Christmas Ornament swap time again!

[Kenny_S]

I would bet there will be more swaps.

I will say this, NO one here ever said the swap wasn't fun nor implied that it was not fun. Equally, I am betting that carving each ornament was fun to each person.
There has been swaps where we have had several who did not send out any ornaments at all and received theirs. Those were not in this year's swap nor have I seen them post anything in the past few years.

Personally, I had other commitments this year and felt that I could not honestly full fill the obligation so did not enter the swap. My loss on some great ornaments.

However, I will probably enter in the future.

Thank you HiHO and Mrs. HIHO for all the swaps you have started. You two are tops in my Books.

Hopefully, This post did not add fuel to the fire but just spoke my mind, Right, wrong or indifferent.

[Kenny_S]

Well Greenbean glad you shoowed up again. The next Christmas ornament swap probably won't start till this coming Sept. However,you can get started carving them now and be ready to send them out when the time comes.

This year I believe it was the highest at 19 or 20. But if more wanted to, I would think there would be two or three swaps JMHO

[Keoma]

I AM DEFINATELY SWAPPING NEXT YEAR Why? I am starting now This was great fun. I thank you for your thoughts Gregg
The folks who had to wait till last got some really great ones, let me tell you I love them! I hope you like them too, may the love I put into them shine for you for many years!

[teeburn]

I have participated in other projects like the ornament swap and believe me they have turned out a lot worse than this. I think this was a great turnout.

Like someone else said if someone doesn't follow through doesn't mean they blatantly just disregarded their responsibility/commitment. Life happens and sometimes it gets in the way of our best made plans. So I think we need to extend some grace here and be understanding of that.

And there is the rare occasion when someone just blows it off. If this situation arises I still think grace is in order. Just know that that person is likely to do that and if they are involved again in a project or swap you are involved in don't send theirs until you receive yours.

Or when you join a swap and want to avoid this situation don't send any of yours out till you receive yours.

I have experienced this before so I know exactly what you mean and how you feel it is disappointing. I'm not trying to be little your feelings. There was more than one person that didn't follow through in that instance. But I didn't let it ruin the the whole experience. I just chalked it up to that's life and enjoyed what was enjoyable and what I did receive.

It was far more a blessing than a disappointment.

I still feel it is a valuable project and look forward to the next swap. But I too am starting already so I can be more on top of it cause it was a large swap and I'm sure the next will probably be even bigger but I say the more the merrier!!! Till then....

Blessings,
Tina
aka teeburn

[chuckbolton]

i throughly enjoyed the exhange and plan to do it again-- i didnt keep track of who sent me ornaments-- it just kinda happened that way ( i was too lazy to keep track?) i think im short one-- i know that most people enter with the best of intentions-- and im my case i had problems with the post office and it took several weeks for me to return to get it straightened out. i can see the flip side, if someone wasnt sending out any-- and joined every year-- that wouldnt be to good. im thrilled with the ones i got--impressed with those that i recieved and got lots of ideas of things to carve for next yr. ive already got next yrs ornament planned and started so i wont be the last one to send out. my only concern is that the group would get so large to become restrictive-- im not running the exchange ( and dont want to) but if the number approached 30, i think it should be broke in half-- drawn by lot which ones are in which group-- or ask the people sighning up how they feel about a large number. on the other hand-- there may not be as large a group next yr as there was this last time so the problem goes away.. you know--id like to think that was the most difficult problem i had to deal with, the size of the ornament exchange-

i cant say enough good about the overall experience-- and thats what im going to stay with-- the overall experience.

have a great year--

chuck

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

No swap going on right now, we just finished it.....I will call for those interested in about August?....there has only been one list and no limit to how many sign up...and not sure there will be, as new people sign up, some of the older ones drop off....so has balanced...its chore enough making one list and getting it out! I suggest to anyone wanting on the list to start NOW making your ornaments and keep at it slowly through the year, not a chore that way and at swap time you have your ornaments stacked and ready to go...I also suggest that no one sign up unless they are sure they will complete their obligation. You have lots of time til signup......start carving! lol

[sludgeguy]

Sounds like great advice HI Ho Silver.
Just for us fringe wanna bees how many folks has the list had so we have a target number?
I always thought it would be great fun however unless I started now there would be no way of completing them as September gives me plenty of orders for the rest of the year. Thanks to all who have participated and posted pics of their mail prizes for those of us who missed the boat! An especially to you and your wife Hi Ho for taking on and putting up with this challenging idea.

Thanks,
Doug

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

This year was the largest and there were 18, one was going to get on, but never sent his address as he was moving, but doubt he would have had time anyway moving....so I would count on 20 or so, extras are always nice to have around anyway...you don't know who or what is going to turn up that you want to give or send an ornament to.....imho

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Just a tip for some that might be thinking about joining next fall....do start carving now...do a little research and looking at ornaments....you will be surprised how fast you can put them out...some do the same thing over and over...I personally get bored doing that...even tho it will really improve our carving.....I have a bunch of them hanging on hooks in the den and when I want to carve but don't know what and don't feel like starting some big project, I will just pump out an ornament or two, I have been doing this throughout the years....makes it very easy...and there are many many great little designs out there....for anyones taste and abilities!

[Keoma]

Hey ya'll...just checkin' to see if you received your ornies yet!