"Tiny Gifts, Big Joy: Our First Fab 5 Micro-Exchange"

Last night, I hosted my very first micro-exchange Christmas party with my dinner club girlfriends—the Fab 5. If you haven’t seen this trend on TikTok, here’s the idea: a small group of friends gathers, and each person brings the same small gift for everyone in the group. The presents are tossed into the middle of the table, and everyone grabs one until they walk away with the same number of gifts they brought. It’s high-energy, lighthearted, and so much fun.

I sent the ladies a TikTok video to explain, but most couldn’t open it since they aren’t on the app. No matter—it didn’t take long for everyone to catch on, and the laughter began almost immediately. We circled around the table, gossiped, caught up on each other’s lives, lifted each other up, and nibbled holiday treats while sipping spirited drinks. As the scent of cinnamony wassail filled the room and my dogs barked outside, hoping for a taste, I looked around at my friends.

We’re all at different stages of life and career—some riding highs, others navigating lows—but when we come together, we share a bond that sparks joy. In a world that can feel overwhelming, it’s heartwarming to belong to a tight-knit group that shows up, even on a Tuesday night, simply because it’s the only night that works.

So, here’s to the Fab 5 and our first micro-exchange—perhaps the start of an annual tradition. Because it’s these moments, small yet meaningful, that I treasure most and look forward to year after year.