I’d like to take a quick break from Halloween to discuss my favorite Christmas activity – #tbtbsanta. It’s by the same lovely lady that brings us Top Ten Tuesday – Jana from That Artsy Reader Girl. I’ve taken part a fair few times, and I’m excited for 2022!

Obviously, she explains it best, so I’ll link to her post from last year since this year’s sign-ups start on Halloween. The simplest description is that it’s a Secret Santa swap for people who love books. It used to be hosted by a blog called The Broke and The Bookish (hence the tbtb), but when it shut down in 2018, Jana took over. It’s so much work, I’m incredibly impressed that it keeps happening year after year.

There are tiers of the swap – you can just do Christmas cards, a book and a goodie, a book (or 2) and a couple goodies, or several books and multiple gifts. I think the greatest thing about the swap is that no one is disappointed with their packages. Some people go all out – I once got a package that had an “advent calendar” of little gifts to open throughout the month – and some people are more mellow about it, but everyone gets so much joy out of the swap. A lot of people stay in touch with each other after the swap, as well.

Over the past few years, I’ve gotten so much happiness from doing this swap. It’s hard to feel like too much like everything is terrible when I’m picking out gifts for someone. And getting a box of goodies and books is always a happy occasion, no matter what’s going on in my life. Filling out the survey when I’m signing up is so much fun as well. Since you have to provide wish lists to your Secret Santa, searching for the perfect assortment of products and books is late night activity between announcement and sign-up. I think there’s a cap, so get it early if you do want to particpate!

This year, being the year it feels like things are turning around, I’m even more excited than normal to make a swap. I’m excited to pick the perfect stuff for a box. I seriously can’t wait to get started!

Okay, back to our regularly scheduled spooky season content.

-S

• Christmas