Hey girl, today let’s chat about the best gift exchange ideas for friends.
With Christmas right around the corner, I am sure you have close family and friends that you want to get gifts for. Why not spice it up a little bit with one of these gift exchange ideas for friends?
I have been doing gift exchanges for years with my friends and we love trying out new themes.
Below you will discover the best gift exchange ideas for friends from cheap to edible to being out and about and so much more.
Whichever gift exchange ideas for friends you choose, I know you will have a blast and everyone will want to do it again next year.
Let’s jump into the best gift exchange ideas for friends that are so fun and memorable!
My post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read my full disclosure.
Best Gift Exchange Ideas For Friends
Cookie Swap
Are you like me and love holiday treats? I want to make them all but who can eat all that? A cookie swap is the perfect fix for that!
My friends and I have been doing this for the past few years and it makes holiday baking a breeze. Everyone doubles a recipe and then we end up with 7 different treats.
You should check this out: 12 Delicious Christmas Treats to Make. They are classic recipes that instantly disappear from the cookie tray.
Ornaments
Take a trip down the ornament aisle and pick out the best one that screams, yes, that is perfect for my friend!
I haven’t done this with my friends yet but always give each of my kids an ornament that has to do with something special they did or liked over the past year.
Gift Baskets
The possibilities of gift basket ideas are endless here. Try a pasta gift basket, a pamper gift basket, a fruit gift basket, and more!
Books
If you have fantastic books or magazines to share with your friends, try a book exchange theme.
Girl, I just got done reading The London House by Katherine Reay and wow, was that good. I am not one to reread books but I am going to with this one.
Wine
Don’t worry if you don’t know your friend’s favorite wine. Half the fun of drinking it is trying new flavors!
Personally, I like a Rosé.
Secret Santa
Doing Secret Santa brings back that anticipation of Christmas when you were a kid. This post is full of great Secret Santa gift ideas for women!
Socks
From practical socks to the big fluffy cozy ones, every woman needs good socks.
These big fluffy ones are the best. They are so warm and have little grippers on the bottom.
Mugs
Christmas mugs, um yes, please!
You can fill it up with Hot Chocolate mix packets, a candy cane or 2, and even some chocolates.
Experiences
Give your friends the gift of getting out and doing something. It could be going to the movies, out to eat, mini golfing, taking a painting class, or doing wine tasting.
This will be a memory maker for sure.
Accessories
What do you think of when you hear accessories? I think of hair items, jewelry, nail polish, and more items along that line.
Candles
Women love to have their homes smell oh so good.
What is your favorite kind of candle? I love the butter rum scent.
Food and Snacks
I love getting food and snacks as gifts just as much as I love giving them. It will be used (consumed) and then it will be gone.
If you all are like me, you just don’t have a lot of extra space in your house for more stuff.
White Elephant
You can plan to play the White Elephant game for your gift exchange and let everyone pick whichever kind of gift they want.
But you can also do a theme within a theme here. Pick a theme from this list just for this game.
Favorite Things
Since we are talking about the best gift exchange ideas for friends, what about doing a Favorite Things theme?
All my friends know that my favorite thing is chocolate😊. What’s yours?
Beverages
Of course, there are alcoholic beverages and those always make fabulous gifts. However, you shouldn’t forget about coffee and tea.
You know your friends. Pick their favorites.
Beverage Holder
A water bottle, a mug for tea or coffee, or maybe even a coffee tumbler for on the go; these all make amazing gifts that women use!
Here’s what is hot on the market right now.
Handmade Gifts
Is your group of friends crafty? Why not try handmade gifts this year?
I think the craftiness skipped right over me and went to my daughter. Don’t get me wrong, I can do it but it isn’t what I am drawn to as a hobby.
What types of crafts do you like to do? Let me know in the comments below.
Beauty Items
Every woman would love to get a beauty gift. From makeup to makeup brushes to hair care to perfume, there is something for every woman!
Here are a few of my favorites that would be perfect for anyone.
Holiday Decor
Since you are doing a gift exchange with your friends, my guess is that you have a pretty good idea of what kind of holiday décor they will all like.
I just got this beautiful Christmas lantern, which my kids are nuts over and I love it too.
It can play music if you want it to but it can also just blow the glitter around. It is so soothing to watch.
For the Kitchen
There are so many useful kitchen items that you can give as gifts. Think nice here because no one wants to fill their kitchen up with junky items.
Under $20
I don’t know how it is for you but during Christmas time money seems to be flying out the door. If this seems like the case for you, set an amount you want the gifts to try and stay under.
There are still many amazing gifts out there for cheap!
Wine
This post was all about the best gift exchange ideas for friends.
Which gift exchange ideas for friends do you like the best? Let me know in the comments below.
I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for stopping by.