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Christmas Card Exchange 2017 Edition: Sign-ups are CLOSED!

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  • Christmas Card Exchange 2017 Edition: Sign-ups are CLOSED!

    Hello and Merry Whatever-You-Celebrate! Yes, it’s that time again! If you’re new here, here’s the deal:

    Every year, a number of us exchange Christmas Cards with fellow CS members across the globe. We collect sign ups from people each year, compile a list, send it out in early November, and then we flood each other's mailboxes with glitter holiday cheer.

    So, the timeline:
    You have until Friday, November 3rd to sign up (that’s 4 weeks and 2 days from today), I’ll post the list so you'll be able to see how many people are planning to participate, and if you decide you can't handle that many, you’ll have until November 10th to opt out and I’ll send out the list on November11th. Sound good? Then follow the instructions at the end of this post and sign up!

    Now, for a quick FAQ List...

    Can I make my own cards, or do they have to be store bought?
    Either way. Whatever jingles your bells. Just as long as you remember to sign ‘em.

    Religious Themes: Yay or Nay?
    Again, it doesn't matter. This event is about friendship and holiday cheer. They don’t even have to say “Christmas.”

    Can I add gifts?
    Because someone asked me about favors…in the past, some people have included various little gifts in their cards – crocheted snowflakes, handmade bookmarks, paper cranes, etc. You are more than welcome to add a little something if you like, but be assured there is absolutely no expectation for anything more than a card from anyone. Anything extra is entirely up to you.

    If I sign up, do I have to send a card to EVERYONE?
    YES, and in a timely manner too. I cannot stress this enough. It is selfish, rude, and seriously unfair to sign up and get cards from everyone else and not send any of your own. If you wish to only send cards to a select few members of the CS community, please make such plans on your own.

    Are e-cards allowed?
    No. Once the final list goes out, this becomes a snail mail event. Postcards are allowed, however, if you wish to save a few pennies on postage.

    What happens if I sign up and don't send out my cards/don't send out my cards until after the Easter Bunny has visited?
    People who sign up and don't follow through make Baby Jesus cry, and thus are automatically placed on Santa's Naughty List for the next year. Oh, and on my naughty list as well. No-shows are banned from participating in future events. A first offense gets you banned for one year. A second offense gets you banned for life.

    But what if an emergency comes up and I can't?
    I'm not an unreasonable person, and we’ve found that most members of CS that participate are very understanding. If an emergency comes up, all I ask is that you PLEASE let me know. I will handle things accordingly and you will not be penalized in any way.

    How many people will sign up?
    It varies. We've had everywhere from 20-60 members sign up in previous years. Unfortunately, my crystal ball hasn't been working lately like it should, so I can't tell for certain how many of you will sign up this year. I will stop accepting sign ups on November 3rd, and I will post a complete list of who has signed up, and you will have until November 10th to opt out, so if the list swells to an amazingly large number of people and it is no longer feasible for you to participate, you can drop out by sending me a PM and letting me know you can no longer participate. Once the opt out period ends, I’ll email the list to everyone. Once the list is sent out, however, you're in it for the long haul. Also, I will not make any changes once the email goes out, so please, please, please make sure your address is complete and correct before hitting the submit button (please?). I have no intention of sending corrections because you didn’t proofread.

    How much is postage?
    It depends on where you live, how many people have signed up, and how many of the cards you send will be international. In the past, the majority of participants have been in the US, plus a handful in Canada and the UK, and occasionally a few other far-flung places.

    Suggestion from our resident Postal Worker:
    If you are in the US, please go to USPS.com and get your +4 zip code. This makes the zip code 9 digits long and looks like 12345-6789. This should help stop some of the missing ones we get every year from going missing because the computer has more info. (Thanks for the suggestion, Aethian!) If you go to that link and enter your street address, it will give you the complete, standard format for your address. Use that format when you sign up and things just might go that much more smoothly. Standard US format looks like so:

    Your Name
    123 Your Street
    Fauxtown, NJ 12345-6789

    My Significant Other and I are both members. Can we sign up with both of our names?
    Yes. If you are signing up as a couple, please give me the other person’s screen name as well.

    How do I share my joy in having received a card from someone?
    Please post a note in this thread and tell us who you’ve received cards from. I’ll be keeping tabs on it and check off on my list that people are receiving your cards, and I’ll post the total tally periodically.

    Did I mention that you have until November 3rd to sign up?
    So sign up! It’s fun!!


    TO SIGN UP:
    Scroll back up to the top of this post, click on my name, and send me a private message!
    Be sure to include:
    · Your real first and last name
    o If you are signing up as a couple and are both members, please include your spouse/partner’s screen name as well
    · Your full, correct, proofread, verified, properly-formatted mailing address.
    · Your email address so I can send you the list!
    o Privacy policy: I assure you that your email address will not be shared with anyone (and will be deleted from my computer and CS inbox once the event is over), and your other information will only be shared with those who have signed up.You are, of course, expected to keep this information private as well.

    Note: The list will be sent as a pdf file formatted to print on a standard 30-label sheet. If for some reason you have a problem with the file, either reply to my email or send me a PM, and I can resend it, or send it in a different format (Word or Excel) if needed. The email will come from my personal Gmail address. If you don’t receive it, check your spam folder or send me a PM and I’ll tell you what address to look for, or resend as needed.
    I don't go in for ancient wisdom
    I don't believe just 'cause ideas are tenacious
    It means that they're worthy - Tim Minchin, "White Wine in the Sun"

  • #2
    I just signed up. I always look forward to this every year.
    "I don't have to be petty. The Universe does that for me."

    Comment


    • #3
      Signed up ...
      Customer service: More efficient than a Dementor's kiss
      ~ Mr Hero

      Comment


      • #4
        Hey, so, when you sign up, um, don't forget to give me your email address!
        I don't go in for ancient wisdom
        I don't believe just 'cause ideas are tenacious
        It means that they're worthy - Tim Minchin, "White Wine in the Sun"

        Comment


        • #5
          I'm in again
          "I am quite confident that I do exist."
          "Excuse me, I'm making perfect sense. You're just not keeping up." The Doctor

          Comment


          • #6
            We are up to seven!

            6 USians
            1 Canadican

            BookstoreEscapee
            tigger222
            taxguykarl
            Ironclad Alibi
            Pixelated
            Dreamstalker
            Sandman

            Let me know if you should be on the list, but aren't.
            I don't go in for ancient wisdom
            I don't believe just 'cause ideas are tenacious
            It means that they're worthy - Tim Minchin, "White Wine in the Sun"

            Comment


            • #7
              Emails! You need to give me your email address!!!! You can't get the list if you don't give me your email address!!!!!!!!!
              I don't go in for ancient wisdom
              I don't believe just 'cause ideas are tenacious
              It means that they're worthy - Tim Minchin, "White Wine in the Sun"

              Comment


              • #8
                And I've just had a complaint about excess length....
                The Copyright Monster has made me tell you that my avatar is courtesy of the wonderful Alice XZ.And you don't want to annoy the Copyright Monster.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Quoth Kit-Ginevra View Post
                  And I've just had a complaint about excess length....
                  Well, it throws off my excel setup. Let's just hope it fits in the box.

                  (The box on the label sheet, ya' pervs.)
                  I don't go in for ancient wisdom
                  I don't believe just 'cause ideas are tenacious
                  It means that they're worthy - Tim Minchin, "White Wine in the Sun"

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    That would be interesting to explain to my 4 year old daughter.. Showing her where all the cards came from

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I'm in! Looking forward to it again.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I'm back in it again this year.

                        My Mom looks forward to seeing all the cards coming in just as much as I do . . . the cats, not so much - I suspect they'd rather play with the ornaments.

                        They think I'm putting the tree up but due to the fact that we have young kittens in the house this year, nope.
                        Human Resources - the adult version of "I'm telling Mom." - Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo (NCIS)

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Quoth DGoddessChardonnay View Post
                          I'm back in it again this year.

                          My Mom looks forward to seeing all the cards coming in just as much as I do . . . the cats, not so much - I suspect they'd rather play with the ornaments.
                          Stripes would love it if the cards were lined up on top of the entertainment center. Then he could knock them off one by one. (His sister doesn't get up there and probably wouldn't care one way or the other.) Other than sleeping under it, they pretty much leave the tree alone. Though we still don't put any delicate ornaments on the bottom.
                          I don't go in for ancient wisdom
                          I don't believe just 'cause ideas are tenacious
                          It means that they're worthy - Tim Minchin, "White Wine in the Sun"

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Quoth BookstoreEscapee View Post
                            Stripes would love it if the cards were lined up on top of the entertainment center. Then he could knock them off one by one. (His sister doesn't get up there and probably wouldn't care one way or the other.) Other than sleeping under it, they pretty much leave the tree alone. Though we still don't put any delicate ornaments on the bottom.
                            We have a houseful, due to a litter of 6 being found outside at a neighbor's home that my brother brought inside and placed with Gidget (who's had 4 of her own 2 weeks ago but only has 2 left now since we lost two of them over the weekend) And we've lost one of Pen's babies (our little yellow baby, Seymour passed last week) so we have Sofia and Scooter (the tiger stripe twins) and Applesauce, Snickerdoodles and Smokey (the three older ones,) Mr. Pheobe (who we took in back in the spring,) so right now we've got quite a busy house with these running around.

                            Now the 6 foundlings (5 orange ones and a multi color) are now learning about not only the litter box (Mom actually saw one of the kitties using it last night) but also food . . . had 3 sleeping in the dry food bowl this morning.

                            They are getting into the stage where they are attracted to anything that moves or makes noise . . . fragile Christmas ornaments would be ideal for the kitties to get in trouble with.
                            Human Resources - the adult version of "I'm telling Mom." - Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo (NCIS)

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Wow, Kitten Overload!
                              I don't go in for ancient wisdom
                              I don't believe just 'cause ideas are tenacious
                              It means that they're worthy - Tim Minchin, "White Wine in the Sun"

                              Comment

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