Dear Spiders
A reminder that you have until Wednesday 17th May to send me your request to join the next round of Secret Pal exchanges.
Brenda
EXPLANATION
For the newbies, a Secret Pal is a person you send gifts to anonymously
for five months, then reveal your name with the sixth package. You would
be receiving gifts from a different person than the one you send to. The
thank you's for received gifts are to be posted to Lace-Chat.
The gifts are supposed to be tokens of friendship, not expensive items.
Favorite things to send are sweets/candy, chocolate, tea, bobbins, thread,
regional specialties, pin cushions, small pieces of lace or bookmarks, patterns,
notecards, toiletries etc. It's also nice to include something about the
area in which you live, pictures of your lace and in the final package maybe
a photo of yourself. Anything you like will probably be liked by your Secret
Pal.
SECRET PAL ADMINISTRATOR
I am Brenda Paternoster from Kent, England and it's my first time as Secret Pal
co-ordinator.
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APPLICATION
Arachnians who wish to participate should apply by Wed 19th May. I will try
to have the secret pal assignments out by 25th May so the packages have time to
be assembled. They should be mailed by 5th June.
This exchange will run from June 2004 until November 2004 when you would reveal
your identity. This is a SIX-MONTH COMMITMENT.
To apply, send an email message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and with the
following information:
1. Name
2. Email address
3. Complete mailing address
4. Phone number (for emergency contact)
5. Preference for same country or overseas pal. (Remember, overseas has larger postage costs and takes longer to be delivered.)
6. Affirmation of the following statements:
_________I have read and understand the rules of participating.
_________I will mail my packages by the 5th of each month.
_________I will email a thank you to lace-chat when a package is received.
_________I will notify the coordinator immediately if something will
prevent mailing my package on time or if I have to withdraw.
_________I understand that I will be summarily removed from the round
if I fail to fulfill my agreement.
7. Give a brief bio of yourself to assist your Pal in selecting items
for you - stage in life, family, pets, favourite activities, favourite colors,
types of lace you make or like, non-lace hobbies, pierced ears or not, food
allergies or diet restrictions (no nuts, sugar, chocolate, etc), preference
for Christmas or Hannukah or Solstice greetings, preferred bobbin styles if
you do BL, and anything else you wish to share. The more info you give about
yourself the easier it will be for your secret pal to choose goodies for you.
8. Please tell me the names of people with whom you have already been paired
with in previous rounds of secret pal exchanges.
RULES
1. Please be prompt in mailing by the 5th of each month so that your secret
pal gets the package by the 15th of the intended month. It is depressing
to expect a package and not get one. If you must be late, email me
[EMAIL PROTECTED] before the mailing deadline so your special pal
can be notified.
2. Include a real, usable return address, not your own. Mine will be fine
for UK use. Overseas please find a friend who will let you use his/hers.
All packages need a return address in case of delivery problems. Packages
sent abroad should bear the necessary customs declaration.
3. When the package arrives, as soon as possible post a brief note to
LACE-CHAT (not Lace!!!) to say Thank You. This lets your sending pal know
that it was safely received. It's not necessary to write a long message--
just acknowledge the package. You can send your thank you messages to
[EMAIL PROTECTED] even if you don't take chat.
4. Pack carefully. A padded bag may not protect a fragile item. Liquids
aren't good in containers going overseas, and are not recommended in any
package. UK's Royal Mail states that anything "resembling a powder" is best
avoided or at least double wrapped.
5. If you have not received a package by the 20th, tell the administrator
so she can find out what has happened. If a person cannot continue the
exchange, the pal will be given to someone else so he/she will not be left
out. Please let the administrator know if you cannot continue.
6. It is nice to include (or send separately) a personal note to your
secret pal. Be aware, a letter included inside a package could cost extra
postage, at least in the USA. From UK small packets are OK with a letter.
You may choose to send the letter in an envelope separately.
7. Enjoy!! It's fun to receive mystery packages, and to send them.
Brenda Paternoster in Kent England Arachne Secret pal administrator www.argonet.co.uk/users/paternoster/
- To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
