2025 Secret Santa Holiday Exchange Is Here

13 November 2025
1609 Forum Time

We are at 28

Bud250r
Carrigna
CelticKnot
Cointagous
Colhand1
CollegeBarbers
Dearborn
Gidjit
GMS5
Greasy Fingers
Hello There
jerrytheplater
Jfransch
jimjumper
Half
Hondo Boguss
jason39305
makecents
mrpapageorgio
mrwhatisit
Nickle Nubber
nickelsearcher
nss-52
NumisRob
oih82w8
spru
Tanman2001
vermontensium

I'm in. I collect USA coinage.

Ok, I am in!

Just signed up. Thanks Santa.

NumisEd asked: " Is the exchange limited to American CCF members?"
No, it is open to any CCF member! As long as your country allows posting to the US or receive post from the US. It is sad we have this issue this year because of he who must not be named. I do believe this will blow in time.

Please be aware I sent two padded envelopes to the UK which is automatically classed as a packet (package) and just 2 ounces cost me $21 both times! I think it is better if we could use sturdy envelope that will pass as an ordinary mail envelope that will keep postage down. I have not tried this but will do it this week to the Uk again. Will post later this week.

Also, please be careful when filling out the custom declaration, cost or price box—make sure you put down the price for each item, not total price! If you sent two coins that is totaled cost $10, put down $5 as it is automatically calculated based on the number entered in the quantity box. The clerk advised me that my uncle would be charged $140! I wanted to correct the information but he would not let me?! ! Luckily, the UK custom had more sense!

I send cactus seeds in the regular US mail in a modified small padded envelope that still meets postal regulations for a first class letter. The dimensions for a Domestic US First Class Letter are: Length: 5" to 11 1/2". Height: 3 1/2" to 6 1/8". Thickness: 0.007" x 1/4". Weight not over 3.5 ounces. Postage varies according to weight.

I bought a box of 25 padded envelopes that are 6 7/8" x 4 3/4" x 1/4". I cut a rectangle out of the center using an Exacto knife or single edge razor blade and steel straight edge over a cutting mat. Then I tape cardstock over the outside of one side of the envelope using clear packing tape. (make sure the tape is fully in contact with the envelope so it does not allow the sticky side to contact the machinery in the postal system.) Then I place the seeds in a glassine envelope in the cavity. I tape the envelope to the padded envelope so it does not shift around in transit and slide out of the protection of the cavity. Then I cover the second side of the cavity with another piece of cardstock which has the address on it. Seal the flap end and take to the PO to mail.

This system worked fine for at least 4 mailings to and from California to New Jersey. I have received seeds placed in an unmodified envelope that were crushed to dust by the cancelling machines.

And, Colhand1 said, " I think most Santa's check to see what the recipient collects that they were assigned and send them something in line with what their collection." For those that are new like me, Where do you find that information on this forum? Is there a place where that is posted?