The fun of a Yankee Swap

Do you know the origin of the Yankee Swap? Apparently, it originates from the holiday tradition of trading prisoners during the Civil War. If this seems a bit doubtful, everyone seems to agree, at least, that the concept dates back to the early nineteenth century.

According to the rules – yes there are rules – there must be more than four people to play. Each person is asked to bring a gift valued at a certain amount (usually $25.00), wrapped and ready to place under the tree. Each player receives a number that indicates the order of the gift selection. Gifts can be marked for a man or woman, but we suggest it’s more fun if they are random.

Obviously, the game is the most fun if the gifts are funny, somehow useful, memorable and generate conversation among the players. We encourage creative gift wrapping that will completely mislead the unsuspecting player. For example, a gift certificate for a yoga class in a pizza box. A scarf rolled in a cardboard roll from a paper towel dispenser. Other boxes that will direct people off the scent: oatmeal boxes, extra-large boxes, a small jewelry box with anything but jewelry in it, a book that has been hollowed out and is no longer a book.

We thought about a few creative Yankee Swap gifts and where to find them in the Lakes Region:

#1. The recipe and ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies with a note that the person receiving the gift has total responsibility for creating the cookies. This could lead to a few laughs and challenges. Find the ingredients at VISTA or any local grocer.

#2. A certificate for a yoga class at Yoga from the Heart, Giving Tree Yoga, The Wellness Center or Yoga Jaya with locations in Meredith and Moultonborough. (This might be encouragement for someone who could benefit from yoga.)

#3. Wrap up a loaf of bread, Hannaford’s, in a shoe box and fill it with a gift certificate from Annie’s Café.

#4. Fill a large gallon-sized empty ice-cream carton with cotton, wrap it in bright colored paper. Include a gift certificate for ice creams cones at the Happy Cow.

#5. Fill a box with batteries, lightbulbs and a string of colored lights from Trustworthy Hardware.

#6. Give a gift certificate for a movie at BarnZ's Meredith Cinema and stuff it in a bag of uncooked popcorn.

#7. A set of six glass jars, packages of herb seeds and potting soil from EM Heath Hardware in Center Harbor.

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Elizabeth Howard is an author and journalist. Her books include: Ned O’Gorman: A Glance Back, a book she edited (Easton Studio Press, 2015), A Day with Bonefish Joe (David R. Godine, 2015) and Queen Anne’s Lace and Wild Blackberry Pie, (Thornwillow Press, 2011). Elizabeth@laconiadailysun.com