Oh yesit seems I would go broke with that site! We budget & plan for SS............... as a one time thing heheeeeeeee
@Nebula I think you'd love Reddit Gifts - they do a few different categories or themes and "arbitrary day" to send just for the sake of sending. I've been so tempted to sign up for some of them, like the Pets or Sailor Moon or Studio Ghibli ones, but I know I'd send myself skyrocketing to the poor house. I LOVE shopping and sending and receiving post but I can't afford such a lifestyle.
Make sure you tell your husband to NOT open YOUR parcel when it arrives!
Oh yes he knows!! Now he does!! So excited.... did some SS shopping today.............
In past years when I knew I was going to do SS, I shopped in advance too. I still got items from my SS's list, but I also put in extra generic finds that I had been picking up through the year. I must admit that I tend to go overboard with SS, LOLHow can you shop if you have no idea who you are buying for? The cat or human could have allergies or specific requests.
Oh it is generic stuff that would be liked by most everyone, and if my Recepient wouldn't happen to like it- well then, more decor for my house etc LOLHow can you shop if you have no idea who you are buying for? The cat or human could have allergies or specific requests.
No slow boat option anymore!!
Aww, I'm up in Canada. I'm going to open myself up to international... if I go the slow boat route and send stuff as soon as I finish shopping, it should take two months. The only downside is that there is no tracking, so anyone who wants that security is going to pay more, especially for non-domestic. Part of the fun is introducing people in other parts of the world to bits and pieces of your "home"! Try and pack small and light whenever possible.
The things I got so far are things that if the recipient states they won't want, I can still use at home or even gift to other cat people friends.
I'm in Canada and I think I asked for someone in Canada the last time. Shipping was cheaper, and I didn't have to write on the label the entire contents of the box. When I ship to the US, I have to write down everything in the box on the label, for customs, so it's not much of a surprise to my SS.
Ooo! I had fun last year! Looking forward to it again, but I think I'll specify USA only this time around
This isn't always easy. There usually aren't many people from Canada doing SS. I'm pretty sure the two of you were paired up last year because you were the only two participating from Canada.
I think there might be a few more members in Australia now, but maybe not eligible for SS. A growing number of us in the UK I think.
If I join in I have no option but to do international! I've found it a really interesting challenge to find lightweight, but really nice, gifts... I've had a lot of fun being creative.
(but don't worry.. you won't get me as I'm not in this year)...
Last year was the first time I joined in. It was a great experience, however, I had NO idea just how much it cost to mail things overseas. I'd never personally done it. So when I got to the post office, over laden with items, I sure did learn fast. I lied about the contents to some extent - didn't tell them there was something breakable with liquid in it (maple syrup lol). I did say it was a gift, which helped cost, but not quite enough. Iceland is really freaking far away from New Jersey
Some years back I had a friend living in Denmark. I learned that when he was in the military and stationed away from his home, that he got to sample and like some things that weren't available to him when he got home. Mountain Dew and Beef Jerky were 2 such items. Two or 3 times a year I would mail him a care package consisting of cases of Mountain Dew, Beef Jerky, Maple Syrup and some other things he couldn't buy in Denmark. The parcel contents cost about $25, and shipping was about $60!!! LOL
Ooo! I had fun last year! Looking forward to it again, but I think I'll specify USA only this time around
Last year was the first time I joined in. It was a great experience, however, I had NO idea just how much it cost to mail things overseas. I'd never personally done it. So when I got to the post office, over laden with items, I sure did learn fast. I lied about the contents to some extent - didn't tell them there was something breakable with liquid in it (maple syrup lol). I did say it was a gift, which helped cost, but not quite enough. Iceland is really freaking far away from New JerseyBut, it was my pleasure so I just chalked it up to experience. Canada, I bet is cheaper
