Winter is a time of tea, hot chocolate, candles, snugly blankets and for some the exchange of gifts. So, why not do a Christmas gift exchange? Simple. Not everyone celebrates Christmas and even those who do, do not all like it. The result is this, a wintery gift exchange just for the cause of being nice to people and having the honor to share a bit of light and joy with another human in times of stress and potentially darkness.

How to take part:

  1. Respond to this post on Mastodon, by sharing your interests.
  2. Submit your address through the linked form. (At the end of the thread mentioned above) Rest assured, I’ll use it solely for this exchange and delete it after.
  3. Following the registration deadline, I’ll pair participants and share the matches via Mastodon.
  4. Now it’s time for you to create or purchase something wonderful for your match and send it out before the specified deadline.
  5. Please provide a quick update or evidence that you’re actively preparing your gift to me.
  6. Once completed, share the shipping tracking code (or a photo of the delivered package) with me to ensure no one is left empty-handed.
  7. Anticipate receiving your gift soon via mail.

Additional points to note:

  1. Keep the value of the gift around or below €20. Be considerate, exceeding this limit by a small amount is acceptable, but items worth more should be avoided.
  2. If you’re short on ideas, aim for something heartwarming, cozy, or with a compelling story.
  3. Ensure the gift is appropriate; avoid items like handcuffs or explicit material. ;)
  4. Non-perishable food items are acceptable, but please declare ingredients for those food gifts.
  5. Signing the gift is optional, maintaining the “secret” aspect of the exchange.
  6. Refrain from discussing your gift until after December 31st, especially if you’re the creator or purchaser. We want to preserve the element of surprise for everyone, don’t we?. Post all you want after the deadline passes, or you received your package.
  7. This exchange operates on trust. I reserve the right to exclude participants who breach this trust.
  8. Contact me exclusively via PM on this Mastodon account or email (with “Wintery Secret Gift Exchange” in the subject line) regarding this exchange for smoother communication.

Deadlines:

  1. Registration closes on November 19th.
  2. Share proof of progress by December 3rd (such as an invoice snapshot or a photo of your project).
  3. Submit your shipping receipt/tracking code/photo by December 10th.
  4. Aim to deliver the package before the year-end or early January.

Remember, unexpected issues might arise. If you foresee difficulties meeting the deadlines, communicate with me. I’m willing to assist in relaying messages in case of delays, ensuring the recipient is informed about any hold-ups.

Photo Credit: Photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash