Another option is a Secret Santa gift exchange. We've been doing this for a few years in VLUG (Virtual LEGO Users Group) on MocPages. Larger in scale and more personalized than the ornaments, Secret Santa builds are a great excuse to get away from your usual style or interests. I never thought I'd build a Filipino Parol out of Explorien pieces, but it seemed like a good idea when I drew Master Shifu's name out of the virtual hat. And I know he didn't see that coming!
It's also an opportunity to poke fun at your friends, like the gift I got from my buddy Hans Dendauw a couple of years ago. You see, I'm a dentist, and I like to build Battlestar Galactica stuff. Yeah, that's Hermey. I laugh every time I look at it. Thanks, Hans!