As a hostess, here is my two cents. Our goal, or at least as I see it, is to have a fun and successful swap where we share our talents and learn from others. The rules we place for our swaps are to help achieve that goal. There are times when we do have to look at trends like habitually mailing late, non-improving workmanship, and drama as to whether let someone in the swap as it takes away some of the enjoyment of the swap. Not letting someone in isn't an act of being rude or mean, but more meant to ensure the flow of the swap. That aside, There are times when people do need to mail late. It isn't something that is planned ahead and they are not habitual late mailers, just life happens. The key here, which is evident by Gwynne's post, is that each person who did mail late COMMUNICATED with her. They all did mail, myself included, within one week of the due date. I love how she handled each instance.
Yes I mailed 3 days late, and to my SS Peachy I am sorry.

I did communicate with Gwynne several times and I did mail priority. I think though in the end my ss was happy that I did take the extra time and rework some projects and take more time to complete others.
With this season we should have Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men (women too). It is so unfortunate the things that have gone on this last week with the shooting at the Oregon Mall, the school shooting in Ct, and the shooting in Vegas. I cannot imagine what those families are going through. Although I cannot relate to the parents who lost children, I have known the sheer terror as parent of not knowing. My son's school was under gunfire in 2007, and the news from the media was skewed with misinformation at first. That was the longest 45 minute drive from my work to the school of my entire life. Fortunately no one was killed that day, just a few injured. The scariest thing is that if my son hadn't gone to his occupational therapy that day at the school during the time of the shooting, the outcome would have been different. It wasn't his normal time either, but the therapist had to make a schedule change that week. Thank goodness as his desk was in the line of fire by the window.
A local christmas tree farm donated a tree in memory to those who lost their lives in CT. They are placed down the road to the school. How cool is that random act of kindness. There is still good in this world.
Gwynne, sorry about your daughter being sick. Are you feeling better?
Peachy I remember the days of Santa - cherish them.
May you all have a wonderful, peaceful, loving holiday season filled with joy.
Kel