I'll Trade You . . . / Discuss

theSmockLady    says:

UPDATE: The sign up date has been extended until Sunday, the 9th, at midnight.



NOTE: This is an invite only group. See the group description for how to join.

UPDATE: The sign up date has been extended until Sunday, the 9th, at midnight.

November/December 2008: Secret Santa Swap:
1. You MUST BE at least 18 to participate (You know, you need to be THE PARENT).

2. This I’ll Trade You . . . Secret Santa Swap is a one time SWAP. Sign-up is until midnight (CST) on Thursday, November 6th, 2008. Swap partners will be assigned by Saturday, November 8th, 2008. Swaps MUST BE SHIPPED by Saturday, December 6th, 2008 (St. Nicholas Day). That gives you ONE MONTH to find out your partner’s likes and dislikes and shop for them.

3. This I’ll Trade You . . . Secret Santa Swap will consist of a secret sender and who you send to will NOT be who sends to you. (Otherwise it would not be a secret would it?)

4. This SWAP does not have a minimum expenditure, but a suggested amount of about $10.00 should cover a nice toy or game. This swap is for one good quality toy or game that falls within the interests and age of your swap partner using the favorites found in your swap partner’s likes/dislikes as your guide.

PLEASE NOTE: it is up to you to explain to your children that what is on their list is not necessarily what they will get. Their list is strictly a guide for their assigned partner.

PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT the place to give away plastic toys from fast food restaurants, or $1.00 isle/store junk. This swap is about sharing new things and thoughts, teaching and encouraging our children to be creative, thinking about others, and high quality items. Good quality used or older toys and games are fine. Some of my favorite books and toys (and children’s books) have been out of make for years, but were found on the shelves of a thrift store. NO broken toys. But let’s face it, we all know children love new.

5. THIS SWAP IS ALL ABOUT ENCOURAGING OUR CHILDREN TO GIVE. Enjoy it - think on it, take pride in gathering your swap! Please don't do it at the last minute. Remember, this is a creative outlet for you, YOUR CHILDREN, and your swap partner!

6. This SWAP is for all children from birth to age 15. Your 14 year old may be randomly assigned to an 18month old. This is fine. Your 14 year old may need to think outside his box and research a bit on age appropriate gifts for his swap partner, one with which he can grow. And while the 18month old may not do the gift choosing for your 14 year old, the parent will. Instilling a love of giving in our children while they are young is important.

7. All SWAPPERS (parents of swappers) must join this I'll Trade You . . . flickr group. All new swaps will be announced here.

**8.** MOST IMPORTANT!!! You must tell ME you want in this swap by responding to this thread by midnight (CST), Thursday, November 6th, 2008. If you do not respond to this thread, you ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SWAP!

**9. ** This swap will be handled in this manner:
a. Once the Secret Santa Swap sign up has closed I will send each of you an email detailing to whom you will send a gift. I will include the child's name, age, and mailing address. You will still need to check out the likes/dislikes list.
b. You must provide me with an email address that you check REGULARLY. I must hear back from you that you received this information by Monday, November 10th, 2008 or you will be reassigned.
c. The person to whom you send a gift will NOT be the same person who sends you a gift.
d. When you mail your package please do NOT put your name. Put ITY . . . Secret Santa Swap and then your address. (If you think your swap partner might know who it is from anyway, you can contact me for my address and use that as a “Base Camp” return address).

10. All SWAPPERS (parents of swappers) must send me a note via my Contact Form (choose: Swaps) or flickrmail to let me know that you have joined and include the following:
a. your FULL name
b. your flickr name
c. your blog (if you have one)
d. a contact e-mail (You must provide me with an email address that you check REGULARLY.)
e. your full mailing address (this one will be different than the lasts, lots of work for me, but I think it will be worth it).
f. your children’s real names (and what you call them on your blog if you use nicknames for anonymity)
NOTE: this info is strictly for me to keep up with who belongs to whom when the match ups begin. This info will NOT be made public.

11. A contribution of $1.00 per child participant to the SwapAngel account is required to participate. The monies will be used ONLY for those who did not receive swaps from their swap buddies. Sad, I know, but it happens.

Payments can be made 2 ways:

a.) PayPal to: swaps [@] thesmocklady [dot] com (Please put your flickr username, your full name and which swap it applies to in your email). If you'd like to contribute $5.00 at a time - I'll record it on the group spreadsheet and apply it to the next 5 swaps you are involved in.

b.) via mail (contact me for my address)

12. We are an international group. All swappers will be required to ship internationally at one point or another. If you absolutely cannot do it during this swap, please let me know. I realize the shipping could be higher for some than others.

* * * * *
Feel free to grab this code and use it on your blog:
Large (300px x 300px)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/illtradeyou/" title="I'll Trade You . . . Secret Santa Swap by the SmockLady, on flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/2981540288_5838210435.jpg?v=0" width="300" height="300" alt="I'll Trade You . . . Secret Santa Swap by the SmockLady, on flickr" /></a>


Small (125px x 125px)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/illtradeyou/" title="I'll Trade You . . . Secret Santa Swap by the SmockLady, on flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2981540356_cc8cb6f9c5.jpg?v=0" width="125px" height="125px" alt="I'll Trade You . . . Secret Santa Swap by the SmockLady, on flickr" /></a>

If you have any question or want a graphic in a different size, just ask.
Originally posted at 7:23AM, 28 October 2008 PDT ( permalink )
theSmockLady edited this topic 8 months ago.