It varies from person to person & swap to swap. When in doubt a little surprize like a chocolate bar is always good. Keep in mind your shipping costs. Any thing homemade always welcomed on this board. A post card, a note, a fat quarter, a couple of extra sq of matching fabric. This is your opportunity to get creative. And if you only send the swap item that is ok too. the idea is to have fun doing this, and to get a squishy envelope in the mail.