Frithmas 2021!
27th ANNUAL ALT.DEVILBUNNIES
HOLIDAY CARD EXCHANGE FAQ
An unofficial FAQ first written by Scott Bernier on 17 October, 1997. Reviewed by Anne Michelle Forbes, "Remus", Scott and Jan Mayo, "Wynn", "Binky Bunny","BunnyHugger", and Judy Vieira between the 17th and 27th--thanks!
Updated for the 2021 holiday season on 26 November 2021, by Gillian "Not A Symp" (Reynardo) Brent, 2021 Card Exchange Organizer and complete ball-dropper. But always blame Moxie if there are mistakes in here, ok?
This FAQ answers questions about the alt.devilbunnies holiday card exchange.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Due to the World Wide Plague, the lateness of the mailout and the screwing-up of various postal systems, the Frithmas Season is hereby declared to extend to the end of January. Thus, if your cards take a long time to get to their destination, they are still Frithmas Cards and we still love you.
Q. What is the holiday card exchange?
A. It is an alt.devilbunnies tradition that started with the 1995 holiday season in which 12 authors exchanged snail-mail addresses and sent each other cards for the holidays. And has grown since then. For the past few years an average of 10 authors have participated. Many of these cards were sent In-Character.
Q. But I don't celebrate Christmas/Hanukkah/whatever.
A. So what? In the past there have been cards wishing tidings of joy for Christmas, Hanukkah, "Frithmas", generic holiday greetings (I.E. SEASONS GREETINGS), New Years, and the Winter Solstice. Somewhere in there, there might be a holiday you can use. If not - make one up! At the moment, just "Hey, we got this far through the plague!" is plenty.
Q. Why should I participate?
A. Because it's fun. None of the authors bite in real life (much), and most people enjoy receiving holiday cheer from friends rather than the usual bills/junk mail.
Q. Who's going to see my snail-mail address (nervouslook)?
A. Only those who are willing to participate in this fun activity. Rey will not share it with anyone who doesn't participate, EVER. Nor does she sell the addresses, we hope ;). We strongly encourage all participants to do likewise.
Q. What's this going to cost me?
A. Postage, and the cost of the cards.
This was Last Year's prices, because the Post Offices are making it DAMNED DIFFICULT to look up!
The price within the U.S. for first class postage is $0.55 for the first ounce; each additional ounce adds $0.25 to the cost. To Canada, the UK or Australia: $1.15
Postage rates within Canada for up to 30g: 1.07 cents. Rates from Canada to USA: $1.30. To other parts of the world: $2.71.
Rates from the UK: £0.65 local and £1.45 to other parts of the world (First Class).
Rates from Australia: $0.65 AUS within Australia and $2.20 AUS to US, UK and Canada.
So if you can't spare 2 hours of your time and about $20 American (a bit more overseas, these fees include an estimate for your cards), don't sign-up to participate!
Q. What can I do for a card?
A. That's up to you. Some folks buy cards appropriate for their character to give (bunnies on the cards, etc.). Some edit the cards they buy (squirrels hurling 'HVE' snowballs at bunnies). Some of our more artistically inclined or computer savvy authors make their own cards to send. It's completely up to you as to what you do.
Q. Can I send something other then a card?
A. There is nothing to stop you, but this is a card exchange, so don't expect others to send more then a card in return. In 1996 Wynn sent out chocolate toes, no, really! Real chocolate toes (shudder), in addition to a card to each person on the list. Keep in mind that many authors aren't exactly rich and the cost of postage will be difficult enough for them, so don't expect anything else but a card.
Q. I'm an anonymous author, but I still want to send cards. Can't I still get a copy of the addresses (pleadfluff)?
A. No. It wouldn't be fair to the others on the list if you sent them cards and they can't exact revenge^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H send a card in return. (Glares at one anon bunny character in particular and his 'Frithmas in July' cards.)
Q. (STOMP!) But I want to remain anonymous! (glarefluffunsheathclaws)
A. There are ways around this. Wynn participated a few years back by asking a friend to receive cards for her. Sadie Squirrel has done likewise to prevent the Evil Fluffers from finding her whereabouts. Any anonymous author should be able to do likewise. In order to participate you must provide a legitimate address where others can send cards to you. The card coordinator is sworn to secrecy and will have her guts used by the Fouriers for medical experiments if she divulges anything. Really. Her sister in law is the Sibyl, so it will happen.
Q. Will my address be used for purposes other than this holiday card exchange?
A. Well...in the past some authors have sent-out birthday cards and in one case a birthday package to one author who hit a milestone birthday (HI, LonGears!). In 1997-98, a sneaky bunny had sent 'burfday' cards to authors without a return address. And in 2015, many authors had a Symp land on their doorsteps. There's nothing we can do to stop the authors from sending you mail, but remember, you have their addresses and can avenge^H^H^H^H^H^Hsend mail in return.
Q. All right, where do I sign up?
A. Send your snail-mail address to Reynardo. Please include the email address you want the final snail-mail list sent back to. Even if you've been at the same address since the First Days of Frithmas, please resend it? Please? Just because Rey landed on your doorstep once or twice doesn't mean she has all your addresses neatly printed out and kept in a folder marked "Blackmail Information" on the third shelf of her b... never mind. Send it. Please.
Q. When do I need to sign up by?
A. Deadline to join up for 2021 is December 5th. You will receive the mailing list by December 10th, 2021.
You should try and mail your cards going internationally by December 15th if you can, and do not panic when they take over a month to get to their destination. If you're late, again, Do Not Panic - send them anyway.
Q. Why so late a cut-off date?
A. Thanks to the World Wide Plague, the organiser completely dropped the ball last year and has had terrible trouble getting motivated this year. Luckily, while Christmas is over by December 26th, Frithmas lasts as long as we want it to.
Also, those authors who create their own cards need the time to make the cards. Others will need to know the head-count with enough lead-time so that they can have their cards printed if they use a professional copy service (and I know at least one in the past has done so).
Q. Should I address the card to the author or the character?
A. The contents of the card can be in-character or out-of-character. However, the envelope should be addressed to the author to prevent confusing the postal worker who delivers your mail, and to avoid tipping off the local opposition (be it Fudd, Bunny or Fourier). You could also address it to the character care-of (C/O) the author. Some authors will have special instructions with their addresses on the list. Heed the instructions! You will follow the instructions!
Q. What if I'm late in joining?
A. That's all right, your name will be sent-around to the other authors, but their cards may be late in arriving to you IF they have extra cards to send. If you are late in signing-up, there is no guarantee that you will receive cards from everyone/bun on the list.
Q. (embarassedfluff,scuffpaw) I lost track of time last year and failed to send out my cards. Will this prevent me from being able to participate this year?
A. We've made a list and checked it twice. And yes, the organiser is on it! So have other participants. We know who you deadbeats are. (STOMP!) AND we know where you live. (fangygrin) We won't prevent you from participating, but don't expect to receive any cards from those who participated last year (or whatever year you failed to send cards) unless you send them one first!
A late card is better than none! And then I might be able to stop the Fouriers from finding out where you really live, and coming to invite you to join them in their Frithmas rituals ...
Q. I've got more questions not covered above. Who should I talk to?
A. Email Reynardo with your questions or concerns.
Thus ends of alt.devilbunnies holiday card exchange FAQ. Hoppy Holidays!
(Posted on Dreamwidth, shared to Live Journal)