Third Annual Holiday Card Exchange

We’re pleased to announce the Third Annual LibraryThing Holiday Card Exchange! Sign up to send a card—home made, store bought, holiday themed, or not—of your choosing to one LT member. You’ll receive a card in return from another LT member. You can sign up to send more than one card, if you like. The idea is that, for every card you send, you’ll receive one yourself.

»Go sign up! http://www.librarything.com/cardexchange.php

Sign-ups are open now, and close Friday, December 9th at 5pm Eastern (22:00 GMT).

More details on the blog: http://blog.librarything.com/main/2016/12/3rd-annual-holiday-card-exchange/

I signed up - although for in country only this year.

This late in the season, I am not going to line up for an hour in my post office to send a few more postcards that won't even make it on ime - all of my personal ones that are crossing borders are already out and the post office is already a zoo at the times when I can get there...

Signed up.
It's really nice that Tim and the LT staff makes it possible for us to do this- Thanks!

Huzzah!!!! Thanks LT!

signed up! Guess I'm spending the next few nights making cards!

Signed up. Yay!

Me too! I hope people don't mind me spamming them with a photo of our new puppy (in a Santa hat, of course), because I will most likely be sticking one in with my cards. I mean, if you don't love puppies...

Trade you - my cards are my feline housemates in holiday cheer. ;)

>7 kristilabrie: I hope I get one! >8 camelama: Aweee

Signed up! Looking forward to the cards.

>8 camelama: awesome!

Puppy and kitty cards - perfect!

Not meaning to be dense, but on the sign-up sheet, what does "allow LT staff to send a company card - no promises" mean exactly? I saw it last year and didn't check it but now I thought I'd ask.

>12 Copperskye: last year they didn't manage to send cards but the year before that they did. It is just a holiday card from LibraryThing if they can budget it.

>13 mellymel171328: Makes sense - thanks!!

Fun idea! I'll do it!

OK, I'm signed up. Said I'm open to send to any country, but given how busy mail service is this time of year, anyone outside the USA may not even see their card by Orthodox Christmas.

With other countries what I need to know is. How many stamps I need? I am tempted to open up to it because I have no idea how that works... :(

>17 mellymel171328: Several. Can you not get to the post office? It's probably easier for you that way, since they do direct amounts then and I don't know that they actually sell stamps in the proper amount like they do here (we have national, European, and rest of the world stamps available to buy in normal sheets)...

>16 rastaphrog: That's why those of us not in the US are not so pleased with the late date of this event.

>18 .Monkey.: I don't get out much to be honest. I was more wondering if the stamps are same per country or are they different per country? I have 23 stamps and I am unsure if I can afford more at this moment.

>17 mellymel171328: International postage stamps are $1.15 to anywhere in the world. Canada and Mexico used to be less expensive, but it doesn't appear that they are anymore. They sell international stamps at the post office, or you can use 2 forever stamps (currently valued at $.47) and a 21-cent "extra ounce" stamp.

>13 mellymel171328:

Really? I thought we sent cards. Certainly not to everyone, though.

>20 ursula: Thank you so much.

>21 timspalding: I could be mistaken my memory is rather terrible but I do not remember getting one last year. I remember a card two years ago but I did not get one last year. I did have two of my cards didn't come in and my rent check had gone missing that month too. So... I have no idea!

Canada is the same international price of $1.15 but you can send a heavier piece of mail for that same $1.15. It can be up to 2 oz as opposed to the 1 oz for other countries according to the USPS web site.

>21 timspalding: We wanted and intended to send cards, but if I remember correctly, there was no one at the office (for valid reasons that escape me at the moment) to send them.

Okay, I signed up through that link in the other thread, do I need to sign up again or am I signed up already?

I just sent a very small gift to Australia and it cost $13. It was literally a Christmas card and a 2-oz notebook. International mail is expensive! I mean, even the $1.15 for cards really adds up after a few people.

>27 Heather19: It does, which is the other reason why it would be nice for those of us in other countries if there was an option to choose regions rather than just national/international.

>28 .Monkey.: That does make sense.

>21 timspalding: and >26 lorannen: Technically I was there (an hour away), and could have sent them. There was a reason why we didn't do them, but that wasn't it. I know I sent reply cards to everyone who sent them to us, at least! Having just as difficult a time remembering what else we did/didn't do as everyone else, I'm afraid.

>30 kristilabrie: Then either your mailman or mine goofed up, because I sent one to LT, but did not get one in reply.

>30 kristilabrie: we can send cards?!

>32 mellymel171328:

Yeah, they gave us the office address in last year's thread: https://www.librarything.com/topic/207057#5369435 :)

>32 mellymel171328: http://www.librarything.com/topic/207057#5369435

>17 mellymel171328: I'm in Canada. When I go to the Canada Post website, one of the obvious links from the main page is to find out how much a stamp will cost to Canada, the US or International. Try your post office's website to find out what a stamp would cost outside your country.

>33 AnnieMod: >34 MarthaJeanne: >35 LibraryCin: you all are awesome.

>31 MarthaJeanne: Ugh, I'm so sorry! As long as there was a return address on the card, or I could find it by poking around on LT, I sent them. Sorry you never got one. :(

>32 mellymel171328: We don't ask for them, but you're certainly welcome to! I hang them up in the office for a couple months usually. It adds some nice cheer for awhile. :)

Address for easy reference, if you want it:

LibraryThing
286 Spring St
Portland, ME 04102
USA

>37 kristilabrie: I will be!

>37 kristilabrie: Wouldn't have been the first thing mailed that didn't arrive here, so you may have sent it. Or, because of international mail, the card may have arrived there after you had stopped.

>37 kristilabrie: I'm definitely sending the LT staff a card. What great work you guys do!

>39 MarthaJeanne: Quite possibly. Either way, apologies!

>38 mellymel171328: and >40 mstrust: That's wonderful, looking forward to opening them! :)

I just signed up for the first time - looking forward to this. I've seen some brilliant cards and will have to figure out something (there is a plan - it's all down to time!).

Just a thought - on the sign up page it says sign ups close at 5pm Eastern time and 18.00 GMT - I think 5pm Eastern equates to 10pm (22.00) in GMT.

>42 Peace2: Whoops! Good catch. 5pm Eastern is, indeed, 22:00 GMT. I've updated the sign-up page to reflect that.

Also, wow, this is the first time I've checked since sign-ups opened, but out of the 82 members who have joined so far, we've pledged to send over 400 cards! Amazing!

>44 lorannen:
Well, I'd love to send more than 10 but apparently it is not allowed :)

44- Wow that's a lot of cards! Awesome!

>44 lorannen: and >45 AnnieMod: Me too!

I think that this is an excellent idea! I just signed up for the first time.

I'm going to keep it open. It's way too late here, in Turkey. I'll close it down in the morning--in seven hours or so.

>49 timspalding: Any idea when we will be given the addresses? I had hoped to mail my cards tomorrow but if the sign up is kept open another day, I guess it will be Monday at the earliest.

>50 ILuvBookplates: Those should go out shortly after sign-ups close.

On. Getting things out.

I have to remove a member who had marked not to send out the country, but there was no way to locally engineer it.

Incidentally, I may need a few users who can send or receive an extra card. I'm trying to find an alternate way to route things, but, at present, I've got some undermatches. The logic of trying to match people, with past matches, country restrictions and so forth is complicated.

Any volunteers?

I don't mind if you need someone to send an extra couple of cards - I don't mind where to.

I'm willing to send an extra card or two.

I can send an extra one, anywhere. (Also, I just found out that the Dutch post no longer distinguishes between stamps for Europe and "rest of the world", so that is good.)

Thanks. I've got what I need. I'll send you a note if I need one extra.

Okay, it's all set! Send your cards.

Profile comments coming soon.

I'll also ask a few people to send out an extra card.

>56 jarno87:

So it's one price for Holland and one for extra-Holland?

Okay, all set. I asked two members for one extra card each.

>59 timspalding:
Exactly. At least for simple cards/letters up to 20 grams (0.7 oz.).

Quick postal etiquette question. I remember this being discussed last year but if someone's name is not included with their address should we address the card to their user name or address it without any name? I think that people who didn't participate last year may not have known they had to include their name, thinking it would automatically show up.

Good question. I'd send it to "Secret Elf" or "Joanne K. Rowling." But I'm weird.

>62 ILuvBookplates: If they're in the US, it's probably fine either way. If they're elsewhere, it may not get to them without their actual name. In this area of the world several mailboxes are on one door, so the only way things can go to the right person is by having the right name.

In Austria it probably wouldn't matter much.

>62 ILuvBookplates: Check their profile, a real name may be there, it was for the person I'm sending to that didn't show a name

I didn't get any message with addresses, and the link in the first post still has a "sign up!" button for me. Does that mean that my sign up didn't go through??

I would like to apologize in advance for those whom receive one of the 'kitten loved' cards from me. She decided to help by attempting to chew corners. Brat.

>68 Mareofthesea: Awe she was only helping!

>67 Heather19: Oh no :(

If it did not take, please do send me your address in a private message on my profile. Noone should be cardless this holiday season.

>67 Heather19: PM me your address, too! I can send one more easily enough :)

Those are PERSONALIZED cards, my dear! Extra special!

I didn't get any message with addresses, and the link in the first post still has a "sign up!" button for me. Does that mean that my sign up didn't go through??

Still true? Try a control- or shift-refresh?

Note: The messages don't have addresses. The http://www.librarything.com/cardexchange.php has them, at the bottom.

>53 timspalding: I can send an extra card or two if you still need extras.

>64 .Monkey.: Wow, I never would have thought of that! I probably would have just automatically put their screen name!

>68 Mareofthesea: LOL!

74: I cleared my cookies, then logged back in, and still no message, and the sign-up page still has the "sign me up!" link. Dangit.

70/71: Thank you for your thoughfulness! I will PM you.

I'll put my name on the list of "willing to send out more cards".

Me too, extra cards!

And they're off!

>78 Heather19:

Hey. That's true because your account—Heather19—isn't enrolled. Maybe you have it under another account? If you want in, however, let me know by PM with amount and country and so forth--the regular sign-up won't work, and I'll be turning it off now that I know it's possible in this situation. I'll find you someone, especially if 1-3 or so.

My cards are all set to go. Will be hitting the PO soon as they open tomorrow to make sure they have enough postage, especially as I have a bunch going out to friends from elsewhere and one of them is in Cyprus.

>82 timspalding: If you still have any "oddballs" to match up, or to get Heather in, I can handle a few more.

My cards are ready, and I'll post them this afternoon. Unfortunately the mailboxes are no longer emptied on Sundays, as there is no mail delivery on Mondays. As 3 out of 4 have to go all the way across the Atlantic to the US, I hope they will arrive before the end of the year (Christmas seems to optimistic), but it might be later.

Did not get messages either, but checked here and found addresses.

One address has no name on it. Should I just use the membername?

>86 andreas.wpv: That is what I did

>86 andreas.wpv: First check the profile. Some people have their real names listed there.

Okay, my cards will be in the mail in the morning. I just need to buy some stamps.

Please add me to the list of "willing to send more cards" anywhere.

I've got all of my LT cards into the post this afternoon, so now I'm hoping that they'll get there in the vicinity of the Christmas but as they're all crossing the Atlantic I guess I can't count on it yet. Merry Christmas everybody nonetheless.

Sent mine out today!

Cards sent!

If you need any more sent let me know.

My cards went to the post office today. :)

I am hoping to have mine out tomorrow.

Mine was sent today! I'd be happy to send more if need be...

I was hoping to get mine today but I waited at the after hours pedatric clinic almost 3 hours.

And they are off!!

All my cards are on their way. Luck be with them!

I'm having a little trouble with packages this year . . .

I've got a member in Australia who needs a card sent out to them. Who wants it? First commenter gets it. :)

I'm happy to send to Australia!

Excellent, thanks! PM-ing you with the details. :)

I am sadly working on them today. I caught a tummy bug over the weekend.

Advanced warning.... My cards are a wee bit boring.. LOL :s I am not very creative in the least.

Got it, thanks!

>104 mellymel171328: Ouch, sorry to hear that... hope you're feeling better!

>105 mellymel171328:

If someone wants creative cards, they will be disappointed from mine also. :)

>107 kristilabrie: I am! Thank you. :)
>108 AnnieMod: I am sure they are great. :)

Mine aren't creative either, just the best I could do this year ...

At any rate, they are on the way.

I got some by local artists - either photographs of local areas or paintings. I shall have to start experimenting if I'm going to be personally creative with cards next year! (having said that I was creative in another fashion with the cards I've sent for the exchange and hope the recipients are okay with that :D ).

My cards are out.

>111 Peace2: oh that's exciting!

My first cards have arrived! Thank you Ted, Jonni, G. Cornell & Erin for the beautiful cards and goodies.

>114 varielle: goodies?! Ooooo:)

>114 varielle: And I received one from you today! It's gorgeous, thank you!

I received beautiful cards today from South Carolina and Arizona. Many thanks!

Mine are just heading out today, I was victim of a stomach bug this week.

>118 camelama: hope you are feeling better.

>118 camelama: Feel better soon!

Thank you to Keith - lovely card - very much appreciated. Have a great Christmas

Got a beautiful card from book-dragon1952 and a-raz :) love them!

I got my first card, too! Thanks very much, Kerry from Nova Scotia! No LT name given, or I'd leave a profile comment :)

I've gotten three cards as of todays mail. Now to just wait on the other two.

The last few of mine went out today - work got a bit crazy. Should still make it to the recipients before Friday :)

I got two more today :)

Wow, six cards today! Only four to go - thanks again LT, just love getting this mail.

Coincidentally, my wife and I received each other for the card exchange. But rather than sending one less card, we opted for some not-PG role playing via snail mail.

Received my first card today from crazy4reading with a great book mark. Love the card and the bookmark, thanks.

I got 4 so far - but I am not opening them until Saturday :)

One so far. From Sylak in the UK. Thanks.

I got my two cards yesterday!!! But I can't find the senders on librarything - so thank you Kate and Stefani! It's amazing how a card from a stranger can brighten things up. Happy holidays!

I can't locate the sender on LT, but thanks so much for my Krampus card and the wonderful rat of Baltimore! It might be the best one this year.

I'm impressed - the card I sent to England arrived. Only 8 days from western Canada - that's pretty good this time of year.

I think I got my card today! Not someone I recognize and, like a few others, she didn't put her LT name, so I'm assuming that's who it's from! Thank you to Jessica!

I just found out that a significant portion of my incoming mail is being "returned to sender" for no discernible reason, including the Christmas cards and the stamps that I ordered late last month. So it looks like I won't be able to get my cards out for another day or two. I apologize and hope that none of my recipients are too disappointed that their card does not arrive until next week. I'm also sorry if anyone tried to send me a card and it was returned to them! It's been very frustrating.

>136 norabelle414: Oh no! I'm so sorry for the mailing trouble. I hope that gets sorted out. No need to apologize.

As I'm mapping SantaThing gift arrivals in another thread, I was wondering if the Card Exchange recipients would like a map of their own. It would be entirely opt-in on an individual basis, of course, and if, as a group, you decide you'd rather not, that's perfectly fine. Just thought I'd throw out the idea.

>138 lorannen: I think a map would be great.

>138 lorannen: I think that would be fun!

>138 lorannen: I think that's awesome.

Yes, I agree! I love maps :)

A map would be fun! I've received three lovely cards - two from AR and one from VA.

Two more today! Two left to arrive. I for one don't care if they're late - it just spreads out the mailbox joy days!

Then don't do it. We don't need to know your hardships.

>145 TravellinPenguin: you do not have to be rude. They were explaining why their card will be late and how confused they were with why the mail was being difficult.

Up to four now. Maryland, South Carolina, California, Missouri

Whoops -- missed the sign up! Sending everyone cards in my heart though... ;)

I sent two cards to the U.S. and received one from Edmonton Alberta.I wish people would do more than just sign theirs name. I look at books we share and make a recommendation for an author I think they may like. I try to 'write to a LT friend' not a stranger.

I like the map. I sent cards to South Carolina and Pennsylvania from Fredericton New Brunswick Canada and received one from Edmonton Alberta.

Merry Christmas all 🎄🎄🎄from 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

>148 Fullmoonblue: of you'd like I can send you a card. :)

I received my first LibraryThing card today (in Sidcup Kent, UK). Thank you so much Erin in Frankford, Delaware. It's a beautiful card and even my husband said "that's so cool - a card from the US". Sorry, I don't know your user name here, or I would thank you on your profile. Hope you see this note here. Happy Holidays, everyone.

>148 Fullmoonblue: I'll send you a card if you still want to participate! :)

I have an extra to send!

All righty! The card arrivals map is here!

Point of order: most folks are reporting where their cards are arriving from, rather than where they're being received. Should I map both? Or just one or the other? I could see it going either way, but so far, there's only one location reported in terms of where cards were received.

Also, there were a number of reports of cards received up-thread for which the locations weren't noted. If you'd like those added to the map, give me a location, and I'll make it so!

If you'd like to tell us a location without being added to the map, that's okay, too! Just say so in your post.

Today I received a very pretty card from Maureen ( LT handle is Momonaco) from Sidcup, U.K.. Thanks, Maureen!

>154 lorannen: If it's possible to map both, that would be interesting.

>156 thehawkseye: I think I could make it happen. Will have to wait until tomorrow morning, but I'll play around with it then!

>154 lorannen: Also, there were a number of reports of cards received up-thread for which the locations weren't noted. If you'd like those added to the map, give me a location, and I'll make it so!

Oops! Mine came TO Calgary, Alberta, Canada from Toronto, Ont.

I got my second card today, to Edmonton, Alberta from Denmark. Love it.

All right, I think I've got a strategy down for mapping. I went with marking cards SENT with a green envelope icon, and cards RECEIVED as a red house icon. Let me know how it looks? https://drive.google.com/open?id=1fN0ALrOA1fOHtvk62dzx-Mh8dUE&usp=sharing

Thank you to Carmela J. (Portland OR) for the "joy" card which made me LOL! :)

Thank you to Andrea R. (Kerrville TX) for the pretty sparkly snow card. I'm delightfully covered in glitter now! :D

Today, I received the first card FROM Prairie Village, Kansas, USA TO Rotterdam, the Netherlands. So that is quite fast for a transatlantic card.

>136 norabelle414:
Norabelle, if you can, get one of the misdirected envelopes, make a photocopy for yourself, and then contact the supervisor for your route.

>160 lorannen:
The map looks very cool!

Funnily, jen.e.moore & I ended up sending cards to each other, possibly simultaneously: I received mine today. (That's Madison, WI & Naperville, IL)

Please make a card exchange for other things. It would be so much fun!

I received a card from PA to CT. Is this all you need for the map?

>163 karenb: I thought I recognized the name on the return address label I pulled out of the mailbox today!

>165 Book-Dragon1952: Yep! I can work with whatever you give me. Most folks are listing city, state/province/etc., country, but I can map whatever level of detail you prefer (just, obviously, not down to the street names/numbers).

Map is updated!

Alas, my envelopes are already in recycling, so I can only state, 8 cards received in Lynnwood, WA!

2 cards received now - the one mentioned above (comment 121) from Keith in the UK (Thank you!) and the second from >162 jarno87: in the Netherlands to the Channel Islands (off the coast of France!)

A few more for the map: some time before today, I've received 5 (in PHX, AZ) - from Central, SC; Vineland, NJ; Fowler, CA; Littleton, CO; Yuma, AZ

>160 lorannen: All right, I think I've got a strategy down for mapping. I went with marking cards SENT with a green envelope icon, and cards RECEIVED as a red house icon. Let me know how it looks?

I like it! Thank you!

I received two great cards today - one from @MrsLee in Red Bluff, California, and one without a LibraryThing name from Heather in Yuma, AZ. MrsLee included a yummy looking recipe :)

The map looks great, so interesting to see where the cards are going to and from throughout the world.

received cards from New Jersey, Denver, Colorado and Claire Wisconsin

Two more cards today: one from Fowler, California and one from Essex UK. Gosh, I love this exchange :)

>143 Copperskye: I reported above where my cards came from but not where they arrived, so - three cards to Colorado from Arkansas (2) and Virginia.

I agree! Maybe for National Library Week or tied in to a Read-a-Thing.

Two more today in Lynnwood WA - from Phoenix AZ and Portland ME!

Received a 2nd card today in Rotterdam, Netherlands FROM Baltimore, MD

Received a card today from Jersey, UK to CT. Thank you Peace2, I love the ornament.

3 more are here (PHX, AZ) - from Clare, MI; San Jose, CA and Lynnwood, WA

>180 Book-Dragon1952: Glad you liked it and the fact it got to you before Christmas is even better :D Great work Posties! Getting things travelling so far so promptly - it was past the local deadline here for international post so extra happy it made it in time.

Received a lovely card in Fowler, CA from Clare, MI on Thursday.

Thank you Howard (from Independence, MO) for the very nice card and well wishes.

Here in South Carolina, I've received cards from Denver, Colorado; Parkville, Maryland; Parsippany, NJ; Essex, UK and Portland, Maine.

Just received a very pretty card here in NC from Madison, WI.

Glad you received it.

>154 lorannen:

Here in Basildon, Essex, UK we have, so far, received cards from:

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Greenbelt, Maryland, U.S.A.
Parkville, Maryland, U.S.A.

And have had confirmation of our cards arriving from:

Hinnerup, Denmark
Edmonton, Canada
Central, South Carolina, U.S.A.

I'm in Charlotte, North Carolina and I received lovely cards from

Central, South Carolina
Nashville, Indiana
Marana, Arizona

Thank you all!

I received 4 cards in Foster City, CA. . . but tossed the envelopes without thinking so I'm not sure where they came from. Thanks!

Thank you Keith from the U.K.

I've received cards here in Hinnerup, Denmark from

Basildon, Essex, UK
South Hobart, Tasmania

and have had confirmation of one card received in

Ivalo, Finland

(The one from Tasmania arrived today and had a nice picture of jumping kangaroos on it. Thanks!)

I've only known of one card getting to their destination. :(

Received a card from Nova Scotia, Canada thank u Kerry!!

Retrieved two more cards from my PO box today:

- from Annapolis MD (along with a lovely note & Merry Christmas written in 9 languages), thank you Risa!;
- from Portland ME, thank you LibraryThing!

I received a very nice card here in Az from the LT staff- thanks so much!

You're quite welcome! We loved all of our cards we got as well, they're currently brightening up our office walls. :)

In Knoxville, TN, I received cards from AZ, CA, IL, ME, MI, PA, SC, and ON. I sent cards to AR, ON, MI, IN, MD, and NS.

Got a card from East Bridgewater, MA in Fowler, CA.

One more card received in Foster City, CA from Canada. :)

Just received a card from Regina, SK, Canada in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Unfortunately, the card doesn't mention a LT profile name. The envelope does feature some cool star trek stamps.

Three cards today in Edmonton, AB:
Napierville, IL (@jen.e.moore)
York Springs, PA (@helenoel)
Whitehall, PA (@bookworminc)
Thank you all so much!

I wanted to thank everyone for their cards. They are much appreciated.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy, ad peaceful new year. Full of books.

Received lovely cards in Richmond, CA from Edmonton AB, Provo UT, East Bridgewater MA, and Wallingford CT, plus two more I have misplaced the envelopes for. Two were handmade, one contained a bookmark from the sender, and all had nice notes inside. Thanks to everyone who sent them!

Many thanks to Tracey in Melbourne, Australia for lovely card and bookmark (@Carpe_Librum). Greatly appreciated!

Two more received in South Carolina. One from Edmonton, Alberta and the other from Fredericton, NB.

I have two cards get sent back to me by usps. No idea why because I rechecked address and I did write them correctly.

Today I received a nice card and note from York Springs, Pennsylvania.
Thank you!

I've seen no indication that any of the 6 cards I sent arrived. I got after my hubby in case he never mailed them, but he assures me he did.
??

>209 nrmay: only 2 of 9 had got there for me that I know of at least. Two more for some reason came back to me. I also only received 5 out of 9 from others. So perhaps they all haven't gotten to their destination?

>210 mellymel171328:
Thanks, I'm sure you're right. I'm too impatient!

>211 nrmay: don't worry! Me too.

Have to admit I sent mine late, so not all may have arrived yet.

Just got mine in lynnwood from Richmond CA! ;) thanks aviddiva!

I also got a beautiful card and nice message today from Richmond CA.
Thank you!

I received all of my cards from thoughtful and lovely writers. Thank you!

Thank you for all the lovely cards and messages, everyone. I loved each one :) I received cards from:
Red Bluff, CA
North Waterboro, ME
San Jose, CA
Tasmania, Australia
Manitowoc, WI
Greenbelt, MD
Elkridge, MD
Knoxville, TN
Fowler, CA

Received a card in SC from the San Francisco area in California today.

Thank you Librarything staff (@kristilabrie) for the card (and a stamp on the envelope that I've not come across before - even better!). Wishing you all a Happy New Year. (received in Jersey, CI)

I just received a nice card (with lots of glitter on it) from
Clare, Michigan, US

And it reached me in Hinnerup, Denmark.

Thanks and a Happy New Year!

I got a card from the LT office yesterday :) Thanks guys!

>219 Peace2: and >221 AnnieMod: You're very welcome!

Received a card from Rotterdam, The Netherlands in Fowler, CA.

A card today from aviddiva! thanks!

I received a lovely card from North Liberty, Iowa.
Thank you!

Received a card from Cary, NC this weekend, with a new bookmark! Awesome!

Received a wonderful card from Sylak and family in Essex yesterday!!

One more card - unexpected and Grinchily excellent from @stormyhearted, who also included a TARDIS bookmark. Thanks, Katrina!

I know this isn't an official thing but for some reason I find myself disappointed. I only know of maybe 1 or 2 cards getting to their destination (I for some reason had two come back to me though the address being correct.) So that leaves 5 cards unaccounted for, which I know not everyone checks librarything every day! I also only received 4 cards out of 9 I was supposed to get. Maybe they will show up but I am starting to think they won't. I know ... silly card exchange and I am not meaning to cause anyone to be offended!

Funnily, I ended with exactly the same results as 2015- one card received before Christmas, one after Christmas and one never received. Of the three I sent, one receiver PM'd me, one acknowledged in this thread, and never heard about the third so I don't know if it was received.
But I did receive a really nice "extra" card from a member who had received one of my cards last year, so that was a happy surprise.

>229 mellymel171328: I understand how you feel, I only received 2 cards and know of 2 cards received. I assume some people didn't acknowledge receipt here, I do hope they arrived. Better luck next year!

I know that about half the ones I sent arrived, either from this thread or profile comments.

I'm pretty sure I received all the ones sent to me and they were all lovely. I'm already looking forward to next year!

>229 mellymel171328:

Even if they do, there is no requirement to come and report what cards you got and when. :)

Yes - many people have no idea that others expect an acknowledgement. It isn't in the rules! I had no idea, I did some acknowledgements this year but can't remember if I got to them all. Heck, the first year, I didn't even think to put my librarything name in my cards! Oops. Heh.

>233 AnnieMod: I know :( I hope I didn't seem rude.

>235 mellymel171328: Not at all :)

Got 2 bookmarks and a lovely thank you note, along with a business card with LT username from Tracy in Australia, to whom I volunteered to send a holiday card when LT needed it. ❤❤❤

Received a late card from Norabelle414 in Virginia, with a cute books notes cards included. Thank you Nora.

Counting down the days till the Fourth Annual Holiday Card Exchange!

Christmas Last Posting Dates from the UK via airmail:

Sat 2 Dec Africa, Middle East
Wed 6 Dec Cyprus, Malta, Asia, Far East, Eastern
Europe (except Poland, Czech Republic
and Slovakia)
Thur 7 Dec Caribbean, Central and South America
Sat 9 Dec Greece, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand
Wed 13 Dec Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland
Thur 14 Dec Canada, Finland, Sweden, USA
Fri 15 Dec Austria, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain,
Switzerland
Sat 16 Dec Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg

I didn't miss the sign-up this year, did I? I look forward to it!

First class international mail from the USA - Some countries cutoff date is tomorrow. For the rest it is December 7. As long as sign-up is this late, it isn't really interesting for people who would be mailing internationally.

I haven't seen it announced yet.

A few weeks ago it was mentioned on another thread that the sign up would be in a few weeks so hopefully we'll see something in the next few days.

The card exchange is, indeed, in the works! It'll be coming to a LibraryThing near you in a matter of days. :) Specifically, once SantaThing sign-ups end, on Monday.

>245 lorannen:

I am sorry but that makes sure that almost noone that is not in the USA (and eventually Canada) will participate. LT asked for recommendations for improvements last year and this was the biggest one - by far. And still, LT still chose to do a US only event again.

It is up to you of course - you organize, you make the rules. Good luck with that.

>246 AnnieMod: Maybe I'm missing something, so my apologies for the confusion. I'm not sure what gives you the impression that the card exchange is a US-only event. That's certainly not the case. My "LibraryThing near you" expression was just a turn of phrase, and not intended to exclude anyone.

>247 lorannen:

There is no way to send a postcard internationally in some combinations at this point so it can make it there on time - due to the holidays, all the post masters have cut off dates for guaranteed deliveries and most of them are in late November/early December (see >242 MarthaJeanne: above or look at USPS: https://stamps.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4071/~/2017-usps-holiday-mai... (the date for Africa, South and Central America is today; everywhere else is next Thu - cards are on the First Class International schedule) for the source). Which is what a few people brought to LT's attention last year - the holiday card exchange should be before SantaThing.

Someone may get lucky but for the most part, international members will be stuck with either not participating or receiving cards very late.

and >240 Sylak: for the UK dates.

I'm not interested in sending cards that can't get there before Christmas. Or in getting Christmas cards mid-January. By that time I am more than ready for Christmas to be over.

I am not a Library Thing staff member but from running the donation thread I know how busy it can get with everything that is going on. I know that it is late for outside of the US but I know the LT staff does everything they can to get all these things going. I could imagine it would be very difficult to run more then one project at a time.

That being said I enjoyed it last year but felt a little a little put down. I sent out 7 cards and only got 3 back. One with a really cute book mark which really made my week. I didn't mind getting cards late, I even got one after New Years I believe.

I've sent and received internationally for the last several years. They all made it regardless, though one came through a little before New Year's.

Maybe I'm in a minority, but I don't mind getting cards late. It just means they might not get displayed, or if they do, it won't be for as long.

I need a little Christmas. Right this very minute. Truer words have never been sung. Sending cards to family across the miles... they don't do cards so I'm not bothering this year. Sending cards to my cyber celebrity fandom friends... uh, everyone is reeling. Probably not going to be happening this year. (But I may anyway). Sending annual card from fans and mascot bear... scratch that. I'm probably going to be shutting down my verrry long-running fan site right after Christmas (making me feel very sad) and this is going to be my family's first Christmas without my father so as shallow as it may sound, the LibraryThing Fourth Annual Holiday Card Exchange is all I have left for the holidays this year! Really, it is. So even though I think the sign-up should have been done before the SantaThing started, and even though I only received a few cards last year after sending out all of my cards (and one was from someone the previous year who was sweet and sent me a card) and I think this was because people felt the cards were going out too late so didn't bother and even though I personally like sending and receiving cards before Christmas, I will still be signing up and probably for international mailing again. I just wish we were getting our addresses a bit earlier.

I wish this was set up a little earlier, too (maybe next year?), but I'm happy to participate and don't mind late cards. I'm just trying to work on the whole holiday spirit thing and think this is a lovely and rather easy way to connect with others during the season! :)

YAY. Whenever it runs, I will participate!

I get why people want it earlier. Maybe we can try to do both SantaThing and cards at the same time next year. But they take a lot of staff effort, and, personally, I feel that the messages compete. If we did both simultaneously, people would get confused about it, and SantaThing would suffer. Maybe we could do it unofficially for non-US residents first, without making a fuss over it.

>256 timspalding:
I don't underestimate the work load. I for one very much appreciate the effort all the LT elves go to each year to spread a little happiness around.
Having said that, I also strongly feel that if something is worth doing it is worth doing right.
I feel a little sad that the Annual Holiday Card Exchange always comes across each year like an afterthought. I know you don't mean for that to happen.

Books vs. Cards
I for one don't see any confusion at all.
Although both are made from paper, both more often than not have a picture on the cover, and both contain a certain number of words within; most people on LibraryThing can easily distinguish between a greeting card and a book.

If you really feel it is achievable, then I would like to see both SantaThing and the Holiday Card Exchange run together, or at least early enough for both to catch the last posting dates worldwide.

>256 timspalding:
If I were inclined to send holiday cards (which I'm not), I imagine I'd be put off by you referring to the non-US deadline (or "Outside of North America" or whatever) as unofficial.

And I think the Danish postal system is going the way of the dodos and fast, so this might be the last chance :-)

💕 the holiday card exchange! Looking forward to signing up whenever you have time to organize it.

It's here, folks! https://www.librarything.com/topic/276950

And they're off! Racing their way to my fellow LTers. Happy Holidays.