Gathering gift exchanges/swaps/raffles

[danlott]

I know that gift exchanges/swaps/raffles are popular at gatherings. I really like the idea. My question is what are some different ways that this is done?

Some people bring several items, some people only bring one item, while others do not bring anything. I do not think anyone should be required to bring anything, but the ones that want to bring several things should be allowed to do that as well. My thoughts center around how to you make it fair? How do you exchange items? If it is a raffle how do you ensure that only a few people do not end up with all the items?

Dan

[pete42]

My camping group holds a "dumpster diver swap" bring what you want set it on a table
we do two things names are picked from the questionnaire that was passed out when you checked in
whom ever got the most qustions correct went first then then numbers are picked from a hat
and that is the order of picking sometimes it's low first sometimes it's hightest first.

[danlott]

I like the idea of everyones name in a hat. First name drawn picks and so on. If items are left at the end the names go back in a start over. People could put there names in only if they want to play. I think it would be good if everyone that wanted to.play entered at least one item.

Dan

[Lancie49]

At most of the caravn UWEs we go to members will bring along the odd bits and pices they have at home or simply empty a cupboard in the van of stuff that hasn't been used in the last couple of trips.
Generally it's all auction or raffled depending on the item and all proceeds go to a local service club such as the Country Fir Authority (CFA) or Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS)

Seems to work well and it's a win/win for everybody.

[terryjones1]

I just attended the Dam Gathering at Lake Shasta in California.
Over 100 Teardrops or small trailers attended.

Every trailer was given 10 raffle tickets.
You could buy more tickets.
On one of the nights, they had a raffle.

The way the raffle worked is they put the name of each item on the outside of a paper bag.
There was a paper bag for each item.
You only put the raffle tickets in the paper bags for items that you might want.
You could put any amount of tickets in a bag.
Some bags might have only a few tickets.
Other bags might have hundreds of tickets.

This way you would only win items that you might actually want.

[mary and bob]

At one gathering that we attend there is a steal a gift game that is lots of fun. And one couple organizes a food drive for the local food pantry. Each campsite that donates food receives a raffle ticket for a prize that Mary donates. The food drive has been very successful and is for a good cause. Bob

[bobhenry]

I liked the select a gift method. While everyone is gathered at the pitch in we place EVERYONES site numbers in a hat. At the end of the meal we draw for prizes. As they are drawn the lucky camper approaches and selects an item from the pile that is openly displayed. This eliminates getting something you don't need or want. The drawing is for any and all regardless of whether or not a donation was made. Some folks are on a tight budget and these are the folks that are unable to donate yet may well be the ones most in need so why not help them out. I am always on the lookout at Goodwill and bring 3 or 4 items to help out. In total they may have cost me 6 - 10 bucks but it is worth it to see the exciting scramble of the lucky selectees .

[bc toys]

to Bob Henry Goodwill has great little things and some times you can get some Dutchovens.

[bobhenry]

Yep !

I have picked up 2 lodge skillets with lids. A coleman fold up oven. two coleman 2 burner propane cook tops , a hitch mounted bike rack, many redneck water heaters and toaster ovens, several walkers for the leg set on the satelite dish dutch oven tables, and on and on. Most of them are now with our fellow campin' buddys.

[danlott]

I liked the select a gift method. While everyone is gathered at the pitch in we place EVERYONES site numbers in a hat. At the end of the meal we draw for prizes. As they are drawn the lucky camper approaches and selects an item from the pile that is openly displayed. This eliminates getting something you don't need or want. The drawing is for any and all regardless of whether or not a donation was made. Some folks are on a tight budget and these are the folks that are unable to donate yet may well be the ones most in need so why not help them out.

I like this method.

Also having kids that attend gatherings with me, I would encourage people to remember the little ones. Maybe bring a gift for an exchange just for the little ones. I went to the last IRG and they had some gifts just for the kids. I brought a gift to exchange with the grownups, but did not think about the kids. Next time I will certainly bring something for the kids too.

Dan

[Verna]

I liked the select a gift method. While everyone is gathered at the pitch in we place EVERYONES site numbers in a hat. At the end of the meal we draw for prizes. As they are drawn the lucky camper approaches and selects an item from the pile that is openly displayed. This eliminates getting something you don't need or want. The drawing is for any and all regardless of whether or not a donation was made. Some folks are on a tight budget and these are the folks that are unable to donate yet may well be the ones most in need so why not help them out. I am always on the lookout at Goodwill and bring 3 or 4 items to help out. In total they may have cost me 6 - 10 bucks but it is worth it to see the exciting scramble of the lucky selectees .

OOOPPPPSSS!!!!! Someone forgot to tell me. Guess I better be figuring out what to take this weekend......

[DragonFire]

Bobhenry...your thrifts actually sell Coleman ovens and lanterns? here in CA they won't unless they are battery..or propane. Usually not the propane ones, but I have found some. There is one thrift in town who sells the white gas stoves minus the tanks (liability, you know ) what a waste!

I was too overwhelmed with the maiden voyage to the Dam to take something for the raffle..I'm on the lookout for appropriate stuff now that I see the kinds of things that are out there.

Yeah, we put our tickets in bags in front of the stuff we wanted. I did win twice...but I did all kinds of stuff to get more tickets and even bought a bunch.

I like the idea of getting an assortment of stuff and randomly putting in the campsite numbers..but we had to double up at the Dam (but we did have sticker numbers to ID our trailers for other things...) but if there is enough stuff, everyone is a happy camper.

It's just a fun bonus thing...I'm going to pick up more stuff for sure, because camping stuff always needs to be rescued and united with someone who knows how to use it (like cast iron and lanterns!)

[Vedette]

Gift exchanges or white elephant stuff can be fun amongst friends.
My only concern about teardropping is travelling light.
Don't want to carry more than we have to.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi
PS How was the Dam Run 2012
We will be there for sure next year.
Project was not finished and ready to go in time this year???

[bobhenry]

Gift exchanges or white elephant stuff can be fun amongst friends.
My only concern about teardropping is travelling light.
Don't want to carry more than we have to.Good Roads
Brian & Sandi
PS How was the Dam Run 2012
We will be there for sure next year.
Project was not finished and ready to go in time this year???

dish towels, work gloves, a cooks apron, or table cloth weigh mere ounces so I don't think weight HAS to be an issue :lol:

[DragonFire]

I agree! You don't have to haul cast iron unless you have the ability and desire to do so. Outdoor cookbooks and such don't take much room..neither do some of those cool mixing bowls, etc. that collapse for traveling...or 'bag bags'-those things you put plastic bags in so they are handy...