12 Days of Christmas...Without All The BIRDS!

Everyone who knows me in real life is laughing hysterically at my title right now.  I just know it...

As a kid, my favorite thing about Christmas was the surprises.  The "not knowing" is the part that made it seem so magical.  As a mother, I sometimes feel cheated out of some of that magic, because as you all know...mothers know EVERYTHING.  I still love the wonder on my children's faces as they open that one perfect present...

But I definitely miss the days of not knowing what I was getting from Santa Claus. 

Roon does an awesome job.  I don't want to make it seem like he never gets me anything.  He does.  But, sometimes his best efforts are spoiled by an ill timed opening of a credit card statement, or a two year old who can't keep a secret. 

Am I wrong in assuming that I might not be the only one out there who feels this way?

So I came up with an idea for a SWAP!

Originally, I was going to hold off on opening this swap until the ornament swap was over, but the more Evelyn and I thought about it, the more we decided we wanted to give people ample time to get to know their partners, and then shop for the perfect swap package. 

So, here's the idea.

A swap that would last for 12 days!

Need more?

Here's how it would work:  Think, "advent calendar" for grown women.

Each participant would be assigned a partner.  Each person would give to, and receive from, the same person.  There will be no deadline or specific date you would need to ship your package by.  There WOULD, however, be a deadline on when your partner would have to receive their package by.  If you choose to procrastinate, you'll have to pay for express shipping.  Packages should ship on or around December 4th, but no later than December 7th.

Once you are assigned a swap partner, the idea is for you to create a package filled with 12 things.  It can be any 12 things.  12 things YOU love, 12 things you think THEY will love, 12 red and green things, 12 items that make up a set...whatever!  Each item should be individually wrapped, and be labeled with DAY 1- Day 12.  You can include a little note for each item, explaining why you chose to include the item, why it's special to you, or why it makes you think of Christmas.  The sky's the limit!  You can create your own theme within the 12 days of Christmas theme, if you feel so inspired. 

December 12th is the magical day.  Regardless of when your package arrives, I would encourage you to hold off on opening it until December 12th.  Beginning December 12th, and extending through Christmas Eve, you will open one gift a day from your swap package.  You can write up a post as you go, or write it all at once at the end.  You will only link one post of your compiled swap package, so the details of how you do it, is entirely up to you.  Technically, I'll never know if you open the whole kit and kaboodle the day you receive it.  But I will opt to open one gift a day to prolong the magic.  I hope you'd choose to do the same. 

On Christmas Eve, I will have my 12 days of Christmas swap post up, with a linky at the bottom.  You can link up any time between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. 

I'm not officially turning this into any sort of contest or competition.  That being said, I must say that I do have a soft spot in my heart for people who follow the rules, and send something incredibly thoughtful.  I reserve the right to use the address I acquire from you to send some good mail your way, if I feel so inclined.  That's all I'm gonna say about that...

What are the rules?

1. This swap is NOT open to international bloggers.  Sorry!  While I would LOVE to get to know an international, it makes things a little too complicated, and I wanted to keep this first swap of mine as simple as possible.  I hope you won't hold it against me...
2. This swap is open to ACTIVE BLOGGERS ONLY!!!  This is a lesson Evelyn and I learned with the ornament swap.  It's not nearly as much fun being partnered with someone who doesn't blog frequently, so you must be active.  To me, this means you must have posted at least 6 times a month for the last 6 months.  If you have successfully participated in either Shortmama's or Mamarazzi's swaps in the past, you are also eligible.  If you're "less active", you may be paired with another "less active" blogger...
3. Private bloggers are welcome, as long as they are willing to invite their partner to read their blog.  IF your partner is NOT a private blogger, she may request that you allow her to post about the things they sent you.  We all want to be able to bask in the awesomeness!
4. Send your partner a package that you would love to receive.  If you can put together a package for less than $25, and have it look like you spent more...have at it!  I love frugal people!  Just don't be cheap.  The limit for this swap is $50, but please do not feel apprehensive to join if that is not in your budget.  That is the LIMIT.  Not MINIMUM.  This limit is also BEFORE SHIPPING.  I know this may seem like a lot, but Evelyn and I both agreed that it goes pretty fast when you're shopping for 12 presents.  We wanted to make it manageable...

So, now that you know the particulars, you need to know how to join in. 

FIRST:  Click on the "Contact Me" tab, and fill out the swap form. 
NEXT:  Wait for a confirmation email from me.
THEN:  Write up a quick blog post announcing your participation.
AFTER THAT:  Wait to be paired up. 
FINALLY:  Get to know your partner, and put together a completely awesome swap package.

Wanna play?  Get to it!  Once you have received a confirmation email from me, please write up your post announcing your participation, spreading the word, and giving others a chance to join in the fun.  THEN come back here and link it up, so we can all get to know the fellow swappers better. 

Swapping is a great way to make a new friend.  I know Evelyn and I think so!

Sign ups will remain open until TUESDAY NOVEMBER 23rd at 12:00 NOON (Central time)  You will receive your swap partner's information by the weekend after Thanksgiving 

So what are you waiting for?!