I’m Dreaming of a Grey Christmas…

Posted on | October 24, 2010 | 27 Comments

… Not the dismal grey of a leaden sky and a bleak winter but Persephone grey. Yes, it is that time again, readers, and after the successful and exceptionally fun Persephone Secret Santa swap hosted by Stacy of Stories & Stitches (formerly Book Psmith) last year I bring you what has hopefully become a blogging tradition.

Stacy very kindly allowed me to take the reins this year after she took a hiatus from blogging before returning under a new blog name with more relaxed blogging priorities. After the stellar job she did last year I am not changing the format but hoping to open it up to wider participation; below are the rules for this year’s swap only mildly adapted from those Stacy posted last season.

1. Email me at claire.boyle@gmail.com on or before November 5th with your name, address (all personal information will be destroyed after completion of gift exchange), a list of Persephone titles you have read and/or own and specify whether or not you are willing to ship your gift internationally.

2. On November 6th-7th, names will be randomly drawn and participants will be notified as to who they are playing Santa to.

3. Using the list of Persephone titles provided by your recipient, go back through your assigned blogger’s posts looking for favored authors or subject matter and choose a title you know the blogger will enjoy.

4. At this point, it is up to you as Santa how creative you wish to be in the workshop. You can order the book, have it gift wrapped and sent straight on to the recipient…or you can have the book sent to you first and go a step further by including a small gift that is homemade, bookish in nature or related to how you celebrate Christmas, then wrap it all up and send it on its way. Either way make sure you include a card revealing your identity. (Please indicate in your email if you will be including an additional gift.)

5. With the increase of packages being sent during the holidays, please aim to have your package delivered before or during the first week of December. Take into account the extra time needed if shipping internationally or if you are going on holiday/to see family over the holidays.

6. On December 15th, let’s get together by posting who your Secret Santa is and sharing what he (or she) brought you.

7. Spread the word … the more the merrier! Feel free to use the image above.

If after signing up, something comes up to where you cannot participate, let me know as soon as possible so that I can make other arrangements. Please consider all costs involved before participating (for the book, for any shipping, the additional gift, etc.). This is meant to be fun, not stressful, and I wouldn’t want anyone to feel overwhelmed by the commitment.

If you have any questions, you can leave a comment or email me.

Thank you to Stacy at Stories & Stitches for all of her hard work last year and for her support this year and to my boyfriend who assisted me in creating the button and will be assisting also in the matching up so that I can play Santa too.

Comments

27 Responses to “I’m Dreaming of a Grey Christmas…”

bellezza
October 24th, 2010 @ 5:43 pm

I’m so glad you’re taking up where dear Stacey left off. This was one of the best parts of blogging Christmas last year! I’m off to email you my address, and again, a big thanks!
Frances
October 24th, 2010 @ 7:06 pm

So excited! Already posted on my blog. Before I even commented or emailed you. Like a little kid at… well, Christmas. Will get my list together and email soon. Thanks so much for organizing.
Teresa
October 24th, 2010 @ 7:13 pm

Oh, so tempting! I’ll give this think. I suspect I won’t be able to resist, but the question is how clever and creative I’m willing to be. Hmm…
Nadia
October 24th, 2010 @ 7:31 pm

I really enjoyed participating in this Secret Santa swap last year, so I’ll definitely be emailing you soon. Thanks for taking the reigns with this
Mrs.B
October 25th, 2010 @ 12:37 am

I love this tradition and I’m happy to be doing it again this year! I’ll email you soon.
Connolly-Ahern
October 25th, 2010 @ 2:38 am

What a wonderful idea — how nice to share the holidays with other book lovers! I will send an email this evening.
Karenlibrarian
October 25th, 2010 @ 3:09 am

I’m definitely signing up for this one! I’ll get to work on my list and send you an email. Very exciting!
Verity
October 25th, 2010 @ 8:51 am

How exciting – I’m trying to work out if I can afford to join in…
Stacy
October 25th, 2010 @ 2:10 pm

Yes, I am in! I love, love, love the button and have posted it up. I will email soon. Thank you, Claire:)
Helen
October 25th, 2010 @ 3:10 pm

Hello! miss_read from LT here! I hadn’t found your blog before but have now added you to my Google Reader thingamajig. I definitely want in on the Persephone Secret Santa! Emailing you pronto!
Thomas at My Porch
October 26th, 2010 @ 3:38 am

I will definitely sign up for this again. I had tons of fun last year. And you gave me the best book ever. Here is my dilemma: As you know I am making my first pilgrimage to the Persephone shop and I plan to do major damage. I am thinking I will cap my purchases at 10 titles…but I won’t know which ten until I make the purchases…can I be a few days late providing my list of owned Persephones?
Simon T
October 26th, 2010 @ 11:51 pm

Hurrah! I love the image, by the way.

I will email you, but… I have a similar issue to Thomas. My birthday is 7th Nov, and I think my Mum may have bought me a Persephone or two, so I don’t know which to ask for… could I put my name forward, and then submit titles after my birthday?
Joan Hunter Dunn
October 27th, 2010 @ 9:35 am

Oh what fun – as I’m still in my first blogging year I didn’t know this happened last year. Do count me in – I’ll email you soon. Thank you for organising this.
Karen
October 27th, 2010 @ 10:20 am

Thanks so much for organising this Claire – it was one of my favourite parts of Christmas last year and am so looking forward to it again.
Darlene
October 27th, 2010 @ 1:16 pm

That is a very eye-catching button, Claire!

As I wrote on Stacy’s blog, second term tuition fees are looming but I really enjoy watching from the sidelines.
Paperback Reader
October 27th, 2010 @ 7:16 pm

bellezza, you’re very welcome! I’m delighted you are joining in and was excited to receive your email as my first participant

Frances, thank you so much for the link and for your enthusiasm.

Teresa, you are extremely clever and creative! You know you want too…

Nadia, you are welcome and I look forward to you joining.

Astrid, I am so pleased it has become a tradition. I am so excited!

Colleen, thank you for participating – it is lovely to share the festive spirit with fellow Persephone lovers.

Karen, thank you so much! It is great to have you on board.
Paperback Reader
October 27th, 2010 @ 7:26 pm

Verity, I so hope that you will be able to join in this year…

Stacy, thank YOU for starting this all of last year!

Helen, glad you found me and that you are joining in on the fun!

Thomas, I did think of our planned meeting at Persephone when I set the deadline but didn’t want to leave it too late; however, of course you can be an exception to the rule (perhaps I can even receive your list in person on the day).

Simon, and of course you can also be exempt from the deadline; I’ll work around it for two of my favourite bloggers. The exchange would not be the same without you participating.
Joan Hunter Dunn, I am so glad that you are here to join in with us this year.

Karen, as am I. It is such a lovely thing to be part of and certainly brings about the holiday spirit.

Darlene, thank you – I love it! I’m sorry you are unable to participate but fully understand and hope you will enjoy from the sidelines.
Rachel
October 27th, 2010 @ 8:20 pm

I’d love to take part but being in the US now makes it prohibitively expensive for me, especially as I am living on half the salary I am used to! But there is always next year! And I will watch with glee as you all open your gifts to each other!
Little Appletree
October 28th, 2010 @ 12:09 am

Hi!

Since I am originally from Germany, I’ve never heard of Persephone Books but I looked it up and love to take part! Unfortunately I cannot submit a list of books I’ve read because I haven’t read any.

Can I still take part???
claire
October 28th, 2010 @ 3:00 am

Dear Claire, even though I’d love to, I won’t join this year as we are moving at the end of November and do not want to be receiving any packages at the time (especially not a Persephone which is so very valuable) for fear of them getting too early at the new house or too late at the old one! I’ll be rejoicing with all of you though and look forward to seeing your grey dreams fulfilled!
Bits and bobs, as they say « A Few of my Favourite Books
October 28th, 2010 @ 7:14 am

[...] recent excitement over the Persephone Secret Santa gift exchange (I actually got a lump in my throat on thinking about all of us, without having met [...]
Helen
October 28th, 2010 @ 10:30 am

I’ve sent you an email, Claire. Thanks for organising this!
Cate
October 29th, 2010 @ 5:41 pm

Hi Claire,

Thought I’d chime in here to be part of this year’s Persephone Secret Santa! You’ve got my details. I’m very excited to be here!!
Persephone Secret Santa « chasing bawa
October 31st, 2010 @ 12:45 pm

[...] a reminder that the lovely Claire aka Paperback Reader is organising this year’s Persephone Secret Santa so head over to her blog to sign up before 5th November! [...]
Claire’s Corner | Paperback Reader
November 1st, 2010 @ 1:07 pm

[...] reminder that there are only five days remaining to sign up for this year’s Persephone Secret Santa. I am having such fun organising this year’s event and delighted that already there are a [...]
Coffee and a Book Chick
November 1st, 2010 @ 3:53 pm

I’d like to participate in the Secret Santa event, too! I’ll email you my mailing address!
Persephone Secret Santa « Care's Online Book Club
December 15th, 2010 @ 9:45 am

[...] know I am looking forward to reading my very first Persephone book. Thank you Claire at Paperback Reader for [...]