💀 Halloween Trick & Treat...your elf 💀

[ZombieMetroAnt]

          *  Sign ups are now closed and names have been drawn.  *

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Something's brewing, and it 'll be ghoulishly fun! A wicked good time for everyone...

Our previous rounds have been wonderful platforms for bringing us all together though our appreciation for beauty, treats and camaraderie. We're glad that you've  decided to join in on the haunting fun!

With ghoulish appreciation,
Mcakes & ZombieMetroAnt

🎃 Tips, Tricks & Other spooktacular ideas!

Spoiler

💀 Elfster Tips:

   -> Ask questions! Anyone can ask anyone an anonymous question, that will help you get a better idea of likes and dislikes, haves and wants, etc. 

   ->When you purchase something, click "Mark As Purchased." They won't see it, but they might be using the same wishlist for other gift exchanges, so this can prevent them potentially getting the same gift from two different people.

   ->If you got something for yourself, remove it from your wishlist! 

🎃 Shipping suggestions 

Spoiler

💀 How to ship abroad/add a customs label while still using online shipping:
1. Creating an account: First, you must create a free account on the USPS website. The paypal.com/shipnow site will not let you create customs forms.
2. Shipping Label: To create the shipping label, you want to use the "Click n Ship" function from the dropdown menu under Mail & Ship. Many of the directions from above are basically the same but the key difference is under, "Where are you sending to?" you will need to use the dropdown menu to select the country of choice.
3. Finishing the Shipping Label:Fill in all the corresponding information until the end of the form including the value of the package. The Canadians on the board may have more to speak to with this but I always kept this amount on the lower side so the recipient doesn't get hit with high customs fee. (average amount I would put would be $10-$20) A great feature is at the end of the page it will give you all your options for shipping. I can tell you on a personal note that when I ship to England I always choose first class international mail and I have never had a problem. Once again, delivery confirmation is thrown in for FREE.
3. Beginning the Customs Form: You will then get to a page that will you through step by step filling in the customs form. The first question will ask you to "Enter Package Information." This is where you can just write this is a gift box for a friend. You do not need to write anything more!
4. Customs Inventory: Next up is, "Enter Item Information." Okay, this one is a little tricky. If you want to itemize, and fill in every single thing in the box, you can. If you only want to do a couple, you can. I've done both over the years and both have been okay. I'm not going to tell you though that it will work every time so ultimately, the decision is up to you. Make sure though that you mark each item a GIFT so that the recipient does not get charged increased fees. Also, and this is IMPORTANT, the total that adds up for the all the items has to be the same total you gave on the previous page for the value of the box. So if you make something worth $1, that's fine! (Again, Canadians speak up hear if I'm wrong but my abroad friends always told me it was better to do this to reduce customs fees for the recipient.) Lastly, each weight of each individual item will need to add up to the to the total weight item, so I've honestly literally made up ratio numbers in the past. (I have never had a problem in years of sending packages)
5. Tarrif Number: Lastly, you do not have a tariff number so leave that blank. Okay, one last thing, choose your AES exemption. I would choose the second one having to do with gifts.
6. Obtaining the Label/Customs Form: The steps following this are similar to the ones from above except that I believe the payment options for USPS may also include credit card options as well as PayPal. Go ahead and print your label which will also contain your completed customs form. (Please note: you may need to sign your customs form before affixing it to your package) On a positive note, YOU STILL SAVE MONEY BY USING THE ONLINE POSTAGE SYSTEM!
7. How to actually ship it:For international packages, my personal advice is yes, bring it to the post office, and yes, actually check it in and get a receipt saying it was checked in by a postal worker. Since many international packages take quite longer than domestic and tend to get delayed at different intervals, you want to make sure that everything is okay when it first enters the system.


Duty Info:
US can receive a gift up to 100 USD. If you send from Canada and mark your gift as 100 you are actually saying it cost you 100 CAD. Today Google converts that to 75.87USD so your recipient should be ok and not pay additional fees.

Canada can receive a gift up to 60 CAD. If you send from the US and mark your gift as 60, you are actually saying it cost you 60 USD. Today Google converts that to 79.08 CAD. So your Canadian friend in this case might pay duties/taxes/fees.

I believe customs will check the rate on the day the item is processed. Seems Canada is at somewhat the same range recently but it does go down a bit. Just things to keep in mind.

 🎃 Participants - exactly 31 muahahahahahah 

Spoiler

Asche
beadshopgirl
ClassicallyFab
darkiceis
Dyslexia
gonerogue
Ispend2much6
jen143xo
jozkid
kso1225
LCResz
Lipstick4Soul
luvgloss13
Mcakes
mermadelove
MissPuff
myumew
NotCrocker
OhheyitscindyK
PaletteAddict99
prettyinpa
RGBrown
Samtian
shimmerbait
snoflakefaerie
SpaceLlama
Tamara76
txcatx
unfungirl
willa25
ZombieMetroAnt

Mix one part Scream with two parts Scare,

a pinch of Fear, a dash of Dare...

and give your elf a Halloween Box Extraordinare!

⚰EDITED TO ADD:

     👻 Shipping: our goal is to have boxes delivered by (or before) 10/31.  Boxes being shipped across the border take a bit longer

     👻 Wish lists: if you haven't already, please update your wishlist on elfster 🍬

[Mcakes]

Aww I've made my way into your classroom? That's just the sweetest thing ever @willa25! ❤️ I am so very happy that I was lucky enough to be your Elfkin ❤️ It was a true pleasure creating this box for you!

[Mcakes]

You are too sweet @PaletteAddict99 ❤️ Thank you for your kind words! I'm just glad that even though I had no idea what was going on with Willa, I was able to at least put a smile on her face with Max's shenanigans 😄 

[tsavorite]

@willa25,

No apologies are necessary!  We just want to know that you are okay! 

@Mcakes  does a fine Halloweentown Box!   Outstanding!

I have a confession to make, though.  I am so in love with Max the Cat!

I think that I may need an intervention...

[willa25]

@tsavorite... You crack me up! How would you like us to stage this intervention. Should we happen to have other furballs available to help you wean yourself off of the Max... this could be a possibility.  I will say though that if you do actually want to meet the real "Max the Cat" be forewarned that once you touch his fur for the first time it is like kryptonite. His super soft luxurious fur has been known to make even the strongest guy all mushy inside. 🙂    

All kidding aside, I'm glad you love my little buddy as much as I do. We are actually celebrating tomorrow our 14 year anniversary of being a family. (it was the day I adopted him) He's been with me through everything. Everytime I see him I feel truly thankful that he entered my life.

For the time being, here are a few cutie photos to keep you happy for awhile: 🙂

[tsavorite]

@willa25,

Love that Max!!!  So handsome!  ❤️ 

I know his heart belongs only to you, but I will continue to love him from afar!  😉

[Mcakes]

Thank you @tsavorite ❤️ I saw the Halloween gingerbread house and couldn't resist 😄 

[SpaceLlama]

What a great box, @willa25! @Mcakes really did a good job decorating. The googly eyes are amazing. 

I hope you feel better, @willa25 😊 Don't worry about having to take time for yourself. Everyone here is pretty understanding and here for you! Besides, seeing more unboxings is always a fun time! 

[willa25]

@SpaceLlama, thank you for always being so kind and understanding to me. I am trying to make amends and taking small steps to become more active in the community again. I just miss you all so much!!!!

Have a wonderful new year ~ You truly deserve it! 

[Mcakes]

Aww @willa25 ❤️ The important thing is that you are ok! I was so worried ❤️ It sounds like you took the time you needed to put yourself in a good space and I totally understand that. Thank you for taking the time to come on here and post this! 

You've always been such a sweetheart and I wanted to put together something special for you and Max. I am very happy that you guys enjoyed it ❤️

[willa25]

@Mcakes... YOU DID, YOU DID!!! (put together such an amazing box for me and Max)

I actually wanted to tell you something funny. If you remember back when I received the box I was having a horrible week at work and I was putting off opening the box until the weekend b/c I was leaving it as a surprise/gift for myself (for the weekend) after having gotten through the week.

Anyways, the box was left in a place of prominence in my living room. Except.. Max the cat DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE THE BOX ALONE!!!  He kept trying to knock over the box, bite into it, and he even once knocked it down and then started to push it on the floor. I had never seen him so animated over a shipping box??? 

So when I started to open the box, he made himself (of course) front and center in the process. And as I started to unpack it, he actually started digging in it to help me! Guess what??? He found his toy before I did!!! I'm serious... He dug it out, grabbed it in his mouth (still wrapped in the protective plastic) and just started playing with it immediately. I actually had to grab it away from him (and he was not happy with me when I did that) just so I could take off the plastic wrap. I did not want him choking on the wrapping.

So, yes, WE both loved our gifts. Thank you for continued kindness. I count you as one of my closest buddies in the BIC community and your continued and unwavering level of friendship is truly monumental. I wish you the best in the new year.

Here are some pics I did not post in the original unboxing that I thought you might enjoy... basically from the viewpoint of Max the Cat: 

Max stalking the box.. if he had his way he would have opened it while I was sleeping.Once I opened you can see he already had his head in the box.Now here he is with the nose in the boxes.Max the "CATnip" burglar... notice the plastic wrap still firmly attached to his play banana! @tsavorite... I think these pics might only make your love affair with Max the Cat blossom!!! Max wanted me to tell you he is sending you wet nose kitty kisses.. he loves all his admirers!!! 🙂

[tsavorite]

@willa25,

Please pet Max for me!  Give him my love!  <3<3<3

[willa25]

@tsavorite is now resting after his tiring day breaking things, begging for food, and most importantly taking care of his mommy and daddy. He is now right next on the couch lounging away... WHAT A LIFE!!! He told me to tell you that send you all his love!

[tsavorite]

@willa25,

My love and lots of pets go to Max!!!

[Beadshopgirl]

Aww I love Max @willa25! He should be our official BT cat. 

[willa25]

@Beadshopgirl @tsavorite @Beadshopgirl

In response to Max the Cat being considered for the honor of becoming the official kitty for the BIC community. I would first need to discuss this with his agent. LOL 🙂  .... You know, he as all these other obligations like, kitty naps, and bathing in the sunshine, and giving kisses to his mom and dad.

For now, here is a cute of max winning at a board game with the help of my mother in law. (or maybe she helped him.. who knows?) At present he is perched in between my legs playing Nurse Max the Cat. To be honest, he has been on of the most amazing parts of my recovery post accident. He senses when I don't feel well and during that time never leaves my side. In his own furry way, he is taking better care of me than any medication or dr could really do. (I know it sounds hokey but I really do believe it.)

 

[Beadshopgirl]

@willa25 Awww, of course he’s taking care of you! Animals are great therapy. ❤️

[tsavorite]

@willa25,

Gotta love that Max!!!  ❤️

[tsavorite]

@Beadshopgirl,

I totally agree!  🙂

[Mcakes]

Oh my goodness this is hilarious @willa25 😄 Max knew from the minute the postman delivered the box that there was something special inside for him too 😛 His sweet little face makes me so happy ❤️ 

Another funny story is that I had actually bought 2 of those toys. The other one never made it in the box because MY fur babies were all over it 😄 Just like Max they would not leave it alone haha. That must be some high grade catnip that they put in there!

It really is so good to see you on here again @willa25! I am hoping that 2018 will be the amazing year that we were all hoping this year would be for you ❤️ You deserve it you sweet soul ❤️ 

[willa25]

@Mcakes & @tsavorite Here is the story about the banana catnip toy. So, three years ago a coworker invited Chris and I to the annual state Cat Convention. At first I was a little back,... I don't want to be known as the crazy cat lady.

Anyways... It actually was a really enjoyable event. The event basically serves three purposes:

1. to give shelter kitties new homes and raise funds for their well-being

2. Actual "best of breed" and "best of show" competitions. Chris and I were completely intrigued with this. We got to see the MaineCoon judging (this is what Max is) and we were so impressed with how well behaved they were. You can also visit the cats when they are not presenting if their owners are open to it.

3. And now to get to the point... there are tons of vendors specifically for the feline home. To me, most of the vendors were nonsense but we came upon this one table in the back that really caught our eye. It was like the fifth table claiming to sell the "best" catnip on the market but this table was different. First of all, the table was manned by a true as I can ever say it, hippie famer. Secondly I liked how all the toys were funky shapes and sizes, and yeah, the catnip did smell strong. He told us that if bought the now famous "cat banana toy," and our cat didn't like it that we could send it back to him no questions asked. I still seemed a little skeptical but Chris was very much taken cool approach. So I bought two bananas. (one for Max and another as a gift) When I went home that day I left the paper bag on a bookshelf, far away from Max and then went to restroom. (you can probably figure out what happened next) By the time I got out of the restroom, Max had not only gotten down the bag but was holding not one but BOTH bananna toys going buck wild in crazziness. It was that point that I knew not only was the hippie farmer from the convention not lying but this would the offical toy not just for Max but for me to give as a gifts.  Sorry for the long story, I just thought you guys would enjoy it.

So here are some pics to direct you in case you are interested in purchasing;

The standard... it doesn't get any better than a yellow banana.A more daring rainbow design. Also very popular.Cut catnip (the same grade they put inside their toys) In case you would like to make your own cat toys and/or sprinkle some to your cat for a treat.

[Mcakes]

This is an awesome backstory! Thank you so much for sharing with us @willa25! What more could you want from your catnip supplier than from it to come from a hippie farmer?! Haha 😄 I'm definitely going to keep this in mind for more gifts in the future. 

I've always wanted to go to a "best of" animal show. I enjoy watching the horse auctions! But I am terrified to breathe lest they think I'm trying to bid on one 😄