HELP!! Gift Exchange! Bah, humbug.

[clam]

OK. Going to US for Christmas. 17 people on the big day, some of whom I don't know very well. The suggestion is to do a gift exchange (separate from the gifts we'll take for our friends who are hosting), which is a bit like Secret Santa, only more vicious, and you can steal, exchange and barter to try to end up with the gift you'd like for yourself, which you might not recognise as someone else has wrapped it up to disguise it. So, I have to find 4 gifts (about a tenner each) that DH, DS, DD and I would love for ourselves, but which also might appeal to others to steal (range of ages from 5, through teens to adult!!!). Oh, and which aren't too heavy to pack, unless I buy them out there. And not too expensive. And are not alive (customs!) or illegal to import/export.
And I thought I'd finished shopping! Where the hell do I start?

gawd
what a palaver

DVDs? CDs? small jewellery bits for male and female? yummy choc things?

stuff from the uk they cant get in the US? harrods tat/chocs (if you are in london)
biscuits- prob wouldnt travel well though?
go to boots and nab the 3 for 2s?

I don't envy you- this sounds a right carry on!

Well, it should be fun on the day. Is just the planning and shopping that's a pain.

DVDs are a no-go coz they're a different zone from us. But I think there's a Harrods branch at Heathrow, and a Boots (for the old 3 for 2s).

Just had visions of you all gouging each others eyes out to get the best pressies in some kind of festive free-for-all- although I have a feeling thats just what would happen at our house?!

In my experience Americans lurve all things english- maybe mini jams/marmalades etc?

if there's expats then i'd wrap a tin of baked beans, marmite and pg tips

Well, thanks all, but DH has become inspired!! He likes a challenge (and the prospect of a bun-fight over presents), so is breaking years' of habit and off out to do some Christmas shopping!!!