Shae said

2020 Tea Advent Swap

Talk of tea advent calendars has begun!

Last year, a few of us got together and participated in a tea swap for the advent season. If anyone is interested, I thought it would be fun to do again! If we start planning now, that should give us plenty of time to find participants, put together some teas, and have the packages out and delivered before December 1st.

Is there anyone who would like to participate? If so, please share the following info and I’ll start working to match everyone:

Where do you live?
Where are you willing to ship?
Do you have any tea preferences or restrictions?
*For example, you only drink herbals or cannot have caffeine.

If you feel more comfortable sharing through DM, message me there!

Swap Partners

Inkling —> Devon Bartholomew
Devon Bartholomew —> Shae
Shae —> Martin Bednar
Martin Bednar —> AJRimmer
AJRimmer —> Dustin
Dustin —> amandastory516
amandastory516 —> Inkling
Skysamurai —> Michelle
Michelle —> Skysamurai

Borrowing the rules from Inkling’s post last year -

Each person will send 25 opaque, labeled packets of tea. (Each day should contain enough for at least 1-2 cups of tea.) Up to you how creative you want to get with the packaging!

Please PM the person who’s sending to you ASAP with your address and information about what kind of tea you enjoy and any allergies or aversions they should be aware of when selecting tea to share with you.

I paired everyone based on given preferences, bios, similarities of cupboards/wishlists, and past tasting notes. If you’ve recently swapped with each other, let me know ASAP and I’ll move some things around. I hope you find these to be good matches, but feel free to message me if you have any issues. If you do not hear from your swap partner by October 31st, please send me a message.

Here is last year’s thread if anyone is interested in seeing the conversation – https://steepster.com/discuss/37794-tea-advent-swap.

Let me know if I’m missing any important details!

SIGNUPS CLOSED

102 Replies
Inkling said

Count me in! Thanks for organizing, Shae.

Shae said

I’m excited to do it! I hope we have a lot of people who are interested.

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AJRimmer said

Me too! I’ll start putting some fun flavors aside (:

Shae said

Great! I can’t wait to see what everyone shares/receives!

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I’m definitely interested! I had so much fun with it last year.

Shae said

Me too! I loved it!

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If you don’t mind anyone across the pond, here I am :)

Shae said

I’m so glad you are joining us, Martin!

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Yes, Id love to join – I saw a video on a tea advent and I was googling but could not find one to treat myself to!
I just joined, I am working on filling out my profile and adding my current teas to my cupboard!

Welcome! And as for me, I am happy that you decided to join us in this lovely (certainly lovely) experience!

Shae said

Welcome, Devon!

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Shae said

I should have asked this in the beginning (I’ll add it to the post), but please share the following info and I’ll start working to match everyone:

Where do you live?
Where are you willing to ship?
Do you have any tea preferences or restrictions? For example, you only drink herbals or cannot have caffeine.

If you feel more comfortable sharing through DM, message me there!

Maybe we’ll have a few more join us, or maybe not, but either way I hope to have everyone matched up by mid-October so that we can start working on the calendars. I worry with the USPS troubles that those of us in the States might have more of a delay than usual.

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I am Devon, I live in Wilmington North Carolina, USA. As far as shipping goes, as long as it’s like under $15 I don’t mind shipping internationally. Caffeine or no caffeine is fine with me. I like dessert teas, chai teas, Ceylon teas, berry and apple teas, mint teas, oolong teas, floral teas, herbal teas, black teas, sleepytime type teas. I do not like licorice, lychee, peach, or Earl Gray’s.

Shae said

Hi Devon, I’m not sure how much shipping internationally would cost for you. I’m guessing it would depend on the weight of the package, but I couldn’t say for sure that it would be under $15. Anyone else have more experience shipping internationally? I’ve only shipped to Canada a couple of times, and I think the cost was vastly different with each shipment.

AJRimmer said

I shipped to Canada for last year’s advent swap, and it cost $18 if I remember correctly. I think all shipping prices went up recently though.

Shae said

Not so bad! I imagine you’re right though about the rising shipping costs.

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Inkling said

I live in Wisconsin and would prefer to ship within the US, but can do international if needed.

My favorite types of tea tend to be dessert-type blends (especially anything with caramel or banana) and straight black teas, but I do also enjoy trying new things! No allergies, but I’m not a fan of chamomile, hibiscus, or stevia. I definitely prefer loose leaf over tea bags.

Shae said

Thank you!

It sounds like inkling and I may be a good fit since we do not like stevia and we like black and dessert teas.
Devon

Shae said

Thanks, Devon! I’m definitely taking those things into consideration as I’m making my list. I think I’ve almost got a pick for everyone!

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Apparently, my name is Martin — from Europe, Czech Republic. I would prefer sending within Europe, but I don’t mind sending across the ocean. I am drinking almost everything, if you don’t count the yucky, plain, chamomile. Chamomile blends are unpopular, but I can drink them.

I don’t mind tea bags, especially if with outerwrapping (I collect those). I am mostly drinking black teas, but I don’t mind trying some herbal blends (especially if local), white/green teas are okay as well. Just make me happy with teas and don’t pick some old and stale.

As it will be in December, would like to see some winter/Christmas blends, but it is not a must.

Shae said

Martin, so far you are our only participant outside of the USA. Do you know anyone else on Steepster who is in Europe and might want to participate with us?

I would like to know if dreamloomer or Nattie would like to take part.

But I am not sure if they want to take part. Izzy isn’t here for year and I miss her. I wonder what the reason is/was.

I am sorry if I am only overseas member. Maybe it wasn’t that clever idea at all. It could be quite cheap for me, but not for you. But I don’t need nor want any fancy packages :) I can enjoy blank pouches with numbers sent in white and boring envelope :)
I would do same to be honest, as it’s cheaper a lot!

I would like to know if dreamloomer or Nattie would like to take part.

But I am not sure if they want to take part. Izzy isn’t here for year and I miss her. I wonder what the reason is/was.

I am sorry if I am only overseas member. Maybe it wasn’t that clever idea at all. It could be quite cheap for me, but not for you. But I don’t need nor want any fancy packages :) I can enjoy blank pouches with numbers sent in white and boring envelope :)
I would do same to be honest, as it’s cheaper a lot!n

Shae said

No no no, please do not be sorry! I’m happy you’re joining us this year! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to single you out. I am happy to mail overseas, I just didn’t want you to feel like it was your only option. I thought if you knew someone closer then you wouldn’t have to send a package overseas yourself.

Shae: Thank you, but the price difference isn’t that high. Of course I would be happier to send it only within Europe.

I am looking forward to anyone I will be choosing teas for though!

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AJRimmer said

I live in New Mexico and would prefer to ship within the US this year. I enjoy flavored tea – primarily herbals and black tea, though not exclusively. Also preferably loose leaf.
Favorite flavors: dessert flavors, melon, mint, lavender, almond, strawberry, nutty, anything rooibos-related.
Don’t prefer: Smoky, savory flavors, floral (other than lavender), plain tea. Also nothing with gelatin.

Shae said

Perfect – thank you!

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