Hi there, I wanted to do a quick post today with an idea I had for an expat holiday care package exchange. It’s no secret I love getting mail, especially care packages, so if you’re an expat and want to send (and receive) a box of goodies this holiday season to someone living in a different country, this is the post for you. Trying to see if there’s any interest, so please read on for details!
Go!
Holiday care package exchange for expats
OK, so about an expat holiday care package exchange. It’s hard to be an expat sometimes but even harder around the holidays — especially if you’re not going home and not getting or giving many gifts. And who doesn’t like getting mail? A few people have left comments and emailed that they’d be interested in this idea I posted about last week, so here we are. I’m open to your ideas too, just putting some basic ideas out there for now.
I’ve decided that it’ll be fun regardless of whether there are 3 of us participating or 30. So it’s on! I’m officially committing to organizing this. 😉
Details on the 2014 Expat Holiday Care Package Exchange:
1. Open to any expat around the world, old and new, male or female, blogger or non-blogger, who is able to ship out a care package by Dec. 1 to allow for holiday delivery.
2. Dollar amount: Would like to hear your thoughts on this, but because of the high cost of shipping, we should probably try to keep our boxes as light as possible and cap the value of the contents at US$20? 30? What’s reasonable?
3. If you’d like to participate, first do what I’m asking below. Then, I’ll BCC you on an email I send out in about a week asking for basic info and any country or food restrictions and maybe the types of things you like and you’ll send that info back to me only. (But don’t send that yet. See below for what I need from you now.) I’ll quickly match you up with your Expat Secret Santa (I’ll know who it is but you won’t) and send him/her the details you emailed me. I will organize this so you don’t know who/where your box is coming from. You’ll get the address of another expat mid-November with their details for you to ship to by Dec. 1 but you won’t know who is sending you something. Sound OK this way?
4. What kind of stuff can you send? Care package items can be anything from books, stationery or magazines, food products and candy, seasonal decor, home decor in general. The possibilities are endless.
WHAT I NEED FROM YOU IF YOU’RE INTERESTED:
- Please email me now at ouiinfrance at gmail dot com to let me know you’re in. You can use the contact form here as well. Put “Holiday expat care package exchange” or something to that effect as the subject and just a, “Hey, it’s Jimmy, an expat in China. I’m in” is sufficient (will send out an official email to all participants the following week once I know how many people we have where I’ll then ask for more info like your address.) Also, let me know what dollar amount for the contents you feel is reasonable. Remember, shipping will add a significant amount. Deadline is Nov. 15.
AND
- Share this post on social media or email other expat friends to drum up interest. I want to make sure I give everyone enough time to shop and ship. Deadline to get involved is Nov. 15 (will give us 2 weeks to get the box ready and ship by Dec. 1)
So again, all I need from you now is an email telling me you’re participating and for you to share this post.
That’s a really great idea! I’m definitely in. Thanks for organizing this 🙂
Awesome, so happy to have you involved!
What a great idea! Would be such a treat to get a little surprise from somewhere in the world.
Thank you, Stacey!
Cool idea! I’ve had so many bad experiences with sending package from Boston (books that were switched in packages, stuff that never arrived…) that I’m in not 100% in to participate, but I can still send a postcard? I know, it’s lame.
Bises,
Awww, that sucks, so sorry to hear that. I’ve only had one package go missing (something I sold on eBay a few years back) but always send with tracking just in case. Thanks for considering it though. You can send me a postcard!
Count me in!
Awesome, so happy to have Australia in the mix!
I am in!
Awesome, just be sure to officially email me that you’re participating like I explained above. 😉
What a fabulous idea! Wish I were already an expat. So thoughtful of you to think of this and organize it.
Thank you, Cheryl!
hello diane, i am in! add greece to the list 😉
Yay, so happy!! We have a nice mix of countries so far!
Hey would like to take part in it:) greetings from istanbul
Awesome, adding you to my list, Kristine. Keep an eye out for a detailed email later today. Thanks!
Hi,
I just read this repost from my friend’s FB, and I hope the three of us, meaning my son, aged 10, my daughter 8, and myself- that we can get involved as well- we do have enough time to do so & we just love that idea for exactly the same reasons you do!! Please, let us know!! Thank you so much for including us as well!! 😉 P.S. There are some items we do miss from U.S., e.g. semi-sweet chocolate chips, these softer than any other Kleenex pocket tissues, also: Hershey’s chocolate, Honey Maid crackers & marshmallows for S’mores making!! 😉
Hi Kasia, I’ve already sent out participants’ matches as of last week but if someone else sees this and wants to get involved, email me ASAP. I’ve asked everyone to mail the gifts by Dec. 1 so if I hear from someone this week, I will get you matched up but as of right now, I don’t have a match for you. Where are you located?
Thank you, Diane, we’re in Poznan, Poland ;)…
P.S. If it’s possible, please let me know via e-mail ;).
I’m in! Thanks for having me even though I’m late to the party 🙂
You’re very welcome, thank you!