Spoil Us, (Local) Goodies Swap #2

The first edition of this swap just passed the sign up date. Since this is quite a big swap and the first edition was received with so much enthusiasm, I'm organizing this swap again now, with 2 months runner-up time, and 2 months swapping time. You'll have plenty of time to consider joining, save up some money, get some ratings, or otherwise prepare. This swap will be a little bit different from the first one (some different items, more specific requirements). I intend to keep changing a few items with every (Local) Goodies swap I host.

Lowest rating allowed is 5. Unrated swappers can't join. Sorry, there is too much time and money involved to take chances.

Request

Also, I have a request. This is not mandatory, but it would be awesome if you could do the following: send me an email (spoiluslocalgoodies@gmail.com - or tag me on Flickr) with one or more photos of the swap you received, and a short or long note. The photos don't have to be a work of art, they can be taken with your phone or your webcam or whatever suits you. Please include your username and country, and the receiver's username and country. I'm asking this because I made a blog for these swaps, where I'm collecting photos and "reviews" of the participants. I think it would be a lot of fun and convenient to have it all in one place! As soon as I've received the photos/reviews of the first Goodies Swap, I'll post the link here, in my profile, and in the next Goodies Swap. It would be awesome if you could send in your thoughts & photos.

Now...

The Swap

This swap is for those who are interested in other countries and cultures, and who like to spoil and get spoiled a bit (and receive surprises). It's convenient if you're also into paper crafts, scrapbooking or smashbooking, because quite some paper will be exchanged as well.

For this swap you'll send:

• 5 pieces of ephemera from your town or country. If your partner is from the same country, try to send something that really has something to do with your town. There is no point in sending flyers of the Statue of Liberty if your swap partner lives in or near New York.

• 2 postcards of local sights. Can be from your town specifically, can be from your country. Just remember that the same counts for the postcards as for the ephemera: if your partner is from the same country, make it as local as possible. Also, send the postcards without stamps and blank. If you want to tell a bit about the things they depict, include a separate note.

• A list with 5 things you would recommend your partner to see/visit if he/she ever came to your town. Explain why for each thing you mention and add pictures/clippings/flyers/brochures - anything to illustrate it, really. You could also make a drawing or an ATC if that's what you prefer, and you could bind it or just keep it together with a paperclip.

• 2 local recipes. They can be of your family, a local restaurant or clipped from a magazine or book. It doesn't really matter where you get them from, as long as it's local. (Not necessarily traditional recipes; modern versions of traditional recipes are fine too.) Make sure to add a picture, whether you printed it from the internet, clipped it from a magazine or took it yourself.

• 3 pictures of your town. Don't write on the pictures (also not on the back), just include a note that tells a bit about what's in the photos. (Feel free to photograph anything you want: local events, streets, sculptures, trees, the neighbor's cat - as long as you can tell a bit about it. Also, feel free to use any photo camera you'd like; instant, digital, your cell phone, it's all good as long as the photos are clear enough.)

• 1 old book in your own language. Don't make this more expensive than it should be. The book can be as thick or as thin as you like, it can be a hardback or a paperback. Get it from a bookstore, a thrift shop, a market or your grandfather's bookcase. Illustrations are nice but not necessary. If your partner speaks the same language as you, you could try to find a book about your town's history, industry or attractions. Or perhaps a book about a famous person that grew up in your town. You could also pick a book you loved to read as a child, a book that is a personal favorite, or a book you think your partner will like. It doesn't really matter as long as you don't pick a book at random.

• 2 local delicacies. You can send anything as long as customs allows it (google it or ask your mail delivery company) and as long as it doesn't go bad in the mail. I think it goes without saying that we don't send anything in opened packs/bags/wrappers.

• 1 local souvenir. Sender's choice, must be store-bought.

• 3 bags of tea, instant coffee or cocoa.

• 1 item that reminds you of Summer or has something to do with Summer. Has to be store-bought. Anything else is sender's choice.

• 1 item that reminds you of Fall or has something to do with Fall. Has to be store-bought. Anything else is sender's choice.

• 1 piece of jewelry. Doesn't have to be a local product, but as I said in the first edition: local products are the best. (Can only be handmade if swap partner likes handmade jewelry. So check profile or ask.)

• 1 surprise from a local store. It doesn't have to be town- or country-related, as long as it's from a local store. Sender's choice.

• 1 wishlist gift.

• 3 random items, sender's choice.

Note: Except for the 3 random items, the book and possibly the jewelry (depending on your swap partner), everything must be store-bought. Don't send second-hand shoes, clothes, jewelry, hair accessories, or headwear. If you send any of these things, make sure the label/price tag is still on them (you can put a sticker over the price or cover it with pen or black marker.) Nothing can be torn, damaged, worn (out), stained, or dirty.

If you're going to send notepad sheets, send at least 5. Same counts for stickers. They count as 1. If you include more, like 10, they do not count as 2 items. If you include 1 new (store-bought) notepad and 5 notepad sheets, that counts as 2 items. If you include a used notepad and 5 notepad sheets, that counts as 1 item.

Last but not least the spending limits:

nothing you buy can be under: 2.50 euros, 3.20 American dollars, 2.12 British pounds

nothing you buy can be over: 10 euros, 12,82 American dollars, 8.48 British pounds

Any questions? Feel free to ask!

Happy swapping!