Hello, everyone. Welcome to another seasonal goodies swap. Winter isn't quite over yet but it's always fun to have something to look forward to. :)

The list of goodies to send (think bright and light colors):

• 1 list with 5 Spring activities you enjoy.

• 2 recipes for light meals. Think of what you like to eat on a sunny Spring day. If you really want to stick to the theme you may want to pick recipes with vegetables or fruit that become available in Spring, like asparagus and artichokes. If you include a recipe with the edibles, you only have to include 1 more. (Read below.) Recipes must include pictures.

• 1 unopened pack or bottle of something to drink. A bottle of (lemonade) syrup, all sorts of drinks sachets (if you send single sachets, 15 = 1), things like that. Try keeping away from the warm drinks. Tea is fine, but coffee and hot coco won't do for a Spring swap.

• 2 "Spring-ish" edibles. Fruit salads are fantastic in Spring but sending fruit is a bad idea. Dried fruit on the other hand might be an option. Sweets are good (5 = 1), candy bars are good (as long as they're approximately 15 cm / 5.9 inch in length), lollipops are good (5 = 1), anything bright colored and/or fresh is good. Herbs and spices for a nice, light meal is fine but if you send this include a recipe.

• 1 'floral' gift. No craft materials. Other than that, it can be flower seeds (just check your partner's profile to see if gardening is in there), a hair pin, a bookmark, a sweater, a small umbrella, anything. If you choose to send clothes, accessories, or bath & body products, leave the seal/price tag on. If it came without a seal or price tag, include the receipt so your partner can verify it's new.

• 1 'activity' gift. A bubble blower, a picnic blanket, hiking shoes, a kite, a disposable camera... you get it. You can make this gift correspond with your activities list, if you like.

• 1 'useful' gift. Think popsicle makers, ice cube molds, pitchers, plant pots, or even a light-weight scarf.

• 1 magazine. Make sure it has a lot of nice pictures. Other than that, no requirements but you may do well to check your partner's profile for interests.

• 1 Spring-related gift, sender's choice.

How To Pick the Goodies

When you put the parcel together, pay attention to your swap partner's profile. While you can never be a 100% certain your swap partner will like the goodies, you can not send things that are on their dislikes list. In that regard a little interpretation from your part is required. For example on my profile you'll find that I don't like cutesy/girly stuff. It doesn't specifically mention that I don't like Barbie merchandise, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out it falls under that category.

If you are uncertain about an item, I encourage you to contact your swap partner about it. And similarly if you receive something you feel is covered in your Dislikes List. If you receive something that's on your dislikes list and your partner won't make up for it, rating a 3 would be recommendable. However, you have to keep in mind that these are not wishlist swaps. So if you receive something you don't like and it wasn't mentioned in your dislikes list to begin with, rating a 3 wouldn't be right.

Of course, we're all different so when you leave something open to interpretation there's a possibility your swap partner sees it differently. If there's something you and your swap partner can't seem to solve, you can always come to me - but I'd rather you solve it between yourselves. We don't make that big of a group, and as long as we're reasonable towards each other we keep the atmosphere pleasant and healthy.

Minimum & Maximum Prices

Minimum spending limit per item is 1 USD, 0.74 EUR, 0.62 GBP. Currency Calculator here

Maximum spending limit per item is 10 USD, 7.40 EUR, 6.20 GBP.

Shipping Costs

When you send out your parcel you're required to report the overall value of the goodies you're sending. Remember your swap partner may have to pay a customs fee if the value is too high. Please inform at your local post office, the Ministry of Finance, or search Google. Otherwise just set the value at 20 euros, dollars, or whatever your currency is, and that should do the trick as well.

Here in the Netherlands the shipping costs of a parcel with a weight below 2kg is 18 euros. Prices increase with the weight of the parcel. I assume it works the same in your country. Please inform BEFORE the sign up deadline, so you can still bail if the costs are too high.

Condition in which the goodies must arrive

Everything MUST be new and unused. Nothing can be damaged, bent, broken, torn, stained, et cetera, upon arrival. So make sure you wrap everything accordingly. Use bubble wrap if you must.

Communicate!

If you're going out of town or if you're unable to keep in touch for a certain amount of time or if you're delayed or anything else happens that may interfere with the swap or communication about it, let your swap partner and swap coordinator know! Make sure to check your Swap Bot inbox and/or email inbox for messages frequently. If you disappear all of a sudden or send your parcel out too late without telling anyone, it may cost you your ratings or even your swap (because I do what I can to eliminate and bypass flakers).

Flaking

If you've been flaked on or if you think you've been flaked on, please do tell me. I will do what I can to set things right. I make no promises about angeling; I may angel but it strictly depends on some things (that I will not disclose because I do not want to be taken advantage of).

Rating your partner

If your swap partner did not meet the swap requirements, feel free to rate a 3. If you never received anything, feel free to rate a 1 but only if you've given enough time for the parcel to be delivered. After all, mail is slow and sometimes even exceptionally slow. Should you rate a 1 and receive the parcel later without fault of your swap partner, please do change your rating accordingly (don't be a d*ck).

Questions?

Leave a comment or PM me if it's urgent.