Great Gift Exchange Party – Free Hosting Guide

1. Choose Your People

• Prayerfully ask the Lord who to invite.
• Choose your group: immediate or extended family, your neighborhood, Bible study, church, apartment building, social, work, or recreational group, or even an online group.
• Pray for each person the Lord places on your heart, and for the event.
• Tip: Invite a co-host and prayer partner to plan and host with you.

2. Secure the Venue, Date, and Time, Then Invite!

• Host in your home, book the party room in your building, or gather over lunch at your club or workplace.
• You can add a Gift Exchange to an existing event, like an extended family Christmas party or a neighborhood cookie exchange.
• Keep it simple or elaborate: light snacks, potluck, cookie exchange, or a full meal. You choose!
• Create an invite. Online invites are super easy!
• Tip: When adding a Gift Exchange to an existing event, clearly communicate the details and set a time for the presentation. For example: “The special presentation of gifts of the Wise Men will happen from 5:00 to 5:30.”
• Tip: If the event includes alcohol (such as a work party), present earlier in the festivities.

3. Prepare Four Gifts of the Wise Men

#1 Gold
For Jesus as the King.
Ideas: gold chocolate coins, gold-wrapped chocolate, gold ornaments, candles, or bells.

#2 Frankincense
For Jesus as the High Priest.
Ideas: small tea lights, candles of any kind, bells, or essential oils.

#3 Myrrh
For Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Ideas: bath bombs, bubble bath, soaps, washcloths, snowflakes, or anything cleansing.

#4 Worship
For Jesus as Lord and the love of your heart.
Ideas: joy, faith, hope, or love ornaments, hearts, or crosses.

• Tip: Hobby Lobby, Oriental Trading, and the Dollar Store all have items for less than $1 each. Buying in bulk online is another option.
• Tip: Buy Christmas items on sale after the season to save 50% to 90% for next year.

4. Host Your Party!

• At least two days before: Purchase all gifts, wrapping or tissue paper, gift bags, and food.
• The day before: Decorate. Wrap each gift individually and place one of each in a gift bag for every guest.
• Tip: Use the same wrapping paper for all of gift one, another paper for all of gift two, and so on.
• Party day: Have gifts ready when guests arrive. Tell guests NOT to open their gifts until instructed. It builds excitement and anticipation!
• The presentation: Read the devotion for each gift from The Great Gift Exchange, share the main thoughts in your own words, or play the video presentation.
• The conclusion: Invite everyone to receive the gift of Christ’s love, sacrifice, and forgiveness.

Free Coloring Pages

Print three Wise Men coloring pages from The Great Gift Exchange for your party guests. Kids can color while they hear the Christmas story!

Download the coloring pages (PDF)