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2024 Holiday Card Exchange 🌲

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  • 2024 Holiday Card Exchange 🌲

    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 9th to sign up (that’s 5 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 16th to opt out and I’ll send out the list on November 17th. 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 14-60some 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, but the last few years have been fewer than 20. I will stop accepting Sign Ups on November 9th, and I will post a complete list of who has signed up, and you will have until November 16th 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
    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 9th 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
    I'm in like Flint.
    "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


    • #3
      I too have signed up.
      "I don't have to be petty. The Universe does that for me."

      Comment


      • #4
        Quoth EricKei View Post
        I'm in like Flint.
        You won't be caught knapping.
        I am not an a**hole. I am a hemorrhoid. I irritate a**holes!
        Procrastination: Forward planning to insure there is something to do tomorrow.
        Derails threads faster than a pocket nuke.

        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're up to six...
            1. EricKei
            2. BookstoreEscapee
            3. Ironclad Alibi
            4. Dreamstalker (who says they're in but hasn't sent their info yet...)
            5. csquared
            6. Android Kaeli

            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
              If I've done it correctly, I should be in ...

              Comment


              • #8
                Quoth dalesys View Post
                You won't be caught knapping.
                Of course not. My dwarf hasn't taught me that skill yet. (hail armok)
                "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


                • #9
                  Just signed up.
                  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
                    Quoth EricKei View Post
                    I'm in like Flint.
                    You mean there's odd things floating about in your water?
                    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


                    • #11
                      1. EricKei
                      2. BookstoreEscapee
                      3. Ironclad Alibi
                      4. Dreamstalker
                      5. csquared
                      6. Android Kaeli
                      7. Kit-Ginevra
                      8. Pixilated
                      9. taxguykarl
                      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
                        Got two weeks left to join us!
                        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
                          I have the concept for this year's cards all figured out. I just need to know how many to make.

                          Sign up now. The more the merrier.
                          "I don't have to be petty. The Universe does that for me."

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Still at 9. Five days left!
                            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
                              Last chance to sign up! Signups close at midnight (or, more realistically, whenever I get around to logging in tomorrow).

                              We are at 10 people. If you aren't on this list but think you should be, let me know ASAP.
                              1. EricKei
                              2. BookstoreEscapee
                              3. Ironclad Alibi
                              4. Dreamstalker
                              5. csquared
                              6. Android Kaeli
                              7. Kit-Ginevra
                              8. Pixilated
                              9. taxguykarl
                              10. Irving Patrick Freleigh
                              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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