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Holiday Card Exchange 2023!

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  • Holiday Card Exchange 2023!

    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 Christmas cheer.

    So, the timeline:
    You have until Saturday, November 4th to sign up (that’s roughly 6 weeks 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 11th to opt out and I’ll send out the list on November 12th. 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. They don’t even have to be Christmas-themed. This event is about friendship and holiday cheer.

    Can I add gifts?
    Because someone once 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 accommodating. 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 19 to 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 4th, and I will post a complete list of who has signed up, and you will have until November 11th 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 makes it less likely a card will go 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
    Faketown, WY 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?
    Go ahead and 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.

    Did I mention that you have until November 4th 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
      • 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!
      • 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: I will send the list 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 list 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
    Coming soon...!
    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


    • Pixilated
      Pixilated commented
      Editing a comment
      Just signed up.

      WTF ... this is my OLD account!!!

    • dalesys
      dalesys commented
      Editing a comment
      Quoth Pixilated View Post
      Just signed up.

      WTF ... this is my OLD account!!!
      The brain may not remember the password but the fingers do...
      Did you see what you typed so you can do it again?

    • BookstoreEscapee
      BookstoreEscapee commented
      Editing a comment
      Quoth csquared View Post
      I'm in.

      I also promised Eireann that I would buy her cards. Make sure that she gets on board.
      Just realized she hasn't signed up...just sent her a PM.

  • #3
    I'm in!

    Let the Glittering...BEGIN! BAAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAAA!
    "For a musician, the SNES sound engine is like using Crayola Crayons. Nobuo Uematsu used Crayola Crayons to paint the Sistine Chapel." - Jeremy Jahns (re: "Dancing Mad")
    "The difference between an amateur and a master is that the master has failed way more times." - JoCat
    "Thinking is difficult, therefore let the herd pronounce judgment!" ~ Carl Jung
    "There's burning bridges, and then there's the lake just to fill it with gasoline." - Wiccy, reddit
    "Retail is a cruel master, and could very well be the most educational time of many people's lives, in its own twisted way." - me
    "Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down...tell you she's hurtin' 'fore she keens...makes her a home." - Capt. Malcolm Reynolds, "Serenity" (2005)
    Acts of Gord – Read it, Learn it, Love it!
    "Our psychic powers only work if the customer has a mind to read." - me

    Comment


    • #4
      Don't forget your email when you send me your info. Not naming any names or anything...but I will point out that only one person has signed up (besides me and I already know my email).
      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 just signed up. Come join the fun.
        "I don't have to be petty. The Universe does that for me."

        Comment


        • #6
          We're up to four...can we beat last year (11)?
          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
            I will join but l am address unknown at moment.We will be moving as soon as the house sells.Could be anywhere from next week to next March....
            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


            • #8
              Quoth Kit-Ginevra View Post
              I will join but l am address unknown at moment.We will be moving as soon as the house sells.Could be anywhere from next week to next March....
              You said that last year...
              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


              • #9
                Just joined. Ready for shiny snow near my front porch.
                I'm trying to see things from your point of view, but I can't get my head that far up my keister!

                Who is John Galt?
                -Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

                Comment


                • #10
                  Joined as well.
                  Eh, one day I'll have something useful here. Until then, have a cookie or two.

                  Comment


                  • #11
                    We're up to six seven eight nine...

                    BookstoreEscapee
                    EricKei
                    Ironclad Alibi
                    csquared
                    taxguykarl
                    Android Kaeli
                    Irving Patrick Freleigh
                    Kit-Ginevra
                    Dreamstalker
                    Last edited by BookstoreEscapee; 10-20-2023, 03:27 AM.
                    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


                    • #12
                      Is this gonna be the smallest one yet?

                      10 days left to sign up!
                      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


                      • #13
                        We had 11 participants last year.
                        "I don't have to be petty. The Universe does that for me."

                        Comment


                        • #14
                          We're up to 10!

                          BookstoreEscapee
                          EricKei
                          Ironclad Alibi
                          csquared
                          taxguykarl
                          Android Kaeli
                          Irving Patrick Freleigh
                          Kit-Ginevra
                          Dreamstalker
                          Ghel

                          Last edited by BookstoreEscapee; 10-27-2023, 01:43 AM.
                          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


                          • #15
                            Quoth BookstoreEscapee View Post
                            Is this gonna be the smallest one yet?
                            That's what she said...
                            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

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