Box of tiny treasures

The basic idea for this swap is to fill a small box with tiny but delightful items

I love the idea of opening up a box full of tiny treasures, discovering all kinds of little delights. I guess I always have, since when I was a kid I would hoard my most special treasures in boxes! If this idea appeals to you too, this could be the swap for you...

The box

Any sensible small box will do! Since the items inside will be tiny, this could be as small as 1 x 5 x 8 cm (.4 x 2 x 3 inches), or it might be up to around 5 x 15 x 20 cm (2 x 6 x 9 inches). It could be made of plastic, metal, wood, strong cardboard, or anything else you can think of that can be mailed and will give a bit of protection to the contents. You are welcome to repurpose a container you already have (e.g tupperware, food box, small biscuit tin, cigar box, pencil box), as long as it's clean. Just use something that is reasonably robust and is convenient for you to mail internationally (a relatively flat shape is probably best - US folks might just be able to send a flat tin as a large envelope). If it's a little ugly, it would be nice for you to decorate it in some way, but this is not a strict requirement.

You should not send the box "naked", but package it in paper or a padded envelope. And don't forget the customs sticker!

The contents

You should make sure to include a wide variety of at least ten small items - a dozen of the same thing would definitely NOT be in the spirit of this swap!

Think tiny - your items will vary in shape and size of course but try not to include anything bigger than a computer mouse, and really the tinier the better!

Handmade is very welcome, but shouldn't be more than say 3-5 items, and should be of decent quality (you don't have to be a professional, but you probably shouldn't send the first thing you've ever crocheted!). Similarly, a few found or pre-loved items are welcome, but should not dominate.

Please also don't fill your box with junk from the dollar store - one or two really special dollar store items might be OK, but everything in your box should deserve the title "treasure".

If you want to try sending something fragile, remember to wrap it well, and don't send more than 1-2 fragile items - no-one wants an entire box of broken pieces!

This is essentially sender's choice in that not everything has to relate to your partner's profile, and surprises are good, but please DO look at her profile and see what she likes, loves, collects, etc. And please make a special effort to avoid dislikes, allergies, etc. The idea is to make your partner smile with delight when she opens the box, not make her face fall with disappointment.

Your items are likely to vary widely in value - you might include candies or teabags worth a few cents each, but a coin purse or pair of earrings worth $5 or more. Since we will be including at least 10 items, I anticipate the total value of the swap to be around 15-20 USD when added together, plus shipping, so please be aware of this and don't join unless you really want to put a fantastic box together.

If you are able to wrap some items, put them in tiny envelopes or tiny boxes, etc, then that's wonderful, but it's not a requirement. If your items are likely to rattle around you should definitely pack the spaces out with tissue paper or similar (or candies!).

Some ideas of things you might include are:

• tiny ornaments, figurines, hanging decorations etc

• tiny stuffed animals

• a coin purse

• jewellery

• curios

• wrapped candies or chocolates (should be sealed so they can't melt and ruin everything)

• a length of pretty ribbon

• washi tape (roll or samples)

• beautiful found items such as pebbles, feathers or shells (but consider international regulations on what may be sent through the post)

• fossils

• little bits of ephemera

• tiny origami creatures

• interesting coins

• small rubber stamps

• mini magnets

• small stationery items such as erasers, pretty paper clips

• postage stamps

• tea bags

• hair clips or ties

• a tiny drawing, painting, papercut, etc

• a puzzle

• craft items such as beads

• charms

• paper crafts

• a beautiful marble

• a tiny toy

• some beautiful stickers

But this list is off the top of my head, and I'm sure you can come up with many more! Be creative, and feel free to add any brilliant ideas in the comments :)

Requirements

Since this is a high-value swap, I will be doing as much as I can to avoid flakers, so I apologise to those this will exclude. As a minimum, I have set an automatic rating requirement of 4.98. You should also have completed at least 30 type 2 or 3 swaps, including at least 10 type 3, Thirdly, your profile should have plenty of general likes to avoid giving your partner a hard time. I will be removing anyone with outstanding late swaps, anyone with unresolved 1s owed to active swappers, flakers, double profilers, and anyone I have any concerns about (I will be checking profiles very carefully, and checking with FOPS). I may not do this for all participants until after the swap closes, but I will definitely be doing it - let me know if you have any concerns. If necessary (and I hope not), I will be prepared to angel this swap for up to two participants (once other avenues have been exhausted and you have rated a 1). (I hope that it's unlikely that further angels will be needed, but if so I will do my best to find them.)

I have allowed a relatively long time for sending, so that we can really make an effort to find the most delightful treasures possible, as well as get hold of an appropriate box.

Please do let me know (below or by PM) if you have any questions, any clarifications are needed, etc.