We’ve all heard about the ‘Secret Santa’ style gift exchanges that occur every December, but why do we limit this kind of fun celebration to the Christmas season? While I love Christmas (don’t get me wrong, I do), Halloween is by far my favourite time of the year. For that reason, I’ve decided to start the annual ‘Secret Ghoul’ gift exchange!
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This is the first year, so it’s going to be a little new to everyone. While I have set some rules, regulations, etc. for the 2018 exchange, I am certainly open to suggestions moving forward. After all, each year it can grow and evolve into something better!
The idea? Much like a ‘Secret Santa’ exchange, those who wish to participate will be assigned a partner to shop for. These partners will be carefully selected for you using information provided on the sign-up form, and you will be emailed your recipients answers to help get you started. The only rule when it comes to the gift? The suggested spending limit is $15 USD before shipping. Get creative, have fun with it and get into the Halloween spirit!
Sign-ups will officially open with the publication of this blog post and will be open until 11:59 PM EST on September 22nd. To sign up, simply fill out the 2018 Secret Ghoul Registration Form HERE. The questions are designed to best partner everyone up, so while not all answers are required, you are encouraged to fill out as many of them as possible! On September 23rd all registered participants will receive an email with the information about their assigned recipient. You then have until October 15th to shop for and ship your gift.
Note: The sign-up form does ask your preference regarding international/local shipping. While I will do my best to partner people up based on your request here, it may not always be possible. This is the first year, so I can’t guarantee we will have the numbers to support everyone’s request. For example, if you are Canadian and requesting local shipping, but are the only Canadian participant, you will be partnered with an international partner. By signing up, you acknowledge that you may be required to ship internationally regardless of your answer to that question and are prepared to follow through.
We will be using the hashtag #SecretGhoul to share all 2018 Secret Ghoul exchange related tweets and blog posts on Twitter. I will personally be retweeting and sharing any relevant tweets, so it’s a great opportunity to help one another reach a new audience!
I will also be publishing a summary post on October 30th as part of Blogoween on Alternatively Speaking, complete with links to any blog posts that have been published by the participants. So, if you are going to blog about your participation make sure to let me know so it can be included! Blog posts are not required; however, I am asking that every participant share at least one tweet after receiving their gift so that their gift giver can see your excitement!
Interested in participating? Here’s a summary of the 2018 Secret Ghoul details:
Sign-ups close: Sept 22nd
Partners Assigned: Sept 23rd
Final ‘Send By’ Date: October 15th
Spending Limit: $15 USD before Shipping
SIGN UP BY COMPLETING THE 2018 SECRET GHOUL REGISTRATION FORM HERE!
Rules for Participation:
#1. All participants are required to follow @AltSpeaking on Twitter so that you receive any posted updates on the event.
#2. You must be signed up by 11:59 PM EST on September 22nd. I will be unable to accommodate late entries.
#3. Your gift should be valued around $15 USD prior to shipping to keep it fair to all participants. This can be a purchased item, something creative that you have made or a combination of the above. Just remember – you want to select a gift that your partner will be excited to receive!
#4. All participants are required to post your package when it arrives/you open it using the hashtag #SecretGhoul. This can be done as just a simple tweet with photos, or a blog post sharing your experience. All relevant tweets will be shared by both the @AltSpeaking and @AltBloggerRT Twitter accounts.
#5. Any questions should be directed to @AltSpeaking on Twitter or by emailing britt@alternativelyspeaking.ca.
Are you a huge fan of Halloween? What is your favourite part?
Ooh this is such a fab idea, I love Halloween but I really want to spend one in the US because you guys definitely do it better!
Soph – https://sophhearts.com/ x
Thank you! I wish it was even bigger here than it already is hahaha so I can’t imagine not celebrating it lol
Yeesss! This is so brilliant. I cannot wait to start shopping for this.
Helen
I am so excited to see what everyone sends!
Amazing Post!
Thank you!
This is such a fun idea Britt! Halloween always looks bigger & better in America, I can’t wait to see which gifts you all exchange! It will be like Christmas has come early <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
I wish it was even bigger, I LOVE Halloween hahaha
As soon as I read that you like Christmas but Halloween is your favourite I was sat here like YES YES YES! Also this is such a brilliant idea, I hope you get loads of people signing up to the Secret Ghoul! x x
Ellis // http://www.elliswoolley.co.uk
I am totally IN LOVE with Halloween hahaha best time of the year!
This is such a brilliant idea and I can not wait to see the posts from everyone involved!!
Vikki | http://planetvikkiblog.wordpress.com
I am so excited to see how it goes for everyone!
This is an amazing idea and I’m glad I found it before the closing date! Halloween is my favourite holiday so I’m definitely signing up for this.
Halloween is definitely the best time of year! I’m glad you found it too!
I love this idea!! But then, I always love a good git exchange. And Halloween is my favourite, as well. I use it as an excuse to watch a bunch of horror films and play horror themed board games! (And eat all the candy and pumpkin seeds, obviously!)
Dagney | https://culturaobscura.com
It really is the best time of year if you ask me! I am SO excited for it this year!
This is such a great idea!!!
Faye Jessica | fayejessica.co.uk
Thank you! I can’t wait to see everyone’s gifts start arriving now!