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12th Annual Homesteading Today Christmas Card Exchange

6K views 55 replies 27 participants last post by  sniper69 
#1 ·
Here we are already in October, and I haven't started the Annual Homesteading Today Christmas card exchange. (Thank you for reminding me babydumpling25!!!!)

Any new members here may be thinking "What is this and how does it work?" It's really simple - you email me your information - names, address, email address, and phone number, and once we reach the deadline - Thanksgiving Day November 23rd at 11:59 P.M., I compile the list of everyone, and email everyone. Once you receive the list, you mail a Christmas card to each person on the list. Then you sit back and wait eagerly everyday and watch your mail box for all kinds of cards to arrive!

"Who is eligible?" Anyone and everyone that is a member at Homesteading Today. It doesn't matter what forum you hang out on, where you live, or even what country you are from - ALL are welcome. In the past, we've exchanged cards with HT members from Canada, England, France, Germany, & India. (I do ask that you've been a member for at least a month.)

"What kind of card should I send?" It is completely up to you! We have received in the past, all kinds of cards - store bought, hand made, post cards, photo cards, etc. Some have been religious, funny, serious, old-fashioned, modern - it is totally up to you. (Some folks really get creative!). Some cards have little surprises in them - bookmarks, glitter, home-made ornaments, glitter, jokes, glitter, pictures, glitter, recipes, glitter, seeds, glitter, etc. (Did I mention sometimes they have glitter?!? Some people are glitter crazy and once you open one of these cards - you will be finding glitter throughout your home long after Christmas!!)

"How many cards will I receive / send?" It's all based on how many people sign up. I think one year we had an all time high of 60 or 70 participants - last year we had 33.

"Is my information safe?" Yes. Your information is kept and only shared with others who have signed up on the Christmas Card Exchange. No one outside of this exchange will get your information - do NOT share information with anyone who is not signed up! The list I send to you will only have names and addresses. Most people use their real names, but it's totally okay just to use your Homesteading Today name. Most people also use their home addresses, but a few do use a P.O. box.

"Why do you want my email address and phone number?" The email address is so I can email everyone the list of participants. The phone number is a new feature this year. But don't worry - neither your email address or phone number will be on the list or shared with anyone. If you decide you don't trust me and don't want to provide your phone number - that is fine - just send your other information.

"When is the deadline to sign up?" I must have your information by Thanksgiving Day November 23rd by 11:59 P.M.

"Sounds like fun - how do I sign up?" It IS fun!!! It's so exciting to go out to your mailbox at the end of November - December and receive cards from all over the United States (or even other countries!). It can also be a learning experience - one year a participant emailed me "Michael, please add me to the card exchange. I absolutely love this. I started doing this when I was homeschooling my son and he learned so many places on the map by finding where the cards came from. He is in medical school now, and I still love sending and receiving the cards. When he comes home at Christmas, he still always looks at all the cards and addresses."

"Ok, I will do it. What do I need to do?" Email me at kirky98@windstream.net or PM me. In the subject line put "2017 Christmas Card Exchange". Send the following information:

Your full name
HT Screen name (so we know who you are)
Street
City State. Zip
Email address
Phone number

Before you press "send", please double check your information to make sure everything is correct!

Again, your email address and phone number will NOT show up on the Christmas Card Exchange list. This is only for MY information - and I will NOT share it with anyone.

After you email me, please leave a note on this thread. This provides a double check for me - so I can compare between this thread and my email or PM that I did receive your information. I will email you back within a few days to let you know I received your information.

As we get closer to November 23rd, I will list everyone's HT Screen name that is participating. So please check back on this thread shortly before Thanksgiving. This not only lets you know how many participants we have, but also provides a triple check that I haven't forgot anyone.

Ready. Set. GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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#36 ·
Please be patient with me.
I was spending Thanksgiving, Friday, & most of today with family.

Tomorrow, I will name everyone I have to verify that I have everyone.
Once okayed, I'll get the list created and emailed.
Michael - I hope it didn't seem that my post was trying to rush you. I wasn't trying to do that. I just get excited about the card exchange. :)

I hope your Thanksgiving went wonderful and that the time spent with family was blessed.
 
#37 ·
Michael - I hope it didn't seem that my post was trying to rush you. I wasn't trying to do that.
Nope, not a problem. After traveling I was just tired and had things to catch up on today. I'll get the list of everyone's names posted soon to verify I have everyone's names.
 
#38 · (Edited)
Below are the 31 participants I have in this year's Homesteading Today Christmas Card Exchange:

angiemama02
arnie
babydumpling25
BamaNana
Bobby61
BostonLesley
Calfkeeper
DaisyDuke
DEMinPA
dorner
gettys1863
Grandmotherbear
Gunnie
Jlynnp
Kendra Roark
Kyrel
littlelad
Maggiemay455
Meima6
Michael W. Smith
MoBookworm1957
motlot4ever
mssis
mtmama
nwbound
Rainbowshades
sniper69
Texkat
Thistle
tuggerhugger
WhiteChristmas

Let me know if your name is not included in the above list and you sent me your information.

I will wait a day or so and then compile the list and get it emailed to everyone!
 
#41 ·
I got the list finished today and just finished emailing them to everyone. (Well everyone's email address I had. For those that didn't get an email, check your PM here as I need your email address.)

Some of you might have two emails, as I started sending my first emails using a WORD file. After sending out several, my wife said "Send an email to my phone so I can check the list." Good thing she did, since it was all messed up since I used tabs while entering the list. I ended up having to send the list under a PDF link. If you can't open it or it doesn't come out right, let me know and I might have to email the list from my work computer.

At any rate, the list is either already delivered or will soon be on it's way.

Have fun!!
 
#47 ·
Signing in to hope that everybody had a Merry Christmas so far and that you enjoy the rest of the evening.

I am just getting back from a week long vacation to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. A nice relaxing vacation in a sunny & warm area!! I had my mail stopped while on vacation, so figure when we get our mail tomorrow, the mailbox will be full with cards.

I just finished calling anyone who left a phone number and either answered the phone or had a answering machine. Several numbers had no voice box set up so wasn't able to leave a message. It was wonderful talking to the people who did happen to pick up their phone (or return my call)!!

Grandmotherbear, don't worry about not getting all the cards out before Christmas. I really should have got the list out earlier than I did, so everyone had more time.

As always, I would appreciate any feedback - good or bad - from this year's exchange. (I already know I need to get the list out earlier than I did this year!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!
 
#48 ·
It was so great to get your call Michael!! I had not been looking forward to this Christmas as we were not able to go to Michigan to spend it with family. However!!! It turned out better than ever, we spent Christmas Eve with neighbors who treat us just like family. It was so nice to relax and have a great time.
 
#51 ·
Michael,

Thank you for the call!!!!!! I apologize for the confusion on my part. We had a 6 year old in our midst and he had just opened up a dinosaur robot gift and was extremely excited. :) I appreciate you taking the time out of your Christmas Day to say hello and wish us Merry Christmas.

Thank you for all you do to organize the exchange. It was nice to see the familiar friend's names on the cards and nice to welcome a few new friends.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and many blessings for 2018.

Donna Orner
 
#53 ·
Thank you so much for the Christmas call! Even though we were out, it was so very nice to hear your Christmas message when we returned home. You are a wonderful host! My cards will be late, but not as late as the Kings! :) Thank goodness Christmas is a season and an eternity instead of just one day! Blessings to all!
 
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