IDEA for a POSSIBLE new SWAP, not to take place yet since so many others are going on...need your thoughts and input please!

Well, I have been thinking about a different type of swap for some time now and while cleaning tonight I came up with the following idea and although it's 1:36 a.m. my time, and I just finished my cleaning, and I will be getting up at 6 a.m., I just had to share it with you first.

 

I figure that since the Bag Lady Swaps are seasonal and after the current Bag Lady Swap that Amy has just posted signups for, my next Bag Lady Swap as hostess won't be until Fall and that is my FAVORITE season, we should have something new in between that timeframe. 

 

Since I do have to budget myself to keep up with the swaps and I cannot participate in them all, I was looking for an idea that was fun and lower budget and came up with this idea.

 

An "In-Between Swaps Regifting Swap"!  What that means, is this, any gifts that we have received, whether it be for birthday, christmas or prior swaps, that we cannot use or simply are not to our liking, BUT ARE STILL NICE GIFTS, NOT JUNK, will be traded in a round robin type fashion.  (Now I know that we had round robin swaps in the past and the major complaint was that people would take out the good stuff and replace it with junk and by the time it reached you, there was nothing you'd want to keep, but hopefully this won't be the case here.)

 

So, all it would really cost is the price of shipping and we could take a vote to either use the small flat rate priority shipping box ($8.95) or the large flat rate priority shipping box ($12.95).  I would start the swap by placing 10 or more items inside and then mail it onto the next person.  When that person receives it, they can post on the board that it was received and what they choose to keep.  Then I will give them the next address in an email and they would replace the same amount of gifts they selected with gifts they got and could not use, and remail within 2-3 days, and so forth and so on.  (I hope that was clear, if not, just ask questions and I can always edit this later.)

 

Like I said, it would only cost you the shipping cost since we are sending items we already have.

 

Right now, I'd like to know your thoughts and/or suggestions about this and whether or not you would possibly be interested in something like this.  I'd hope to get at least 10 swappers to make this a fun swap. 

 

Obviously it will be a longer swap and will depend on how many people are involved so it will surely fill in the gap between our Brown Bag Swaps.  And it won't be all that time consuming since it's stuff we already have. 

 

ANY THOUGHTS/SUGGESTIONS/INTERST?

 

 

Hi Karen!! I think it sounds like fun!! I would be willing to try a round robin swap this summer...as long as all is well here.  I bet you are tired from cleaning !!! Hope you got some good sleep!!

 

Mary

Hi Karen,

I think the Round Robin sounds like a fun swap.  I'd like to be part of it.

Evelyn

I'm glad to see some interest.  I thought it sounded like an interesting idea and I'm glad I'm not the only one  LOL!!

 

Yes Mary, I am a bit tired today.  I am odd thought, since I work from 9-5 M-F, I only have a few hours after work to see my daughter, make dinner, etc., and I don't like to clean the house on weekends, just because (although in the summer I will do outdoor work), so I have to clean at night.  It's weird, but I get a big burst of energy and just keep moving, but I do pay for it the next day. 

 

Anyone else have any interest or suggestions?  If so, plesae chime in.  I'm open to any thing you throw at me.

 

Take care!

Sounds like fun to me!! :)  Hugsssssssssssssssssssssssssss Evie

Hi Karen,  I think that this sounds like fun and will be glad to join if I am not on the boat at the time.  Is "Stud Muffin"  still with us and doing ok (LOL)?  I had to miss the last Bag Ladies Swap because of my work schedule but will be in this one going on now. 

Rita

Hi there Karen - hope you got some sleep by now!  I think this could be a lot of fun - the only thing that concerns me - do you think anyone would be insulted if they recognized something they gifted being passed on?  Personally, it wouldn't bother me - if someone else can use it and enjoy more than me - great.  And, the idea of a standard sized box for all is brilliant.

 

Keep us posted - Peg

That sounds like a great idea and fun, too. Let me know when it starts....Kathy Jo

I sounds great!  I have a few things here that are really nice but I probably won't use and would be willing to trade for something that would be more to my liking.  Let me know when you have the sign-ups!

Anna

I'm happy there is so much interested.  I myself thought it would be different to say the least.

 

Peg, I thought about that too, but just figured I'd post a reminder that we should not be offended if that happens as not everyone has the same likes/dislikes as everyone else.  Hopefully it won't be a problem though.

 

Rita, glad you will be joining us for this swap, I wondered what happened last time.  Stud Muffin is still looking fine and now that it's getting warmer has his place of honor in my front window again for all to admire!

 

Thanks for the support -- so far, it looks like it will be a go!

 

 

This swap sounds interesting.  So just to clarify- you would start out putting 10 or so things in and then when it gets to the next person they pick something out of it and then replace it with their own regift?  Just making sure I understand. Fun idea.

 

china

Karen

 

Sounds interesting to me too.  Have you worked out how the distribution/mailing would go?  Would you be drawing a name and sending it on to that person?  Would everyone know the "order" of mailings ahead of time or would you determine the name of the next recipient after another participant has received?  AND if someone is a slacker, we certainly would know who it was because the package would be stopped at their address.  I am going to go on faith that the participants would all be honest and into this to enjoy.

 

nancy

Yes China, you are correct. You could pick one gift or all of the gifts, as long as you replace them with the same amount you select!

Nancy, I would have a premade list and I would ask the swapper to notify me when the box arrives to get the next name -- that way, I can keep better tabs on where it is.  In prior swaps the moderator used to include a sealed envelope for each swapper and when you got the box you picked out your envelope to see who is next.  I thought about doing it that way, but if I ask them to email me when it's received and then when it's shipped, I think I will be better able to track it. 

 

Yes, we will have to rely on faith that all participants would be honest, and for the most part we do have a GREAT bunch of swappers here, so I am sure it won't be a problem.

Rita, I know you are gone for a month at a time, so depending on the number of swappers, it could take that long or even longer so I am sure we can fit you in.