Gift Exchanges Archives

Try one of these Secret Santa theme ideas for work during the next office party.

9 Office-Safe Secret Santa Theme Ideas for Work Parties

When I was fresh out of college, a few years ago (ok, more than a few), I had a job at a consulting company. To make things more fun, they had a party committee. One [read more]

Ain’t No Party Like a Secret Santa Party…

Meghan L

We love seeing Secret Santa gift exchanges on The Gram! Check out the lucky winners of our Party.Post.Win. giveaway, who scored a $50 Amazon Gift Card (just for sharing pics with #elfster!). Thanks for being [read more]

Elfster How-To’s and Helpful FAQs

Meghan L

Tis the season to get your Wishlists in order and kick off the holly, jolly fun of an Elfster Secret Santa Gift Exchange. Elfster is a FREE gift exchange website and app that connects families [read more]

The Elves’ Favorite Cookie Recipes

Meghan L

We elves love nothing more than sugary sweets to fuel our days at the workshop. A candy cane here, a sip of maple syrup there… And when it comes to cookies, well, let’s just say [read more]

fall tshirts for Friendsgiving celebration

5 Festive Finds for Hosting Your Friendsgiving Feast

Meghan L

Thanksgiving Day at home with the old folks may sometimes turn into a snooze fest (thanks a lot, turkey), so be thankful there’s a new holiday in town: Friendsgiving, an energy-infused occasion featuring all the [read more]

A Secret Santa generator lets you do a name drawing with exclusions.

Pro Elf Tips for Organizing a Secret Santa Gift Exchange

Meghan L

What’s the #1 reason to create a Secret Santa gift exchange besides the fun? Everyone only needs to buy one gift, and then they’re done! Elfster is a FREE gift exchange website that connects families, friends, [read more]

Jam Band Fans Swap Groovy Gifts & Widespread Kindness

Meghan L

If you live for live music, the silence of 2020 may have seemed deafening. As the world pressed pause on festivals and concerts planned for the year, eager jam band fans waited with bated breath. [read more]

Gifting For Good: Elfster Group Supports LGBTQ+ Run Businesses for Pride Month

Meghan L

After pressing pause on the party in 2020, rainbow flags are flying and the glitter is sparkling. Pride Month is in full swing! It’s time to support LGBTQIA+ run businesses by going all out for [read more]

Growing the Tribe: How Autism Spectrum Moms Spread Good Vibes Through Generosity

Meghan L

For some parents of children living on the autism spectrum, family life can seem very different and distant from the experiences of many others. And facing challenges unique to their own family, many parents feel [read more]

Homeschool Families Making Meaningful Connections with Simple Gifts

Meghan L

I saw the need in our community and was excited to think of something that would help – even a little. — Terry Yaceyko School-aged children have certainly been hit with challenges this past year, [read more]

The Best Mother’s Day Gifts to Make Your Wife Smile

elfster

If you are looking for a Mother’s Day gift for your wife, you could be feeling overwhelmed by the options that you have to choose from. Here’s everything you need to know about picking out [read more]

Life’s short. Talk fast. (And Gift Often!)

Meghan L

Can you believe it’s been over 20 years since the world first fell in love with the mother-daughter duo of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore and their fast-talking, witty banter (ever-fueled by coffee)? The hit dramedy [read more]

After a Month of Self-Sacrifice & Spiritual Growth, a Party is Certainly in Order

Meghan L

Eid al-Fitr falls on May 12 this year and celebrations will continue into the next day. As someone new to these traditions, I was eager to learn more about the festivities surrounding the celebration of [read more]

Black Girls Read Books, Too

Meghan L

Just as every book has its own story to tell, so too do the eyes that are cast upon their pages. Through the lens of an author of color, they share the diverse voices of [read more]

A Freilichen Purim! Gift Basket Ideas to Celebrate Spring, Community and Life’s Joys

Brian B

Late winter and early spring are, for everyone, imbued with a sense of rebirth and excitement. It’s a time to escape the long winter—and look forward to the light. For the Jewish people, though, it [read more]

Board Game Community Puts Spotlight on Generosity

Meghan L

When I was a kid, my family was really into playing board games. For my brothers, I’m sure it was all about the strategy and a little “friendly” competition. For me, it was all about [read more]

Cookie Exchange Raises the Bar on Holiday Baking

Meghan L

Here at Elfster, we consider ourselves experts on pretty much “all things holiday” — we are elves after all! Picking the perfect presents, keeping tabs on Santa’s nice & naughty lists and helping your holidays [read more]

Why I Hated Gift Exchanges Before Elfster

Garmen C

The first time I ever participated in a gift exchange was in college. I’m not sure how I escaped my entire life before that point without having taken part in one, but when I heard [read more]

Don’t Let Distance Deter You From Celebrating the Holidays

Garmen C

Event planning is my happy place. In fact, when my husband tried to throw me a birthday party for a milestone age that shall not be mentioned, I couldn’t let him. Well, actually I tried [read more]

Good Secret Santa Gifts to Ask for When You Can’t Think of Anything

Brian B

There are two very, very simple questions that always leave me stumped: 1) What kind of music do you like; and 2) what do you want for Christmas/birthday/etc.? I listen to music all day, dozens [read more]

4 Secret Santa Party Themes to Up the Creativity

Teresa H

Getting into a festive party mood is rarely difficult if you’re a party planner like me. I’m always ready to see family, friends, neighbors, and college pals in person, online, or a combination of both. [read more]

LGBTQIA+ Podcast Fans Swap ‘Coming Out Boxes’ for Pride

Meghan L

As summer soon turns to fall, it’s hard to believe it has been over five months since we first heard the two words that would come to define 2020: social distancing. Way back when, as [read more]

3 Fun Gift Exchange Games for Family Gatherings

Teresa H

My great-grandmother Irene set up games for us to play as a family during every birthday, anniversary, or holiday gift exchange. In the summer and fall, it was croquet in the backyard. The winner received [read more]

How to Use a Pick Names Out of a Hat App

Brian B

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I have a lot of baseball hats that I’ve been wearing for a long time, showing off my love for the White Sox. I have hats I’ve been playing softball in [read more]