Blessing Others: The 4th Annual Mug Swap. #mugswap14

You guys, Happy Mug Swap Day!!!!

I know so many of you have been waiting all year for this day, and I have been too.

Besides my birthday, and Christmas, this might be the most exciting day of the year, right?

This year, I really wanted to make the mug swap extra special, and for a year, have been planning on making the theme of this year's swap "Blessing Others".

In years past I have gotten a lot of feedback that people didn't find their mugs or packages to be "exciting" enough or "special" enough. It is just a mug swap, and there is no requirement for it to be anything more than this, so this year, I wanted to take the focus off the receiving, and really emphasize the giving. I am asking that each of you who signs up put heartfelt thought into the mug you send, as I know many of you have done in the past.. I highly suggest you to include a note of encouragement to your recipient, and that you might find a way to bless them through something as simple as the US Postal Service. Pick out a mug in their favorite color or something that strikes you as very "them". If you can manage, throw in a piece of candy, or something simple to accompany the mug. Bless your recipient!!!

Now, here is the part that I have been SO excited to share with you all.

I really wanted this mug swap to be something more than just people giving and getting material things. I wanted it to be a way to bless someone in a major way. And this year, I'm asking that each participant might donate $5.00 towards Susan and Chris Hopper's Adoption Fund (and/or any other costs associated with bringing a child home!)  

I haven't even told Susan this yet, so SURPRISE, Susan!!!!

Susan has been one of my dear blog friends, from way back during the 1st Annual Mug Swap. She also was a HUGE help in a ton of the behind the scenes work from the 2nd and 3rd swaps, and I'd love to say a huge thank you to her, by blessing her family through this year's swap.

So, though I'm not making it mandatory to donate in order to sign up, I'm asking that you would greatly consider giving $5 towards the Hopper's Adoption as a gesture of thanks to Susan for all her help, and just to simply bless her. Feel free to give more than $5 if you feel so led. I truly want Chris and Susan to be blessed by this sweet Mug Swap community.

Check out Susan on Instagram: @susanhopper and her blog over at Life at Pemberley.

Mug Swap '14: BLESSING OTHERS. Let's make it happen!

Here's how it works:

Give a mug. Get a mug.
By signing up you PINKY PROMISE you will send a mug to your assigned buddy.
In turn, you will (hopefully) receive a mug yourself.
From someone else!

Step 1. SIGN UP. The ONLY way to sign up for the mug swap is by filling out the form below. You will see a confirmation on the screen that you are all signed up. This year, I'm limiting sign ups to the first 500 participants. Sign ups close 5pm on Monday (August 4th) or once we reach 500 1,000.  Edited to add: We have reached 1,000, and the swap is closed! 

Step 1a. DONATE. The theme this year is blessing others, and as I mentioned above, I'm really excited about this opportunity to bless someone's socks off, specifically, Susan and Chris's new baby's socks!

Step 2. SHARE. The more the merrier!!! Grab the button HMTL on the right, or share the Mug Swap Button on Instagram, Twitter, or your Blog!

Step 3. FIND OUT. On or before August 10th I will email you your assignment. If you have not heard from me by Midnight on August 10th, please double check your email (spam folders!) and then shoot me an email. I will send these out in waves, as I have time. But no later than August 10th.

Step 4. SEND. On or before August 23rd Find & Mail your mug. This means your mug should be en route to its recipient NO LATER THAN the 23rd. This gives you almost two weeks to find and send. Please, please, please, take care when packaging your mug. Bubble wrap is cheap. Packing peanuts are plentiful. Mugs do arrive broken occasionally, do your best to prevent that. I've also been told that you can get insurance on your packages through the USPS pretty easily and affordably. This is also a great option.

Step 5. POST & THANK. Receive & Document your mug! This is the fun part, let your sender know you got it! Blog, Instagram, Tweet your Mug Swapping Adventure. Be sure and use #mugswap14 on Instagram & Twitter so other Swappers can find you! If you tag me (@cuppakim), make sure your account isn't private so I can see!

Step 6. LINK UP. This year, I will be hosting a Linky Party on September 2nd for those of you who are bloggers and want to link up your posts! (This gives you plenty of time to make sure your mug arrives & recap your sending and receiving adventures!)

That is it.
It's pretty simple.
Sign up & send. 

Now, I know a lot of people have more questions about the details, so here are some FAQ's!

Mug Swap Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do I have to have a blog to participate?

Nope! 

Not at all. Everyone is welcome. I would ask that you be at least 14 years old to participate.
Everyone can sign up one time only. However, you may volunteer to send additional mugs if needed.

2. Do I have to spend a ton of $?

Nope. 

You can spend anywhere from $0 & up. I advise you don't spend more than $20.

Unless you are sending a solid gold mug, in which case, I think your recipient will be VERY happy. Gold prices are skyrocketing these days! I encourage you to throw in a couple of teabags or something fun to spice up your mug, but that is completely optional. No pressure.

2a. Do I need to send anything but a mug? 

The technical answer here is no, however in years past many people included a few goodies to accompany the mug they sent - teabags, cocoa mix, a piece of candy, etc. This is entirely up to you. I would highly recommend that you include a personal note, as this would be a great way to bless someone with some encouragement. Don't forget to tell your sender who YOU are so they know how to acknowledge you. I'm asking that everyone throw out their expectations of what their getting and really focus on what you're giving.

 

3. Am I sending to and receiving from the same person?

Nope. 

I guess technically you aren't "swapping", more like a daisy chain or domino of mugs will be flying through the skies via USPS (God Bless Them). You will send to one person and receive from someone else.

This way you get to know at least two people!

4. Is it a secret?

Kinda. 

I will only be telling you who you send to.

It's kinda fun to find out who your mug is from when you get your package.
Like a Secret Santa.

But, I guess it's kinda up to you.
But don't forget to include your name and best way to connect (email, IG, blog, etc) with your mug!

5. Where should I get a mug?

Anywhere. 

You could get one from Etsy, or Target, or the Dollar Tree, or a Thrift Store.

That is the fun part about mugs, there are millions of fun, funky, creative ones out there. 

If you do order online, you could save yourself a step and have it shipped directly to the recipient.
You decide the direction you want to go. The mug can be something YOU love
or something you think your recipient would love.

The only rule here is that you truly put some thought and effort into blessing your recipient. 

6. I never got my assignment.

When you sign up there should be a screen that comes up confirming that you are in.

Make sure you follow up if you don't receive your assignment by the 10th.

I don't want anyone to miss out!

7. I never got my mug/I'm not happy with my mug. 
It happens. People are flaky. Sadly, a few people who sign up for the mug swap are flaky, and ruin the experience for others. It happens. In signing up, you need to be fully aware that you MAY NOT receive a mug. In years past I have taken extreme measures to chase down every mug that I was told was missing. With the sheer number of participants, I can't do this anymore. It ends up taking more time than organizing the swap itself, and really is a bummer.
So like I said before, if you know you aren't good with following through on commitments, please don't sign up.
And, if you aren't good with disappointment, please don't sign up either.
Out of over 800 participants last year, there were nearly 50 mugs that didn't show up. Even after the pinky promise. Please be aware, that most people get their mug, but not everyone did.
Please be a person of your word and send. I hate disappointing people, I hope you do too.
Only sign up if you are perfectly fine not receiving a mug, it's a risk in participating.
If you aren't happy with your mug, I'm sorry. I suggest not being rude and whining on instagram about it, instead, be grateful you had the opportunity to bless someone else. That is the focus of this year's swap.

7. Are you doing a giveaway?

But of course!

(Sign up, donate, and then scroll down below the sign up for more info)

SIGNUPS: - ARE NOW CLOSED.

DONATE:

THANK YOU FOR DONATING. Over $2400 was sent over to the Hoppers! If you wish to still contribute, you can do so directly here.

GIVEAWAY:

Everyone who participates automatically gets one entry! After that, you can get up to 22 additional entries for supporting the mug swap sponsors! Anybody can enter!

Here's what two lucky winners will be receiving!

Raising Up Rubies: State Hoop of your Choice & Gift Tags

Natalie Creates: Set of Happy Flags

Katygirl Designs: Notepad and a set of 4 personalized "you are my cup of tea" notecards

FerialShmerial: Darling Let's Be Adventurers Print

Ike & Co: Crystal Clear Drop Earrings

Fancy That Design House: Give Thanks to the Lord Foil Print

Lovely Little Whimsy: Custom Brass Cuff

Knitty Bitties: Mug Rug & Coffee Coat Set and $5 Starbucks Gift Card

Recipe for Crazy: Teal Coffee & Jesus 5x7 Print

Evie Ivy Crafts: 11x14 sign of your choice

Eclectic Joy Shop: Teal & Gray Striped Jersey Infinity Scarf 

The Paperie by Life Made Lovely: Cup of Tea printable set

Jamie VanNuys Designs: Crocheted Headband

Stella Bella Boutique: Vintage Stone Necklace

My Paper Pinwheel: September Pinwheel Parcel Box

Amaginarium: Corkboard United States Map

Pen & Paint: Mug Canvas & Mug Notecards

Happy Days by Wifey Singer: Pair of Vintage Earrings

Party With Jenze: Tweet Thanks Note Set

Little Light Prints: What a Wonderful World Print
London & Granger: Iced Coffee Hoop

Raising Up Rubies: State Hoop of your Choice & Gift Tags

Be Crafty: Set of Ribbons

Katygirl Designs: Notepad and a set of 4 personalized "you are my cup of tea" notecards

FerialShmerial: Make Tea Not War Print

Ike & Co: Crystal Clear Drop Earrings

Fancy That Design House:  Count Your Many Blessings Foil Print

Lovely Little Whimsy: Custom Brass Cuff

Knitty Bitties: Mug Rug & Coffee Coat Set and $5 Starbucks Gift Card

Recipe for Crazy: I Get By With a Little Help from my Friends 5x7 Print

Eclectic Joy Shop: Teal & Gray Striped Jersey Infinity Scarf 

The Paperie by Life Made Lovely: Cup of Tea printable set

Jamie VanNuys Designs: Custom onesie

Stella Bella Boutique: Vintage Stone Necklace
My Paper Pinwheel: September Pinwheel Parcel Box
Amaginarium: $25 Shop Credit
Pen & Paint: Mug Canvas & Mug Notecards
Happy Days by Wifey Singer: Pair of Vintage Earrings
Party With Jenze: Tweet Thanks Note Set
Little Light Prints: What a Wonderful World Print
MamaMango Metal Stamping: Coffee is Love Spoon
London & Granger: Dear Coffee Hoop

How to Enter: 

You will get one entry for each time you support a sponsor's shop!!  Leave a comment for each of these that you do by August 20th (each comment is an entry):

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!

Follow @raisinguprubies on Instagram

Follow @nataliecreates on Instagram

Follow @katykristin on Instagram

Like FerialShmerial on Facebook

Follow @ikeandco on Instagram

Follow @fancythatdesignhouse on Instagram

Follow @lovelylittleshop on Instagram

Follow @knittybitties on Instagram

Follow @lesleyzellers on Instagram

Follow @evieivycrafts on Instagram

Follow @amandarydell on Instagram

Follow @corymargrave on Instagram

Follow @life_made_lovely on Instagram

Follow @jamievannuysdesigns on Instagram

Follow @stellabellaboutique on Instagram

Follow @mypaperpinwheel on Instagram

Follow@amanda.roy on Instagram

Follow @pen_and_paint on Instagram

Follow @wifeysinger on Instagram

Like Party With Jenze on Facebook

Follow @carlyragragola on Instagram
Follow @mamamangometalstamping on Instagram
Follow @london_and_granger on Instagram

And last, but not least, because MugSwap sponsors are awesome, they are sharing some savings in their shops with you mug swappers!!! Here are a few coupon codes for you to use during mug swap season!!!

For 15% off at Katygirl Designs: Use MUGSWAP2014

For 20% off at Ike & Co:  Use CUPPAKIM20

For 10% off at Fancy That Design House: Use FANCYTHATMUGSWAP

For 20% off Recipe for Crazy: Use MUGSWAP14

For 20% off Eclectic Joy Shop: Use MUGSWAP

For 25% off The Paperie by Life Made Lovely: Use MUGSWAP25

For 15% off Happy Days by Wifey Singer: Use MUGSWAP

For 10% off Party With Jenze: Use MUGSWAP14

For 25% off Little Light Prints: Use MUGSWAP
For 14% off London & Granger: Use MUGSWAP14
For 25% off Jamie VanNuys Designs: Use MUGSWAP2014
For 20% off Raising Up Rubies: Use MUGSWAP20