Any interest in an October Mama bead swap/Secret Santa?

[Lucysmama]

Just wondering if there is any interest in doing something nice for each other....I have a few ideas. It would be totally optional, not something that anyone has to do! Here is what I was thinking:

-The September Mamas each sent each other a bead and a blessing, which they strung into bracelets to wear during labor/delivery...like having some extra "mama strength" during labor and/or birth and those difficult first days. I feel so bonded with you guys after going thru pregnancy with ya'll, I think it would be so nice to put on my October Mamas bracelet in labor. :)

-We could do like a Secret Santa swap kinda-thing, where everyone has one person to send a gift to....could be a mama gift, or a baby gift. We could set it up so that we each post a little ISO like in the swaps on the Trading Post, and that way the sending mama would know what they need/want.

Anyone interested in this? Or does anyone have any other ideas? I'm willing to help organize. :)

[kraftykathy]

Oh I love the bead idea! I make jewelry so I have quite a collection of beads. Maybe we could do that too? Otherwise I like the baby gift idea since I also knit and sew.

Kathy

[True Blue]

They both sound fun to me!!! :)

[Court]

I love love love the bead idea!

[sqoya]

I absolutely LOVE the idea of having something that represents all of you to help me through labor!!! That would be so nice!!!

[ameliabedelia]

They both sound like fun. Although, in all honesty, the thought of stringing a bunch of beads together is not my idea of a good time. I am just not crafty or artistic or good at that. But, I LOVE the idea of it. I also think the secret santa thing is really cute, although maybe we should call it something like that "Secret Great Pumpkin" Ha, Ha!

[mirthfulmum]

What a great idea Katie!

I love the bead idea. It's sweet to have something to represent the little community we've got going on here.

[Wabi Sabi]

Sounds like fun!

My only concern is if we did the bead thing, could it get kinda $$$ since we'd be needing to buy postage to send beads everyone as oppossed to having just one person as in the Secret Santa swap?

[krnflwr]

I love the idea, too. But, as was mentioned above, I'm not too crafty...so presents sound easier for this exhausted mama than beads. Easier to organize and for shipping and all.
Great idea, Katie! I think this would be so much fun. :)

[Soogie]

I love the idea of the bead swap. :thumb When I was pg with my first, my friends threw me a baby shower and each of them went around the room and gave baby and I a blessing, and then presented me with a bead they had chosen. They were all strung together to make a bracelet at the end and it is one of the gifts that I cherish the most. The beads are a reminder of the sentiments and thoughtful words they gave me. I'm wearing it today...it brings me strength.

[Piglet68]

I, too, love the bead idea. I think they could just be sent in a regular envelope. So perhaps the cost of sending out a dozen beads/cards would be the same as a single larger package?

Those who aren't crafty enough to string them could put them in a bud vase or something.

Just suggestions, anyways!! :love

[mtnjenny]

I love either idea, count me in!

[bluehalo]

I love both ideas too.... Any reason why we couldn't do both? That way people who are interested in one or the other could pick and choose, or choose to do both?

[BeansMomma]

I love the bead idea too. I think the idea of having something to remember our 'extended family' would be great!

[flitters]

i like the bead idea too, but i'm a bit unreliable with mail so i'm not sure if i'd participate.

i was thinking of something not material that we could still share... maybe this should be in another thread (or possibly a future qotw)... i'd like if each october mom could choose a song they like and then we could compile a list and each of us on our own could put together a mix of the songs... i think i'd really enjoy something like that during the birth (or at least early labor). that way those of us who are postally challenged could have a special way to think of the other october mamas. should i start a songlist thread? or maybe does piglet want to just add a song next to our names in the weekly thread? does anyone like this idea? :D

[mtnjenny]

Flitters, I love, love, love that idea. I've been making a list of songs for dh to burn onto one mix CD for me, to have playing during labor. I'm happy to share my ideas, and to have more ideas from the October mamas would be super special! :thumb

[BeansMomma]

oooooooooh - Me too - love the song compilation idea. This is something that has been on my to-do list for a while and would love a head start.

[gottaknit]

All of these ideas are great! A separate song list thread would be wonderful. I've been meaning to start making a labor CD but don't know what to put on it. I'm curious to hear what other people think is good labor music... :)

[Piglet68]

And hey, if we want to do the bead thing, we could use our Yahoo Group to post our addresses so we don't have to share them with the whole Internet! I think there's a place on the group board to post a table with names and addresses and stuff. That way whoever wants to join in can post their address so we'll know who to send beads to!

[mirthfulmum]

The CD idea is a good one, but I'm one of those who doesn't want to have music playing during the labour/birth. I found the silence of the room much more relaxing last time.

[momadance]

count me in on the beads and song list! Lemme know what to do!

[AnnR33]

Beads are good to me-I would love that! I also like the secret swap idea for baby or mom or both. Just let me know the details when you're ready! I was going to suggest the gift idea too.
Ann

[mirthfulmum]

So are we doing this? I would love to do something to commemorate our little community here.
Not entirely sure how to orgnaize us all and do the swap though. Does anyone have any ideas?

[AnnR33]

To make it easy we could just list all the people that signed up then have each person send a swap (for mama and/or baby) to the next person on the list (last person sends to the first. We could do it now then people could mail out their swap as babes or born or we could wait until everyone has birthed.
For the beads we could do that separate since we'd want the beads ahead of time for the birth.
Ann

[Lucysmama]

When I suggested this, I thought I would coordinate it. But, I really can't right now - WAY too much going on here right now - the move, the marriage, etc, I would probably put it on the backburner and never get it done. So, can someone else please organize? :) Pretty please???

[AnnR33]

I don't mind doing it for the swap but not sure about how the bead thing would work so will leave that to someone else.
I'll wait another few days to see who else responds and put something in next weeks general thread to remind people to sign up. I think it will be great to be able to give a gift to someone on the list I've gotten to know on the list-I'm excited!
Ann

[mirthfulmum]

I'll take on the bead project (Thanks Katie for introducing the idea and thanks Ann for taking on the gift swap). Not sure how to get it organizied but I'll put my preggo brain to the task and see what I come up with.

[Lucysmama]

Mirthfulmum -

Here is what I was going to do.....have everyone PM me with their addresses, and then compile them into a list on my computer, and email the list out to everyone - with address, username, and real names all included. Then set a deadline - say, everyone has to have their beads mailed out by Sept. 15th or whenever. That way nobody will see our addresses and names except the October mamas.

But totally do whatever you want!!!!! Just wanted to share what I was planning! :)

[mirthfulmum]

Great idea Katie. I don't think my very mushy brain would've come up with that. I probably would have made the whole thing very complicated and convoluted.

I'm gonna go post on our weekly thread to see who wants to participate!

[Lucysmama]

:hug Thanks so much for organizing this mirthfulmum.....I appreciate it! :love

[blessed2bamommie]

I checked this out earlier and was unsure...my first thoughts was that the bead having some significance sounded a big blessingway/pagan/woo woo to me and I didn't want a part of it as a Christian. The mama/baby gift is more up my alley.

Actually, I'm really burdened in my spirit to bless someone in particular in this group. I have even sought out something for her and God is just working it out to absolutely amazing!!!! I'm so excited about blessing her! I'm being the fly in the ointment with this, I guess b/c it wasn't the way yall were planning to match up folks right? But, can I have a particular mama, please. :innocent.

[mirthfulmum]

Letia - I don't think the bead exchange has any spiritual significance (I know it dosen't for me). I by no means qualify as "a big blessingway/pagan/woo woo" kinda gal. I just thought that each bead represented each mom on the board here and represented our friendship and support during our pregnancies and births. It's fine by me if you don't want to participate, but I didn't want you to count yourself out because of a spiritual conflict. As far as I know the beads have no philosophical, religious or spiritual significance.

[blessed2bamommie]

:Thanks I think the original idea sounded kinda blessingwaylike, if I recall what one is....I'm more of a baby shower kinda gal...and you think of it as a representation of the group. Seems like different folks view it as different things....:scratch Right now I'm still unsure. To have a necklace representing our group might be nice...kinda like the (my brain fails me) a bow bouquet that you're made at your bridal shower? :scratch Course, at this time, that might be the only thing I'm wearin! :LOL

I *definately* would like to be a part of the gifting. I just have a mama in mind. If I'm being a pain then I can participate in the MDC fairies (so I won't give away what the items are :LOL). Doesn't the fairy do more than dipes these days?

[mirthfulmum]

To have a necklace representing our group might be nice...kinda like the (my brain fails me) a bow bouquet that you're made at your bridal shower?

Yeah exactly. That's how I think of it too (although I'm thinking bracelet :wink).

[Court]

Just wanted to say count me in for the gift swap! I've already sent a PM about the bead swap. :love

[True Blue]

I'd like to do the gift swap too. :) And bead swap. I'll have to get details out later, we're trying to prepare for a hurricane!!

[OakEmber]

I'm jumping in late here with some questions (that would probably be answered for me if I re-read the thread).

I don't think I can do both...so I think the gift exchange is what I'd participate in...my question, are we sending out our gifts before the baby arrives or after, Secret Santa was mentioned so I am assuming after.

The bead thing is cool too, might be neat to wear the braclet in labour. About how many are we looking at sending out though (I am thinking postage wise it might be easier on me to send one gift instead of 20 envelopes of .50 each KMIM?) Too bad I have to base my decision on money....

:LOL, just used the calculator to determine that 20x50 is still by far gonna be cheaper than the cost of a gift plus shipping...my poor preggo brain :shy Nonetheless, I'd still hope I can get an idea of how many beads I'd need.

[AnnR33]

I'll list out the names for the swap in about 2 weeks-then you can send something out whenever you want-before or after the baby comes-it'll be up to you. I kind of took the "santa" part out since I didn't want to wait until the holiday LOL
Ann

[mirthfulmum]

Ann - I didn't know if I'd made this clear or not but put me down for the gift exchange!

[Jillerina]

I'm also interested in joining in the girft exchange. Thanks for taking on the organizing work Mirthful and Ann!

I'll also be adding to the song list as soon as I can think about a song I think is appropriate for laboring women!

[Lucysmama]

Ann - Sign me up for the gift swap, too!!! :) I can't wait to get a mama or a baby something. So I guess depending on who we get, we can either send things before or after the baby is born? Like, if I got flitters for example, who doesn't know the sex of her baby, I may wait until after the baby is born to get something. Is that right?

Letia - Oh, I wasn't thinking the bracelets would have any religious meaning or anything when I suggested it! I was just thinking it would be nice to have to kind of represent the group...like women-strength. I think mine may be all I wear in labor, too!!! :LOL But I totally understand if you are not comfortable with it.

[Piglet68]

This is great you guys! Count me in for both the bead swap and the gift exchange. Letia, if I may speak for Ann, I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to get you the particular mama you want.

I'll PM Ann and mirthful with my info!

[blessed2bamommie]

:wave I've been in church! Thanks for the clarification, Katie! :thumb I think I feel better...yet, I missed the deadline :bag:

:Thanks Pig! (I hate callin you that but I respect your issues with folks you don't know IRL) :!wback:

eta: if I'm not too late...yall have to help me find some beads...:duh talk about not crafty;but, it sounds cool.

[krnflwr]

Ann, I did PM you, but wanted to make sure that you had me on the list to be included in the Gift Swap. Thanks.

[Soogie]

Count me on both the gift exchange and the bead swap.

[gottaknit]

Is it too late to sign up for the bead swap? :innocent

[sqoya]

I know I'm super late - but can I still sign up for the bead swap? Sounds so cool! Thanks.

[mirthfulmum]

Hey Mandi.

I'm sorry to have to do this but, yeah, it's too late for the bead swap. Many of the women already have the beads bought and in the mail.

But it's not too late for the gift swap! Just let AnnR33 you want to join in.

[sqoya]

Thanks anyway! I was given very little notice to write a paper for an upcoming conference, so I've been really swamped this week. Argh! I just resurfaced. I'll be thinking of all of you at the birth anyway - for some inspiration! :-)