Our family doesn't give presents at Christmas since we do the "Give It or Take It" Party Table.
Our family has grown, and many incomes are fixed or stretched thinly.
Progressively, as the families grew, the gift-giving was as follows.
A. The adults give everyone a gift.
B. All the children received gifts from the adults, and the adults did name drawings.
C. All the children received gifts, and the adults did "Dirty Santa."
D. As the children grew into their late teens, they joined the adults' Dirty Santa gifting.
E. The children were now young adults with either educational goals or were creating small families; therefore, we started playing the Wright Family Game with all who wanted to join in bringing a small, wrapped, unbreakable Dollar Tree type of item and no other gifts.
F. Coinciding with the Wright Family Game tradition, I started the Take It Table with new or new-looking Christmas decorations one year. Then, there were a couple of years with tables featuring cookbooks or crafting books.
G. No gifts, including retiring the Wright Family Game. After a family discussion, we just gathered for the meal and enjoyed each other's company. This situation lasted a few years.
H. Fast forward to the last few years. While hubby and I still hosted the party, the meal evolved to a menued potluck meal, and a couple of us revived the Take It Table to include gently used items or new items we were editing from our homes.
I. Other family members asked to join the tradition, which has morphed into Take It or Leave It Table(s.) Family members bring new or gently used items they wish to edit from their homes. Any items that no one chooses will be boxed and donated to a local charity.
Family members can bring as many or few of the things they want to leave their homes or even nothing. Guests and family members can take home as few, many, or none of the items on the table; the items vary from office, kitchen, or bathroom supplies to books, small furniture pieces, linens, toys, and decor.
J. We expanded the Take It or Leave It Table idea to a summer event last year.
K. We plan a Spring Pizza Party with Take It or Leave It tables this year.
In conclusion, gift-giving traditions need to evolve with familial desires and needs. I've given a synopsis of our family dynamics and hope you can find inspiration for your families.
Depending on your family or friends interactions, you could opt for different Take It or Leave It tables, such as themed gatherings that target specific themes. Games, barbeque supplies, kitchen pots and pans, baking items, cookie cutters, yard tools, DIY books and supplies, crafting supplies, etc.
