Regifting...

Last night, we headed to Mike's Mom's Christmas party. It was a little strange being there without Mike there, but still a fun time. Being around all older people was interesting, and watching them misbehave was fun too. The most interesting part of this little party was the "regifting exchange"... the basic premise is that during Christmas, you might get presents you don't necessarily want or need... so this allows you a way to regift rather than to return your present. The actual exchange was set up just like one of those stealing games... rules were simple...

1. Presents are put in the middle of the room.
2. People draw numbers to see what order they pick presents in.
3. The first person opens a present
4. Second person can choose to steal the first person's present or open a second present. If person 2 steals the gift of the first person, the first person opens a present.
5. Third person can choose to steal any opened present or open another present. If they stole the first person's gift, the first person then has the option to steal the other opened gifts, or open another present
6. You cannot steal the same present back (ie. if #3 steals #2's present, #2 cannot go and steal #3's right back)
7. A present can only be stolen X number of times (4 in this case).

In this version, a gift could be stolen as many times in a single round as allowed (4 in this case)... so if #3 stole from #2, then #2 stole from #1, #1 could steal the gift #3 has, and it can go in a circle like this 4 times.

Strategy comes into play if you have a couple both playing as they can do things to ensure that they keep certain gifts (ie. if a gift is stolen from one person, then that person steals from their partner, who can steal the original gift back).

Anyways, it was pretty fun. I ended up regifting some old DVDs, and in return ended up with a pitcher... a pretty good trade! The funnier stuff out there was an Alaskan knife, a Cheese Mill, the ugliest glass dish you'll ever see, and a kettle & 12 plates (but no cups!... Nice Shaun!)...

Last 2 days of 2005...