Community Info

Community Information

Below is information about the "Surprises on your birthday!" community on LiveJournal. To join this community, click here. You may leave the community at any time.

User:

bday_packages (1357333)

Pen-palling at a whole new level...
...where giving and receiving come together

(no userpics)

Name:

Surprises on your birthday!

E-mail:

bday.packages

gmail.com

About:

This is a community where we send each other presents and mail on our birthdays. Anyone can join; it's lovely to get little packages or letters from strangers, or to make new friends.

How to Join
First of all join the community. Anyone can join, regardless of your age or when your birthday is, or wherever in the world you live. We would prefer it if you added

bday_packages to your friends' list (you can use a filter) so you keep up to date with new developments ^_^
After you join a request will be sent to

peffkitten and

spiced_chai. This is just to keep track of who is joining. You will usually be added to the comm within a week. You don't need to send more than one request, and please don't e-mail the mods if you haven't been added instantly.

After you've been accepted, make a post with the information in the survey below, so people know when your birthday is and what you like. Please make this post friends only, so other people can't see your address. (If you aren't including your address please at least say what country you live in, and give us an e-mail address to contact you with.) Also, put it behind an lj-cut to keep the place tidy! It's a good idea to add the survey to your memories, so you can find it quickly if there's a problem. You're allowed to change the information here whenever you like. You don't need to tell the mods unless you're changing something important - like what country you live in!
If/when you leave the community please, I beg you, let the mods know (you can make a post or leave a comment). You don't need to tell us your reasons or make excuses, we don't want any drama. It just makes everyone's lives a lot easier.

Sending Packages
Check the list of birthdays and start sending things out to people. We have members all over the world, so you can also browse by continent and country in the geographical directory. Also, at the end of every month a list of upcoming birthdays is posted. Click on someone's name to see their survey. No, you don't have to send something to everyone, we aren't all rich and leisured. But if you don't send stuff out, people won't want to send stuff to you. Remember, even a handmade birthday card can make someone's day!
Make a post when you send out a present, so that we know you're participating in the community. This is important! At the end of each month a list is posted up saying who sent out packages. The members of

bday_packages pay close attention to who's participating!
Remember, some countries have restrictions on what you can send there.
A list of these restrictions can be found here. (Thanks to

jessika_marie for the link!)

Recieving Packages
When you recieve something, it's good manners to let the sender know it's arrived. You can make a thank you post in the community, or leave a comment on one of the sender's posts. It's also nice to e-mail the person or send them a card or thank you letter.
By joining

bday_packages, you are in no way guaranteed to recieve anything (but we do our best!) People are more likely to send packages to members who are active and have a presence in the community, rather than someone who expects to get something for nothing.
In the weeks leading up to your birthday, you may get a comment from a mod asking you if everything is up to date or to confirm that your LJ is still active. It's important that you answer this as quickly as you can.

General Etiquette
Be nice to people in your posts and comments. Don't insult, flame, or argue and fight like little brats. The members here are generally very helpful and polite, and

bday_packages is a laid-back and friendly community. We don't like drama here. If you don't recieve anything on your birthday, don't have a tantrum. Send out some more packages and hopefully when next year rolls around you'll have a load of people willing to reciprocate.
Don't just wait to receive presents; you have to send some as well. Don't be a deadbeat- ie people who join two weeks before their birthdays, get some packages, and then leave without sending anything to other people, or even giving thank-yous. This isn't to say you can't join right before your birthday, if that's when you find the community. However, stick around and give something back.
If you have a problem, leave a comment for a mod. Remember, we won't be notified of any changes you make to your survey, so if you have an important or urgent message it's best to make a post in the comm or comment on one of the directories. Be friendly and polite rather than flying off the handle. Please don't e-mail the mods directly.
If you abandon your journal and don't join under your new name, you will be taken off the list and your survey will be deleted. If you are moving journals please make a post so the mods know. You will have to re-post your survey logged in as your new journal, for the sake of completeness. Think of it as a good opportunity to update your wishlist ^_^

Moderation

bday_packages is currently moderated by

peffkitten (May 31st), who took power in a bloodless coup in November 2005. Peff is friendly and approachable, so if you've got a question just ask. She does her best to keep things organised, but she's only human and she sometimes makes mistakes. In those situations, a gentle prod is all that's needed. Peff does not like people with superior, elitist attitudes. If you want something done, the best tactic is to be polite and respectful.
Peff is assisted by Gina,

spiced_chai (August 20th), who took over posting the monthly reports from November 2006. Gina is helpful, welcoming and a lovely person so she'll be happy to give you any help you need.
The mods are not able to alter your surveys so if you need to change any information you must edit it yourself.
While this is rare, the mods will delete posts if they feel it is necessary. This includes posts that advertise unrelated communities, posts that advertise unrelated websites or services, and posts posts that are designed to insult, abuse or otherwise annoy our members.
If you would like to advertise your community in

bday_packages, please ask permission from

peffkitten or

spiced_chai first.

Previous mods include:

ciaan (Oct 3rd),

lasmediasrojas (Nov 18th) ,

leinadra (Aug 8th) and

child_of_oberon (Oct 6th).

The survey! (Please put this behind a cut. Delete the notes in [square brackets], they're just for guidance!)

Username:

Name:

Age:

Birthday: [eg Jan 1st 1985 - please write the month out in full]

List some of your favourite snack foods and candies:

List any snack foods and candies or flavours you absolutely hate:

List some of your favorite scents: [for lotions, candles, incense etc]

List any things you cannot accept: [include allergies, food intolerances, whether you have a vegan/vegetarian or other specific diet, and anything you can't accept for moral/ethical/religious reasons]

List anything you collect or any colours/patterns you love:

List any type of arts and crafts you do:

List some of your favorite activities and/or hobbies:

List your favourite music genres/bands etc: [for mix CD purposes]

List the kinds of jewellery you wear: [type, colour, material, include sizes if applicable]

List the kinds of make-up you wear:

Your shirt size: [S/M/L is Ok, if you want to be more specific eg "size 14" that's good too, but remember we have members from all over the world so make it as clear as possible!]

Breed, names, and ages of any pets:

Any wishlists?: [Most of our members use Amazon, another good site is thethingsiwant. If you have one, make sure you keep it up to date!]

Additional Information (including opinions on 2nd hand items): [tell us if you have a strong opinion about accepting second-hand, used, or hand-made items, clothes, food and so on... Also if you're looking for penpals then here's a good place to mention it]

Address: [INCLUDE YOUR COUNTRY! Even if you think it's obvious, remember we have members from all over the world]

Upcoming Birthdays. These are the people you should be sending stuff to right now! This list is updated and re-posted at the end of every month.

Calendar of All Birthdays.

The Geographical Directory.

If you would like to link to us or promote us, you may use these banners, kindly made by

jumpsturdy. Please no direct-linking, no one likes a bandwidth-thief!
Image hosting by Photobucket