a “cozy” gift exchange party

Party season is here and who can ever get enough?! A bunch of girlfriends and I get together every year for a gift exchange party and this year I am hosting! I’ve teamed up with Anthropologie to share a few of my favorite ideas on how to host a fab gift exchange party with your gals and threw a holiday brunch in the studio while I was at it.

#1. Lay Some Ground Rules: Set a couple loose guidelines for your guests when it comes to the gifts and let them know ahead of time. We usually set a price point so everyone leaves happy and no one ends up with jelly beans when they brought diamonds. It can also be fun to set a theme for the gifts. Ours was “something cozy”, so scarves, hats, blankets, candles, etc. were all fair game.

#2. A Few Details… A simple centerpiece of Eucalyptus, candles, and gold Christmas bulbs set the color palette and are complemented by the gold flatware, brass champagne toasting cups, a marble table cloth (which is actually a shower curtain!) and earthenware plates. Keep it casual by gathering around a coffee table with loads of pillows for cozy seating.

#3. Food and Drink: I made ours a champagne brunch/pressie swap because we all need more bubbly before noon. Am I right? Meanwhile pastries, quiche, croissants, and savory crepes make for tasty (and pretty) treats.

#4. Play the Game: Speaking of rules… we always play the classic white elephant gift exchange, these are the rules we go by.

1. If someone steals your gift, you can steal someone else’s gift or choose and open a wrapped one..
2. A gift can only be “stolen” twice
3. A gift cannot be immediately stolen back from the player who just stole it.
4. Continue until everyone has had a turn for a gift. ..

#5. Presents Galore! Every guest brings a gift for the game, but to keep the gifting going, as the host I bought a few little somethings (enough for one for each of the guests) so that we can play not one, but two rounds of white elephant! You’ll feel like Oprah with each turn.

There you have it… my first soiree in the new studio! And now I just need some furniture…

Happy Holidays friends, go spread some cheer!

Shop the Post:
TABLESCAPE: Plates // Candles // Table cloth (its a shower curtain) // Toasting Cups are vintage // Napkins are Sarah Sherman Samuel

GIFTS: Fur Stole // Stocking Hat // Mittens // Throw Blanket 1 // Scarf // Black Hat // Capelet // Throw Blanket 2 // Candles // Fur Collar

WARDROBE: I’m wearing… Sweater // Leggings // boots (old find similar here)

Don’t miss yesterday’s DIY for the wall hanging

Images by Connie and Tommy of The Great Romance

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