THE FAMILY

The Cooks: Mark, Rita, Andrew, 9, Laura, 8, and Mary Margaret, 5

THEIR HOMETOWN

Knoxville, Tennessee

THE TRADITION

Rita Dunn Cook is the oldest of nine kids, so her Christmases have always been packed with presents and people. When Rita and her siblings started having kids of their own, the prospect of purchasing gifts for every relative was overwhelming. Like many large families, they decided to pull names out of a hat so that each person had just one recipient to give a gift to. Rita's mom, Mary Dunn, added two special twists: Gift-givers must either make their presents or provide a service, and they could spend no more than $10 per gift.

HOW THEY CELEBRATE

The names are drawn at a family gathering in the summer, then Rita and the kids brainstorm gift ideas based on the hobbies and interests of the cousins whose names they've pulled. When Laura drew the name of magic-loving, nine-year-old Katie Dunn last year, Rita helped her daughter assemble a magician's kit for her cousin. Rita and Laura went to the library to research magic tricks, then spray-painted a sturdy cardboard box black and affixed white letters spelling "Katie the Magnificent" on the lid. Over the months, a cup, a coin, a plastic black top hat and wand, a handkerchief and other small "magic" items were placed in the box.

Another year, the duo whipped up some homemade play dough and found a child-size rolling pin and cookie cutters for a young cousin's gift. But Rita believes her creations pale in comparison to those of some of her more crafty relatives. "One family bought inexpensive wall clocks, removed the plastic covers and personalized the clock faces for each child with stickers," she says.

And one of Laura's most treasured possessions is a jewelry case made by a favorite cousin. She covered a recycled cigar box with white fabric and embroidered Laura's name in pink on the lid. "That box has made three moves with us already and will probably stay with Laura the rest of her life," says Rita.

Although making the gifts is fun for her children, Rita knows that they most look forward to the actual giving and receiving of presents at the Christmas Eve exchange. "Katie was thrilled with that magic kit. She's kept adding to it over the years and puts on shows for all of us," says Rita. "I know it makes Laura feel good to see how much her cousin enjoys the gift."

The gift exchange has become the highlight of the holidays for the now 17 adults (siblings and spouses) and 17 children ranging in age from three months to 12 years. "Not only is it less expensive this way, but it really focuses all of us on the true meaning of the holidays--on giving of ourselves, not on accumulating material goods," says Rita.

The $10 limit on supplies not only keeps expenses down but also results in some truly one-of-a-kind gifts, says Rita, recalling a pair of embroidered boxer shorts her husband got in last year's exchange. Also, by pulling names in June or July, the Dunn clan has plenty of time to scour yard sales and discount stores for supplies and pull the gifts together. "You can tell that everyone puts a great deal of thought and a lot of hard work and love into these gifts," says Rita.