It’s Summertime… and we’re all happy campers here at Elfster. The Head Elf is enjoying a little much-deserved R&R and the elves are busy dreaming of ways to enjoy the season.
But that doesn’t mean we aren’t busy as bees this summer! Plenty of great exchanges are in full-swing, including lots of folks who are enjoying Christmas in July – a perfect way to celebrate summer. There are busy moms exchanging gifts for baby’s big day, fun-loving groups sharing their favorite things with their secret pals, and the spouses & partners of Wildland Firefighters continue to host additional exchanges to offer support and inspiration to each other as their loved ones battle on the frontlines this fire season.
Linda Gardner, the guru behind the popular blog Craftaholics Anonymous, just hosted her big summer exchanges, which included over 425 experienced crafters and “newbies” from all over the world. According to Linda, “Twice a year, Craftaholics Anonymous hosts a Handmade Gift Exchange for readers and crafters everywhere. Participants make a handmade gift for another crafter with whom they are paired. This is a great way to make a gift AND a friend! There is no skill or money requirement, it is open to everyone!” Be sure to check out some of their amazing, one-of-a-kind creations here: http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/summer-2014-handmade-gift-exchange-link-party
If photography is your passion, a bunch of creative photographers from all over the world are sharing their unique postcards every month and are always looking for new members. “The more the merrier” is this group’s philosophy! If you’d like to join them, click here for more information: http://blatherskiteblog.com/print-swap/#sthash.Vt0o0Hyr.dpuf
Dozens of exchange groups are preparing to celebrate Eid al-Fitr on July 29, which marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan and the start of a feast that lasts up to three days in some regions. This important Islamic holiday involves many Muslims waking up early and praying either at an outdoor prayer ground or mosque. Muslims dress in their finest clothes and adorn their homes with lights and decorations. Old wrongs are forgiven and money is given to the poor. Special foods are prepared and friends or relatives are invited to share the feast. Gifts and greeting cards are exchanged and children receive presents. Eid al-Fitr is a joyous occasion, but its underlying purpose is to praise God and give thanks to Him, according to Islamic belief.
You can discover all the ways the Elfster community is celebrating the season of the sun and stay up-to-date with the essentials to help make the most of your summer.
Follow our Summer Guides, which feature some of your hottest picks for the warm days ahead. Share your summer tips by adding your own great suggestions. And be sure to keep your Wishlist ready with your must-haves for summer fun.
All over the country, folks are heading to their local farmers’ markets for a fun and healthy way to take advantage of the freshness of summer, so the elves would like to give a big shout out to our health and fitness enthusiasts out there who have helped Elfster create our new Wellness Guide. The guide features many great ideas suggested by you to kick start those summer workouts! Be sure to follow our Wellness Guide to receive updates. And of course we’re always looking for new ideas, too.
And in case you haven’t heard, Elfster is celebrating our brand new Instagram account by giving our users a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Enter Elfster’s First Instagram Contest — Christmas in July. Just follow @elfstergram on Instagram, then post your best original photo of how you are celebrating Christmas in July and tag it with #elfsterxmasinjuly.
Details for the contest can be found here: http://www.elfster.com/blog/win-100-amazon-gift-card-in-our-instagram-contest/
We would love to see what you are giving and getting too, so post your best gift pics on Instagram, and add the hashtag #elfstergram. We can’t wait to see how you celebrate in summer!
Let us know how your summer is going! You can visit us on Facebook or tweet us @elfster, or check us out on Instagram at elfster.
photo credit: Marcy and Clem
