CANDYXTRAVANGAZAAAAAAA 2010 signups!
It is time to open up the signups of another International Yuletide Candy Exchange! For those of you who missed how it worked last year, we're (and by this, I mean everywherestars and I ) are going to take the signups and match you up with someone to send you some of their local or otherwise delicious candy and someone for you to send candy to.
The timeline: we'll close signups on October 31st at midnight PST, match you up by November 4th, and email out who you're going to be matched up with by the 6th. Our hope is that we can get the candy in the mail for everyone by the week of the 14th-20th. After the matchups are sent out, there will be another post for keeping track of both who has sent things and who has received things so far. I've heard about some issues about receiving things last year, and we're going to be trying to stay on top of the send/receive list to see what's happening this year.
Also new this year: instead singing up in the comments, we have a very handy form for you. Just fill it out here. There is a more detailed FAQ below the cut that we'd like you to read as well. If there are problems, questions after reading the form and the FAQ, please ask them in the comments below.
FAQ:
1. Is there a price limit?
We recommend sticking to the smaller end of the scale for each person, such as 5-10 USD.
2. What about shipping prices?
Shipping prices, especially internationally, are going to likely be a little more then you expected. For example, shipping internally in the US will cost you five dollars in a small flat rate box. The same box shipped to Canada or Mexico may cost half again as much, and the same box shipped across an ocean might cost twice as much. Please factor shipping into your costs associated when you sign up and select shipping locations that you can honestly afford. We'll do our best to honor all preferences expressed when doing sign up. We recommend looking into your countries postal rates and websites for exact details. (Please also note that USPS may also give you a discount if you order your postage online, if you live in the US.)
If there's going to be a real issue, use the free space box to tell us what's going on or email us. (cookiepirate at gmail.com for sleepfighter and everywherestars at gmail.com for Stars).
3. Can I send out homemade stuff?
We cannot officially recomend such a thing especially if you're sending over international borders, but if your recipient is cool with that, we recommend sending the most nonperishable stuff you can send out, and in as protective a container as you can manage, as fast as possible.
Alternately, if you are a busy person but want to send off something awesome anyway, please feel free to look into local candymakers who will ship gift orders.
4. What if I live in multiple places?
Use your best judgment as to what you put down for your location.
5. Where's my recipent's address?
We don't have that information, actually! We only know your recipient's email address. But shoot us an email.
6. My recipient is fine with any candy. What should I send?
Local candies are great and what we'd recommend first to anyone! If you know of a really great local candy maker, send off a small selection from them. If you want to send off local snacks or things that aren't quite candy, be sure to check with your recipient to see if that's okay. The point here is to send off something fun for both of you.
7. I don't know if I can make it by the deadline but I want to participate anyway. What can I do?
We recommend pinch hitting. Life happens to all of us, and if we do need you, you'll be doing us a real favor.
8. Life has happened to me and I need to drop out. Who should I tell?
Let either of us know via email ASAP and we’ll get things re-arranged. Please, please do drop one of us a note as soon as possible so we can make sure that candy is received by all.
9. It has been x days and I’ve had no contact from my recipient/sender, what do I do?
Again, come to us so we can call the troops to arms and get a pinch hitter all sorted out.
10. What do I do if I want to redo my signup? I think I made a mistake!
If you redo the form, please mention it in the free comments section of the form so we can delete your first entry.
If you have any other questions, please comment on this post or email us (cookiepirate at gmail and everywherestars at gmail) and let us know.
The timeline: we'll close signups on October 31st at midnight PST, match you up by November 4th, and email out who you're going to be matched up with by the 6th. Our hope is that we can get the candy in the mail for everyone by the week of the 14th-20th. After the matchups are sent out, there will be another post for keeping track of both who has sent things and who has received things so far. I've heard about some issues about receiving things last year, and we're going to be trying to stay on top of the send/receive list to see what's happening this year.
Also new this year: instead singing up in the comments, we have a very handy form for you. Just fill it out here. There is a more detailed FAQ below the cut that we'd like you to read as well. If there are problems, questions after reading the form and the FAQ, please ask them in the comments below.
FAQ:
1. Is there a price limit?
We recommend sticking to the smaller end of the scale for each person, such as 5-10 USD.
2. What about shipping prices?
Shipping prices, especially internationally, are going to likely be a little more then you expected. For example, shipping internally in the US will cost you five dollars in a small flat rate box. The same box shipped to Canada or Mexico may cost half again as much, and the same box shipped across an ocean might cost twice as much. Please factor shipping into your costs associated when you sign up and select shipping locations that you can honestly afford. We'll do our best to honor all preferences expressed when doing sign up. We recommend looking into your countries postal rates and websites for exact details. (Please also note that USPS may also give you a discount if you order your postage online, if you live in the US.)
If there's going to be a real issue, use the free space box to tell us what's going on or email us. (cookiepirate at gmail.com for sleepfighter and everywherestars at gmail.com for Stars).
3. Can I send out homemade stuff?
We cannot officially recomend such a thing especially if you're sending over international borders, but if your recipient is cool with that, we recommend sending the most nonperishable stuff you can send out, and in as protective a container as you can manage, as fast as possible.
Alternately, if you are a busy person but want to send off something awesome anyway, please feel free to look into local candymakers who will ship gift orders.
4. What if I live in multiple places?
Use your best judgment as to what you put down for your location.
5. Where's my recipent's address?
We don't have that information, actually! We only know your recipient's email address. But shoot us an email.
6. My recipient is fine with any candy. What should I send?
Local candies are great and what we'd recommend first to anyone! If you know of a really great local candy maker, send off a small selection from them. If you want to send off local snacks or things that aren't quite candy, be sure to check with your recipient to see if that's okay. The point here is to send off something fun for both of you.
7. I don't know if I can make it by the deadline but I want to participate anyway. What can I do?
We recommend pinch hitting. Life happens to all of us, and if we do need you, you'll be doing us a real favor.
8. Life has happened to me and I need to drop out. Who should I tell?
Let either of us know via email ASAP and we’ll get things re-arranged. Please, please do drop one of us a note as soon as possible so we can make sure that candy is received by all.
9. It has been x days and I’ve had no contact from my recipient/sender, what do I do?
Again, come to us so we can call the troops to arms and get a pinch hitter all sorted out.
10. What do I do if I want to redo my signup? I think I made a mistake!
If you redo the form, please mention it in the free comments section of the form so we can delete your first entry.
If you have any other questions, please comment on this post or email us (cookiepirate at gmail and everywherestars at gmail) and let us know.