yuletide | Unofficial Pre-Swaps Excitement Post

Unofficial Pre-Swaps Excitement Post

Swaps! Officially my favorite part of the yuletide season, other than Yuletide itself. Comment here with your favorite Swaps experience (giving or receiving) to get in the gifting spirit and possibly entice others to sign up for this year's round.

Here is the swaps tag if you need more info about this optional Drinks, Candy, and/or Book exchange.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've done all the swaps, but my absolute favorite is Drink Swap. I use it as an excuse to distribute my all-time favorite small batch coffee roastery in my area, and to request interesting herbal tea or coffee local to my gifter. It's always a blast to get the package and try different peoples' favorites.

When I did Candy Swap I received a huge package from someone in Canada that not only included caffeinated chocolate bars but also a fun collection of interestingly flavored chips.

This is my first year for swaps, and in fact my first Yuletide Exchange. I'm intrigued by the candy swap (partly because we have a friend with an interesting candy store) and the books (because, well, books!).

When I visited New Zealand a large number of years ago, one thing I particularly loved was Black Adder licorice tea, which is not alas available here in the US. I was delighted last year to be matched with someone from there, who obligingly sent me a box of it (along with many other goodies)!

I have ended up on very mysterious swap chains with people giving to me after I have to them and vice versa. I have had epic boxes come in from over many seas. I have frightened myself with postage and been frightened by the postage on packages that have come to my door. I have written more fic with a Drinkswap drink in hand than I have not. SWAPSSSSSSSS

Ooooh, it *is* almost swaps time again! I've gone in on candyswap twice now; this'll be my third.

I still need to research the excellent and excellently spicy ginger candy sent to me as part of my first year's package. Yum! And I will forever remember last year's swap specifically. The package sent to me from half my giant country away got swiped by blatant porch pirates! My sender was utterly delightful, a complete dear about the whole thing, and went above and beyond in willingness to replace the items I didn't get back (yes, the drunken students who made off with the goodies and many other packages besides got themselves caught on candid security camera, busted, and in hot water with both property manager and local law enforcement). I still thank you for being amazing about the entire mess, person on the west coast of the States who I'm not naming because privacy.

I've done Drink Swap and Book Swap a few times each, but last year's Book Swap was definitely my favorite - I wasn't able to see any family for the holidays bc of travel restrictions, and getting a package in the mail with some very good books in it was really nice! In normal years I enjoy sending out drinks most, though, as it's a great excuse to visit the local tea shops.