I also added some leggings and Lindt chocolates to round out the gift. I chose my sister, Laura, for the second time in a row and was tasked with finding things she’d like that started with the letter “L.” She joked she wanted a llama, so I did my best and found a wine glass with a picture of a llama and the words “mama llama on it.” Sure, the actual item didn't start with “L,” but I figured it was close enough. Coffee was the perfect alternative though. Let’s be honest, I probably would have bought her wine if I hadn’t had to ship the package to Ohio. I gifted my other sister a mug with moose on it from a local shop, along with some coffee from Coco Moon and scone mix from StoneHouse Coffee. That year, I received some wine from my sister’s neck of the woods in southern Wisconsin and a nice glass with the letter “T” on it. Add me in, and we’ve got four cities in three different states, all with unique shops and products.Īnd because we’re the adults that we are, we decided the other part of that year’s theme would be beverages.

My brother and my oldest sister live in different areas of Wisconsin, while my other sister is in Ohio. And secondly, my siblings and I are all spread around the Midwest, so it’s fun to get stuff from places outside our homes. For one, supporting local businesses is always a great idea, especially around the holidays. The first part was shop local, which is great for several reasons. I’m not sure who came up with the original idea for a yearly theme, but it has become as much of a tradition as decorating a tree and baking cookies. While I will always enjoy buying gifts for people no matter what (and of course getting something in return), we decided to go a step further to make the exchange even more fun. My significant other is getting in on the fun this year, too, so there will be seven of us in the group.

Now, my brother, two sisters, two brothers-in-law and I exchange gifts amongst the six of us.

We all started to feel the pressure, which is why one of my siblings suggested a few years ago we pick names for a gift exchange instead of buying something for everyone. But as much fun as it is, the tradition can be just as stressful depending, especially if finances come into play.Īs my family has grown in recent years, with my sisters getting married and having kids, the list of people we’ve felt obligated to buy Christmas presents has gotten longer and longer. BRAINERD - Exchanging gifts is a holiday staple for many families and groups of friends.

Holiday gift exchange letter