If you are a troop who likes to do a Girl Scout gift exchange, here are some fun and easy ideas for your troop to swap.
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It’s that time of year when leaders are thinking of planning a holiday party and whether or not to do a Girl Scout gift exchange. While giving a present at the party is not necessary, for leaders who want to include this as party of their celebration, here are some fun and easy gift exchange ideas to consider.
Note-Unless all of your troop celebrates the same holiday, keep the gifts winter themed or non-holiday themed.
Girl Scout Gift Exchange Ideas
*Be sure to have an extra gift or two in your leader bag in case a girl forgets to bring in her item to swap.
Something that is both fun and easy to do is a gift swap with the same theme. Pollyanna or Secret Sister gifts have, in my personal experience as both a mother and a teacher, lead to disappointment. One person gets a wonderful craft kit and another girl gets a set of earrings and she does not have pierced ears.
With a themed gift swap, every girl knows that she is going to get the same thing as her sister scouts. Set a monetary limit so that every family is on the same page. For example, $10.00 and under.
If you want to turn this into a service project, have the girls bring in one gift to exchange and another to donate.
Here are some Girl Scout gift ideas to exchange:
- Winter themed socks
- Hot cocoa mugs
- Cute keychains
- Small stuffed animals like a Squishmallow
- Package of fun stickers
- Journals with pretty covers
- Package of glitter pencils or other fun themed pencils
- Card games
Girl Scout Gift Exchange Smorgasbord
For this fun and easy Girl Scout gift idea works for several reasons.
First, every family can give a gift based on their budget. Second, every scout gets the same gifts, so there is no complaining. Last, all you have to do is buy the gift bags!
Inform the parents of the date of the gift exchange and how many girls are in the troop. Because there may be a child or two that does not bring in something, your co-leader and you can buy some inexpensive bulk gift, like keychains, candy, hot chocolate packets, or lip balm. This way, the girls are covered and both of you can include something in the exchange if all the girls bring in their items.
While food items are easy to buy in bulk, I would avoid giving those if any of your girls have food allergies, sensitivities, or have other dietary restrictions.
If you want to get the girls more involved, before the gift smorgasbord, they can decorate blank kraft gift bags with markers and stickers.
What are you planning to do with your girls this holiday season?
