Applying adult rules to kids rarely works: weeks of waiting is too long for a young child, and an adult budget takes the decision out of their hands. With adapted rules, kids take part for real and enjoy the surprise.
Running a draw with kids and adults
One draw for kids, another for adults
Kids draw among themselves and adults among themselves. The budgets and timelines are different enough that mixing them complicates things. Both can exchange on the same day: kids first, then adults.
A budget sized for kids
The kids' limit should be within reach of their pocket money, a handmade gift or something small from a shop. Announce the adults' limit separately. That way kids really choose, without relying on their parents' money.
A shorter wait
Draw the kids' names a few days before gift day, not weeks. Young children find it hard to wait and keep a secret that long. Adults can draw earlier in their own draw.
Parents help, they don't decide
Parents take the child shopping, help with the wrapping and make sure the gift arrives on time. They don't choose the gift or raise the budget. The child deciding what to give is the important part, even if the gift is small.
The mistake to avoid
On gift day, don't compare a child's gift with an adult's. A drawing, a handmade card or something carefully chosen at a small shop has the same worth within its draw. Give each child's gift its own moment.
Run the family draw in Cuchumbo
You can run two draws for the same family: one for the kids and one for the adults, each with its own link. Adults can help the little ones with the email and their personal page.
