Secret Santa Swap Sign Up

Yes it really is that time of year again!

  ‘Secret Santa Christmas Swap’  

Exactly the same format as last year.

So how about it folks, a swap especially for this time of year?  

It’s that time of year for letters to Santa, or just simply a wish for winter for those who don’t necessarily celebrate Christmas.  It would be lovely if anyone who wants to join in can, regardless of faith or beliefs. 

This is how it works.

1. You will write a letter to Santa (or Make a Wish) for Sasha, Gregor or Baby Sasha/Gregor.   WE do need to know the size of the doll you are asking for.

You can ask for up to 5 items, BUT SANTA WILL ONLY SEND 3. Remember we never got everything we asked for either!!

Keep in mind that not everyone participating can sew or knit. So you can ask for things like toys, hats, blanket, pj’s, outfits, puppy or pet, teddy bear, books, play food, dishes…etc…you get the idea.  For example, my Sasha and Gregor kids are desperately in need of socks!  Or if you are happy with surprises, just say so. Please note down if you have any allergies for example, are a diabetic and can't eat sweets/chocolate so that your Secret Santa is aware of this.

2. After you write your letter you send it to me (via email:  lorraine(@)takaro.co.uk {removing brackets} ) You must send the letter by Wednesday 2nd November 2016.  Please include your postal mail address so I can give it to your Secret Santa.  If you could also include in your letter what type of wishes you feel you would be best a fulfilling (eg. Shopping, knitting, sewing, crochet, woodworking etc…) that would be very useful.

PLEASE REMIND ME IF YOU HAVE TAKEN PART IN PREVIOUS YEARS YOU HAVE TAKEN PART IN PREVIOUS YEARS AND WHO YOU SENT & RECEIVED FROM SO I DON'T DUPLICATE PAIRINGS.

3.  Once I have all the letters I will assign them to your Secret Santa and forward the information to that person by Friday 4th November 2016

4.  All swaps must be mailed by Monday 28th November 2016. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS DATE - SO AS TO AVOID ANY UNNECESSARY DELAYS. This will allow you four weeks to prepare your package and to allow plenty of time to get to Sasha/Gregor or Baby by Christmas, especially important for those posting overseas. Please remember no more than three of the items should be sent, and a small item for the Sasha/Gregor/Baby’s mummy is always appreciated. Keep it fair for everyone. 

5.  Please if you are paired with an overseas partner, mark the item as a GIFT (as that is of course what it is) with a LOW value so that those in the UK especially don't get hit with a customs bill.  Thank you.

5. If you have any questions, please contact me and ask and remember most importantly…HAVE FUN!

Please remember there is a separate page for the Secret Santa Swap 2016 which will contain all these details plus the list of participants.  It can be found on the tab at the top of this page and also by clicking here.

Goodness Me! Secret Santa This Year?

I've just realised, (I think the same thing happened last year) that the end of October has crept up very quickly and it is this time that we announce the sign up for the Secret Santa Swap.

Are there any takers this year?  Shall I put up the 'official' notification.

Wondering if I have any readers left as I have been so quiet of late.

Please let me know either by email or replying to this and I will get it up asap.

Secret Santa Swap - Part Eleven - Final Posting

The final posting of the 2015 Sasha Secret Santa Swap!

This time the gifts were sent by Secret Santa Rosie who sent to Laura

Laura's 'kids' had written in their letter to Santa this:

Dear Santa,

Mommy is helping us write this to you as the babies/ toddlers in the Osterdyk family. We would love to have -New toys/stuffed animals/blankets to play with cause mommy says when we get bored we get in trouble and it gets pretty cold in Minnesota.

- We boys would love to have some new outfit as mommy never has time to make us some an a few of us only have a nappy

- We would love to have some new socks/ shoes as none of use have any except the outfit came with them -Us girls would love some sweaters or jackets if possible it is very cold in minn(snow)ta and we need to be ready for the next 6 months of winter.  Mommy said its not really that long but it feels like it.

- Finally we love to connect with other babies we love to see all the different children and were they are leaving so if you could throw in a picture of some of your sasha family and a little letter we would love to see it. Mommy will read it to us.

Thank you Santa for thinking of us this Christmas we may not have been the nicest to each other and we may have gotten into trouble but we hope you understand.

The Osterdyk babies and toddlers 

Didn't Secret Santa Rosie do well?  Look at the amazing blanket and outfits the Osterdyk babies received.

Fabulous!

Thank you to all who participated in this yearly event - I think everyone works very hard and really gets into the spirit of giving.

Secret Santa Swap - Part Ten

The penultimate Secret Santa Gifts received posting...

This time we have the fabulous knitwear and gifts received by Brenda M from Secret Santa Sonya in Australia.

Such beautiful work and wonderful gifts.  

Brenda says:  Wonderful gifts from talented Sonya. Certainly brightened my holidays. Each piece is beautiful. Sonya is very talented and the colours are all favourites of mine.

Just one more set of photos to arrive.

Secret Santa Swap - Part Nine

Yes another Secret Santa Post!

This time Secret Santa was me :-) and the recipient was Julie in USA.

This is what her 'kids' wrote to Santa.

Dear Santa,

We have been very very good this year. We always do as mom says and models all the clothes

she makes to sell. She sews and smocks super good, but don't tell her we said this: but her

knitting is kinda bad. We would love a cardigan sweater to share for Christmas. And maybe a

book to read. Could you maybe bring a puppy too. We will all take good care of it. Mom says we

are not "sponsible" enough to have one. But we really are. Any surprises you bring us we will

love forever.

thank you Santa.

love, Emma, Gabby, Noelle, Anna, (and the rest of us)

I think I was able to include most of what they wished for - even the book which I forgot to package and photograph which was sent separately!

This is what she wrote:

Dear Lorraine,

Thank you so much from the "clan" for all the lovely Christmas gifts. Since I cannot knit, the sweaters are wonderful. I had to make a quick skirt for the purple and am in progress for a matching bottom for the "pull over" sweater. All my sweet kids wanted to be in the pictures but they have not been "presentable" (the dresses I make,  usually get sold, and have been busy with the Holidays) Someone is now in love with a handsome lad from across the pond. She wants to have tea and share her toys with him and not so much her sisters.

I think once Henry gets over his blushing he will be most keen to 'have tea and share toys' with the beautiful Anna!

Thank you for the photos Julie, so glad you liked the swap.

Secret Santa Swap - Part Eight

Some more Secret Santa Swap photos -this time from Secret Santa Rochelle to Sheila.

Sheila writes:

Here are the photos of what Rochelle sent me ,the one with the chocolate snowman on Sasha`s lap shows what happens if a snowman gets to close to a heat source.I`m happy to report he still tasted yummy.The skirt is made from reclaimed Laura Ashley fabric,looks like a possible sleeve off of a garment.The blue cardigan has sparkly yarn perfect for the new years party.Sasha is standing with Father Christmas. Not only was there Lindt snow people chocolate there was peppermint bark too.that made wonderful topping for toffee I made.The 2 doll house figures are grandparents I know I`ll have a hard time keeping them from Emma and Jackson,

Secret Santa Swap - Part Seven

Sonya's Secret Santa gift had to be sent twice as the postal system decided to send it back home to Santa before it got to her, so it finally arrived today!  She writes:

My lovely Christmas swap gifts from Laura O arrived today. Beautiful hand sewn items!

Jacob is wearing a cute checkered shirt with beautifully tailored grey, woollen pants from Laura.  Agnes is wearing Laura's beautiful linen embroidered dress and Cora is wearing capri jeans from Laura that I have teamed up with a pink t'shirt.  Thank-you Laura for my lovely gifts!

Secret Santa Swap - Part Six

Emma received some fabulous gifts from Secret Santa 

Emma writes: 

Ana and Kira loved opening their gifts from Santa. 

Together they opened this one to find out that it contained dishes that had bears on them.

Kira's gift was this playsuit that is adorable on her. It will be perfect if we get any snow.

Ana got this awesome winter coat. She has really been needing one and this one suits her perfectly. She can't wait to use it to go skating.

Thank you so much Secret Santa! They loved their gifts.

Emma

Secret Santa Swap - Part Five

Ginger writes:  Finn loves his many gifts from Secret Santa. He was gifted lovely hand made items to include a hat, scarf, sweater, socks and wonderful cord overalls. Sister Jessie loves the stripy socks that are knitted too! The chocolates were enjoyed too!

smile emoticon

Here they are showing off their fabulous gifts.

Well done Secret Santa Emma :-)

These are the last of the photos I have received so far - please remember to send me the photos as it is fun to see what everyone received in this fun swap.

Secret Santa Swap - Part Four

Our Secret Santa Swap arrived a couple of weeks before Christmas and the girls took charge and tucked it safely into the sleigh away from prying eyes!

Christmas morning dawned and Peggy Sue and Henry are there to help Baby open the parcel as we were hopeful that Santa had given something especially for Baby as that is what Henry wrote in his letter.  

Baby is very excited...it is his first Christmas.

Inside the wrapping paper were TWO little sacks with cards attached and much to Henry's surprise there was something for him as well.

Baby was rather surprised to find some clothes inside the package and looks up at Peggy Sue.

Yes that is for you!  She says, thinking at last she might be able to get some clothes on Baby.

She helps get Baby dressed while Henry looks inside his sack.

Ooh some fun things to share with my friends.  Henry says,

Peggy Sue looks at Baby.  All dressed .  She says....having craftily put the top on with the ties at the back so Baby can't get out of it so easily!

Baby looks up at Peggy Sue.

 Henry is looking excitedly at the trophy, balls and other fun items he has received...and is planning the next sports event.

There you go you little scamp.  Peggy Sue says.  All dressed now. 

But for how long I wonder?!

Baby is thrilled with his little Peter Rabbit outfit and rubber ducks for the bath.

With their combined 'loot' from their special Secret Santa Brenda.

Time to make an escape...Baby is thinking.

Thank you for our lovely gifts Brenda.

Secret Santa Swap - Part Three

Rochelle's 'kids' were very excited with the gifts from their Secret Santa Marijke

They were absolutely delighted to receive some 'truly lovely' gifts.  Thank you Marijke.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Next up we have the lovely gifts received from Marijke from her Secret Santa Sheila

Marijke writes:

Thank you so much for once again running the swap, it’s a lot of fun. Attached are photos of my gifts from Sheila F. and my Sasha family. Sheila  sent the baby sleepers and hat, toy train, prism viewer, a ball of lovely brown and blue yarn, tiny buckles and toggle fasteners, and chocolates for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Doll Mum and her daughter received some great gifts from their Secret Santa Halyna.

Doll Mum writes:  The Polar Bear sweater and socks are absolutely gorgeous, the neckline and back fastening is edged with crochet.  The shoes fit beautifully over the socks.  The polar bear toy is very cute and cuddly. 

Thank you for organising the swap again.

Nicholas James was so pleased with his socks he didn't want them hidden under his trousers!

Doll Mum has blogged about Christmas morning in her house and the opening of the Secret Santa gifts over here.

Secret Santa Swap - Part Two

Halyna received some lovely gifts from her Secret Santa Julie.

She writes:

Thank you Santa (Julie), for the gift we received! Anthony was very happy to open his presents. We were impressed by the amazing decorative packaging and beautiful gifts; a pair of pants and a button up shirt, an elegant coat with a red scarf and a dear toy, the harmonica (that actually works) and a baseball glove with a tiny ball. And Santa definitely knows that I love to bake, I got a brownie cast iron skillet. Anthony received more than we ever could have dreamed for. He looks even more handsome and is celebrating the Holiday season in style. Now he is interested to learning how to play baseball and how to play the harmonica next year.

Thank you Lorraine for organizing the Swap. It was very delightful to participate.

Merry Christmas!

Secret Santa Swap - Part One

Some fabulous Secret Santa Swaps this year - with just one hiccup - a returned parcel which is hopefully back on its way to its recipient...so will unfortunately be late.

I will post the swaps in parts as I get photographs and 'stories' so here is the first.

Secret Santa Doll Mum to Rosie

A long time ago in a Galaxy far far away 3 boys wrote a letter to Santa. 

They were so excited about the release of the latest Star Wars film and asked Santa if he could find them some themed T shirts. Clearly Santa knew who to ask - Doll Mum. She made them perfect Star Wars T shirts and even a Star Wars messenger bag - well they needed somewhere to put their movie tickets!

So we would like to say a really big thank you to Doll Mum for all her hard work, she even told them they could have popcorn while watching the movie - these are 3 very happy boys!

Thank you too Lorraine for organizing another successful Secret Santa swap.

Merry Christmas to you and yours - May the force be with you!

Best wishes

Rosie