our low-key more secular than christmas gift-trading was very relaxed. We (at my request) always try to guess what is in the package/ bag before we open it. It often leads to fits of laughter, but it also gives me a clue as to what they think they might be getting and from the tone of voice while guessing i can tell if thats what they really wished it was...

I received, for the most part, what i had wished for: tickets to a cabaret new year's eve.(i would have preferred another one, but this is quite good too);a bronze lamp in the shape of my favourite furry... made by a well known local artisan in the 1960's; a gorgeous glass one with gold spikes
a clay bell one,a money box one,a bowl one, a candle holder one, a ceramic pair(have i mentioned i have a huge collection?);new satin finish fitted white sheets and 1 black jersey fitted sheet (actually for DH and me);medium box of mixed nuts from "Harry and David";chocolates from a famous place in Salzburg; 2 delicious panetonne; chocolate covered coffee beans; a bottle of amaretto;
i gave to DH 2 CD of well -known local cabaret comedians, orange marmelade spiked w whisky, winter house slippers.. but they were too tight so i get to have them until we can shop for others together.
i gave to to DD:5 fancy pairs of earrings (2 pairs i made for her from local artisan-made beads)
a very fancy silver plated candle holder,
hand made pretty "summer-breeze" aroma candles to put in candle holder, vanilla aroma candles,2 packages of fancy white chocolate,a silver taft blouse; a voucher to help her make her room smell better...it was not taken ( well,i shouldda known huh?)
DD got from DH his (2 year old) laptop/notebook.
DD got from several relatives lotsa mahnee, about 250 € altogether and she got herself fancy underwear with part of that and other clothes.
DH and I gave all other relatives micro-credits for projects in the developing countries.
I think everybody was OK with that...and we feel pleased with how it went.