Home for the Holidays - Care Package Swap! (Family

I've been festering with the idea of a swap like this, pretty much since I joined swap-bot. This will be the very first swap I'll be hosting, and I think that for the times we're in right now, it's a generally good idea. I really want this to be a good quality swap, so it'll take some time and effort on the swappers part. Get your pen and notepads ready:

How this swap will work is, as with any care package swap, you'll be sending your partner a care package chucked as full as you can get it with great things that they can share with their family over the holiday season.

• Letter/ Card: addressed to your partner + their family (wishing them a happy holiday, include details about how you intend to spend yours, maybe include an intro. to penpalling option between you two)

  • BONUS, if you both have children, get your kids to write something to each other or have them decorate the card.

• Something to Snack on: be it chocolate, candy canes, cookies you baked or ones you bought from the store, homemade party mix, a recipe for something you make only during the holidays.

• New Traditions: maybe you and your family have a tradition you want to pass on to another family, a game you play, carols you sing (maybe include a mixed tape).

• Token: something special from you to your partner to remember this Christmas, decorations, depending on how you feel about it, a picture of your family.

• Actual gift to be opened on Christmas: for the family to enjoy; one gift. Maybe a board game, dvd, book, something you made at home or bought it's up to you. This should not cost you more then $10.00. With the times being what they are, I think it's important to remember that the monetary value is not a key factor it's the thought you put into this swap that makes it meaningful, so give what you have or what's readily available to you.

TIPS:

(1) I'm not going to tell you to do anything concerning the time you put into this, but I STRONGLY suggest that you contact your partner, learn a little bit about their family, ask them questions, really get to know them a little so that what you end up sending is meaningful to both parties, you know? Maybe between the two you can set a budget for yourselves on how much you both can afford.

(2) It's good code of practice to check out your partner's profile, blog, website, any links or things that are in their favourites or wishlist.

(3) Think about what you would like to receive in your mailbox. Things you would like to enjoy with your family

(4) With homemade foods, make sure that you include a recipe!

Costs: Since this is for a family, I'm going to say I'm gonna cap it at $20.00. Does that sound good? Like I said above, you should contact your partner on it.

In terms of requirements, I would hate to put restrictions on this because I feel like everyone would have something to offer, but I don't want any family to be flaked on because that would hurt.. So I'm going to say that you can not have had any 3's or 1's in the past 2-3 months. You must have participated in at least 5 swaps.

I really want to hear the feed back on this swap, so don't be afraid to email me! You have at almost 3 weeks to get your items out, that should be plenty of time. I really want to make this swap International but I'm worried about it costing too much, let me know though if there's demand for it I'll change it.

*picture belongs to: cocacolagirlie on deviantart