Saturday, October 27, 2012

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.

17 comments:

  1. Can't people outside the US participate this year?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Catherine -- If another Aussie expresses interest, I'd be happy to match you two up. International swaps are so difficult at this time of year that I'm sticking with US.

      Sorry! Shawnee

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  2. I would love to participate, but I think paying twice for postage for being a first timer has scared me off of this swap :( Not a good way to encourage newcomers - Best of luck on your swap!

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    Replies
    1. I'm sorry that we're not a good fit for you right now, Becca. Once you have other swap experience, come on back. A couple of good references with similar size swaps replaces the need to send the package to me first. =)

      Shawnee

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    2. I can't figure out the new posting options to be able to post to my sidebar, can you suggest.

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    3. Becca:
      Shawnee has to do this with newbies as in the past there have been people that received but never sent.

      Delete
  3. I signed up!! Looking forward to a great swap!!!

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  4. I've signed up - so glad you're hosting the Secret Santa Swap again this year :-)
    They've always been so much fun.

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  5. I'm all signed up! Thank you Shawnee. This is going to be fun!

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  6. I signed up but without a blog I'll post my question answers here - hope this is ok!

    What are your hobbies? quilting, crocheting, homeschooling

    What are your favorite colors? pink, black, red, white

    Do you collect anything? purses, quilty things

    Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? nope

    Do you have any pets? Tahoe & Timber (kitties)

    Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate? chocolate

    What do you like to read? Crochet and quilting magazines, Danielle Steel, Sue Grafton, crochet/quilt books

    Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet? Both!

    What is your favorite holiday treat? I love things with peppermint.

    Describe your favorite holiday tradition. Pj party on Christmas Eve.

    Did you believe in Santa as a child? Yes!

    When do you open presents? Jammies on Christmas Eve, everything else on Christms Day

    Do you put up a tree and when? Yes, usually around the first of December

    Does your tree have a theme? Either blue and silver or red and gold. I think it's a blue and silver year.

    What has been your favorite gift to give? to receive? I love giving and receiving personalized gifts, with names or photos on them. Especially gifts made by hand.

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  7. I just joined in your fun swap too! Looking forward to another fun swap this year. Thanks for hosting it again.

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  8. I'm in again this year love your swaps thank you

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  9. Where do we post answers to the Questions? I do not have a blog. IT would not let me publish my comments. I had to comment as anonymous.

    Kimberly Nutwell

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  10. I believe I have set up part of my blog. I hope

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Welcome Apronistas -- I appreciate your lovely comments!!