8th Annual Holiday Card Exchange
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1kristilabrie
The 8th Annual LibraryThing Holiday Card Exchange is here!
» Go sign up now!
How it works: Sign up to send a card—homemade, store bought, holiday-themed or not—of your choosing to a random LibraryThing member. You’ll receive a card in return from another LibraryThing member. You can sign up to send more than one card, if you like. The idea is that, for every card you send, you’ll receive one yourself.
Signups are open now until Wednesday, December 8th at 12:00pm Eastern (17:00 GMT).
More details on the blog.
Reminder: In order for your card to be addressed to your real name rather than your LT handle, you must include your name in the address box. Some postal services require that addressee names match what's on your mailbox.
» Go sign up now!
How it works: Sign up to send a card—homemade, store bought, holiday-themed or not—of your choosing to a random LibraryThing member. You’ll receive a card in return from another LibraryThing member. You can sign up to send more than one card, if you like. The idea is that, for every card you send, you’ll receive one yourself.
Signups are open now until Wednesday, December 8th at 12:00pm Eastern (17:00 GMT).
More details on the blog.
Reminder: In order for your card to be addressed to your real name rather than your LT handle, you must include your name in the address box. Some postal services require that addressee names match what's on your mailbox.
3mellymel171328
I wish I could send cards this year. So glad that LT does this every year. :)
5ILuvBookplates
Signed up and ready to go... now if I can just find my stamps.
8NorthernStar
I'm signed up!
9bnielsen
>4 anglemark: Exactly :-)
10ScarletBea
Oh I registered this year after a break, it'll be fun
11Heather19
Need to buy more stamps, but I'm so ready for this! (Actually bought a few boxes of cards earlier this month in anticipation of this, it's the only holiday cards I really send out!)
12AnnieMod
Oh well - I will send internationally this year - and if they come in time for Easter, so be it. :)
13camelama
>11 Heather19: I went on the hunt last month specifically for literary themed cards for this swap! Fun shopping. :)
14FReads
Yeah !! I've been waiting for this announcement since thanksgiving!! I signed up this year again and I am so excited.
16DoreenPatricia
Is it ok to send an electronic card from Jacque Lawson?
17AnnieMod
>16 DoreenPatricia: well, you will get a physical address and not an email for the person you need to send a postcard for. If the plan is to send a link, then that’s not what this program is about. If you want to add a link to an electronic one in addition to the paper one (printed on the card or on a separate piece of paper), no one will stop you.
18Ennas
>16 DoreenPatricia: No, you need to send real postcards.
19kristilabrie
>16 DoreenPatricia: >18 Ennas: is correct, the idea is to send out real cards.
Looking forward to it!
Looking forward to it!
21cindydavid4
>16 DoreenPatricia: love her stuff! I still send her thanksgiving card turkey in the straw every year to my friends.
22cindydavid4
can I ask for non religous cards?
23AnnieMod
>22 cindydavid4: You can I guess but people will send what they have and/or had already bought/made. For what it is worth, I’ve never gotten anything that is too religious in all the years I had participated but prayers and Bible quotes had been pre-printed on some postcards. Which is fine with me - best wishes are best wishes and that’s what counts.
24tardis
>22 cindydavid4: >23 AnnieMod: I got one super-religious one last year. I appreciated the good wishes and let the rest go.
Perhaps the very religious recipients are disappointed with my generic seasonal/Happy New Year wishes and pictures of my cats or local wildlife :)
I would just like my sister to not be on my list this year. I got her name the last two years running. She gets a card anyway, so it's kind of redundant.
Perhaps the very religious recipients are disappointed with my generic seasonal/Happy New Year wishes and pictures of my cats or local wildlife :)
I would just like my sister to not be on my list this year. I got her name the last two years running. She gets a card anyway, so it's kind of redundant.
25AnnieMod
>24 tardis: If it happens again, I’d be happy to assist and send her a postcard instead - just send me the address in a private message. :)
I send whatever postcard catches my eye in the weeks before the exchange - I have a soft spot for Kinkade’s seasonal paintings and a lot of them come only with preprinted text so I just work around that if that’s what I chose that year.
I send whatever postcard catches my eye in the weeks before the exchange - I have a soft spot for Kinkade’s seasonal paintings and a lot of them come only with preprinted text so I just work around that if that’s what I chose that year.
26kristilabrie
>24 tardis: Let me know which member is your sister, in a private message if you prefer, and I'll see if we can make sure that doesn't happen. :)
27tardis
>26 kristilabrie: My sister is NorthernStar - thanks for looking after it :)
28NorthernStar
>26 kristilabrie: I'd appreciate it too! And for me not to get tardis again either.
29kristilabrie
>27 tardis: and >28 NorthernStar: Okay, thanks! I'll see what we can do!
30LibraryCin
Thought I'd comment here to be notified (more easily) of additional info. Last year somehow I missed seeing that the people we were sending cards to had been picked! I did find it, just a bit later than I'd hoped.
31kristilabrie
>30 LibraryCin: Sorry for my confusion: are you just commenting on the thread to keep it organized in your Talk posts more easily? Or is there anything we're doing on our end that could make the process easier for you? Thanks!
32LibraryCin
>31 kristilabrie: Sorry to be confusing! I just tend to come back to the Talk threads I've commented on, so commenting here is just easier for me to keep track. So, yes "to keep it organized in your Talk posts more easily". Thanks for checking, though!
33kristilabrie
>32 LibraryCin: Gotcha, no worries and thanks!
34arjan_m
The first card arrived today, all the way from the US to the Netherlands, even before the matches were made - what a surprise.
Thank you Tabitha, you must have kept my address from last year's card exchange :)
Thank you Tabitha, you must have kept my address from last year's card exchange :)
35kristilabrie
Signups have been closed since this afternoon, with a big total of 305 participants this year! That's a big jump from last year's 190, so well done!
We're currently running matches. We may come across a few hiccups, and we'll reach out to those members directly if so. (e.g. Member only wants to send within their country but no other member from their country has signed up, etc.)
>34 arjan_m: Whoa, extra holiday spirit! Cheers!
We're currently running matches. We may come across a few hiccups, and we'll reach out to those members directly if so. (e.g. Member only wants to send within their country but no other member from their country has signed up, etc.)
>34 arjan_m: Whoa, extra holiday spirit! Cheers!
36AbigailAdams26
Matches have been made, and profile notifications are going out now! Please check out the Card Exchange page to see the member(s) with whom you've been paired.
https://www.librarything.com/cardexchange.php
https://www.librarything.com/cardexchange.php
37ILuvBookplates
I've just spent an enjoyable evening watching old Christmas TV specials (King Family. Andy Williams. Perry Como. Carpenters.) and picking out and addressing cards to be mailed in the morning to places near and far. I hope everyone has a great end to 2021 and a wonderful 2022.
39kristilabrie
>38 dianeham: If they don't include their name, you'll need to send to their member name instead. I'll look at the one without the address and message them to fill in their profile, thanks for your patience!
40varielle
And they’re away, except for one which didn’t have an address.
I’m willing to send more if there are any last minute stragglers. 🌲🌲🧑🎄🎅🤶
I’m willing to send more if there are any last minute stragglers. 🌲🌲🧑🎄🎅🤶
41crazy4reading
Mine are already and in the mail bin! Happy Holidays!
42tardis
My cards are printed (if still a bit damp - this new ink is great for printing but takes FOREVER to dry) so most will go out today. All of them, if I can get over to the post office for more stamps to go to the US.
43LibraryCin
Got mine in the mail this morning!
44Heather19
>39 kristilabrie: I have one that doesn't show an address, too. Just a name.
47thornton37814
I need to stop by the post office to see how much the international ones will cost to mail. Will try to do that when I head out later this morning.
48AnnieMod
>47 thornton37814: If they are not oversized, $1.30 or a Forever Global stamp.
49kristilabrie
>40 varielle: Well done! I'll take a look at your match that is missing an address and try messaging them.
ETA: message sent, we'll see if they edit their entry.
ETA: message sent, we'll see if they edit their entry.
50kristilabrie
>44 Heather19: Okay, I'll look and message!
ETA: your missing address was the same as >40 varielle:'s. I'll update the both of you if they let me know it's updated! (I've asked them to.)
ETA: your missing address was the same as >40 varielle:'s. I'll update the both of you if they let me know it's updated! (I've asked them to.)
51thornton37814
>48 AnnieMod: I thought it was $1.30. I've only got US Forever stamps on hand. I'll see about getting some of those Forever Global stamps to have on hand though.
53AnnieMod
>51 thornton37814: Too bad that the prices do not line up better - 2 US Forever are not enough; 3 are too much for international (you can use the Forever ones as if their current price was printed on them). I had to go to the post office yesterday because I was also out of the Global ones and had not realized it (so had not ordered some to be delivered) and did not have enough smaller denominations either to make up the numbers.
54amanda4242
>53 AnnieMod: The prices are annoying! I had a few old 34 cent stamps left, so I used one of those and two forever stamps for my international cards; a little more than what was needed, but not too much.
55AnnieMod
>54 amanda4242: Yeah, if I could not made it to the post office, I'd have used 3 Forever stamps this year despite this taking it over (my only left overs are $.02 ones... and there is not enough space on the envelopes to make up the difference with them after 2 Forever stamps). Note to myself - type to go buy some extra non-Forever stamps. :)
56hredwards
I have a question. One of my people to send cards to didn't have an address listed. What do I do in that case?
Thank you.
Thank you.
58thornton37814
>53 AnnieMod: The post office was even out of the global stamps. They just metered it with a sticker for me. I'll try later to get a supply of the forever global ones to have on hand.
59AnnieMod
>58 thornton37814: Well - they can always meter it at least :)
PS: USPS.com has free delivery on stamps with a very modest handling fee ($2 on big orders, less on smaller). :) Just saying.
PS: USPS.com has free delivery on stamps with a very modest handling fee ($2 on big orders, less on smaller). :) Just saying.
60amanda4242
>59 AnnieMod: Yep, but they aren't always very fast delivering. I ordered stamps from them at the beginning of November and it took them well over a week to get to me.
61AnnieMod
>60 amanda4242: Yes - which is why I went to the post office yesterday - I did not realize I am out so I did not order mine on time. But if we are talking about getting your supply replenished on stamps for the future, a week or two delay is not a problem.
62Nicole_VanK
Sent. It's international, but to a "near neighbour" country so maybe it will get there in time.
64thornton37814
>59 AnnieMod: I place a big order about once a year on stamps so they come in the mail. I'll try to remember to order some of those when I place the one with Christmas stamps for 2022.
65kristilabrie
>56 hredwards: I will check and try messaging them privately to fill in their entry. Will report back if they let me know they've done so! Or you can keep checking periodically for the next week or two.
ETA: the address has already been updated (I messaged them earlier for another member), so you're all set to send that one out now!
ETA: the address has already been updated (I messaged them earlier for another member), so you're all set to send that one out now!
66kristilabrie
>38 dianeham: I believe your missing address was the same as hredwards' below. Please check again and let me know if you need anything else.
67GwynFraser
Are there any rules or guidelines about what you should or should not write in cards? I'm thinking particularly about LT names, real names, email addresses and so on.
68AnnieMod
>67 GwynFraser: If is on their profile page or on their address as provided by them, it’s fair game. If it is not, I would not use it unless I know the person and know they won’t mind.
If you ask anoint your own - I add LT Name and and my real name to my cards. If you want to add more or less, it is up to you. :)
If you ask anoint your own - I add LT Name and and my real name to my cards. If you want to add more or less, it is up to you. :)
70dianeham
>66 kristilabrie: address is there now. Thank you so much.
72TooLittleReading
For the international stamps:
If you're in the US and can't get them, they can meter it at the post office OR you can use three (3) US forever stamps to make up the postage. Unless your card is overweight or oversized, then I'd use four (4).
If you're in the US and can't get them, they can meter it at the post office OR you can use three (3) US forever stamps to make up the postage. Unless your card is overweight or oversized, then I'd use four (4).
73TooLittleReading
>67 GwynFraser: I put my real name, my LT name, and a literary quote in each card. You should write what you're comfortable with sharing.
74nrmay
The last of my cards are stamped, addressed, and ready to go out in tomorrow's mail.
May they all arrive by Christmas!
May they all arrive by Christmas!
75bookofsecrets
This is my first year participating, and I'm excited! I haven't sent out holiday cards in years, so this will be fun. Mine are being mailed tomorrow. I signed up at the last minute — next year, I'll be more prepared and request international too. ♥
77Copperskye
I took mine to the post office this morning so they'll be on their way tomorrow!
78Heather19
Sent half of mine Friday and the others will go out tomorrow, I love doing this! (Why is it so fun sending cards when you volunteer to do it, but not fun at all sending cards that you 'have' to send? Or is that just me? lol)
79anglemark
>78 Heather19: It's not just you. We dropped the chore of sending Christmas cards years ago, but these we send every year.
80mstrust
I sent my cards out four days ago, and today I received one. Thank you, Lisa (iluvbookplates) for both the card and the book plate!
81phonelady61
okay i found it thanks /
82thornton37814
I'm sad so many of my friends quit sending Christmas cards. I love them! They just add a spot of cheer. Lately there are several opportunities to send/receive cards on Facebook with the requirement to include a recipe. I participated in one of those exchanges last year. This year I just did the one on one exchanges with friends offering to do it one on one.
83nrmay
I love Christmas cards and greetings though I've lapsed in sending many, or any, through the years.
But sharing LT cards has inspired me to make an effort this year and I'm sending cards to family and friends, especially ones I don't see often.
My first LT card arrived today - a beautiful and creative hand-made card from Tracey.
Thank you! I so appreciate the very special card and message.
But sharing LT cards has inspired me to make an effort this year and I'm sending cards to family and friends, especially ones I don't see often.
My first LT card arrived today - a beautiful and creative hand-made card from Tracey.
Thank you! I so appreciate the very special card and message.
84NorthernStar
Finally got mine all done, and will drop them off at the post office on my way home!
86dianeham
Mine went off today. My writing is atrocious and getting worse from arthritis. Sorry I only signed my name.
87nrmay
Received a 2nd card today.
Thank you Kirsten for the cute and clever card and your nice message!
Thank you Kirsten for the cute and clever card and your nice message!
88mellymel171328
I got one card today :) sadly mine won't go out until tomorrow. I made some special gifts to go in mine this year.
90bnielsen
Mine went out yesterday. (A relative left me a bunch of old stamps, so expect the envelopes to be covered in low-amount stamps :-)
91ulmannc
//>90 bnielsen: About 5 years ago I bought a large bunch of stamps at 30 cents on the dollar. Takes 9 of then to pay for a first class letter in the US. Need a big envelope.//
92bnielsen
// >91 ulmannc: People here have mostly stopped collecting stamps, so similar bargains can be made. Only catch is that you can't use stamps for anything but sending mail and people have stopped doing that too //
93LibraryCin
I got one yesterday, along with bookmarks! Thank you to jessibud2!
Do we have a map for the cards, too? Or is that just for SantaThing?
Do we have a map for the cards, too? Or is that just for SantaThing?
95LibraryCin
And two more cards arrived today. :-) One was actually someone I'd sent a card to last year.
97mellymel171328
I got my last 3 going out Monday. I didn't think I could do it this year but I did. :)
98dianeham
I got 2 great cards today. One from the London Library that Keith sent - can’t find him on lt. And a handmade card from Sherry in PA. These cards made my day.
99marquis784
I sent out all of my cards! I hope they arrive safely!
I received a lovely card from Penny in CA! Thank you!
I received a lovely card from Penny in CA! Thank you!
100JodiPM
>14 FReads: Thank you for the card and the bookmarks, I love them!
101WeeTurtle
I missed all the deadlines for LT festivities this year, but if anyone wants to receive an extra letter, I'm game. I'm in Western Canada but will send anywhere. :)
103mellymel171328
Got 3 beautiful cards today and have then displayed in my kitchen.
107seongeona
>101 WeeTurtle: WeeTurtle, I'll exchange cards with you! 😊 I'll pop over to your message board.
108nrmay
Thanks Sarah, in PA, for your beautiful, sparkling Christmas greeting.
And did you add the pretty candle illustration?
LOVE it!
And did you add the pretty candle illustration?
LOVE it!
109nrmay
Received a lovely card of a snowy scene with Santa by T. KinKaid from Miranda in IL. Thanks for your warm greeting and the holiday bookmark - the nicest surprise for someone who reads all the time. That would be me!
Also from Illinois, a wonderful handmade card from R.B.J! It's lovely, and now I'm inspired to make my own cards.
Also from Illinois, a wonderful handmade card from R.B.J! It's lovely, and now I'm inspired to make my own cards.
110reneeg
I've received 2 cards so far - but no usernames to thank directly - so THANK YOU to my anonymous LT senders :)
113hailelib
I've received four cards so far. Thanks to Nicole, Carrie, tardis, and Bowerbirds for their wonderful cards.
116TooLittleReading
I received two cards already.
Thank you, Lovemakr and air_557!
Thank you, Lovemakr and air_557!
117FReads
>75 bookofsecrets: thank you so much for your beautiful card and bookmark. loved it.
118FReads
>76 hailelib: thank you for such a pretty and festive card!!
119FReads
I just received a batch of cards and am so happy. Thank you Sharon from Colorado Springs for the beautiful lighthouse card and sharing your history. Thank you Tabitha from Ohio for the beautiful hand-made card and ornament. All the cards received so far have made me smile from ear to ear and thank you!!
120mellymel171328
I got all my cards this year. I am so happy :)
121hailelib
Received three cards today from NorthernStar, pmarshall, and Sara in Norfolk. All lovely cards.
122Peace2
Lovely card and bookmark arrived today - thank you to sender - no LT name in card but envelope said 'McGhie' in Rocklin, CA.
123ScarletBea
I got a card from the USA, even though I registered just to send/receive from the UK: more, it got to me even without any indication of country in the address, hehe!
Thanks Denise and Allain :)
Thanks Denise and Allain :)
124Heather19
I received all my cards, they are all lovely! I love the little 'extras' some included with their cards, and I got the warm fuzzies reading all the well-wishes. I'm not too active on LT anymore but I absolutely love this holiday card tradition and hope it continues.
125literatefool
Thank you everyone for the lovely cards!
126WeeTurtle
Still straggling here. I have cards ready to go, just need to get through the snow and ice to the post office on a day I'm well enough to do so. Bah!
If it weren't for the phrase "better late than never," I'm not sure I'd ever get anything done.
If it weren't for the phrase "better late than never," I'm not sure I'd ever get anything done.
127kristilabrie
>126 WeeTurtle: I hope you feel better soon! I'm sure your cards will be a delightful surprise to your recipients, when you're able to get them out. :)
128kristilabrie
This was a fun year for the Card Exchange: 305 participants, up from 190 in 2020! Thanks to all who signed up!
129tardis
I got my 4th card today - a fun Tasmanian Devil/Santa one from amanda4242. Thanks!
130WeeTurtle
>127 kristilabrie: They are away!...with an unnecessary number of stamps but Canada Post released a Margaret Atwood stamp this year and I felt like using it.
131bnielsen
>131 bnielsen: I got my 2nd card yesterday. VickySaintAnge even include a tea bag (In Danish the word tea bag is tebrev = tea letter, so that matched this card perfectly :-)
132kristilabrie
>130 WeeTurtle: Ohhh good choice! I finally read The Handmaid's Tale last year (for the first time; much too late but better late than never), now I have to read the sequel because of the way it ended.
133WeeTurtle
>132 kristilabrie: I refuse to read it, since I know it's not something I want to read about. I'm curious about the sequel though, since it was written so much later.
I've read Surfacing and Oryx and Crake, along with some of her poetry. Now I'm reading her book on Canadian Literature. ;)
I've read Surfacing and Oryx and Crake, along with some of her poetry. Now I'm reading her book on Canadian Literature. ;)
134kristilabrie
>133 WeeTurtle: Those both look like great reads, did you enjoy them?
136bnielsen
>131 bnielsen: Third card arrived today. So I now have a 3d-effect card from arjan_m, one from VickySaintAnge and one from library_mistress.
137Peace2
Received one card a day this week which is amazing and has cheered me up perfectly. Thanks to jaelquinn, sassysnail and Melanie from SC. Best wishes to all.
138seongeona
A great day to receive a card. It's cold, dark and dreary today. 🦊🌲Thank you, WeeTurtle.
139WeeTurtle
>134 kristilabrie: Surfacing I wasn't sure about, but I find myself recalling it from time to time so I might read it again. Oryx and Crake I enjoyed, such that I'm not really sure I want to read the rest of the trilogy (it was just the one book at the time), since I enjoyed the open ending.
140tardis
Unusual Saturday delivery here - Canada Post must be trying to catch up or something. Delivery has been VERY irregular lately. Anyway, I got a fun home-made card from Jennifer in MO (no LT name listed), for which I am very grateful :) The cat on it is hilarious! Love it.
I've now received 7 cards (I think I should get 10, which is what I sent)
I've now received 7 cards (I think I should get 10, which is what I sent)
141WeeTurtle
Someone has managed to knock over our post box. Not sure how as it's one of three and in the middle. The other two seem fine. It landed face up, so I can still check for mail but I'm not sure if the postal workers are bothering to put anything in right now.
142TooLittleReading
>141 WeeTurtle: I got your card the other day, it was lovely. Thank you!
143tardis
I was away for 2 weeks and got back to a pile of mail that included my last cards, plus a bonus card! None of them had LT names, but many thanks to Nicole (Ala.), Alex (NC), Debbie (Ohio), and Sharon (Ariz).
144WeeTurtle
>142 TooLittleReading: Great! Yours just arrived as well. I like the quote, very appropriate!