or swap it with person number 1. Person number one has no choice but to give up their gift! It's person 2 who makes the choice.
Step 7

See who has number 3. That person will choose the next gift. They open it and show it off to everyone. Then that person decides if they want to keep it, or swap it with person number or 2. Now person 2 doesn't have a choice either if asked to give up their gift! It's person 3 who makes the choice.
Step 8

Continue this process until you get to person number 20. At this point everyone but one has had a choice whether to keep or swap (even though the lower numbers might have gotten their choice taken from them in trade by the higher numbers).
Step 9

Person number 1 now gets the chance to swap their gift with ANYONE in the room! Since they didn't have a choice initially, they are now in the best position. So really number 1 is the best to pull out of the hat at a Yankee Swap, and number 2 is the worst.
Step 10

Have fun. If you get a low number at the Yankee Swap, better luck next year. Remember it's all in good fun. Happy holidays!

Comments

hormellunchmeat said

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on 9/3/2009 We have a Yankee Swap every year in my family. You can download the official rules at http://www.yankeeswap.com and they have a great gift finder.

partywedo said

on 8/1/2009 This is the funnest party! We call it a white elephant party, but it is the same thing. Our family has been playing an online Yankee Swap for the past 3-years. It is perfect for staying connected from a distance!

BHolmes said

on 1/6/2009 I never heard it called a Yankee Swap! Wondered what it was called. We used to do it with my husband's family, and then did it at work. It is a lot of fun, and can get pretty rowdy!