s/o "cheer up" buddies??

[pixiesmommy]

I was reading the crisis buddies thread and while I can definitely see the appeal, I know that I wouldn't ever call someone and I doubt I'd be able to listen if someone called me since Peri is SOOO high-needs

BUT... I was thinking I wish I had something to look forward to during these long boring days of winter AND simultaneously dwelling on my day yesterday which included jealousy of two newborns I saw sporting homemade knitted goodies. (I don't know anyone who knits!)

And I came up with this, which is similar to what we did in an online gardening group I once belonged to...

Basically you gather addresses of your online buddies (yeah, this is where some of you might shy away!!) and randomly send goodies. They can be used items- a good novel you just finished, CD's (as in cloth diapers, but hey music is good too!!), pretty stationery, gift cards, nice soap or lotion, handmade items, chocolates, etc. in a little box... just enough of "something" to cheer the person when they check the mail that day.
If you know enough about them, you can send special items or items for their kids, etc. It can be really fun and it definitely gives you something to look forward to because you might GET something fun, but you're also always on the lookout for fun things to GIVE as well.

Anyone interested??

Manda

[brooklyn_warbler]

i LOVE this idea!!

[Da WIC Lady]

Sounds good to me. I'm getting ready to move so my address is going to change. DH is already there, so which one should I give?

Anna

[Curlita]

I could definitely use some cheering... Should we send you our mailing addies, or...?

[renaissanceed]

I am totally into this. I love sending packages or letters and I love getting them. When our mail carrier arrives in the morning, it's one of the highlights of the day. Getting the birth announcements from the swap Aimee organized has been fabulous and this sounds great too.

[pixiesmommy]

nak

as for organization... i can gather everyone's address who wants to participate. for safety in distributing your home addy, include your email addy as well... then i can create a mailing list and email you directly with this list so that it is not 'posted' publicly anywhere. how does that sound?

you can pm me with the info.

some things to include...
*real name/ screen name
*address
*email addy
*sizes you wear (if you don't want to, at least put hat/glove/sock sizes or if you would wear larger jewelry - some of us have big wrists!!)
*favorites- smells, colors, if you collect something or have theme rooms, flowers/plants, hobbies, addictions (coffee, choc, sudoku, etc)
*kids sizes/favorites
*if you're cd'ing
anything else you can think of that I didn't mention...

Manda

[sorteep]

I love the idea.. I too have a hi needs baby and there is NO way I could manage phone counsel.. but dropping a little something in the mail periodically sounds lovely... what are the rules?? how often , restrictions, limits etc?? I'm in tho.. I really like the idea

[AimeeandBrian]

Love this idea! I only have one, so I don't have many "crises" but I could always use some cheer! I LOVE buying little gifts for people.

[LittleLlama]

I think I'd be into this. I barely ever answer my phone, I wouldn't want someone counting on me for support then thinking I brushed them off

[boogiemonster]

Sure!

[Beckula]

This is a great idea!!! All you CDing Moms may recieve a new wool soaker pattern i designed and am planning on selling if it works out. I need testers yay!!!!!

[monocyte]

Great idea!!

Im in for sure!

[brooklyn_warbler]

nak, but i have a ?:

i did this with a group of friends once & we did it in pairs...you signed up for and were responsible for sending one person little goodies throughout the year. would that be easier? my fear doing it in a big group is that some mamas would end up not receiving any goodies. is that a silly worry?

[pixiesmommy]

I was just talking about this with DH. I created a poll

Also, money-wise, I think we all know what we can and can't afford to do. If we put a limit, then the tendency is to spend up to that limit and no less... therefore, I will say that you decide what you want to spend. If someone sends you a gold charm for example, you don't have to gift that person something worth that amount in return though. And likewise, don't gift someone something of great value expecting something of equal value in return. Like I mentioned previously, it is to cheer, so sample packages might be:

#1
A used copy of a great novel you just read
Samples of tea or coffee
Handknit mittens
An interesting magazine clipping about breastfeeding (etc)

#2
A gold charm
Stickers for the kids

That sound okay?

[*Lindsey*]

I'd love to be in on this.

[scheelimama]

This sounds fun. I'd be interested!

[JamesMama]

This sounds wonderful!

[pixiesmommy]

PM box is emptied for addresses now, sorry about that.

So far, I have received info from:

Da WIC Lady
sorteep
LittleLlama
Beckula
Mittendrin


-Manda

[De-lovely]

Sending info now.....

[Isaac'sMa]

PM'ed you! I'm in...