Secret Santa Swap SIGN UP NOW

Okay, I REALLY, REALLY love Christmas and I adore surprises.  Every year, I have come to look forward to a swap present as my special little treat for all my hard work.  Swap sisters seem to understand how to give a special gift, just the kind to make you warm inside.  And I've really missed swapping.  I used to participate in FAR too many swaps, I will admit, but I've only been in a handful this year (and only hosted one!).  I need a good swap. Right. now.

And here it is.

Register by: November 3

Mail between: November 15 and November 30

Your Secret Santa Swap package should be a minimum of $15 in value before postage, and include the following:

At LEAST One Handmade Item

Something to Read (book, magazine, poem)

Something for the Tree (garland, ornament, topper, skirt)

Holiday Goody (candy, cocoa, tea, coffee, chocolate)

Challenge: Include one gift for each letter needed to spell out a word from the season (SNOW, JOY, FAITH, LOVE, HOPE, GIFT, TREE, JESUS, STAR, SANTA, etc). We've done this last the two years and it was SO MUCH FUN! Of course, the perfect gift for an "A" is an APRON.

Then, make this a special box -- gift wrapping, bows, the whole nine yards! Include a note identifying yourself with your email and blog address so your partner can contact you with her grateful thanks.   

Once again, I would like you to please copy the following questionnaire and post the answers on your blog for all other participants to see.  Include the badge picture with your post.  This is a great way to add traffic to your blog and make new friends!

Shawnee's Secret Santa Swap Questionnaire

1. What are your hobbies?
2. What are your favorite colors?
3. Do you collect anything?
4. Are you allergic to any fibers or animals?
5. Do you have any pets?
6. Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate?
7. What do you like to read?
8. Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet?
9. What is your favorite holiday treat?
10. Describe your favorite holiday tradition.
11. Did you believe in Santa as a child?
12. When do you open presents?
13. Do you put up a tree and when?  If not, how do you celebrate?
14. Does your tree have a theme?
15. What has been your favorite gift to give?  to receive?

SORRY- REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

And ENTER THIS SASSY APRON GIVEAWAY while you're at it! (ends 11/6/12)

IF YOU ARE WILLING TO BRIGHTEN UP SOMEONE ELSE'S HOLIDAY, let me know.  I have a small list of gals who cannot participate that I would like to bless with a package this season.  Or, I encourage you to send an extra Secret Santa box to someone you know that needs some cheer this season and then tell us about your experience.

NEW SWAPPERS:  We all love making new friends, but swapping can be risky business.  I've tried various ways in the past to minimize the risk and one of the best ways I have found is to have new swappers send the first package to me and include postage so I can forward it to your partner.  This ends up costing you about $13 in postage (flat rate + delivery confirmation) but is the fairest to all. If you're an experienced swapper but just not with me, include some references when you register.

P.S. Those people who have signed up for swaps and HAVE NOT completed them are not invited back. There are some exceptions to this rule (I mean, I've had a pro make my aprons before when I got overwhelmed, so I get it), such as the person contacting both me and her partner with their extenuating circumstances or someone dropping out early and my ability to fill their spot in time. I understand that things come up but I don't want anyone disappointed, especially at this time of year.  If you owe someone a package and REALLY want to participate, you would need to send me your overdue package to forward in order to be eligible to sign up this year.