I love the Book Blogger Holiday Swap! Here’s proof of the active community of book bloggers, the amazing crew of volunteers who organize these fun events, and the satisfaction of giving and receiving.
Last year I was able to wait until Christmas morning to open the package from my Secret Santa (is that OK, can I say “Secret Santa”? What’s the PC term – “Secret Swapper”?). This year I couldn’t wait; I was feeling pleased with everything I had checked off my list – decorating, gift shopping, packaging, mailing, meal planning, grocery shopping, baking … then I saw the stack of to-be-wrapped gifts and thought “I’m going to need a boost to get me through this!”
What better boost than opening a gift?! Here’s what I found:
It’s a Reader’s Relaxation Package – sounds great to me!
I can soak in the tub with some nice scented bath gel and the scrubby, reading a book wrapped in this stretchy book cover (I like these to protect my paperbacks when I’m out and about, but I think I might start wrapping books just to make people wonder what I’m hiding 
). I have a fun psychedelic bookmark to mark my place when I stop reading, and scented hand lotion and lip balm (how does my Secret Santa know how dry my skin gets in the winter?!). I also have a festive notepad (good for jotting down my after holidays “to do” list!), and a cute Christmas mouse – he’s felt, so I’ll use him as a bookmark, too, and think of my Blogger Swapper often!
I don’t know who my Secret Santa is; she (she … I assume a ‘she’ based on the note) gave a few hints, but I’m stumped!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Opening these gifts gave me the energy to continue wrapping gifts at this end of the blogosphere!
Did you play along with the Book Blogger Holiday Swap this year? I hope you had fun!
What a wonderful Secret Santa! This is someone who obviously understands about the need for pampering.
You got some nice gifts! Every mom of four needs a relaxation package!
YOu got a super swap package. Perfect for relaxing after the holiday rush. Enjoy!!!!!
That mouse looks like he’s hungry for a cheese stick!
#twinkiesarecreampuffs
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend to the day after Christmas
I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas, Dawn, and a joyous New Year!
Merry Christmas Dawn! I’m glad you ended up getting such a great gift!
Oh what a fun bookish package! Hope you find many more underneath the Christmas tree
Wishing you and your family a great Christmas!
Hi, I’m your secret santa! My real name is Tobi, Tokemise is my screenname. I’m so glad that opening your package gave you the little boost you needed. I noticed in the photo I forgot to put the candy cane in for the mouse’s tail! Enjoy and Happy Holidays.
I promised myself last year that I would play but I didn’t after all. I will next year (and this time I mean it)!
Sandy, Kathy, and Beth F. – I plan to put the relaxation to good use tonight! Yesterday was a fun/hectic day.
softdrink – haha! A (no fat!) cheese stick it is
Molly, Amy, and Iliana – thank you, and Merry Christmas to you, too!
tokenmise – I’m so glad to ‘meet’ you! Thank you for the wonderful swap gift
Ladytink – the book blogger holiday swap is a lot of fun – I hope you do sign up for it next year.
What a nice way to spend and enjoy the rest of the holidays! Everyone needs to have some time off to relax. Enjoy your gift from your Secret Santa. Merry Christmas!
I’m so bummed I missed out on the secret Santa swap this year. Somehow I missed the notices about it. It’s how I met you last year and found your fabulous blog. Next year! Hope you had a fabulous holiday with the family. We’re visiting family in Illinois and it snowed about 9 inches today. LOVE it (as long as I don’t have to shovel it all the time).
What a creative gift! I hope you find out who it was … and I think I’m going to try this next year. Everyone got such neat stuff!
you got some great gifts from the secret santa/swapper!
Fantastic.
I hope you had a great holiday!
What a great and festive gift! This year’s swap has been so much fun to share in!