I love me some Christmas. I do. It’s the most wonderful time of the year {hey, someone should write those words into a song!}. For the past few years I’ve been hosting a Christmas gift exchange, and this year I thought about not doing it – but I’ve had emails and messages begging me to do it… so here I am.
This year it’s going to be really simple. Last year I tried to cater to everyone and it was just too complicated. Plus I have a baby, so simple is best. So let me share the details.
What is the Fat Mum Slim Gift Exchange?
I have two great loves {among others} and that’s the online world and Christmas, so I’ve decided to combine the two. The gift exchange is a way for people with a presence online {i.e. are social on Instagram or have a blog etc} to get involved in a feel good gift exchange.
How does it work?
In a nutshell, once you’ve read this post and decided you want to be involved you’ll fill out the form below. Once we reach the closing date, partners will be assigned. You’ll get an email with their name and postal address. You’ll then pop over to our private Facebook group and get to know your partner {without telling them, because this is all a secret until the gift arrives}. Once you have ‘stalked’ your partner enough you’ll buy them a gift with a value of AUS$30 {nothing less so it’s fair to everyone} and post it off to them. The budget does not include postage {so $30 for the gift and then whatever the postage costs are to send your gift}.
Details
♥ This is only for people active on Instagram or blogs {preferably both}. Your account can not be private, because it takes the fun out of it. People want to ‘stalk’ you.
♥ The budget for the gift is $30. So you’ll spend $30 on your partner {nothing less so it’s fair all round} and postage is on top of that.
♥ Last year I catered to locations so that people who didn’t want to send overseas could just send locally, but this year I’m just opening it up to one big group. You must be willing to send anywhere in the world. So all up this exercise will be about a AUS$50 exchange including postage. You can just make sure your gift isn’t too heavy to send to make sure it’s not too pricey.
♥ You must be willing to be active in the Facebook group. You will have to answer at least 5 questions. Hopefully you’ll be enthusiastic enough to pop in a few times a week and answer a few to make it easier for your partner.
♥ When sending your gift you must get a tracking code so we can track parcels. We’ll keep track of these in a document in the Facebook group.
Now before you sign-up…
I have to say this. This is a feel-good activity, where you take a chance on a person somewhere in the world and the postal system at the busiest time of the year. Sometimes people sign-up and don’t play along. And sometimes gifts get lost in the mail. What I’m saying is that there is a chance you might get disappointed. I do everything I can to make sure you don’t, but there is still a chance. So if you sign-up for this you have to know that you’re taking that chance… Personally I think it’s worth it. Each year there are so many happy people, and even some of those people who didn’t get a gift last year {for whatever reason} are super excited to join up again this year.
Next steps
1. Does this all sound like something you want to be involved in? Yes? Sweet. Fill out the form below.
Sign-ups have now closed.
2. I’ll send through an email once we’ve reached the closing date for you to sign up to Elfster. This is the site that assigns partners. You’ll log your postal details there. It’s private so only your partner will see them.
3. I’ll also give you a link to join a new, private Facebook group. This will not be the same group as last year.
Dates
Sign-up closes: October 30th
Email will be sent to participants to lodge their details on Elfster & join the Facebook group: November 8th
Partners assigned: November 12th
Gifts will be sent by: December 10th
Last thing!
I would love to grab a handful {say 5} of people to help me out with the admin side of the exchange. If you can do this please email me at: hello@fatmumslim.com.au
Wonderful idea you lovely thying, I love meeting new friends through these things!! xxx
Love this idea!! I’m not as active on my blog anymore but I’m an Insta addict and I love branching out to meet new friends!!
Signed up! Can’t wait 🙂 There is nothing more in the world that I love than Christmas! x
Loved this last year, I look forward to playing again. I made a good friend in America from this exchange.
You’re incredibly kind and generous but also, bonkers! And I adore you xxx
Aren’t I EVER? I’m going to regret it, aren’t I?
When someone asks you the same question you’ve Already answered 100 times I reckon you might! I’m happy to help out again sweet stuff. X
What if we’re crafty and would like to make things for our secret person? Could the materials add up to $30?
I like this idea. I make candles and to think of the many items I could send instead of just one candle for $30 from the shops…
I’ve responded to this above. Just replying here so hopefully you get a notification to come back and read it. x
Yes, I am sure part of my gift will be hand made too, love me some handmade giving!
Last year I had a rule that people who made gifts had to buy a little something to go along with it ONLY because the year before I had some complaints about the things being made.
But I’d love to leave it open and see what happens, in good faith. I’m sure people have incredible talents. And as long as the crafted goods are about $30 in value – I think that’s super.
P.S. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you! x
Got the reply! xx
Oh I definitely plan on sending something else along with whatever I make, I just figured I’d ask. Thanks so much! 🙂
Thanks for being understanding. Can’t wait to see what you create. x
LOL! I am a bit of a Christmas Grinch but this sounds like fun so count me in!! 🙂
Yay! Much better way to do it this year. Really look forward to participating! Thanks Chantelle!
I cannot believe you’re game and generous enough with your time to do this again … you are Mrs Claus for sure. Anyone reading this comment … please, please, please do not whinge, moan, complain grumble if things don’t work out with the gift you receive or don’t receive. It’s Christmas. It’s about the giving. Put the effort and energy into that and the rest will follow.
It was such a tug-o-war. As I was pressing publish I had what you said to me in one ear {the rational side} and then I didn’t want to let people down… and I hit publish.
Fingers crossed everyone plays nice.
Send them to me if they don’t 🙂
I hope so too Chantelle
Chantelle, this is my first year with FMS and am loving it and just signed up as I am rather excited actually in doing this little gift giving. I have loved talking to different people from all over the world so this will just add to it.
I loved my gift last year and purchasing something for my partner. There are always negative people everywhere. Good on you Chantelle for taking the plunge again. I am here if you need help in any way.
Yay! I’m so excited to join in this year 🙂 Thanks for coordinating such a great experience, Chantelle x
Oh goodness me – you’re so sweet!
I deactivated my Facebook back in March though. I have truly considered getting it back because i’d love to follow so many bloggers/crafters etc on there, but i’m just not sure! Maybe if I can remember my password….
Made an absolutely wonderful friend last year! Have continued to talk all this year and it was just such a great idea! Looking forward to this year!
Signed up, and sent you an email! Think this is an amazing idea.
Signed up and sent an email 🙂 I’m ridiculously excited! I absolutely love Christmas. Fingers crossed that everyone plays nice.
so lovely! I heard about this last year and thought how beautiful it is. Signed up 🙂 gorgeous you x
What a lovely idea. Missed out last year, but am in this year!
This sounds like SO much fun! I’ve signed up. Thanks for organising it x
Signed up! Hope our postal service cooperates this time of year!
Awesome idea! I’m so in 🙂 -Holly
Veronica Vintage
a great idea because those who participate will be those who WANT to participate. The negative nellies have no say 🙂 Such a lovely thing that will fell good for the soul.
Wow, what an awesome idea. Such a generous thing to initiate.
I’m onboard for another round of giving!
Thanks for hosting again Chantelle!
this is great, I can’t wait! 🙂
I’ve just signed up for the first time. My only question/concern is that I am in the US, and you didn’t mention any international restrictions. I can afford to send something to Australia, but I would feel bad if the additional shipping were tough on my gift-giving partner. So, please let me know if I should withdraw. Thanks for your efforts in doing this. 🙂
I wrote this above: Last year I catered to locations so that people who didn’t want to send
overseas could just send locally, but this year I’m just opening it up
to one big group. You must be willing to send anywhere in the world. So
all up this exercise will be about a AUS$50 exchange including postage.
You can just make sure your gift isn’t too heavy to send to make sure
it’s not too pricey.
So where ever you are in the world you must be willing to send to anywhere in the world. 🙂
Signed up and excited to find out who my partner is. Can’t wait to find the perfect gift for someone I don’t know! Thanks Chantelle, you’re amazing xx
I’ve signed up as well. I loved doing the exchange last year! Thanks Chantelle – the group, Instagram and the gift exchange are all such a positive experience for me!
I will make my Instagram public at the end of oct,
Very glad you’re being brave enough to run this again!
Good on you Chantelle, or should I say Mother Christmas! This is such a wonderful idea and wraps up the spirit of Christmas! Thanks for organising – you’re a total (Christmas) star!
I’m not sure why but I’m a little hesitant to participate. But I really want to!! Maybe the fact I don’t even know what to get my boyfriend and family for Christmas let alone anyone else isn’t helping :
It’s fun. I promise.
This is a lovely idea xx
I was one of the unlucky who did not receive a gift and I just want to say THANK YOU for putting this on again I LOVED playing last year and had so much fun buying for my person. Can’t wait to play again! :o) Thank you.
Sounds like fun!! Count me in!
I hope my sign up worked as the screen went blank both times…. Fingers crossed
signed up! i love this kind of thing and am so happy to be involved.
Oh Im super excited for this, as I will be alone this Christmas! 🙂
This is such a great idea… I can’t wait to participate!!!!
How do you know if you signed up I filled out the form but didn’t say confirmed or anything
Just checked and you’d signed up twice, so it definitely worked. I’ll delete one.
This is such a great idea , I cant wait . Thanks
Uh oh! I submitted my details!! Excited!!
You beautiful soul.
What a perfect way to ignite the Christmas spirit. Thank you xxx
Hi there…. I don’t have Instagram or blog? Can I still join….was part of it last year?
Unfortunately they’re a requirement this year. 🙁 I might change things up next year, but this year these are the rules. Sorry.
I think it’s amazing that you invest so much time in putting this together for your readers Chantelle. Things like this are the reason there is such a feeling of community of your blog. I’m in! x
Fingers crossed that this year I receive a gift and get feedback on the gift I sent! 🙂
Better late than never getting involved in this great idea – I never get an unexpected or unknown present at Christmas anymore, so I’m very excited about the notion of this. And today is the day I met the love of my life and is very special to me so it’s fitting I get this today and am signing up – can’t wait to get involved – thanks 🙂 Emily
I think I have registered???!!!??? 🙂 I hope so. Tried a few times but had issues
All signed up! My instagram is currently on private, as I hate getting spam followers – when should I turn the private off? Excited, as I remember taking part years ago!
Now! We’ll be checking them from tomorrow. 🙂
I think i have signed up
Excited! Just signed up! Hope it wasn’t too late!
Filled in the form but no email? Am I in?
I may have signed up twice…I’m sorry if I did
Just signed up – hopefully it wasn’t too late!
Unfortunately it closed last night. 🙁 We’ve already started organising everything.
Oh no. I just saw it for the first time today. Bummer 🙁
I’ve heard super positive things about gift exchanges and seeing this pop up was perfect timing!
Can’t wait to get my thinking cap on when I’m partnered up! x
Looking forward to playing again this year. Unfortunately the gift I sent never arrived and I can only assume it got lost in the post, so this year I have found out that it can actually be easier and not much more expensive to send gifts by courier instead of the local postal service. I did make the most amazing friend though so it turned out brilliantly! I think you are amazing for doing it again! Thank you!! X
hey I am setting up a all year round gift exchange with people all over the world email me if you are interested jjbwall97@gmail.com
I would like to Join …please how should i go about it ?