posted by Ashalah on Features

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First, I drop the new blog on you. And then I remind everyone that Valentine’s Day is coming up (and yes, I’m still single. Just keeping with tradition y’all). Valentine’s Day, in my opinion, is made all the more wonderful by one little thing I started four years ago…

Oh Won’t You Be My (Blog) Valentine?

Fourth Annual Valentine Blog Swap!

Some of you know the drill, but for those of you who are new, or just need some reminding, here’s the gist: the swap is like Secret Santa, only for Valentine’s Day. I match bloggers at random; you will know who you have, but they won’t know who has them, just like you won’t know who has you. So when Valentine’s Day comes and your package arrives from your mysterious Valentine, you’ll be very pleasantly surprised! It’s a great way to spread the love, meet new people and find new blogs!

For the past few years I’ve had at least 100 people participate and it’s been fantastic! I can’t wait to host my fourth one and I hope that everyone who visits this site, whether you’re an oldie, a newbie, been referred here by a friend or stumbled randomly across this will participate!! Now, here are some rules and I DO expect them to be followed.

1. You cannot request who you will be matched up with, the random matching is the beauty of this game! Sometimes you get a friend which is awesome, and sometimes you make a new one!
2. Gifts will have a max purchase amount of $20. Don’t know what to get? Peruse their blog, find out their interests and hobbies or get them something that you love and think they’d love too. Get creative!
3. You don’t have to have a blog, twitter or even facebook! If you do not have any of these help a girl out and let me know some of your favorite things but don’t shy away just because you’re not a blogger.
4. SERIOUS PARTICIPANTS ONLY. I mean it. Participate only if you are serious about giving a gift in exchange for receiving one. It’s only fair for everyone involved and I don’t want to have to chase your ass down to get you to send someone their gift. Overall this experience has been a positive one and I’ve heard awesome things but every year there has been a handful of people who have their feelings hurt because they never received a gift. Please, please only sign up if you plan on giving, not just receiving.
5. If, after you sign up, you suddenly find yourself not able to participate AT ANY POINT (even if I’ve matched you up!), please email me at ashalah@ashalah.com and I will fix things. I will appreciate your honesty, as will your partner!
6. I apologize but this year I’m going to have to restrict the participants to the US and Canada only. I’d love to include everyone from around the world but it gets harder to match people.
7. If you wish, you can use the badge on your site to show off that you’re participating!
8. When sending your package, include a little note with who you are and where you blog!!
9. If you need to contact the person you have but don’t want to spoil the surprise, just ask me and I’ll do it for you!
10. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!

To enter, please fill out this form by Midnight PST January 26, 2012.  Don’t worry, only I will have access to your information and promise promise promise no one other than me and the person who has you will see it.

If you have any questions or have any problems with filling out this form please email me at ashalah@ashalah.com. 

Are you ready? Let’s go!

Tags: Be My (Blog) Valentine