We are on track - hoping to send out address lists today (but forgive if they are a day or two late).

I'm waiting on Arianna's check-in, lovesbabysquirmy to clarify their pic...and sadly looks like Pandora will be dropped from the swap - no communication at all or check-in, and hasn't posted in a month.

Partner lists have been sent!

Remember that photo check-ins are due by Nov.30, and don't forget to stay active in the swap thread!

**RULES & Things to keep in mind:
1: Each group will have a variety of addresses - USA, Canada, Europe, etc. If you cannot send cards overseas, do not join. You should plan to spend at least $20 for cards and mailing.
2: You may get a variety of postcards - various holidays, traditions, cultures, and religions. If you are not comfortable with this, please do not join.
3: If at any point you run into trouble or delays, PM me ASAP.
4: You MUST include your Arena username when you sign your card, so the person receiving your card knows who you are! Make sure your username is legible.
5: Postcards can be store bought, hand made, computer print-outs - whatever you want. They don't even have to be pony-related. Postcards can be sent as is, or in an envelope - your choice.
6. You must complete the photo check-in [via PM] by the deadline.
7: You must let me know [via PM] when you have mailed your cards.
8: You must let me know [via PM] when you receive cards and from who. Each and every card.
9: You must ship within the set deadline.
10: All members are expected to actively participate in the swap threads. This includes posting in the Partner Interest Thread.

*** Remember this year we are sending postcards, not regular greeting cards.

**Requirements to join: have been here at least 3 months with a post count of 100 posts or higher
(ie - must have joined July 2013 or earlier)
No - I will not deviate from these requirements, please do not ask. I will not respond to those messages.
If you don't have enough posts yet, start posting. There is a full couple of weeks of sign-ups. If you don't have long enough membership, hopefully you will join us next year.

NOTE: This swap does not count towards your swap limits, but will be recorded and tracked as usual. Participants will not be cleared until ALL of their cards are received by their partners.

**How to join: Please PM me (ArenaHunt) with the following info:
Name (first and last):
Mailing Address (full address as should appear on the envelope *):
Secret Word:

* Remember to include all postal/zip codes, country, etc. You will be receiving mail from all over the world, and all different postal systems. Do not assume another postal system will know where you live if you do not give all details. (IE: do not assume they know you live in the USA - include your country!)

**Last day to join: October 31.
Please take this as seriously as you would any other swap. Once I have sent the group lists out - you cannot drop out. If you have any doubts about being able to fulfill your requirement, don't join. Appropriate feedback will be left for any drop-outs.

**Initial partner lists will contain only usernames and countries. You'll have all of November to get your cards ready. Addresses will be sent after check-ins are complete.

**Photo check-in: November 30.
To prove you are ready to put your cards in the mail, and to get your address lists, everyone must PM me a PHOTO for their check-in.

Anyone that does not submit a photo of their ready-to-mail postcards for the check-in will be dropped from the swap (and appropriate feedback will be left). That means you will not be sent your address list if you don't submit a check-in, and you will not be included on any other address lists (you will not receive any cards from the swap).
The secret swap word is cooper. This is not the same one as the other holiday swaps, please make sure you're sending the right one.

**Card Mailing:
All cards are to be mailed by December 9.
Address lists will be sent out in the weekend of Nov 30-Dec 1. As soon as you receive your addresses, you can address your cards and get them in the mail.

**Make-up cards: December 26-January 10.
Participants must be prepared to send make-up cards if any of their cards go AWOL in the mailing process. Any cards not received by Christmas (Dec 25), the sender will be notified and expected to get a make-up card sent out immediately. All make-up cards must be received by January 10.

Participants will not be cleared from the swap unless all of their partners have received a card.

**Feedback:
Feedback will be left by me upon completion of the swap. Feedback will be based on communication, mailing within the deadline, following of the rules, participation in swap threads, etc.

**Swap Timelines:
now-Oct 31 - sign ups open
Nov 1 - sign ups closed
Nov 2-3 - group lists PMs to participants
Nov 4-29 - participants shop for or create cards
Nov 30 - photo check in deadline, cards must be complete and ready for mailing
Dec 1 - addresses will be sent to all participants that have checked in; participants address cards and get ready to mail
Dec 9 - mailing deadline, all cards mailed
Dec 26 - senders of missing cards will be notified and will send out make-up cards
Jan 10 - deadline for make-up cards to be received

It's always fun to get holiday cards in the mail! This way you'll be guaranteed a lot of mail, and a lot of fun. And we all have the fun of sending out cards and getting to know each other a little better.


Be sure to fill out the "Partner Interest" questions as well! Post them here for your partners to see.

Favorite Color(s)?

Favorite Animal(s)?

Favorite MLP?

Other tidbits of information?

Your winter holiday?

*sigh* I hate when people make me hound them for updates, but sadly they leave no choice. Definitely will be reflected in feedback, that's for sure.

Once I get updates from everyone I haven't heard from in a while (or at all), I'll start formulating a plan for replacements, if needed. Hopefully they won't be needed - hopefully the cards all made it safely, and people are just being lazy.

Everyone will receive either 9 or 10 cards (one group was larger). If anyone is wondering about their status (either receiving cards themself, or if their cards are reaching the destinations), please PM me. Especially since some people have received cards from outside the swap, and may be miscounting.

So great to see so many cards arriving! I think a couple people have all of them now, wow!
Love the pictures! You guys are so creative.

Still one participant I haven't had any updates from at all but it seems people are receiving cards from them.

Address lists are sent.

Bit disappointing that some of our participants haven't posted here at all or very little Swaps are always so much more fun when everyone gets involved and shares with each other. Hopefully the activity picks up now.

A reminder that the mailing period is December 5-15.

Hi all! Normally each year we have the Partner Interest Thread that's shared between the Card and Sock swaps.

To make things easier for us (and since the Sock swap won't be running this year), I've included the interest questions as part of this thread. They are at the bottom of the main post. Also, if anyone thinks of other questions that should be included, be sure to let me know and I can include those.

I'm sure I'll see everyone posting!