March & April SWAP! (and Changes to SWAP Procedure)
Written by Sprittibee on March 8, 2008 – 1:23 pm -
Welcome to the March & April HSBA Saturday Swap!
We had only 3 sets of swappers last month. This time we don’t have any links to showcase, so I figured it was time for a change in the procedures for the swap. I know how busy you all are (because I am just as busy). So my new idea going forward is to make the swap EVERY OTHER MONTH to give us all the time we need to get our swap gifts in the mail. The extra time can also be used to get to know our swap buddies better. What do you all think about this new change?
Here’s the schedule:
SIGN UP: By March 15th (Sat.)
PAIRED UP: By March 20th (Wednesday)
MAIL SWAP: By April 17th (Thursday)
POST PHOTOS: By April 30th (Wednesday)
EMAIL LINKS TO ME: By May 7th (Wednesday)
NEXT SWAP: May 10th (Saturday)
So this time, the sign up will be for March AND April. Our next swap won’t be until MAY. Be SURE TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS with these dates!
FEBRUARY SWAP HIGHLIGHTS:
Judy and Amanda Swapped.
Cate and Lori Swapped.
I know you already know what a SWAP is… but in case you need a refresher…
Check out our past SWAP Posts here at HSBA. Chances are they will answer all of your questions and more. Oh, and if you swapped in the past and forgot to send in your link, it isn’t too late! We would love to add your post showcasing your swap gift to our past posts. People still like to click back and see all the gifts, so by all means - share!
PAST SWAPS:
October 2007 Swap (Intro)
November 2007 Swap (October Highlights)
December 2007 Swap (November Highlights)
January 2008 Swap (December Highlights)
February 2008 Swap (January Highlights)
We hope you’ll join in the fun! Spread the news and ask your homeschool friends to join. You have until Wednesday the 14th to leave a comment here with your email. I’ll contact you and send you a questionnaire!
Here are some basic rules for every swap:
1. Don’t offer to participate and sign up if you can’t get the gift in the mail on time. Now that we are giving you 2 months, this shouldn’t be too hard!
2. Don’t spend more than 5-10$ on your swap gift (not including postage). You will end up making your buddy feel like they didn’t give enough to you.
3. Get to know your swap buddy. Pray for them! Send them a Bible verse! Email them! Etc.!
4. Do NOT share your swap buddies’ personal information (last names or addresses) with anyone else.
5. Make sure you post a photo and ‘Thank You’ for your swap sister - thanking her and linking to her blog.
6. Email me a copy of your swap post link so I can showcase it for the following month!
Suggestion (new): Please make sure you take extra care when packaging your gifts if they are breakable or fragile. Two or three times now we have had swap gifts damaged by UPS and the Postal Service!
Who’s in???
In Him,
~ This swap post is now Closed ~
Tags: SWAP
Posted in Saturday Swap |
March 8th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
All right, I’m going to give it a go again. Who knows? I might just surprise you and send something EARLY! LOL!
I do like the bi-monthly option. Hopefully that’ll work a bit better.
March 8th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
What a neat idea~ I would love to give it a try! But I’m not sure if it is for international or just USA homeschool moms. I live in Mexico where my dh and I and our almost 11 children serve the Lord as missionaries here.
~Jaynee
WIth the bi-monthly option, I don’t think time would be a problem if I sent my gift asap. But I know it would be more money for postage mailing to Mexico.
So I’d love to do this if possible, but if not, I understand
March 9th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I am enjoying the swap. I am for the next one. I am going to reserve comment on what I think about every other month : )
March 9th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I am IN. I would also be happy to swap with someone outside the US. And, like Dianne said…. hopefully the every other month thing will work better to get stuff sent!!
thanks for all your work on this Heather. I still have a couple of photos to post, so that will work out nice in announcing this swap session!
Blessings~
March 9th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I think part of the problem with the swap every month is also ME. I’m only one person - and getting it together for all the projects I’m working on plus keeping a house in order and getting homeschool complete each day is HARD WORK.
Sorry if some of you aren’t so happy with the every other month thing. 
We need some helpers here at the HSBA. Last month, Jacque took over the swap for me because I was working on other projects. Maybe we will make it monthly again when there are enough people working for the HSBA for us to assign someone to the job!
Count me in for this month’s swap - and YES, Jaynee, since Jacque is willing to do a international swap, I’m more than willing to pair you two up! Maybe next time you can swap with me! I am not opposed to doing international as long as it is within reason financially.
My kids are really in to Monarch Butterflies. Do you live anywhere near where they roost overwinter?
March 10th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Hey girl…
I’m in….I just have to remember to TELL you that!!
I swapped with cate in Australia…that was cool…it just takes a bit longer to get there!:)
THANK you for putting this together…I know it is time consuming!! doing it all!!! funny my quote tomorrow is about how we are FINITE…and always have things left undone…
(for CWO In Other Words)
It IS hard work!!!
This is such a great idea though!! Thanks for keeping it up!!
love ya!
lori
March 10th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I am in for this next one! I have such a blast every time I participate! I think its so fun!
Love,
Miss Amanda
March 13th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I’m in for another round. I’ve really been enjoying this! I think every-other-month might be just right.
I posted about my swap gift on my blog this morning~
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ReviewsbyHeidi/497940/
March 15th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I am interested, if you’ll take a newbie
March 15th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Okay, so I’m a little slow. This is the first time I’ve heard about the swap. I think it’s a wonderful idea! I’d love to give it a try for several reasons. It looks fun. I love surprises and homeschooling. And I like to meet new people. Please count me in!
March 15th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
What a great idea! I’m not a homeschooler (yet) or I would definitely join in the fun.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:01 am
I’ll join in this time. It’s my first swap. I’m willing to swap with Mexico. My husband has a special place in his heart for Mexico and would love to live there some day.
March 16th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Count me in!
March 16th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I would love to join the swap. It seems like great fun to get a package of goodies!
March 17th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I’ll do it again!
Peace,
Cindy.
March 19th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Better late than never!!!!
March 29th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I thought I answered this post and said I wanted in, but I must have dreamed it…cuz I am not on the list. I thought to come back to check since I haven’t heard anything about it via e-mail…and the month is almost over.
If it’s too late, it’s okay. I’ll just join in next time. =)