Meeting people who share your interests and outlook is usually a great way to start a friendship. Being able to share your ideas and thoughts with people who have similar ideas and can relate to what you are going through is often just what you need. Elfster has found a group of moms who have been able to do just that.
The group, now known as the Crunchy March Mommies, or CMMs, met each other while they were all expecting children in March of 2012 on BabyCenter. After getting to know each other there, they created their own Facebook group and became the CMMs. A shared interest in attachment parenting and a more eco conscious lifestyle is what initially drew the group together.
Today, there are about 30 women who are part of the CMMs. According to Jessica Schidler, one of the members, they are “like one big extended family. Going through the same stage in life and supporting each other.”
As a way to have fun and get to know each other better, the group has hosted several gift exchanges. The first exchange was for Christmas 2012. The exchange went so well, that they decided to have another exchange to celebrate all of the babies turning one in March of 2013. Now, the group is marking the two year anniversary of their community and swapping gifts again.
The theme for the current exchange is handmade items. All of the members are encouraged to either make something themselves, or purchase something from a small business or independent artist. The members are using their wishlists to add items ranging from handmade jewelry, to locally grown plants and decorative items for both home and garden. Questions and answers are helping the friends check to see what is needed or wanted.
The anniversary exchange is set to take place on July 15th, so the group can continue to look for the perfect item for their swap partner over the next few weeks. Celebrating the formation of a special community with a gift exchange is a great way to stay in touch, reinforce your friendships, and have some fun. Hooray for the CMMs, and congratulations on creating such a vibrant and connected community! Two years, and going strong.
We would love to hear the story of your community and how you are using Elfster, too. You can reach us via Facebook here, or Tweet us @elfster.
photo credit: Lucky Duck Designs, Ursula and Olive
