Lauren Rodych-Eberle
Calgary, Alberta, CANADA

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Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas
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Blog, Seasonal

Christmas Gift Exchange Ideas

December 1, 2020
-
Posted by Lauren Rodych-Eberle

December is here, and the holiday season has begun! The holidays will be looking a little different over here, because…2020. But, I thought I’d still share some gift exchange ideas that can be done by doing a quick door drop, having the gifts delivered and exchanging virtually, or saving for a different time!

Favourite Things

Since my University days, a group of my friends and I have done a Favourite Things Gift Exchange every Christmas. I have to tell you, it has made gift giving so much easier, and so much fun! Every year, I’m finding new favourite things, and putting them in the notes section of my phone to remember for gift-giving time. I wrote about what we do over here, but the quick-and-easy is: we choose a price limit, within our limit we buy our favourite things and we buy the same things for each person in the exchange (ie. if we have 3 people to buy for and the limit is $30, they are each getting the same $30 gift, therefore, we each spend $90 total), we wrap them up, and then when it’s time to celebrate, everyone opens up the same gift (ie. “It’s time to open the gift from Lauren!”) and the gift-giver explains why it’s their favourite thing. This year we even did it Covid-style, AKA virtually – we bought and wrapped the gifts, we dropped them off at everyone’s doors a few days before, and then we opened them over a group FaceTime. It’s such a wonderful tradition!

Draw names

The standard “Secret Santa” is something I’m sure most people know – you set a limit, you draw a name, and then you secretly shop for that special someone! If you haven’t used Draw Names before, it’s so handy – all you need is everyone’s email and it does the work for you – you can even put in rules such as, ‘so-and-so can’t get so-and-so,’ if you want to avoid spouses or siblings getting one other. You can also request for people to send in their wish list! This year my book club used Draw Names, and we each are to deliver a book, a drink, and a food item at the recipients door, so that they can enjoy all their gifts at our Christmas virtual book club.

Handmade/Theme

One year, my siblings made the rule that all gifts had to be handmade, and it was beyond special to see what everyone came up with, and put their heart, hands, and energy into! You can come up with any theme! Some examples are: has to be handmade, has to be local (this would be an especially good theme for this year), has to be “for the kitchen”, etc. You can get really creative with this one!

White Elephant

Another one I’m sure you’ve heard of! Initially I feel like White Elephant gifts were supposed to be impractical, but I’ve done this many times where they are the opposite of impractical. You bring a generic gift that would work for anyone in the exchange. Everyone piles their gifts in the middle, and then everyone picks a number from a hat. Number 1 gets to choose a gift from the middle. Number 2 can then chooses to either “steal” number 1’s gift, or pick a new gift. Usually there are rules on how many times you can “steal” a particular gift! Once again, you can make this exchange completely your own, or try it virtually, and then have the gift you “win” delivered to you!

Happy giving this holiday season!

December 1, 2020
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ABOUT ME
I’m Lauren and I have a deep passion for music, food, the outdoors, and travel. I love random questions and fun facts, and am always searching for better ways to bring wellness and health into my life. I am the owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio, where I teach voice, piano, ukulele, and preschool music classes – via Skype and within Calgary. I am a Senior Consultant for Pampered Chef, which has inspired me over the years to write two cookbooks (plus one mini ebook cookbook), that have food preparation made easy in the forefront.
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Life is too short, this we know. 

RIP, Grandma🤍
3 Parenting Ways I’m Keeping Around Post-Pandemi 3 Parenting Ways I’m Keeping Around Post-Pandemic:

1. Protecting my postpartum space. [Have you heard of the “lying-in” period? Yup...I’ll be purposely quarantining with future babies. If you want to bring us food...”Thank you so, so much! You can leave it at the door, and we will see you in two weeks.🤍”]

2. Going more intimate on holidays and with celebrations. [Y’all know I love to throw a party, but having more intimidate holidays and birthdays has actually been really nice. Feel free to call me out when I can actually throw a party again though, and I invite all of Calgary...]

3. Welcoming my kid(s) into my work space. [This has been something that has made me so happy, been really beneficial for little C to be a part of, and has allowed me to “skip” my maternity leave.]

I know people have been missing their parenting village, but have you found any parenting wins from this wild experience?
“The secret to unlocking the ancient patterns in “The secret to unlocking the ancient patterns in human growth lies not in what we do to our young children, but who we are to them.”

I was saying to J yesterday that when I was in Edmonton and working wild hours back and forth between YYC and YEG, I was never able to enjoy a spontaneous adventure with him when he got a surprise day off...even though we are still both working lots and often passing our sweet C back and forth, I beyond appreciate these moments we can sneak in!

#babyrodycheberle
Long Distance Relationships. Since I moved away f Long Distance Relationships.

Since I moved away from Edmonton, @brenugenthopkins has always been so wonderful about visiting me in New York and Calgary, and me visiting her in Edmonton and BC. Now, it’s been well over a year since I’ve seen her face LIVE!

We miss you, Bre-Bug!

How do you stay connected with long distance friendships - Write letters? Facetime? Text? Something Unique??
C sure loves her Long Island adventure buddies - s C sure loves her Long Island adventure buddies - swipe to see this adorable trio!!

When you go on a walk, what’s your vibe - music, podcasts, or just pure nature?!

#lebhiking #babyrodycheberle
I’ve decided the best way to celebrate any holid I’ve decided the best way to celebrate any holiday is to play with our food!

Today consists of food, a wooden egg Easter egg hunt (have you all gotten on the wooden egg train?!), food, a walk, and more food...

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I’ve been flossing in the wrong order my entire life. I always went brush-floss. Did you know you’re supposed to go floss-brush? Well, now I do...thanks to @drashleytop 🦷

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ABOUT

Owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio. Author of the Brownie Pan Every Damn Day Cookbooks. Consultant for Pampered Chef. Lover of Random Questions.

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