Xmas Card List - HOW to arrange it!

[micki76]

Originally posted by Randi
I'm just wondering ..... if the the list turns out to be 125 people, would you still send to everybody.

Yes Randi, I would. If I commit to it, I'm fully prepared for what may very well end up being an enormous Xmas list. It's one of the points I had typed up in the intro thread that I've since deleted. I said that there were 60+ last year, and that that number could dramatically increase, so joining the exchange was a decision not to be made lightly.

[Miss Meow]

I am going to sit on the fence at the moment. I'd love to participate as the last two years have been a great experience, but if it's more than 50 participants I'll probably bow out and send some cards personally.

[Karen]

I wish everyone could afford to send to everyone. Hmm - is the cost concern all postgae, or the cards, or both? Is the fun in getting something in the mail for many days, or is the fun getting something from lots of different people, even if it's the same day?

I dunno. I guess it'd be an awful lot of work for a central person to gather all the cards that could be mailed in one big package FROM each person, sort them all into piles, and mail the respective piles TO each person.

Perhaps the list could include everyone, one big list, but there could be an asterisk* next to people's names who can only send out a limited number of cards? That way, you could choose whether or not to send something to that person, knowing ahead of time that you might not get anything from them.

That way everyone can participate, and you'd know that, say, you should expect cards from 37 people, but that there are 13 that, if you get, will be a surprise? Would that work?

[captain]

I picked Option 4 - out of consideration to those of you who MAY want to participate, but cannot for various reasons.

I, however, will still send to all. I would rather send, and receive from 10 than from none.
Last year I sent all my cards, and got a card from everyone ....... which was great.

This year, if I only get 10 - so be it. To me, it is the thought that counts, not the amount of cards I get (although last year my lounge looked fabulous!!!!!)

Happy to go with whatever.

[PJ's Mom]

Originally posted by Samantha Puppy
I don't have time (or money!) to send out cards to everyone who would be on the list and if that's the way it ended up going, I'd have to respectfully back out. I think the second option is the best way to go.

Agreed.

[anna_66]

Is there any way that it could be split up like this:

Group 1: ones that can only send to 10-20 people.

Group 2: ones who want to send to the whole list.

That way you would give as many as you receive which ever group your in.


I of course loved getting all the cards and making my own to give out so I would send to everyone.

[Felicia's Mom]

I already have my cards and will go along with any decision made.

[MariaM]

I voted for Option 4, because I do not have the money to send to all, but I really want to participate. I'm not sure, some of the other ideas seem good too though, that Karen and Anna brought up.

[teenster3]

No one probably cares what I have to say but I think it's only "fair" if you sign up to send out cards, then take that responsibility and do it.
I'm not trying to be bitter in saying that, it's just when you expect to to receive something it's nice to give also.
I'm not saying that I have loads of money either. I just think it's a "great idea." I haven't been on here too long but from the sounds of it, I think it would bring people together to remember that life isn't awful all the time & it's nice to be thought of once in awhile.
(I apologize if this doesn't make much since. I'm on meds right now that make me kinda loopy but I'm sure you get my point. )
All I know is I (personally) would be hurt if I signed up to give out cards & nobody sent any to me in return. I know that many, many people on here have created GREAT friendships & that's wonderful but, what about the rest of us???
I know postage can get very expensive but, I don't think it would be hard to save up some money (little by little) to send everyone a card.
I usually just peak at the general & pet or dog poll sites but, I am willing to send to anyone.....dogs, cats, snakes (although that's not my strong point ).
So to wrap this up I voted for #1 but that's just my opinion.
Tina

[krazyaboutkatz]

I've really enjoyed being a part of the PT Christmas card exchange the past 2 years and I'm looking forward to it again this year.
I voted for option #1 because I want to send to everyone and receive from everyone on the list. I enjoy making my cards and creating a photo to go along with them. I don't send very many cards to family and friends so without the PT Christmas card exchange I'd be sending and receiving very few cards. I hope we'll be able to work something out that will please everyone.

[wolf_Q]

Originally posted by ramanth
I voted for option 1.

Now...say you can't afford to send to the whole list. Then pick the people you DO want to send too and send them an email or a PM asking for their address and agree to swap X-mas cards. That way, you're sending to who you want and getting a card in return and only the two of you have to know about it.

I completely agree! I think this is the *only* fair way to do it IMO. If you don't want to send to everyone, then contact those you want to send to.

There are ways to do this cheaper. You can get postcards, as it's cheaper to send postcards. You can just print your cards yourself on regular paper. I printed my own last year (on some cheap paper made for cards) and I thought for sure it would run out my cartridge...but it didn't...I'm still using the same printer cartridge and it's just now running out of color! I know you can find boxes of X-mas cards cheap too, just look around! Especially at those after Thanksgiving sales!

I sent my overseas cards some weird way...it was with FedEX or something (I was at a mailing place that uses all the different services) and it actually cost *less* to mail those than the ones in the US. You could start mailing out cards maybe 10 a week before Thanksgiving that way the cost would be spread out. Just giving out ideas here! I barely make over minimum wage and I have been able to afford it!

[tomkatzid]

I voted for #1
Katz

[jenluckenbach]

My personal opinion is to send to ALL, but I can see where some people simply could not afford to do that. (youngsters, people across the ocean, heck even I couldn't afford it last year.)

So here is another suggestion.

Divide all the names into even groups of 15 of less (depedning on how many sign up). Then each person can decide how many group lists they can afford to send to. This hopefully would prevent just picking out your favorite people off the master list (which is what would happen with choice #2)

It would be a bit of work for the organizer because the groups should be split fairly. dog people, cat people, pet people, young people, new users, well known people......should be represented in each list so there is a variety of people to send to. (again, preventing sending only to your friends)

Just my 2 cents.

[lynnestankard]

Originally posted by Randi
I'm just wondering ..... if the the list turns out to be 125 people, would you still send to everybody.

That's the problem Randi - I think the thing that bothers me is the HUGE amount of postage - as a big percent of the list is American/Canadian and for us Europeans it definately is a deciding factor.

But on the other hand - it has been so lovely the past two years having such beautiful cards from all Pet Talkers.

Oh C%£p - decisions, decisions, decisions

Lynne

[aly]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach

So here is another suggestion.

Divide all the names into even groups of 15 of less (depedning on how many sign up). Then each person can decide how many group lists they can afford to send to. This hopefully would prevent just picking out your favorite people off the master list (which is what would happen with choice #2)

That is exactly what option #4 is.

I said groups of 10-20 only because I didn't know exactly how many would be in each group yet (would depend on how many signed up).