Lucky dip present ideas?

[SequinBear]

We've got a dozen adults for Christmas and to avoid everyone having to get presents for everyone, we're going to do a lucky dip thing - everyone will bring one present each and then maybe the kids can randomly give one to each adult.

Any ideas for things that would work well? I'm wondering if the best ideas are going to be either novelty or useful / practical.

We'd have to have a max budget - maybe £5? £10? Or should we go even higher? (I just hate the idea of anyone's money going to waste)

The dozen adults are across generations, aged from mid-thirties to eighties, and some people won't know each other (e.g. my widowed FIL won't know my cousin's husband's widowed MIL).

Has anyone done this before with success?

(Disclaimer - we'll still do presents for all the kids!)

Personally, I think this would just result in a lot of tat! The presents would have to be something that’s suitable to all ages, for both men and women with all different tastes.

Why boy do a secret Santa? If somebody gets somebody they don’t really know, they could ask some other family members for advice on what to get them. At least this way people end up with a gift that has been picked for them rather than something generic.

I agree, secret santa with a slightly higher budget. £20? And everyone has to give three ideas of what they might like to make life easier.

OR a very-themed lucky dip: "Best thing from the supermarket for £5 (spices! A magazine!)" "Something from the charity shop" "Something regifted (ie something you already own that's nice but just not to your taste)". It might still end up being tat-y, but not quite so bad.

We used to do a similar thing with neighbours but it was a white elephant gift exchange which added an element of fun to it as you can “steal” other peoples presents.

things that went down well were gift vouchers for nice cafe’s etc, decent scarf, nice smelling candles, boxes of chocolates and bottles of wine always do well…..

Appreciate the responses, thank you @Ilovechristmass, @MrsClausMaybe, and @Citygirlrurallife.

I really like the theme idea! Like £5 in a supermarket or charity shop. Thanks for that one.

Re the Secret Santa - people aren't keen for a few reasons....fair amount of effort to get something people will like; still a risk it won't be something the person will like or use and therefore a waste; or things go the other way and someone asks for 'blue gloves' and so there's no surprise or interest as they get blue gloves.

We were trying to think of a way to mix things up a little, really. And to ultimately do something a bit entertaining - partly actually because the group is so mixed, something more entertaining is a bit like an ice breaker or fun activity in and of itself.

@Citygirlrurallife, I've just been googling the White Elephant Gift Exchange - I love this! Had no idea something like this existed.

I worry that some relatives will find it too complicated. But I do like all the extra twists. Might see if I can pin down a set of easy-ish rules we could follow.......

Tiny bottle of alcohol. Lottery ticket or scratchie. Really nice chocolate. Candles always go down okay.

We had ten people one year, some of whom were new and unknown to the group of friends ie new gf / bf / partner. So everyone had to bring a home-made gift up to £10 value, and there was a big sack inside the hall by the front door. Next to the sack were 10 sticky labels already numbered 1-10. You had to take a number, stick it on your gift, and pop it in the sack.

After lunch, we brought out a board with ten balloons attached, and a set of darts. Everyone took turns throwing a dart at the balloons trying to pop one. Each balloon had a paper number inside and you got the corresponding present for the balloon you'd popped.

As everyone had had champagne before lunch and a full five course meal with appropriate alcohol per course (wine, port, dessert wine, brandy) the balloon popping attempts were hilarious! The presents themselves were OK, homemade jam, chutney and fudge predominated but there was also a calendar and candles, but it was the game which made it a lot of fun and it's been requested again for this year's get-together.

£5 would result in tat. I think £10-£20 for a ‘decent’ present.