It has happened. The season of turning leaves and rain showers have arrived, or at least it has here in the Netherlands. If you're on the same hemisphere I assume you're observing similar changes. In any event, no need to mourn another Summer past: we can spend the Fall collecting chestnuts, plotting our Halloween, and assemble a bad ass SULG to help our swap partner survive the coming Winter (because it is coming, y'all. The Starks know what's up).

Before anything, I must once again draw attention to the exhaustive FAQ on the forum. It explains the group's rules and sets a clear bar for the quality of the goodies we send. It is a fairly long but important read, if not to know what you should expect, then at least to know what is expected of you. The FAQ is there to prevent unfair exchanges and inconveniences like re-sends, which can be costly and time-intensive.

On a last note, I should mention we still have a Spoil Us Local Goodies blog. All your photos and remarks are welcome at [email protected], which will be uploaded to the blog.

With that out of the way, on we roll to the Survive Winter SULG.

What do we send?

• If you've skipped the above read, go directly to jail, do not pass GO, do not collect $200. Ha-ha, tricked you. But seriously. Read the above.

• 1 inventory of the items included.

• 2 packs of hot drinks. Mind: it says packs, not sachets. Choose tea, coffee, hot coco, honeyed milk, anything you think is delicious, as long as it's not on your swap partner's dislikes list. Try sending local products. The original point of these swaps was to spoil each other with goodies we normally don't have access to, so let's keep that intention alive.

• 3 packs of food. Again, it says packs. This can mean cookies, baking products, chocolate bars, packs of sweets, and so on. Keep in mind: it is for a Winter parcel, so try sending something in that spirit (comfort food, Christmas, etc.). No single sweets and only one of the same item. Please, send nothing that's on your swap partner's dislikes list.

• 3 recipes + at least 1 required ingredient. The recipes must go accompanied with pictures (printed from the internet, copied from a book, clipped from a magazine, etc.). The more local they are, the better (family recipes are perfectly fine). Keep in mind, however, that the products available to you may not be available to people in other countries. Try to steer clear from recipes with ingredients like Philadelphia Cookie Dough, and other pre-mades. The more basic the ingredients (vegetables, flour, fruit, and so on), the better. Additionally, it's a Winter swap, so think hot, filling meals, pies, etc. Send nothing from your swap partner's dislikes list.

• 1 list of movie recommendations. Each movie listed must go accompanied with a review of at least 5 lines. It doesn't have to be a work of literary art, just tell your swap partner why you love this movie. The more enthusiastic you are, the better. Type it or write it on a sheet of A4 size.

• 1 good book to read. The assumed language here is English, but if you are able to purchase a book in your swap partner's native language (if it isn't English) you are free to send that. Recommended is to send a book you personally enjoyed. You might want to include a note on why you chose it for your swap partner. Preferably nothing from your swap partner's dislikes list, but it's not a hard demand.

• 1 (high quality) magazine. Choose something that fits your swap partner's interests (profile check). The language is not of great importance, but if it's in a language your partner doesn't understand make sure it has lots of pictures. No fashion catalogues or other freebies you may happen upon.

• 1 hat/scarf/pair of gloves/socks/other cozy accessory. Check the FAQ to see what is acceptable to send (find it under number 5.)

• 1 activity gift: craft materials (must remain in original package and sealed), oven gloves, ice skates, journals... Check your swap partner's profile for inspiration. Must be Wintery.

• 1 wishlist gift (wintery).

• 1 mystery gift, sender's choice (wintery).

• 2 randoms or second-hands. That's right: if in a former swap you received something you didn't like, this is your chance to send it onwards. Do keep in mind we send no used, damaged, or worn products. The same rules apply here as they do to any other item we send.

Prices

Miminum price of each item: $2, €2, £2, or 2 of whatever your currency is.

Recommended maximum price of each item: $10, €10, £10, or 10 of whatever your currency is.

This doesn't count if you live in a country where 2 of your currency is equal to 10 cents here. In that case, use the currency converter.

Questions?

Contact me, or check the FAQ (if you haven't already).