Hello, and welcome to the 5th Spoil Us, (Local) Goodies, the 1st of the new year. Please read the entire swap description to prevent mistakes that might get you a lower rating than you deserve.

Let's start off with the list of things to send:

• 3 items that have to do with New Year's in your country/city/community/family/social circle. You can send truly anything you like: ephemera, greeting cards, photos, a small bottle of fake champagne (I'm not sure actual champagne would make it through customs), champagne glasses... OR 3 items that have to do with Valentine's Day, same criteria.

• 3 sachets of tea/hot coco/coffee.

• 3 edibles. If you send sweets/candy, you must send at least 5 and they will count as 1 (no matter how many you send). Chocolate bars and candy bars count as 1 if they are approximately 15 cm / 5.9 inch in length. Everything you send must be properly wrapped, unopened, and undamaged. Nothing you send can go bad in the mail.

• 1 magazine. Send something that matches your swap partner's interests. The magazine can not be folded, damaged, or rolled up.

• 1 book of local tales or fairy tales (must be illustrated). Does not have to be in English if your swap partner doesn't care, but pay attention to your swap partner's preferences.

• 1 game. The more local it is, the better. Doesn't necessarily have to be a board game but make it more imaginative/special than a pack of cards. If the game is unknown in other countries and the instructions are not in English, please write the instructions out on a piece of paper. No computer games or anything.

• 1 local craft.

• 1 local souvenir.

• 1 wishlist gift.

• 3 random items. Can be anything you want to, as long as it's not trash. Nothing can be broken, damaged, torn, stained, dirty, and so on. (For example, things like candy wrappers fall under "trash".)

Pay attention to preferences

I encourage everyone to leave a comment below to make your preferences known if you have any. Please check both the comments section and/or your swap partner's profile to decide on what to send.

How To Pick the Goodies

When you put the parcel together, pay attention to your swap partner's profile. While you can never be a 100% certain your swap partner will like the goodies, you can not send things that are on their dislikes list. In that regard a little interpretation from your part is required. For example on my profile you'll find that I don't like cutesy/girly stuff. It doesn't specifically mention that I don't like Barbie merchandise, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out it falls under that category.

If you are uncertain about an item, I encourage you to contact your swap partner about it. And similarly if you receive something you feel is covered in your Dislikes List. If you receive something that's on your dislikes list and your partner won't make up for it, rating a 3 would be recommendable. However, you have to keep in mind that these are not wishlist swaps. So if you receive something you don't like and it wasn't mentioned in your dislikes list to begin with, rating a 3 wouldn't be right.

Of course, we're all different so when you leave something open to interpretation there's a possibility your swap partner sees it differently. If there's something you and your swap partner can't seem to solve, you can always come to me - but I'd rather you solve it between yourselves. We don't make that big of a group, and as long as we're reasonable towards each other we keep the atmosphere pleasant and healthy.

Quality of items

I know I'm getting repetitive, but nothing you send can be broken, torn, worn (out), damaged, et cetera. These are gift parcels, so do send them as if you were giving a gift. Do not send second hand clothing, beauty products, etc. If you do send clothing or beauty products, make sure they are sealed or that the price tag is still on them. If they are not sealed or if they come without price tag, include the receipt.

Cost-Effectiveness

Minimum spending limit per item is 1 USD, or 0.75 EUR, or 0.62 GBP. Maximum spending limit per item is 10 USD, or 7.50 EUR, or 6.20 GBP. The money you spend on the goodies does not have to be more than you can spare. But it's the shipping costs that can make it pricy. Keep reading.

Keep in mind that the shipping costs will at least be the minimum costs of a gift parcel. These are things that can not be sent in an envelope. But you can greatly affect the amount of the shipping costs, as the costs increase with the weight. You could send lightweight items (for example a paperback instead of a hardback) or small items, just make sure they are worthwhile.

Also, if the post office asks you the overall value of the parcel, set the price at approximately 20 euros/dollars. That way your swap partner won't have to pay a customs fee when picking up the parcel.

Communicate!

If you're delayed, always let me know. Let your swap partner know as well.

Rating

Please rate your swap partner appropriately. As a coordinator I need you to rate a 1 when you got flaked on because I need to be able to keep this a flake-free zone. The same goes for rating a 3 if the parcel did not meet the requirements. But if your swap partner makes it up to you, do change your rating accordingly.

Send me your photos

I would love to get photos of the goodies you receive. I put them up on this blog: Spoil Us, (Local) Goodies. I treat all your info with discretion. Only your username, country, and your swap partner's username and country will appear on the blog. Add your thoughts to the photos if you feel so inclined. On the blog you will find the email address you can send it to, or the link to my Flickr account.

Suggestions?

If you have any suggestions for future swaps, let me know in the forum.

Questions?

PM me. :)