"Merry Christmas - Our Family Party"

Each year we have a party at one of our homes, where our family gets together for a gift exchange.

I grew up with 4 sisters and my parents, but the family has grown a lot since then. With the brother-in-laws and the addition of 14 children that have increased the numbers. Several of these children are married now and some have children of their own.

We stopped drawing names several years back, since it was so hard to find the time to get everyone together for a pre-party event. We used to get each child a gift, but since they're all about grown, we've gone to a "White Elephant" exchange, so everyone can be on equal ground now.

Numbers are placed in a cup, and each person in the family selects one. Each person in the family brings a gift of their choice. It could be something they have already and aren't using, or it could be something new. No limits are set on the cost of the item, since some people are not able to afford as much as others.

This has worked out well over the years, but this year we added a new twist. Each number placed in the cup, was also duplicated and placed in another cup. Each person was then able to draw a number from one of the cups. Once we were ready for the exchange to begin, there was one number drawn at random. The person's number that was called was able to retrieve a gift from under the Christmas Tree. Once they've unwrapped the gift and showed everyone what they got, they were then allowed to draw the next number.

The next person has the option of taking the gift already opened, or picking a new gift to unwrap from under the tree. If the next person takes the gift that was already opened, the person that lost the gift, is now able to pick another one. Since no one knows when their turn to pick is going to be, everyone has to pay close attention. No one knows until the end, if the gift they've picked will be going home with them, so it adds suspense all the way up to the end.

Our party was held this past Friday at my sisters home. We'll still be doing the gifts for our own children and grandchildren (in my case), but the family party will still be fresh in our minds and hearts through the rest of the year. We hope everyone of our visitors to Hertford Online has a very Merry Christmas, and we look forward to starting the New Year.