This was my first SS and I had to scramble to see how many items I could stuff into the box and stay within the $20 limit. I'm going to have a ball next year keeping an eye out for wonderful items at bargain prices. You see, for me, part of the fun will be seeing just how far I can make that $20 stretch -- I want to hear it squeal!

As for pleasing my Santee, I can tweak what I put in once I get her/his list of likes. So many items are universal to quilters and yes, we may have something, but so many things either get depleted or worn, we always need a new one. And I'm definitely making a gift to tuck in which will be entirely from leftovers in my stash and essentially costs me nothing but time -- which will be a gift to my Santee that I choose to give outside of the $20 limit simply in the Spirit of Christmas.

I can't wait for next year!

That is exactly the way I see it. What we choose to give outside of the $20 limit is up to us. We all know that there are people on the board who are on fixed incomes. We all know that not everyone has access to LQS and such stores. Maybe some don't have a credit card to buy online items. It all comes down to one thing --we joined this swap to have some fun, teasing and joshing, but also to be able to gift someone with a package that we put together so they could experience the love from the people on this board. My biggest thrill is that someone actually likes what I sent. I have given gifts to people who did not appreciate what I gave, so now I find people on this board to gift stuff to. I have lots of stuff that I need to get rid of since I am sure that I will never use/make all of it and if someone else can so be it.

I would love to do a swap in July to keep the spirit of giving as the reason for the season and maybe give someone else great joy. How about it? Would there be anyone out there who would want to tackle something like that? I wish I could, but I have so much work yet, not retired yet.

Terri's post #4588 for anyone who missed it.

It's amazing what treasures and bargains can be found, if one shops with future swaps in mind. :thumbup:

Well sad CookyIn

I meant Well SAID CookyIN

this was my first ss swap and i guess i didn't read the rules very well. I just assumed that it was like the monthly one and anything from or made from stash didn't count towards the dollar limit. I did stay within the limit on stuff i bought ,not including the fat quarters because i didn't have any stash of the kind of fabric my ss wanted so had to buy them.. And then just included what i wanted to from stash to make it fun.
Thanks for doing this swap-it was fun!

At the end of the day, isn't it really not about how much you put in, but how much thought you put in?

You need to read the entire first post, not just the part I quoted. :) I only chose a small part of her post, to emphasize what she told everyone about the $ guidelines, that some may spend more and that it shouldn't cause anger.

I also drew from my stash and didn't count that towards the dollar limit. I had picked up little bargains throughout the year and those were not counted toward the dollar limit, either. I only counted what I felt was fair to count.

Exactly! Personally I would like to see how creative and thought inspired we could be following the maximum dollar amount Terri designates . If she says homemade things don't count in the dollar amount, we have a whole year to work on those thlngs to augment the 4 fat quarters and monetary gift(s)

My comment above was in response to Knitette's comment #4768

Exactly! If someone sent me just a few inexpensive things but those things were obviously chosen just for me, I'd be happy with my gift. :) On the other hand, if someone sent me a bunch of expensive things, from my 'dislikes' list, I'd be crushed. :(

Ok ladies...I think we are beating a dead horse here. We need to move past all of this. This is supposed to be fun, not a bashing as to who got what, yada, yada, yada. Everyone does the best they can with what they have.
Let's get past all of this and carry on.
I'm going to be closing the thread next week.

Terri, we're pretty much all saying it's the thought that counts. No bashing. :)

{{{{{{sending hugs, to fellow Santas}}}}}}}

Well said!

Ok, How many in the upper part of the world will have a White Christmas next week? We will it's snowing again...I'm not sure if I'm happy about it or would like it to wait until the 24th. I still have shopping to do!!:( But on the upside when it snows here it is usually above 10 degrees.

Yep, and it keeps going around in a circle. Just seems as if there's bashing going on because of what is being said. Just saying.........

Our TX weather has been crazy, this year! We seem to keep flip-flopping between highs of freezing and the upper 60s! As of right now, the predicted high for 12/25 is in the low 50s. Current temp. is 61.

I enjoyed the SS swap -- enjoyed trying to find things my recipient would like, enjoyed the banter on the board, enjoyed the temptation of seeing my package just waiting there to be opened, enjoyed opening day. I look forward to next year!

We had about a foot of snow over the weekend, so think our's will be white for sure.

I'd love to see a white Christmas, just like the ones Bing Crosby sings about, with sleigh bells jingling etc. and all those things like chesnuts roasting on an open fire, carol singers & all....Dreaming....

The old movies make the Christmas experience seem so magical don't they??? Looks like you're getting some sun and ocean fun though? White Christmas's are fun to be sure...but after a really short time they get dingy and dirty and icky looking, but big fat snowflakes falling softly on Christmas Eve is pretty cool! :)

Ok, snow and ice cleared out of driveway. Now going to take a short nap then pack. Heading to NYC for a couple days. Love the windows decorated all up pretty and going to hopefully get some whimsical ornaments again at Macy's. Going to go see Santa and have pic taken, but not telling Bill we are doing that. :):)
Hope everyone has a great rest of the week....

Forgot to add...no, we are NOT driving. We are taking the train in. Only a 2 1/2 hour ride and much cheaper and less headaches than driving and parking. Plus, you can't pay me enough to drive in NYC!

Oh dear; we've been waiting for Pat to get out of the hospital and open her present. Hope she's able to let us know all is well before the thread is closed!

Hi All, and especially Sew_Tracy(hope you got my pm earlier this week): I got home from Germany/Austria earlier today and immediately opened my box. I love it all, will have to post pictures later as my camera is completely overloaded. She even sent me coconut rum! She managed to find so much stuff on my "like" list! Thanks again!

On a side note, traveling with quilters is so much fun, this was my first quilting trip. I cannot recommend Sew Many Places highly enough! Ready to start a new project as Bonnie Hunter, our hostess, taught Intro to English Paper Piecing as none of us could bring our machines.

We're far from the sea this Christmas. Last Christmas (when my avitar pic was taken) we were in Exmouth and temps were over 40C. Its cooler this year, in Kalgoorlie...Temps only in the 30C's so far. Unfortunately no Ocean.

Yep, got your PM and STILL jealous!!!!

Our Christmas is put on hold I was admitted to the hospital once again 2nd time in the last 2 months my body is storing way to much fluids again.

{{{{{Bezzie2013}}}}} ::::: sending prayers, for healing! ::::::

thank you terri for hosting this swap , I loved everything I got ,although I don't know who sent it to me ,she forgot to send her name ,and I received a pm from the one who got my pkg, and sne liked the things I sent her also, I had lots of fun and thanks again som

Has anybody heard anything from Pat? I'm sure she would be here if she could but her absence is making me concerned.

Her last post (above) was from the evening of the 14th. I'm getting concerned, too. I hope she's just home, getting lots of rest.

I loved the swap and plan to join next year. This was my first year and sure wasn't disappointed and heard from my person and she was happy with what I sent. But believe me next year my box will be even bigger!!! already picked some great deals and getting my goodies ready!
Thanks so much for having this swap. Debbie in Ohio

Sounds really good to me

Back in the "good ole college days " A frat no campus had a Christmas tree and celebrated HALF WAY TO CHRISTMAS It was on June 25th........

Does anyone know anything about Cally13? She didn't post for ages, then had a few posts on this thread in November, but nothing since before opening day. I've PMed her but she hasn't responded.

I was her recipient for the SS Swap this year. Received a very nice note explaining the history of one of the items she sent. Her husband is from Belgium and she said they traveled back every year so that's where they might be for the holidays.

Pat's been in my thoughts too. Terri intended to close down this thread soon. I certainly hope we know that Pat is home and well before she does!

So do I! I hope she's okay!!!