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Brown | Life > Experiences

The Perfect Holiday Gift Exchange at Brown: A Her Campus Guide

Maggie Seidel Student Contributor, Brown University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Brown chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

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It is hard to believe that the semester is coming to a close. But, before we plan our winter breaks, there is still lots of time to embrace the holiday season on College Hill. While Friendsgiving meals are underway, I personally contend it’s not too early to start planning your annual holiday gift exchange. Especially with the Thanksgiving week of sales approaching, it is the perfect time to schedule a date for the exchange and (secretly!) assign names. After three years of participating in these festive gatherings, I have collected some Brown University specific trends and ideas for a sweet and cozy Holiday Gift Exchange. 

The Setup

To begin, it is vital to have a tree of sorts. Whether it is a winter wonderland or Christmas tree theme, something in that vicinity is necessary to set the stage. Target is the perfect online or in-person destination to select a fake tree. Feel free to decorate accordingly!

Then, you need to find the proper venue. For underclassmen, this likely means a lounge, and luckily your small tree is portable. Leave the tree in the lounge for a short period of time in advance of the event and allow giftees to drop off their secret present (so no one knows in advance of the exchange!). In the case of upperclassmen, perhaps a living room with a fireplace. 

Next, the ambiance. Holiday tunes are a must and easily accessed on Spotify, Youtube or Apple Music playlists. My personal preference for this type of occasion is (unsurprisingly) Justin Bieber’s Christmas album. Queue “Drummer Boy.”

The Exchange

Now, there’s the gift exchange itself. Here are some Her Campus-approved gifts for a gift exchange with your Brown University friends – all under $35. 

  1. For the traveler: a luggage organizer. 
  2. For the workout lover: pilates weight bands. 
  3. For the experience seeker: Christmas Newport Mansion tickets. 
  4. For the cozy girl: sugarplum crew socks. 
  5. For the ‘all things pink’ person: a LoveShackFancy washcloth.
  6. For the one who needs some warmth: a beanie. 
  7. For the off-campus lady: christmas coasters.
  8. For the wellness aficionado: a Five Minute Journal (floral edition). 
  9. For the Christmas obsessed: a monogrammed stocking. 
  10. For the timeless treasurer: an enewton bracelet. 
Maggie Seidel

Brown '26

Maggie Seidel is the President of the Her Campus at Brown chapter. In this role, she oversees and recruits new members and writers, serves as a liaison between the chapter and Brown University, manages the calendar, editorial process, and brand partnerships, leads weekly meetings, and contributes written and visual content.

Maggie studies International & Public Affairs and Entrepreneurship, and she is a current senior. She is also part of Brown University's Women in Business chapter, a member of Kappa Delta sorority, and writing an honors thesis.

Her Campus is Maggie's place of happy. She also loves to play tennis, celebrate holidays of any & all kinds, curate new Pinterest boards, and sip iced coffee.