Question about the xmas card exchange

[kingrattus]

I'm posting this here so people can see my question & I can find the answer.

About how much $ did it cost last year to send to 60 members?

I want to know from as many people as I can, homemade cards, store bough cards, photo cards, & whatever else cards.

I just need a roughcost to see if I can budget it.

I have LOTS of free stamps to help me out. Last year someone left a bag at my post office, I kept the bag for a year JUST incase they came back. Last friday they still hadn't shown up, so I took the bag home & shared some stuff with other staff members. I have about 6 stamps to the usa & about 18 Int & about 30 Can. So its a big help there.

Thanks in advanced

[slick]

For me it cost about $200.00 Canadian. That included buying the cards and the postage.

Our postage rates to the States went up this year from 65 cents to 80 cents. One reason why I'm not participating this year.

Edit, sorry I see that you are Canadian so I guess you already know about the postage rates.

[kingrattus]

Ya & I work in a post office & customers remind me everyday about the increase.

Its going up again this Jan.

can from .49 to .50
us from .80to .85
int from 1.40 to 1.45

$200.00!!! holy smokes!!! Ihope homemade cards end up lots cheaper, cause 200.00is a weeeeee bit too high.

Slick where in Canada r u?? I'm in Ottawa.. I had NO idea u were canadian

[slick]

Originally posted by kingrattus
Slick where in Canada r u?? I'm in Ottawa.. I had NO idea u were canadian

I live near Vancouver, BC

[Jods]

$200!!!
holy smokes!!

[kingrattus]

why does everyone live in BC heeheheheh

[Jods]

Hey I'm in Ontario
about 3 hrs from you kingrattus

[micki76]

Well, I'm in the US, but my postage last year was around $30-$35, including international. I bought my cards on clearance the Christmas before, so they were probably less than $10 for 6 boxes. I did the same thing last year, so this years cards were also very inexpensive. I printed out a pic last year on my printer and included one inside each card.

[kingrattus]

SO 30-35 would be about 50 in canadian.. not too bad...

$50.00 would be around my budget, but not over $100.00

[micki76]

Originally posted by kingrattus
SO 30-35 would be about 50 in canadian.. not too bad...

$50.00 would be around my budget, but not over $100.00

Plus you have those stamps to really help. The majority of the participants last year were in the US. So far this year, I think most that have submitted their info are in the US.

[kingrattus]

I found the stamps & got the us & int ones mixed up. But I don't care cause I'll use the int ones on the us. Over paying is fine, under paying is a big no no.

[lovemyshiba]

Originally posted by micki76
Well, I'm in the US, but my postage last year was around $30-$35, including international. I bought my cards on clearance the Christmas before, so they were probably less than $10 for 6 boxes. I did the same thing last year, so this years cards were also very inexpensive. I printed out a pic last year on my printer and included one inside each card.

I can't remember exactly, but I would assume that my postage cost was probably the same. I probably spent $20 or so on the cards, but didn't do anything fancy. This year I'm planning on doing pictures with my cards, so the cost will be a bit higher, but I loved the ones I got last year so much with the pictures in them.

[dukedogsmom]

Actually, the postage was the least expensive. I think I spent about $25. Getting the cards printed and such is the expensive part. Do what I did last year. I just got the Christmas 8 1/2X11 paper and have a message printed on that. It was very economical and allowed me to participate. I was truly shocked how many were involved. I'm ready this year, though.

[kingrattus]

would people take offence to black & white printed xmas cards??

I don't have colour ink only black & white. If I do this I don't want to offened anyone with colourless cards.