We've been working on some new plans for the Secret Buddy Exchanges, and we'd love to have your input.

auntnee63 will be organizing the adult secret buddies and I will be organizing the children's exchanges. We were thinking about alternating months, meaning that there would be an adult exchange every other month and the children's exchange on the opposite months. What do you think? Is that too often, or just right? auntnee would like to start the adult exchange in August.

FYI the children's exchange was a huge success! I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it so much...and made new friends in the process!

Let us know what you think!

Would you have new sign ups for every exchange? One for adults, one for kids? I couldn't participate every month(between myself and kids, it would be every month)but would love to jump in every once in a while for my kids, especially. Sounds great and I'm so glad the kids exchange went well! My girls LOVED it.

Yes. It would be open sign up each time, with a one time commitment. If you think it's too often, we could do quarterly.
Any more questions/suggestions?

I haven't participated - any examples of what you send your secret buddy? Do you get a list of their likes/dislikes? Dollar amount? Is there a dollar limit?

The package you send should be worth $10 (not including postage). When we have sign ups, we get a list of likes/dislikes from each person. I put all the names into a randomizer, and contact everybody with their secret buddy. I give a deadline for shopping and mailing, and try to keep track of everything. When you mail the package, you put a note in telling your buddy who the gift is from.

Oh no, I don't think it's too frequent. I just can't do every month(betwen myself and kids)and wanted to make sure if I did one month I wasn't committing to multiple months. But I think if there's enough people/kids that want to do it each month, then that's wonderful! It's so much fun and my kids loved it also. I know in my house, we all want to participate again at some point.

I would love to do the kids month/months sometime

I think most everyone is very patient when waiting for their package. Might I suggest that it does not have to be sent priority mail. I feel so bad if I see a small box with a $10 plus shipping price.

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I agree that everyone is really patient.

I've never sent my packages priority...I always choose the cheapest rate (sorry), I just make sure that I ship them by the date that freer has asked them to be shipped by. It usually takes a week at most for my packages to arrive.

I usually send mine with the flat rate postage, which is either $8 or $9 something...can't remember since rates increased. I've found that it's just as cheap(maybe a few cents more)and it arrives usually in 2 or 3 days. When I first done this, I sent regular mail and paid almost $14 and it took almost a week to get there, lol! I also like it because I get the box from the PO with the flat rate shipping and it's a good size, holds enough without being too huge or too small. They have 2 different sizes(or maybe just shaped differently). I also think it depends on what you're sending. If some items are heavy(like candles), regular shipping is going to be almost as much as the flat rate shipping, IMO and experience. If you're shipping lighter items, you could probably do regular shipping cheaper. And I too do the cheapest shipping but if there's little difference in price, I will do priority. auntnee, you shouldn't be sorry for choosing the cheapest rate.....I think most of us do that! As long as it gets there I don't think anyone cares how it's shipped.

I think every month and alternating adult/kids is PERFECT!!! My DD and I would LOVE to participate

Thanks!
Terri

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Maybe one month for the kids exchange we could do a "family" exchange rather than for just one child? I know my children would have loved to participate but with a large family it's just to expensive to let each child get their own box. Either way I think Freer is great for doing all this to add a little something special to our lives

Mom27...maybe you could take turns with your kids. A different one each time. I don't see how a family exchange would be feasible. Perhaps you could explain it to me.

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Nancy-I was thinking of doing that, but thought others might be looking to give the kids a turn at this and not go broke. What I had in mind was that the likes dislikes would be done as a whole family and the exchange would be geared more to the group. For instance a box may contain a set of Uno cards, sticker pack, a bag of candy and set of markers. Then either the children share or each choose what they want.

Mom.. I understand what you're saying, but I'm concerned that someone would be left feeling less than happy.



This is what has me concerned. If the kids chose what they want, what if more than one child wants the same thing? And sharing, while a concept we as parents all embrace, doesn't always work well. I just don't want any kid to feel crappy.


I probably shouldn't even voice my opinion because my kids are grown. I think if the kids know they will eventually get their own box, that would make it easier on them.

Those of you with younger kids, please chime in. I'm going to bow out now as I don't have a horse in this race.

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bite me and get a brain!

Good ideas floating around here!

I think I might try the family exchange in September to see how it goes. Instead of specific ideas from each child, how about a theme sort of thing like "our family loves movie night" or "our family plays a lot of board games"?

The expense of the exchanges is definately a concern for most of us. Maybe the family exchange would allow someone to participate who normally wouldn't.

So, I'm thinking....adult exchange in August...family exchange in September....adult exchange in October....individual kids exchange in November....adult exchange in December....familiy exchange in January..and so on....

Remember this is just food for thought so far. Keep the ideas coming!

Freeer I love the idea of a theme! Maybe September could be like a back to school theme across the board?

I love the idea for the kids...but IMO...I think December should be for the kids...I know we all love getting packages...but the kids even more so around Christmas!

JMHO!!

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Jenn
"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
Winston Churchill

Personally, I like the idea of alternating, but would rather do more kid's exchanges. I would alternate adult and family exchanges and keep the kids at every other month. Also, I would probably skip December all together. My kids get tons of stuff for Christmas and I have enough to spend money on already, so I don't think we'd participate then. Otherwise, we love the exchanges and can't wait for the next one. I like the back to school idea, too.

Maybe a Mom's BTS exchange would be fun. We could do neat stuff for Moms to relax and have fun once our kids are back in school.

JMTCW. Thanks to all who are coordinating this, we really appreciate it!

Renee

I love the family idea and my immediate thought after reading mom27's post before reading any further was MOVIE NIGHT or GAME NIGHT as both of my girls would love that. I think it would work. I understand nancy's concerns but honestly think it would work. In my case there's 2 girls, close in age and if there was 1 pack of stickers, we would cut that sheet of stickers in half, if they both wanted them. I love the individual boxes too and would still love to participate in that also. But the family box idea, IMO, is a great idea!

maybe we could do both swaps in December?

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