Secret Santa card swap

[LorraineJ]

Hi Everyone,

As last year's swap was so successful I thought it was now time to launch this year's.

For the benefit of those that are new to the forum and to remind people of who may have forgotten, what happens is this.

Originally people said lets keep the swap entirely secret and then I got requests for a list of who was taking part, so people could guess who made whose card. Obviously the recipient will know who their card is from but can I ask that you keep their identity a secret from the rest of the forum until the grand reveal.

So, people wanting to take part can either put their names down on the thread or PM me. If you are a regular participant in the swaps, the chances are that I will hold your name and address in any case. On the other hand, if you are new to swapping, you will need to PM me your name and address. I should stress that any addresses I hold will be solely for the purpose of a cardswap and will not be passed onto any other person, without your express permission. At the closing date, I will compile a master list of who is swapping with who and PM you all individually with your swappees name and address. The card can be on any theme you like, though I would suggest you avoid a religious theme.

May sound an obvious thing but can you remind me of any mother/daughter (apart from Rainbowwand and Marzipan)or sister/sister or friend/friend relationships, as it seems daft doing a swap.

When it comes to posting a picture of the card you have received on the forum, can you let me know if your digital camera is playing up and you may find it impossible to post a picture. It might be an idea for all cardmakers to take pictures of their cards, just incase the postie loses them or there is some other unforeseen problem.

When it comes to the posting date, I suggest we start our own threads entitled "X's secret santa" any time from 1st December. Can you not reveal the maker for five days please, to give everyone a chance to guess.

Hope I have covered everything, if I haven't please tell me.:D

[Spendsloads]

The card can be on any theme you like, though I would suggest you avoid a religious theme.

:D

Lorraine
Many thanks for organising and I am keen to take part, but isn't this comment missing the point of the festive period somewhat?

[LorraineJ]

Lorraine
Many thanks for organising and I am keen to take part, but isn't this comment missing the point of the festive period somewhat?

Can see exactly where you coming from but I thought it was safest. Not everyone taking part necessarily celebrates Christmas in the true sense (ie birth of Christ), but I don't think they should be precluded from taking part if they want to. I am not saying "don't make it a religious theme" but unless you are sure of how your card will be received, I was trying to save any embarassment. :)

I have received PMs querying whether people should put crafty goodies in with their cards. I'd say that its entirely up to the sender, if they'd like to but no-one should feel obligated.

[Dips]

I, too, would like to take part but I have to agree with Spendsloads - Christmas is a religious holiday and if someone wants to make a card about the true meaning of Christmas, that should be their right. Also, I'm abit lost about what you've sdaid about theme - surely the theme's Christmas!

[LorraineJ]

I, too, would like to take part but I have to agree with Spendsloads - Christmas is a religious holiday and if someone wants to make a card about the true meaning of Christmas, that should be their right. Also, I'm abit lost about what you've sdaid about theme - surely the theme's Christmas!

Possibly a better word rather than theme. would be what form your Christmas greeting takes be it box card, card, waterfall card, exploding box, envelope card etc etc.

As for your comment about Christmas being a religious holiday, YES it is, if thats the interpretation you want to play on it. For the not particularly religious, "Seasons Greetings" is a safe alternative. I remembered what had been discussed for the swap last year and was trying to bring everyone's thoughts on board from then.

[Little Jan]

I think what Lorraine is trying to say is that some members may be of a diff faith and although they like to enter in the sprit of the season a Christian themed card may not be appropriot,so as Lorraine says season greetings would be better to save any offence.
althought saying that my daughter has freinds with diff faiths who love to get traditional christmas cards, and in return send her cards that celebrate there faiths.:)

[LorraineJ]

I think what Lorraine is trying to say is that some members may be of a diff faith and although they like to enter in the sprit of the season a Christian themed card may not be appropriot,so as Lorraine says season greetings would be better to save any offence.
althought saying that my daughter has freinds with diff faiths who love to get traditional christmas cards, and in return send her cards that celebrate there faiths.:)

Thanks LJ, eloquently put.

[Wellington]

I'd like to be in it too please :D

[Rentochops]

So would I! I will send you my new address Lorraine.

[Rainbowwand]

Count me in too please Lorraine, :)

[Pam]

Me too please

[Little Jan]

Me Me Pick me
oh sorry been watching shreik
count me in too:)

[Wellington]

Me Me Pick me
oh sorry been watching shreik
count me in too:)

LOL Little Jan - I know exactly what you mean :D


So would I! I will send you my new address Lorraine.

Um - just a little nudge to remind you to send your new addy to Phree too in plenty of time for us to get your birthday cards to you :D If you haven't done already of course!

[Anne]

I'm in please.

Could we make it such that no-one posts piccies of their cards until maybe 10th December? Only reason is that then they'd all be displayed in a shorter period of time, rather than in dribs and drabs. That's what was so fab about the Valentine swap - it all happened over a very short time. Just a suggestion. :)

[Little Jan]

Yes I would agree with that, if I remember rightly last year it dragged on a bit and I miss half off them as I was buzy:rolleyes:

[Phree]

On the subject of being offended by the religious aspect of christmas I have one thing to say........... WTF are you signing up for a CHRIST'S MASS swap for?

Sorry Lorraine but I find it offensive that you should try to dictate to us what meaning we may or may not express on our cards. If anyone does not like the religious aspect of Christmas then why are they joining a swap that has the theme? As spendsloads has rightly pointed out Christmas is ABOUT the birth of Christ and what that means to people of a Christian faith - IMO it's time people started to remember that with their head held high and stop worrying about offending someone of another culture.

If I receive a card from a Jew which says Happy Hanukha (sp?) or what ever phrase is relevant to that occasion then I am DELIGHTED that a person of another faith has honoured me with the joyous blessings of their belief even tho I am not a member of that faith. Likewise if a muslim was to greet me with any blessing traditonal too them at Ramadan (again SP?) When people are offended by the icons of another beleif who has the problem and who is the bigot.....think hard about that one folks!

Other than that count me in - and if you don't want a religious theme on your card you had better PM Lorraine and tell her not to allocate me as your swap partner.

[Anne]

I do wholeheartedly agree with Phree, and others who have said similar things.

Edit. Just wanted to make it clear that I'm not having a go at you Lorraine, it's just that Christmas is Christmas after all. It is what it says on the tin.

[LorraineJ]

On the subject of being offended by the religious aspect of christmas I have one thing to say........... WTF are you signing up for a CHRIST'S MASS swap for?

Sorry Lorraine but I find it offensive that you should try to dictate to us what meaning we may or may not express on our cards. If anyone does not like the religious aspect of Christmas then why are they joining a swap that has the theme? As spendsloads has rightly pointed out Christmas is ABOUT the birth of Christ and what that means to people of a Christian faith - IMO it's time people started to remember that with their head held high and stop worrying about offending someone of another culture.

If I receive a card from a Jew which says Happy Hanukha (sp?) or what ever phrase is relevant to that occasion then I am DELIGHTED that a person of another faith has honoured me with the joyous blessings of their belief even tho I am not a member of that faith. Likewise if a muslim was to greet me with any blessing traditonal too them at Ramadan (again SP?) When people are offended by the icons of another beleif who has the problem and who is the bigot.....think hard about that one folks!

Other than that count me in - and if you don't want a religious theme on your card you had better PM Lorraine and tell her not to allocate me as your swap partner.

Hang on a minute, I am not trying to dictate who puts what on their card, I was merely pointing out a safe middle ground if anyone was in doubt. Last year this question was raised and the forum came to this conclusion, no personal feelings whatsoever, I was merely trying to avoid the same thing again and yet still I get flack over it.

[LorraineJ]

I do wholeheartedly agree with Phree, and others who have said similar things.

Edit. Just wanted to make it clear that I'm not having a go at you Lorraine, it's just that Christmas is Christmas after all. It is what it says on the tin.

Thanks for that.

[Anne]

Hang on a minute, I am not trying to dictate who puts what on their card, I was merely pointing out a safe middle ground if anyone was in doubt. Last year this question was raised and the forum came to this conclusion, no personal feelings whatsoever, I was merely trying to avoid the same thing again and yet still I get flack over it.

I just think this is a subject that raises hackles Lorraine and Phree obviously feels very strongly about it - as I do also, and a couple of others in the thread have mentioned it too. The swap is Secret Santa, and therefore the subject should be Christmas. Some of us may choose to take into account the likes and dislikes of the person we're sending to, or we may just choose to do our own thing. But still the subject should be Christmas imho. I think most people (I'm not saying all) of different faiths would be pleased to receive a traditional Christmas card, and it's only the PC brigade who shout and make a fuss about such things.

[LorraineJ]

I just think this is a subject that raises hackles Lorraine and Phree obviously feels very strongly about it - as I do also, and a couple of others in the thread have mentioned it too. The swap is Secret Santa, and therefore the subject should be Christmas. Some of us may choose to take into account the likes and dislikes of the person we're sending to, or we may just choose to do our own thing. But still the subject should be Christmas imho. I think most people (I'm not saying all) of different faiths would be pleased to receive a traditional Christmas card, and it's only the PC brigade who shout and make a fuss about such things.

Then what is all the fuss about then? I made the comments I did in the interests of peace and trying to appeal to everyone, not making faux paux etc and yet find I am being got at. Saying Christmas is the theme has never been in any doubt, I leave it up to individuals to decide how religious they want their swaps to be. The Secret Santa cardswap is supposed to be nice and fun, so please lets have fun and play nice.

[LorraineJ]

Partipants in the Christmas Secret Santa Swap (so far):

Spendloads
Dips
Phree
Anne
Pam
Winspiration
SheilaJ
Wellington
LittleJan
Rentochops
Rainbowwand
Blueshowbizz

[Dips]

Excellent - now we have many new members on the forum and I hope that they have not been deterred from joining in by us "oldies" have our normal full and frank discussion about what's in and what's out - in our normal robust manner :).

So, this really is a fab thing to do and I like to take part because:
1. I receive a lovely card from a fellow crafter and I appreciate the work that has gone into it, and it goes on display with my "special" cards
2. I take great pleasure in making my card for my swappee, as I know that as a fellow crafter, they also will fully appreciate the time ands effort that I have put into the card (which is not always so when a non-crafting friend receives a handmade card)
3. Finally, it is such fun when we all start guessing who has made which card - someone (normally ArtySam) usually ends up as the chief suspect in more cards than anyone else. It brings a real sense of community to the forum and gives everyone a chance to get to know each other better, even if you are an infrequent visitor or poster.

So, go on, give it a go!

[blueshowbizz]

So, go on, give it a go!

You've talked me into it :D

I'm only a beginner (and I need all the practice I can get) so I'm going to be really brave and ask "can I join in too please?" :)

[LorraineJ]

You've talked me into it :D

I'm only a beginner (and I need all the practice I can get) so I'm going to be really brave and ask "can I join in too please?" :)

Lovely to have you aboard. Just PM me your name and address and I'll add you to the list.

[Phree]

Lorraine, I probably should have worded my post better. What I get ticked off at is the fact that society these days seems to be so paranoid that we may offend people who follow other faiths and yet we are supposed to be a free society. To me this means if it's OK for a muslim lady to express her faith by wearing a Burkka, or a Sikh to ride a motorcyle wearing a turban instead of a helmet, then it's OK for me to send cards with Christmas religious elements on them to people who sign up for Christmas swaps.

When I sign up to join a swap that is specific to an occasion such as Christmas I feel I am entitled to assume that others who also signed up did so in the full knowlege that Christmas is a Christian festival and as such there is the possiblity that they may receive a card which by images, words, or both expresses beliefs inherent to the Christian faith.

Perhaps in future a better approach to swaps at Christmas and at Easter would be to post a "health warning" on the thread that introduces the swap - something along the lines of :

"If you are not of member of the Christian faith and receving a card which MAY include symbols and/or words relevant to Christianity would offend you then electing to join this swap may not be the right choice for you"

That way it leaves the whole thing open to each individual - both choice of card design and also choice of whether or not to risk being offended by the card they receive. We are all adults and capable of deciding for ourselves what we do.

[LorraineJ]

Phree, thanks for your post.

As for your original one, I did and do understand where you are coming from but we are still talking at cross purposes. I think this whole issue is something put down to airing, healthy discussion if you want to call it that, but we put it down to the forum members to decided what they want to do individually and leave it at that. These things are not a matter of victor and vanquished, but anything other than begging to differ could damage the forum.

[Dips]

You've talked me into it :D

I'm only a beginner (and I need all the practice I can get) so I'm going to be really brave and ask "can I join in too please?" :)

Excellent - More the merrier!

[Wellington]

You've talked me into it

I'm only a beginner (and I need all the practice I can get) so I'm going to be really brave and ask "can I join in too please?" :)

You'll really enjoy it Blueshowbizz :) As will anyone else who wants to join in. If you've dithered over joining the regular monthly swap, this may be the little prod you need to take the plunge with possibly the easiest theme to do :D

I agree completely with all the reasons Dips has given as to why you should have a go - it so much FUN!!! :D

[LorraineJ]

Bumping this along as the list is getting lost in the dialogue:

Partipants in the Christmas Secret Santa Swap (so far):

Spendloads
Dips
Phree
Anne
Pam
Winspiration
SheilaJ
Wellington
LittleJan
Rentochops
Rainbowwand
Blueshowbizz

[Rentochops]

You'll really enjoy it Blueshowbizz :) As will anyone else who wants to join in. If you've dithered over joining the regular monthly swap, this may be the little prod you need to take the plunge with possibly the easiest theme to do :D

I agree completely with all the reasons Dips has given as to why you should have a go - it so much FUN!!! :D

Even SCW joined in last year and he is very shy when it comes to showing his cards. SCW aren't you joining us this year?

[sheilaj]

just wanted to add that while there are some wonderfully talented people on here.....I am not one of them! and NOBODY is bothered. If you are a hand make the paper/source the embellies from the other side of the world/do your own lettering/make your own envelope type of person that's great and if you are also a bit of a pick it and stick it like me then that's great too

[Marzipan]

Can i join in to please Lorraine

[LorraineJ]

Bumping this along again to include another participant ie Marzipan.


Spendloads
Dips
Phree
Anne
Pam
Winspiration
SheilaJ
Wellington
LittleJan
Rentochops
Rainbowwand
Blueshowbizz
Marzipan
Satincollie
Joanne

From the organisational POV I will be leaving the list open for a week or so and hope more people will join. We had at least 24 people taking part last year and hope we will have another successful swap this year. While it may help to know exactly who you are going to swap with to tailor make your card for them, I don't think that with the sheer volume of cards some of us make to have made two or three to choose from and then make a decision (hope that makes sense).

[satincollie]

Count me in please.
Gill

[Joanne]

Can I join please

[LorraineJ]

Can I join please

Have added your name to the list, just need your personal details via PM please.

[sugarplum]

I would like to join in please I will pm my details Lorraine if thats ok

[SUPERCOOLWILLOW]

You've talked me into it :D

I'm only a beginner (and I need all the practice I can get) so I'm going to be really brave and ask "can I join in too please?" :)

you`l love it BSB


Even SCW joined in last year and he is very shy when it comes to showing his cards. SCW aren't you joining us this year?

did i ROC i dont remember lol

[LorraineJ]

You certainly did take part SCW last year, can I sign you up for this?

Anyway, here is the list with Sugarplum's name added

Spendloads
Dips
Phree
Anne
Pam
Winspiration
SheilaJ
Wellington
LittleJan
Rentochops
Rainbowwand
Blueshowbizz
Marzipan
Satincollie
Joanne
Sugarplum

[SUPERCOOLWILLOW]

oh what the hell go on then lol "only if it helps newbies to join"

[Dips]

Great, I'm sure it will Ian, and you know all us oldies love it when you take part :)

[Pam]

Great, I'm sure it will Ian, and you know all us oldies love it when you take part :)

Sure do Dips:).

[Winspiration]

Yay - indeed we do, well done, SCW :D

[SUPERCOOLWILLOW]

i dont even remember doing it last year

[LorraineJ]

i dont even remember doing it last year

and I thought it was us oldies that suffering from memory loss. lol

[LorraineJ]

Just realised I haven't put my own name down


So the list is now:

LorraineJ
Supercoolwillow
Spendloads
Dips
Phree
Anne
Pam
Winspiration
SheilaJ
Wellington
LittleJan
Rentochops
Rainbowwand
Blueshowbizz
Marzipan
Satincollie
Joanne
Sugarplum

[Wellington]

Can I join please

Yay - another newbie to the swapping fun :D

[LorraineJ]

Can you please use the new thread to add your names on please.