What's it all about?
You send away a box of random stuff, you GET a box of random stuff! Think of it like long-distance White Elephant Secret Santa.
What does it cost?
Let's get the un-fun part out of the way first: When you sign up, you should set aside $25. This is going to cover the contents of the box, as well as Flat Rate postage of about $15.00. If you want to send it FedEx or UPS, you'll want to set aside more.
How does it work?
Still in? Good! These simple steps will get you a big box of random crap:
1) Fill out the Form below and POST IT IN THIS THREAD.
2) Private Message ME your real name and address.
3) Once signups close, you'll be assigned someone - you are the "Sender", they are the "Recipient".
4) You have two weeks to assemble and send your package.
5) PM me the tracking number.
6) You'll get a box of your own to enjoy!
7) Post about what you got IN THE "RESULTS" THREAD - that's part of the fun, and there might be prizes.
How do I assemble my package?
Stop by your local post office and pick up a Medium Flat Rate Box (a lot of grocery stores carry these now, too). Take a look at your Recipient's form, see what they like, and fill the box with STUFF for them! The maximum that you should be spending on the contents is $10, and the box should be pretty full. Nobody's going to police you if you spend more than that, but making the most of a tiny budget is part of the fun. MAKE SURE there's a tracking number - if there isn't, and the package gets lost, it's nobody's fault but yours.
What SHOULDN'T I put in the package?
- Fragile items that aren't padded well. As in "bombproof".
- Baked goods - they sound like a really good idea until that banana bread becomes banana pudding in transit.
- TOO MUCH TIME. I'm pretty easygoing, previous participants can attest. BUT, you have TWO WEEKS before I start harassing you, and I WILL be bothering you about it. I don't have the time OR the money to put together replacement packages. If your Sender flakes out on you, I'm sorry, this is the chance you're taking here. If you flake out on your Recipient, not only will I be really disappointed, but your Recipient will find out. Sorry if that sounds harsh - I don't like people being out $25 with nothing to show for it.
I'm interested in exchanging internationally!
If there's enough people interested, I'll try to arrange it so that people can participate internationally. You need to be aware that international shipping can be VERY expensive - we're talking $50 USD MINIMUM for a package this size. You will literally be paying $60 for a box of $10 worth of stuff you could probably buy at the local ethnic market. You've been warned. (That said, everyone that's done an international package seems to have thought it worthwhile so far.)
What if I need to get a message/question to my Recipient?
Send me a PM. I'll relay it to them anonymously.
What if I want to do more than one package?
You're welcome to sign up to do as many as THREE (3). This does not guarantee all three, if the numbers don't work out. You obviously won't be asked to send out more packages than you receive, though.
What if I just want to do a package or two out of the goodness of my heart (or blackness of my soul, depending what I put in there), without receiving one in return?
Speak up, that'd be awesome. I can either use you as a backup in case someone bails, or we can have a drawing for someone to get additional packages, or...other awesome stuff.
What if there's someone participating who I don't want to be matched up with either way?
Send me a message, I'll make a note of it. Try to keep an open mind, though. This is a good way to build some new bridges, and it's the holidayyyyysss. Feel that Yule spirit.
Signups open NOW, and close FRIDAY. Please check in on this first post every once in a while, if something changes or if someone asks an important question, I'm going to update it.
Form:
Code: Select all
My Approximate Age:
My Approximate Location:
My Gender:
Number of Packages Wanted:
International if available?:
Likes:
Dislikes:
Other Important Info:
If you've participated previously, who have you already been matched up with?:
