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Where to Buy the Perfect Gift for a Yankee Swap

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'Tis the season of the Yankee Swap, aka the white elephant gift exchange. You can always go with a classic, like a talking fish plaque or lawn-revitalizing aerator shoes, or find something swap-worthy at any of Cape Cod's best spots for bizarre, weird and WTF shopping. In addition, here's a handy guide for finding the perfect Yankee Swap gift on the Cape for under $20.


· Cape Cod's 10 Best Spots for Bizarre, Weird and WTF Shopping [Curbed Cape Cod]

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Christmas Tree Shops

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Naturally, we begin with the iconic retail chain where Yankee Swap gifts come in all shapes and sizes, the Christmas Tree Shops. Pictured, a $10 Dog Training Tester "that challenges both physical and mental abilities." We're assuming they're referring to Fido's abilities, but who can know.

Dunkin' Donuts

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According to recent research*, if a minimum of 22% of Yankee Swap participants are native Massholes, there will be at least one item of DD swag in the mix. Should your nearest location** not have what you're looking for (or the one down the block, or the one around the corner, or the one up the street...), there's also an online store with snow globe ornaments and "Friends Don't Let Friends Drink Starbucks" gear aplenty.
*that we made up
**we chose the listed location, out of a gazillion options, at random

Quahog Republic Dive Bar

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$20 for a sign "to showcase your affection towards all things Quahog!" Bonus, it's locally made by On Cape Time.

'G' Green Design Center

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Mashpee's green building supply showroom and design center doesn't seem like it would have gifts for a Yankee Swap, but trust us. Case in point, the pictured themed bottle cap magnet sets with "This Sweet Life!" "You are unlimited" and more.

Mass Bay Co.

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No Yankee Swap is complete without something for the apocalypse and/or sharknado. Mass Bay Co. offers a range of survivalist-worthy gifts, including plenty of prepper-friendly gadgets and gear for under $20. To stay on the safe side, literally and figuratively, stick with a compass or canteen.

Stage Stop Candy

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Sure, you could go for the chocolate Santa, but the $7 Chocolate Dentures are slightly more universal.

The Brewster Store

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Here's an adorable shop for those who can't handle the, umm, florescent lighting in the chain options. The Brewster Store has plenty of cute gifts, including these swap-worthy Cape Cod Cookie Cutters. [Warning: the web site plays music]

Ocean State Job Lot

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If you find the idea of a snowball maker too depressing to even consider, the ubiquitous Ocean State Job Lot is filled with other goods worthy of a Yankee Swap. We also suggest the $5 Chill Chaser Pocketed Shawl or a piece of beige cat furniture.

Snow's Home and Garden

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Snow's sells just about everything under the sun, including this $15 lobster trap & buoy salt and pepper set by Cape Shore.

Marine Specialties

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You could walk into this PTown landmark blindfolded and no matter what you picked up (or knocked over), it would be worthy of a Yankee Swap. The place is filled with a nautical, military, retro, eclectic bazaar of vintage Soviet-era gas masks, discontinued American Airlines flatware, buoys, and more!

Christmas Tree Shops

Naturally, we begin with the iconic retail chain where Yankee Swap gifts come in all shapes and sizes, the Christmas Tree Shops. Pictured, a $10 Dog Training Tester "that challenges both physical and mental abilities." We're assuming they're referring to Fido's abilities, but who can know.

Dunkin' Donuts

According to recent research*, if a minimum of 22% of Yankee Swap participants are native Massholes, there will be at least one item of DD swag in the mix. Should your nearest location** not have what you're looking for (or the one down the block, or the one around the corner, or the one up the street...), there's also an online store with snow globe ornaments and "Friends Don't Let Friends Drink Starbucks" gear aplenty.
*that we made up
**we chose the listed location, out of a gazillion options, at random

Quahog Republic Dive Bar

$20 for a sign "to showcase your affection towards all things Quahog!" Bonus, it's locally made by On Cape Time.

'G' Green Design Center

Mashpee's green building supply showroom and design center doesn't seem like it would have gifts for a Yankee Swap, but trust us. Case in point, the pictured themed bottle cap magnet sets with "This Sweet Life!" "You are unlimited" and more.

Mass Bay Co.

No Yankee Swap is complete without something for the apocalypse and/or sharknado. Mass Bay Co. offers a range of survivalist-worthy gifts, including plenty of prepper-friendly gadgets and gear for under $20. To stay on the safe side, literally and figuratively, stick with a compass or canteen.

Stage Stop Candy

Sure, you could go for the chocolate Santa, but the $7 Chocolate Dentures are slightly more universal.

The Brewster Store

Here's an adorable shop for those who can't handle the, umm, florescent lighting in the chain options. The Brewster Store has plenty of cute gifts, including these swap-worthy Cape Cod Cookie Cutters. [Warning: the web site plays music]

Ocean State Job Lot

If you find the idea of a snowball maker too depressing to even consider, the ubiquitous Ocean State Job Lot is filled with other goods worthy of a Yankee Swap. We also suggest the $5 Chill Chaser Pocketed Shawl or a piece of beige cat furniture.

Snow's Home and Garden

Snow's sells just about everything under the sun, including this $15 lobster trap & buoy salt and pepper set by Cape Shore.

Marine Specialties

You could walk into this PTown landmark blindfolded and no matter what you picked up (or knocked over), it would be worthy of a Yankee Swap. The place is filled with a nautical, military, retro, eclectic bazaar of vintage Soviet-era gas masks, discontinued American Airlines flatware, buoys, and more!