It's All Happening

Today's the big day as we count down the final hours to the Yankee Swap! Some key points to remember: We have an ice luge, so feel free to bring your favorite spirits. The party officially begins whenever the first person arrives, but have your wrapped gift under the tree by 9 p.m. for the swap, which will begin shortly thereafter. Attire is holiday semi-formal.

Your final gift idea is one you can buy on the way over (although you still need to wrap it). Lottery tickets!

The Massachusetts State Lottery offers a wide variety of instant win tickets with all sorts of exciting prizes. You could win, win, win! Feel the excitement!

See you at the Swap tonight!

Far Out, Man

You could probably use some culture in your life. If not now, you will after this party. Today's gift idea is two tickets to the Planetarium! Offerings include "Into The Unknown" and "Far, Far Away: The Worlds of Star Wars". Or you could just get stoned to the bejesus and go see the Pink Floyd laser show. It's like you can see the music. Or, if you're a huge pussy, you could see the U2 laser show. There's something for everyone!

What-Have-You

Another perusal of Craigslist unearthed this gem, an Ikea TV stand going for $15.

I feel that giving the biggest gift is also a point of pride, much like giving the most traded for gift or the last gift traded for. We should have awards for things like that.

It's The Thought That Counts

You don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money on a Yankee Swap gift. A homemade gift from the heart can be just as special. To wit: a former colleague of mine once worked in the athletic department of a small Catholic college. The department held an annual Yankee Swap in which the majority of gifts exchanged tended to be alcohol and scratch tickets. This one year was no different except in the midst of passing around bottles of vodka and wine, someone had the fortune of opening the gift from the department's secretary, a kind old lady who had served the college for many years. She had given a meticulously crafted homemade nativity scene. Her lucky colleague (and each participant henceforth) then had quite a decision to make. "This homemade nativity scene that clearly took weeks to make is great, but I'm going to trade it for the lottery tickets someone bought on the way over here."

The moral of the story: You don't have to get a great gift, just one that will make people feel guilty about giving it away.

Mmmm...Chocolate

What better way to spread holiday cheer than with the gift of chocolate? When I was a young lad, I always enjoyed Lindt truffles. While their fancy packaging and silent D would lead you to believe that they are from Switzerland, they are actually made, among other places, in Stratham, New Hampshire, the next town over from my childhood home. You could go to the factory and get cheap prices on delicious chocolate. One year, my uncle worked at the factory for the holidays so we got lots of chocolate that year. You can get two of these little bags of 20 truffles each for under $14.

Cut to the Chase

Now if coffee's not your thing, you could also get a gift card to a liquor store. I don't know if every area liquor store offers gift cards, but I know that Huntington Wine and Spirits does, because I was once given a gift card there from my boss.

T Minus One Week

We're under a week until the Yankee Swap, so it's time to start shifting to focus to gifts you can get quickly and without a lot of thought. We'll keep going right up until we get to the gifts that you can buy on your way over. First of all, I'll go with what was one of the most popular gifts from a year ago: The Dunkin' Donuts Gift Card. Sure, you're not gonna wow anyone, but it's a safe bet to give and a safe bet to get. The only problem with the gift card is that you really have to spend the full $20 or else you look like a cheapskate. ("Hmm, should I keep the $15 Dunkin' Donuts gift card or trade for the $20 Dunkin' Donuts gift card?") Of course, you could always just put in one with an unmarked amount and woe be to the person who walks into get their coffee on Monday morning and find only $2.50 on the card.

For The Practical Set

Here's an awesome gift idea that's painfully practical, but great nonetheless. Who couldn't use a USB flash drive? I didn't realize how cheap they are these days.

This stylish number is $19.98 at your local Wal-Mart and there are even cheaper ones, as low as $11.88. Sure, it would be fun to get something wacky, but tell me you wouldn't pass up a USB flash drive.

Best Gift Ever

Last year, the best gift given at the Yankee Swap was a pair of $10 Celtics tickets. The second-best gift was a pair of $10 Bruins tickets. How can you judge the best gift? At the very end of the swap, when the last person is up, they have the choice of any gift at the party. They have dozens of gifts at their fingertips and there isn't even any strategy necessary because no one else can take the gift away. Last year, our friend Jo was the big winner with the lucky number and amidst the cornucopia of booze, drugs, gift cards and apparel, she opted for a night at the Garden with Paul Pierce and company. The Big Tuna gave that gift and Big Bad Brad threw in the Bruins tickets. No one outdoes 56 Perry Street in our own home. Remember that.

In that vain, today's gift suggestion is Lowell Devils tickets. Just 8 bucks for a highly entertaining night of cheap beer and minor league hockey (cheap beer not included).

http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/1054951

P.S. Jo did not go to the Celtics game and it was the game that they finally ended their 18-game losing streak.

Twister!

The first gift opened in our Yankee Swap history was a game of Twister. A true classic, it's a game that doubles as an excuse to get much closer to a woman's vagina than she would otherwise allow.

It's just $13.99 at a retailer near you.

2008 is a Leap Year

I've always thought the calendar industry has quite a racket running. The only time of year when everyone gives lots of gifts conveniently coincides with the only time of year that people actually need calendars. I don't know who scheduled Christmas, but I bet the calendar people were prominently involved.

$12.99 at Calendars.com

Kentucky's Finest

Of course, if you're not into the subtle nuances of a fine Tuscan wine, you could just head straight for the bourbon. A handle of Jim Beam goes for under $20 if you know where to look. That will really get the party started.

Dusty Earthy Notes

Let's face it. You're going to get hammered at the Yankee Swap. Why not just bring some booze to add to the fun? This bottle of 2002 Villa Antinori Toscana Rosso goes for under $20. Called "a pleasing effort from Italy", it pairs well with grilled top sirloin. I think that might even be on the menu at the Yankee Swap! Or you could just get six bottles of Charles Shaw.

Yum-O!

Books are never a bad gift and everyone loves to eat food. No one is better at cooking quick and easy meals and wearing unflattering outfits in Dunkin' Donuts commercials than Rachael Ray. This book is available for just $11.97 on Amazon.com.