The Gift Exchange has now closed. Please join us next year. x
Hello! Hello! Guess what time it is? It’s Gift Exchange time! It’s my favourite time of year, and I know this year is going to be a great one.
If you’re new to this, let me explain. The gift exchange is a beautiful, fun little movement that’s been happening for eight years. Each year a whole bunch of strangers on the internet send gifts to other strangers around the world and everyone gets all the feels, and the world is good again.
{Please note: this is for people over 18 years of age only. I will let you know if I host a kids gift exchange}.
Here is how the FMS Gift Exchange works:
STEP ONE: You sign up to the gift exchange. In order to join the gift exchange you’ll be asked to donate $5 to the Rafiki Mwema charity as an entry fee. All monies raised will be going towards the running of the day-to-day of the charity.
You can join more than once, but you will need to donate separately again. If you’re joining the same group twice, you will need to create an additional Elfster account with a different email, and also let me know so I can make sure you don’t get partnered with yourself!}.
STEP TWO: Once you’ve signed up, you’ll be sent an email straight away to join Elfster. This is a very important step so make sure you read that email and follow the instructions. It will also have a link to our new Facebook group. Not following this step can mean missing out.
STEP THREE: On October 11th sign-ups will close, and then the following week you’ll be assigned a partner. This is ANONYMOUS. Do not to let the person know that you’re buying for them. You’ll be buying them a gift for Christmas. To find out what things they like, you can ask questions for the whole group and see if your partner replies.
STEP FOUR: You’ll buy your gift/s. The spending limit is AU$25 {for the gift only, this does NOT include postage} – use the currency convertor to see what this is in your currency}, wrap them and send them on with love by November 29th, 2019. Within your parcel, send a little card revealing who you are. It’s a good idea to share your Instagram name, your name and a little bit about you.
This year there are four groups you can pick from. You can choose from:
Worldwide: For anyone no matter where you live. Choosing this option means you’re open to sending your gift anywhere in the world. These are partnered at random so there is a risk that you might get someone in your own country.
Australia only: This group is for Australians wanting to only send to Australians. This is great if you want to keep your postage costs low.
USA only: This group is for our friends from the USA only, wanting to sending to other people from the states.
Europe only: This group is for those in Europe only wanting to send to other people within Europe.
I’m looking forward to another great year. Please let me know if you have any questions below.
FAQ
Can anyone join the gift exchange?
Of course! Anyone is welcome. The only people who are excluded are those who have played before and not sent a gift to their partner. Those people are marked as ‘flakes’ and will be removed from the exchange. Donations to Rafiki Mwema can not be refunded.
Can I join more than one group?
You’re welcome to join the worldwide group, and your own local group, as long as you make two donations to Rafiki Mwema. You will have to sign up twice to do this. You can also join the same group more than once, but will need to create a different Elfster account {using a different email}. Please let me know if you join the same group more than once so I can make sure you don’t get partnered with yourself.
Can I donate more to Rafiki Mwema?
Of course. Head over to this page. All donations are gratefully received!
Can I buy something online and just get it sent straight to my partner?
This exchange is all about bringing joy to people. Everyone wants to receive gifts that are chosen and wrapped with love. Buying online and sending direct doesn’t really create that experience. Please make sure your gift arrives to your partner wrapped.
Does the AU$25 budget include postage?
No it doesn’t. If you’re sending a long distance, please be wary of the weight of your gifts because postage can get expensive quickly!
