10th Annual Holiday Card Exchange is Now Live!

Ho, Ho, Ho, the 10th annual Holiday Card Exchange is here! Come and join the fun to send and receive holiday cards with your fellow LibraryThing members.



Here's how it works:

• Mail a holiday card to a random LibraryThing member.
• You can mail a handmade or store bought card. Add a special note to personalize it.
• You’ll get one from another member. (Only that member will see your address.)
• In order for cards to be delivered correctly to you, you must include your real name in the address box when signing up: use whatever matches your mailbox. (Only your matches and LibraryThing staff can see your address details.)

Sign-ups for the Card Exchange CLOSE Tuesday, December 5, 12:00pm Eastern (17:00 GMT).

We’ll inform you of your matches within an hour or so after signups close, so you can get those cards in the mail. Let us know if you have any questions. Happy mailing!

Sign up for the Holiday Card Exchange

Holiday card exchange is my favorite! ❤️
I checked out the new Holiday bundles in the store, love it! Stickers, Pins and a little bit of everything bundle! Great idea 💡 Thanks to all the people behind the screen, we appreciate you! 🎄🥳💕

>2 Some1LikeYou: Awesome! So glad you love the bundles, I have been packing them lovingly for the last 2-3 days now! :)

Happy Holidays to you!

>3 kristilabrie: The bundles are great! There doesn't seem to be a way to group purchases of more than one item, though — does each purchase need to be a separate transaction?

>4 rosalita: Nope, you should be able to exit your cart and go back to the Store to continue adding items as needed, before checking out. Let me know if you have trouble, though.

We've just bumped up the card limit for the Card Exchange from 10 to 20, in case anyone is feeling a little extra festive this season!

>6 kristilabrie: Thanks. It appears that prices for posting letters from Denmark are about to take a hike from January 1st and old stamps will become obsolete in another year, so maybe I should use them all this year?

Hmm. I haven't printed my cards yet (don't even have a design I'm really happy with) but I could print extra and send more than my usual 10. Will have to think about it.

>7 bnielsen: Oof, they would be put to a good use, at least, instead of boring bills and other paperwork!

>8 tardis: Your cards are always so gorgeous! Whatever you decide will be great, I'm sure.

> first time. I signed up but nothing showed that it went through for the card exchange - would there have been an acknowledgment after I hit submit?

>6 kristilabrie: That's great! I changed my sign-up to 20. Looking forward to this year's cards!

>11 Omato6: It is there on the page but very low key. If you go back to the registration page, if the registration went through, now you have an edit link instead (where you can change the number of cards and your address and so on). If you see that, you are good. :)

>11 Omato6: What >13 AnnieMod: said, I would double check that your signup went through before tomorrow! Let me know if you're having any issues.

Edit: just checked, you are signed up :)

Signups are now closed, matches are being made! We'll send out profile messages/notifications once they're complete.

I just clicked on the sign up link just to see if it still showed the number of sign-ups and noticed I already have names and addresses showing. Are those ready for me to start addressing envelopes?

My card #10 hasn't got an address.

>17 tardis: Mine does not have one either.

PS: And I got only 10 - I am pretty sure I bumped it to 20.

>18 AnnieMod: Same, although I only bumped to 13.

My #8, member zyypresse, doesn't have an address.

>20 amanda4242: Yup, same member.

Please wait until profile messages have been sent, they should be live within the hour.

>23 AnnieMod: Sorry, moving too fast and testing the 10+ cards thing. That was me.

Okay I think picks are good, profile comments will be sent out shortly (probably after we resolve the > 10 card signup thing, mentioned below).

For anyone who has signed up for more than 10 cards, please go ahead and send out your first 10, we'll be looking at what needs to be done to get the extra entries out (there must be some process limiting picks to 10, we just need to take a look). Thanks for hanging in there!

>24 kristilabrie: Ha - I was wondering when I did manage to post and delete and what it was :) No worries. And no worries on the waiting for more addresses

I still have one that is a name only. Do you want me to send you a message about it (it is the one mentioned in >20 amanda4242:).

Yes. If you asked for 20, you have only 10 for now. I'll work on it and get you the other 10 tomorrow. Whoever you have, you will keep. But you'll get more.

All of the names/addresses I had a few hours ago have now changed to other names/addresses except for one. Still not ready?

>26 AnnieMod: That is kristilabrie again I think (not me for sure) :)

>28 AnnieMod: Whoops! Not me. I'm guessing that was actually @timspalding .... apologies!

>27 ILuvBookplates: @timspalding must have reworked it, I guess. I'll check in and get an update for you.

Okay, here's the deal.

1. We calculated the names once. They did not property remove/downgrade people to whom you had sent cards before.
2. These names should not have been visible to you--that status should not have been set on the main site.
3. But, some of you saw those first names.
4. We recalculated the names.

The names that are up there now are the names. You can go ahead and use them.

If you already wrote out or sent your cards, and they don't match what's up there now, go ahead and send them, but post HERE and tell me so I can try to adjust what I can adjust. I still owe people who want to send 20 names the extra names, so there's room to work.

I'm very sorry this happened.

One of my picks doesn't have an address listed. Same as the one listed above.

>20 amanda4242: >25 AnnieMod: >32 belladonna624: I have messaged the member and asked that they fill in their address details. Let's hope they can get to it this week!

Update: Profile comments are/have been sent out about matches being ready. (Mostly: we're still working on adding matches to those who signed up for more than 10 cards, thanks for your patience.)

>30 kristilabrie: No worries at all and no need to apologize :) I guess I was popular yesterday :p

>31 timspalding:

If someone remains orphaned for whatever reason and still needs to receive a card after all the shuffling and is not already on my list, feel free to send more names my way -- I am fine with international and I have extra cards I can send if that will help. I know that we usually have the call for "can someone send a few more cards" towards the end of the week so I am just putting this here early on.

>33 kristilabrie: You're amazing thank you! I will keep you on our "give me more" list. :)

I got my list, thanks! There is one problem, no address for one person.

One of my picks doesn't have an address listed. (I tried to look up the address using google but that didn't click).

One of my picks does not have a name, just the address. What should I do for that one?

>38 ILuvBookplates: Use their LT username -- the form specifically tells people that if they want their real name on the address, they need to add it. If they did not add it, then use the username. :)

>37 bnielsen: Same as in >20 amanda4242:? If so, they had been contacted to request them to update their address (see >33 kristilabrie:).

>40 AnnieMod: I don't know if it's the same but yes, I hope @kristilabrie is contacting the member with no address on my pick list.

>41 bnielsen: Up in >20 amanda4242:, the message has the name of the user under that spoiler tag (so we do not blast it all over the thread) - so far everyone reporting a missing address seems to be for that member :) If not, you may need to send a note to Kristi so she knows she has another user to contact.

>42 AnnieMod: Ah, yeah, that's the same. I didn't notice that the name was hidden. Thanks!

I have no address for #10 and #6 just has an initial, no first name.

>42 AnnieMod: I have a different person who hasn't yet left a mailing address.

Maybe they are just happy to send cards and not receive any!? ;-)

For those without an address, I assume we just need to keep checking back to see if it's been added? We won't be notified in any way that it's there? Thanks!

By the way, I wanted to comment that this is perfect timing for me. I got most of my cards written out last night (but still need to address envelopes) and was planning on getting them into the mail tomorrow.

I'm still printing cards, and unfortunately I have to take my mother-in-law grocery shopping today so that's going to cut into my time a bit.

I have enough cards finished to do my overseas recipients, though, so I'll send those today and get the rest out in a day or two.

Last I looked I still only had 10 recipients. Has the script to add people not run yet, or did I actually not increase my number of cards when I thought I did?

My tenth card has no address!

Thanks for your work on this! All on my list ha e addresses.

I had signed up for 10 originally but edited to send 20. I only received 10 names though. Looking through the thread it looks like I may get more? Thanks!

>46 LibraryCin: I'd ping Kristi (send a message) with the name of the user you do not have an address for (if it is not the one we know about) - so she knows she needs to ping them and then all one can do is to wait I guess. I also have one of those so I plan on checking every morning to see if an address shows up :)

>47 tardis: >49 mmoj: - See >31 timspalding:. I'd give LT a day or two to sort that out :)

>36 clue: >44 BLBera: >48 fasterhorses: Your no-address member is the same as in >20 amanda4242:, for which I've already messaged the member asking to fill their address in. **They just gave me their address, so I've filled it in now!

I will update the thread for any member that replies to me that they've filled in their address, otherwise you may want to periodically check your matches at https://www.librarything.com/cardexchange.php

>44 BLBera: Address the name as-is, with first initial and last name. I think that's fine.

>46 LibraryCin: I've just messaged the no-address member and will post here if I know it's filled in, otherwise check back later?

THANK YOU! I'm addressing my envelopes now!

>50 AnnieMod: There is already a note that says "No address entered. Member has been asked", so I figured they already knew.

>52 kristilabrie: Thank you!

>54 LibraryCin: Ah, I see. If there is a note, then they know indeed :) There were no notes earlier when I had mine without an address (now resolved) :)

I'm really sorry for the 20-card people. I've been working on the algorithm all day and still going.

Okay, I've almost got it. Honestly, I'm sick as a dog, and I need to sleep and look at this tomorrow.

T

10 cards signed, stuffed, and addressed. Tomorrow they get return addresses and maybe postage.

I absolutely love the card exchange and thank you so much to the LibraryThing staff that coordinates this awesome activity. My cards will be shipped out tomorrow. Happy holidays!!!

Ten addresses received, hopefully I will get a further ten soon :)
Just starting to write the cards and choose stamps from my rather large Christmas stamp collection!

I got my cards in the mail today.

You're all wonderful, thanks for getting your cards out so quick and for your patience with our hiccups! Too much peppermint nog for these elves, or maybe cough medicine for @timspalding's sake...

Okay. Here's a big update.

1. If you opted to get more than 10 cards, you probably were only asked to send 10. This was an error. (Basically, when I upped the maximum at users' request, I did not up the maximum in my "picking" script.")
2. I have therefore ADDED cards to members who didn't have enough, so everyone is both sending and receiving the same number of cards. (A few members still have a mismatch, if they are outside the US and opted not to send cards outside their country.)
3. This bug affected 30 members--29 of them who had requested more than 10 cards, and one who had requested 10. (That's just how the math worked out.)
4. i will be sending out notices to the 30 members momentarily. You can check if you're among them by going to https://www.librarything.com/cardexchange.php . New ones have a yellow background and there's a note. If you don't see that, you aren't affected.

Finally, a funny (?) note:

1. Because the picking script struggled to square an illogical situation—some people needed 20 cards, but no one could give out more than 10—one member is currently slated to receive 54 cards. I have therefore added a note to all their extras (44 people), saying that sending the card is now optional. Probably a lot of you already sent the cards out, and for that we thank you.

Thank you, thank you, @timspalding, especially for doing all of this work while sick. Now go rest!

I'm excited to send international cards this year! I don't know why sending LibraryThing cards is more fun than sending regular holiday cards, but it is!

I was quickly addressing my cards yesterday trying to get them to the mailbox before the mailman showed up since I was eager to get everything in the mail, especially the international cards and I was successful but now today am having the thoughts of did I address them correctly, did I put my old address by mistake, did I remember to put a stamp or stamps and did I seal that last one? Even though I checked everything multiple times, all I can say now is that it's out of my hands and good luck! A very happy holiday to all and may 2024 bring everyone peace and good things.

>66 ILuvBookplates: I copy my address list into Word, increase the font, and then print it. Then I cut out the addresses and stick them on the envelopes. That way they're nice and legible and no transcription errors. It does take a little more time, though.

I sent my first four cards yesterday - all the ones to Europe and one of the US ones. The rest will go out later today or tomorrow.

And KUDOS to the LT Elves - I don't think I have anyone on my list that I've sent cards to before. Not that I really mind sending to the same people, but it's fun to see new names.

And they are launched! 💫

>63 timspalding: 1. Because the picking script struggled to square an illogical situation—some people needed 20 cards, but no one could give out more than 10—one member is currently slated to receive 54 cards. I have therefore added a note to all their extras (44 people), saying that sending the card is now optional. Probably a lot of you already sent the cards out, and for that we thank you.

LOL! That will be one lucky card recipient!

All three of mine are in the US (I'm in Canada.) I plan to get them all to the post office this afternoon.

I apologize in advance for my terrible handwriting.

I came in to message that I had sent out my matched holiday cards, good thing because it seems it’s been reshuffled and I lost one and gained one… guess they both get one 🎄🥳🥰
I will send out another to my new match. Happy Holidays! 🎁

I've got all of mine into post so happy Christmas to all and thanks to the LT team for their hard work (hope Tim recovers quickly from feeling unwell).

To the LT staff - If anyone is short (particularly if in UK/Europe) I'm happy to send a couple of extras if needed.

I'm giggling about the 50+ cards! What a great holiday surprise! 😆🎄☃️

Wow! 54 cards! That would be an awesome surprise! One lucky recipient is right! I hope they let us know when they do… 💕🥳🎄 I signed up for 5, got them out today and then I double checked my list and one was missing and another showed up 😂 so I got theirs out today!

I can send extras if there’s a need.

Mine are on the road and if needed I can send some more too...

All my internationals are in the mail, the US ones are getting out this weekend (if USPS cannot deliver a card in 2 weeks in continental US, they won't be able to do it even if you give them 2 more days anyway) :)

Was everything re-shuffled so I need to re-check my list, or were they only re-shuffled for certain affected people?

ETA: I found my list again and it's unchanged except for identifying the potential recipient of 50+ cards! Funnily enough, that was the one I was most excited to send because the person is in the country where they speak the only foreign language I know, so they'll be getting one from me regardless!

>79 amysisson: My first 10 had not changed at all. So I think the reshuffling were only for the people who jumped the gun and started sending before the notifications got out while LT was still reshuffling? Tim mentioned somewhere up thread that the addresses were made visible by mistake at an earlier stage than they should have been for awhile.

>79 amysisson: >80 AnnieMod: is correct!

And all 10 are mailed.

I got my first card today!

>83 elorin: Yay!

I got 3 yesterday. :)

I received my first card today! Yea-A!!
Merry Christmas everyone ! 🎁💕🎄

My first card arrived! Vielen lieben Dank, @Rotschopf ! :-)

This is so much fun! I sent 10 cards, I think it was four in other countries and have received 4 so far.

I just realized I forgot to put my LT username in the cards. Well, happiest of holidays regardless!

Yippeee-- I just received my first 2 cards today.

4 more cards today for a total of 5 so far.

I got my first card yesterday!

>1 kristilabrie: Hi, Kristi, I've started receiving cards and that is really nice, I'd like to send them messages to let them know the cards were received and to thank them but I do not know how to send a message to another member. Could you help me with this?
Thank you!
PallanDavid

Just click on the member name, i.e. @bnielsen. This takes you to the profile page of the member and there's a "Message" link on the right hand side of the page.
ETA: I just sent you a "Hi" so you can see how it works. (You get a notification in the top banner of LT pages.)

I want to thank Hazy Recollect for the card, which arrived so quickly. I can't find this member anywhere, but thanks!

I got my first two today! The one who didn't put a username is Amy and the envelope is postmarked Chattanooga, so thanks very much!

>94 bnielsen: Some members have messages disabled, than I think here in the thread is the only way besides sending a return card.

>95 mstrust: ...Hazy Recollect... I can't find this member anywhere, but thanks!

Here s/he is: https://www.librarything.com/profile/HazeyRecollect

Thanks!

>93 PallanDavid: What >94 bnielsen: said, but let us know if you have further questions!

My first card has arrived, many thanks to the team who organised everything. I am very happy!

Two more cards today! Both came with stickers, for which I will thank the senders directly :)

Received a lovely sparkling snowy card from a LibraryThing member today. Thank you!

A second card came for me today in Calgary, Alberta (from Colorado).

Four cards in the postbox today!

I sent mine all out last week. Got one back, which was from Wales and I would have responded and sent them a card as well but no return address. They did put a photo of their very adorable dog in a Santa hat on the card though. Thanks Paul and Harry!

One more today for a total of 6

I want to thank everyone here for the lovely cards! My mother is clinically depressed, and of course finds holidays tough. She once commented that she wished she knew more people to get holiday cards from, so I put her name and address in my sign-up. She loved getting so many beautiful cards this year!! Thanks for making my mom smile!!

I got home last night after being gone nearly a week, so I want to thank my card senders: Samy (Yuki-Onna) in Germany, Carrie in Tennessee (thank you! I didn't get you in my list this year :-c) and The Bowerbirds, Ruth and John, in England. Yours is my very first Hanukkah card! I hope you all had great holidays!

One more today! Puts me up to 5 cards from this exchange.

One more makes 8

I got two yesterday and one today, for a total of 8.

And I believe I received my last card today. From Germany, so that explains why it took a bit longer.

>108 masterdeski: What a sweet use of this event, I'm so glad she was able to participate and get some holiday cards to enjoy! :)

I got another yesterday, I think that brings my total to 9 but I may need to recount.

Thanks for my Christmas cards!
I received beautiful holiday greetings from -
nenasfilla
Gina in CA
wellreadsoutherner
Lisa in ME
Sylvia in the Netherlands

I do hope the ones I sent arrived as well.

Apologies to everyone i was assigned - I have been so ill! I never sent any cards, even to siblings. I still haven’t opened some that i received, i have been so wiped out.

>117 camelama: I'm so sorry to hear you haven't been feeling well! Health matters more than a few holiday cards, take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon.