it's more blessed to give...

than to receive.

i'm repeating that to myself over and over.

i participated in a Christmas swap on Ravelry again this year.

this is the fourth swap i have participated in and the second Christmas one.  i have been pretty much pleased with the other three swaps.  this one, though...not so much.

i was already disenchanted with this one because the person that i was supposed to be sending to posted little to no information about her likes/dislikes.  i did the best i could and, in my opinion, sent off a very nice package today.  i came home from work to find my very own package waiting for me.

i was excited.  i LOVE getting presents and being surprised.  i couldn't wait to open it and find out what goodies my person sent me.  i had spent a lot of time making sure that i answered all the questions posted and had all my information up-to-date.  i just knew this was going to be another good experience.

w.r.o.n.g.

the first thing to disappoint me was the unbelievable smell of cigarette smoke that assaulted me when i opened the package.  i'm not kidding when i say that it literally made my eyes water.  pretty much everything was wrapped, which was nice, and i decided to try to get past the smell and open the presents.

sigh.

it appears as though much of what i receive was re-gifted.  there didn't seem to be much thought put in to my "gift" and, i have to say, my feelings are a little hurt.  there were three redeeming things in the package:

1. a small jar of vanilla bean pods (useful because i do love to bake.)
2. a tile Christmas coaster (it is cute and i do like it.)
3. two stitch markers (i think they are handmade but am not sure.)

the yarn i was sent reeks of smoke and right now i have most of it placed in a ziploc bag with a dryer sheet.  the "homespun" i was sent looks like someones first attempt...i don't mean to sound ungrateful, but my feeling is, if you are going to send someone something handmade, make sure it looks nice and is useable.  there is NO WAY i can use the "hand spun" i was sent.  even if it wasn't a "first attempt" there isn't enough there to make anything usable.

needless to say, i am very disappointed with this swap experience.  (i can STILL smell the smoke on my clothes three hours later and it is giving me a headache.)  i wish people would think before they send things or even before they sign up to participate in something like this.  i know this is the Christmas season and i probably shouldn't gripe and complain, but right now i am just a little sad.

i did send a message to the moderator of the swap to let her know about these issues.  i made sure she understood that i wasn't seeking another package, just wanted to let her know about the lack of consideration in the one i received.

anyway.

the kids did a great job today at their Christmas program.  i was SO proud of them, as usual.  :)

only SIX more school days until VACATION!!!!!

time to knit!

have a HAPPY FRIDAY!  :)