Swapper Gift Guide, part 1

In the months of November and December, I will be writing a series of posts featuring holiday gift ideas for swappers! If you have a swapper on your list to buy for, you're sure to find some great ideas. But watch out, you may just find yourself adding to your list for Santa. I hope no matter what, you'll have fun reading along!

What does a swapper love more than mail? More mail! Product sampler boxes are a relatively new promotional device for e-tailers. And I think they would make fantastic presents for the swapper who love independent shops, crafty goodies and handmade items. A box of surprises in the mail: sounds like a swapper's favorite thing! Here are a few of the sampler boxes out there.

The Sampler
One of the better-known sampler boxes, The Sampler highlights indie crafters, artists, zines and record labels. The November Sampler is on sale now, the Holiday Sampler will be available later in December.

The Spotted Box
Released on the 15th of each month, the Spotted Box is a newer sample box catering to families with children and featured eco-friendly samples from independent retailers.

Phat Fiber
So new, it won't be available until next year! This one is for the yarn and fiber enthusiast, containing yarn, roving, batts, stitch markers, patterns, coupon codes from indie fiber artists. Coming in January 2009.

My Pretty Pink Box For the girly-girl, this sampler box contains beauty items from small e-tailers.
Released mid-month, the November box will be on sale soon.


Little Black Box
Filled with a wide variety of items from indie retailers including jewelery, candles, soap, crochet items, edibles and more. The November (Holiday) boxes are on sale now.




And I will definately be checking out their Black Friday Bonanza! During this special event, participants shops are offering sales, free shipping, buy one get one free deals, contests and door prizes! Awesome! Watch their blog for more info.



My Little Purple Box
The Little Black box is USA only, but if you're shopping list includes an international swapper, My Little Purple Box is their worldwide sister site.

Pets Jubilee
There's even a sample box for those of us who love spoiling our pets! Each box debuts on the 1st of each month. The Holiday box, full of handmade goodies for pets of all kinds, will go on sale Dec. 1.

Lemming Central Sampler Boxes
For the person who likes smelly things, Lemming Central boxes are mainly filled with beauty and candle products. Their Holiday box is scheduled to go on sale in December.

Get Eurofied is a brand NEW sample box containing only products from handmade enterprises located in the European Union. Don't worry, they ship globally! It's a taste of handmade Europe, starting this December.