Happy Friday! I have an exciting announcement for you all today so here goes...
I hate winter, but there is one thing I love about it...Christmas! I love the smell of pine & sugar cookies, the warmth of a cup of hot cocoa in hand, the snuggles with my little one under a warm blanket, trimming the tree, oh...and not to mention the entire day (lets be real...month) long celebration of Jesus!
Growing up, my sister and I were always given an ornament from our parents & other family for the tree. Obviously as we have grown, so has our ornament collection. It's something special that brings back memories of the year we got it and each one is chosen for a special reason. I love that our tree is filled with memories rather than meaningless red & green balls. It makes trimming the tree an extra special time and I can't wait to fill our tree with new memories with our daughter each year.
I want to add you all to my memories and decided to host an ornament swap (hopefully each year)! I will pair each one of you that signs up with someone to swap with. You don't have to spend lots of money, in fact, there is a $5 limit! If you're crafty you can make an ornament & if you're a little craft challenged, you are certainly free to shop for one. Sign ups will be held from now until October 25th. I will pair you up by November 1st so you have time to have a little chat with your partner and get/make your ornament. Ornaments should be shipped by November 24th to allow time for shipping. If you're anything like me, your tree will be up and ready to decorate by December 1st. (If it were up to me our tree would be up the day after Thanksgiving, but hubby yells at me...so I just start my Christmas music listening then.)
Breakdown of the rules:
- Please only sign up if you are 100% sure you are able to participate.
- Follow your hosts:Tutus & Tea Parties and Robyn's View
- Sign ups are from now until October 25th.
- You will get your partner's email address by November 1st.
- Your ornament can be handmade or bought but the spending limit is $5! (not including shipping)
- Ornaments must be shipped out by November 24th or sooner.
- This exchange is open to everyone, everywhere! On the sign up form you can choose your shipping preference.
- Place the Ornament Swap Button somewhere on your main blog page so others can join in the fun! Non bloggers also welcome! (this is optional, but would be nice if you could)
- Use hashtag #OrnamentSwap2012 to share. (Facebook it, Tweet it, Instagram a sneak peek, G+ it...whatever!) I'd love for you to tag me in your posts so other's can find out where to join.
Need some inspiration?
Polar Express Bell Ornament
My Holiday Pinterest board has tons of ideas too!
Be sure to give Robyn's View a visit too!
My Holiday Pinterest board has tons of ideas too!
Be sure to give Robyn's View a visit too!
Linking to Rags to Stitches for our weekly Coffee Date!
What a great idea! I too love Christmas and celebrating the real reason for the season! Thanks for the links for inspiration as well!
ReplyDeleteI love ornament exchanges and am so happy I stumbled upon your blog! I have the perfect ornament in mind to make (as seen on pinterest, of course).
ReplyDeleteYes, Pinterest...of course! Thanks for signing up. :)
DeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteYay! This sounds like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteChrissy
this is why google + is awesome! I saw your post and now I'm here :)
ReplyDeleteI'm linking it more and more these days. :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteLove this idea!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! It's great to see others focus on the real reason for the season!
ReplyDeleteI'd love for you to visit me at http://fashionablysaving.wordpress.com
Have a great day!
Susan
Decided to go for it! I'm so excited! I'll definitely be making an ornament. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteMe too, for sure! Thanks Kate!
DeleteGreat idea! There's only one reason for the season!
ReplyDeleteI’m April from http://www.100lbcountdown.com from Mom's Monday Mingle. Have a great week!
Great idea! My family does the same thing every year, and when we moved out my parents gave us all the ornaments they'd gotten us over the years. Thanks for organizing this!
ReplyDeleteYes, same here. When I moved out I got them for my new place. Isn't it the greatest?!
DeleteThis is gonna be fun!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn
Thank you all so much for joining! I am super excited. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea, Lauren! I'm not sure I'll participate, because I already have a million things to crochet for Christmas, and I'm terrible about getting to the post office to ship things. Hope you get lots of participation!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sara! I totally understand!
DeleteMy mom had this tradition with my brothers and I too! And like you I am keeping it live with my daughter. Love this idea. FUN!!
ReplyDeleteSounds Like fun! I just sent you my info!
ReplyDeleteI'm soooo excited to be part of the Ornament exchange! Always looking for something new to add to my CHRISTmas celebrating and adding a new friend at the same time. Thank you for allowing me to be part of the Celebration ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo happy to have you join in Carol! :)
Deletenew follower and decided to join in on the exchange! What a neat idea. can't wait to get it created & shipped.
ReplyDeleteGluedtomycrafts.blogspot.com
What a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with my href="http://earning-my-cape.blogspot.com/2012/09/super-link-party-19.html ">Super Link Party! :-)
New here! Would love to take part. Im adding the button to my blog MelodyCrochet.com. I added you on Facebook. Is that all I do to enter? Its been a long day...don't laugh if the answer is obvious LOL
ReplyDeletehave posted the button at FHC ~
ReplyDeleteluv this ! TY! HapPy to swap...
Thank you so much for the invite! I can't join in this year as I will be away for seven weeks (with no access to a pc). I’m sad to be missing all the online Christmas fun! I'm sure it's going to be a success and would love to join you all next year. Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteNo worries, we will be doing it again next year I'm sure! :) Have fun!
DeleteWhere do I sign up?!
ReplyDeleteI sent you an email, but here's the link to the form:
Deletehttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHpKYVc1anN5eEtwRFJ2WFltZHpuYWc6MQ#gid=0
Can't wait to have you sign up! :)
Awesome Idea! I have this posted on my sidebar.
ReplyDeleteLove This Idea! I'm your newest follower!
ReplyDelete~Danielle~
http://unorganizedchaosx3.blogspot.com
http://diaryofabfmama.blogspot.com
I'm a new follower. Count me in for the ornament exchange, I'm excited!
ReplyDeleteLynn
Me too Lynn! It's going to rock! Hoping to make it a yearly thing here.
DeleteTotally fun, I so want to be a part of this!
ReplyDeleteWe'd love to have you join in Kathy! :)
DeleteHI Lauren, I am SO excited to be part of the ornament exchange! Sounds like a lot of fun!! I am a new follower and have added your button to my blog. http://reginaanndesigns.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteposted for final day signup reminder
ReplyDeletenow to tweet @_eHope & FB... LuV this !
I want to sign up but dont know if you just comment to sign up or if there is somewhere else to do it! I think this will be so fun... but I am international!
ReplyDeleteHi there - last minute susy here - I would love to participate in the ornament exchange. Please include me in your list. thanks for hosting - I already have the perfect ornament in mind.
ReplyDeletehave a great weekend - look forward to hearing from you.
tina
one crafty mess
I'm so sad I missed the sign up for this! I was looking for holiday swaps and I just found you! If you have any late sign ups, I'd love to join! <3 I didn't realize they started so early! :)
ReplyDelete