#FMSGiftExchange

Do you take part in Secret Santa (Kris Kringle) swaps? I used to host one every year at ScrapTherapy, and with my September babies and mums group, too. They are the best fun! I also took part in the first FMS Gift Exchange in 2011.

This year the FMS Gift Exchange is open world wide (sign ups have already closed, though) Everyone has been assigned their recipient, and questions are being asked madly in the facebook group to try and glean every little bit of information from people.

But all the questions have made me think about how to choose the best gift, for anybody.

Do you buy only the items that relate to their wishes?

Or do you interpret those wishes with your own spin?

If someone says "I'll be happy with anything" do you put in the same level of effort as you would for someone who gave you specific details?

Do you stick to the budget, or blow it filling a box with bits and pieces?

Do you put your personal beliefs on hold, or do they guide your decision making?

See how my mind wanders in the middle of the night? I've got all the information I'm looking for about my recipient - and I've discovered that they have similar interests to me, so I'm going to start by figuring out the sorts of things I'd like, and work from there. My goal is to have this parcel in the mail by December first, along with my Christmas cards.

SMSS | what was in the parcel?

My Social Media Secret Santa parcel arrived last Thrsday, just as I was heading out to lunch with Steve, so I only had a quick chance to photograph it.

Inside was a 2012 diary from kikki k, and all my fears about finding the perfect diary have been squashed - this one is spot on! Space to write about each of my interests in the one place (I've already set up blog, scouts and me columns, as well as 100 days to Christmas), pages for all the extra important bits (books to read, websites to visit, an address book). Just perfect.

There was also some gift bags (which I'm going to use for the kids for Christmas day), a beautiful pen (which is awesome to write with), some sticky tabs and a book of stickers. The right mix of little bits and bobs and useful stuff. Thank you, Secret Santa.

Social media secret Santa

100 days to Christmas | social media secret santa

I'm taking part in the Social Media Secret Santa over at Fat Mum Slim, and for the life of me, I can't remember what I wrote down that I wanted for Christmas.

Each year, gifts for me are usually things that I buy. I know, I made that stand earlier this year, but it didn't even last until Mothers Day. I got a foot spa (which is still in the box, never used), and I bought it myself.

That's why I love joining in with secret santas (or kris kringles, depending on your country of origin). Because then I get at least one gift that I haven't bought myself. And who doesn't love getting gifts in the mail?!

So, I thought it would be fun to put together a list with a few items on it, because I know that at some stage my assigned partner will be checking out my blog, and trying to find out more about me. And if they don't, my family will, so there's another chance I won't have to buy my own gifts!

Organisation is not my strong point any more. Once upon a time, I planned out my day down to the last fifteen minutes, but my little kids have other ideas, and I have spent the last five years in a frazzled mess of forgetting to pay bills on time, promising to do stuff with the kids and forgetting, not returning forms to school on time (which is particularly hard when you get three days notice and they require payment for something). I made a half-arsed attempt to change that this year, but I wasn't successful. I've been eyeing an OTi organiser since they first came out three years ago, and this year they introduced purple, so I think this will be making it's way into my handbag, even if Santa doesn't bring it!

Making a card organiser (and filling it with cards) is something that has been on my list for a few years now. In fact, I have the box (well, several different boxes, because I couldn't decide which one would be better), but it's never made it off the shelf to be filled with cards. This box from Kikki-K is ready to go.

Something totally special for me that no one else gets any benefit from? Earrings. Funky earrings, even. And you can't get much funkier (in Australia) than Epheriell.

What totally-just-for-you item is on your Christmas wishlist?