Ways to simplify gift giving and the holiday rush are always welcome. In the middle of a major economic downturn, money-saving strategies are even more so. Several Web sites offer online resources for organizing economical group gifts and computerizing the popular but complicated "Secret Santa" exchange. Some even offer tips and links to gift-giving sites.
SecretSanta.com, a gift exchange planner, helps registrants with such exchange tasks as keeping track of gifts, choosing themes, e-mails, invitations and other pesky details. Hanukkah and Kwanzaa theme packages are available, as are general gift exchanges and swaps for other times of the year (Yankee Swaps and White Elephants).
Other sites have somewhat broader missions. FrumUs.com guides the user to the creation of a group gift page which can be linked to PayPal Premier and will aid with account setup if needed. It also links to gift sites in various categories (teacher, coaches, him, her, kids, and so on).
Elfster.com also plows the gift exchange turf, but in a media-intensive way. A video demonstration is a nice feature so you can learn how to use the site before you register. Particiants can set up their own wish lists.
With these sites, givers and organizers can conserve time, energy and pass the gift "hat" even among far-flung families or office locations.
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