Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
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Wednesday, April 24

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Events Mon Dec 09 2013

Sign Up for the First Annual Christmas Letter Swap

4960373.jpgAre you tired of seeing yet another engagement photo on Facebook this holiday season? Do you say "bah, humbug!" when everyone on Twitter seems to be planning the #most #amazing #newyears #ever? Then, the First Annual Christmas Letter Swap might be the writing project for you!

Live Lit performer and producer Scott Whitehair (This Much Is True, Story Lab Chicago) came up with the concept after his own misfortunes. "The idea stems from a conversation with friends last December," he said. "I was telling them that I wished I had sent out a weird family newsletter the year I got divorced. It would have been from 'The Whitehairs,' but with the 's' scratched out, and would have included a picture of me, clearly drunk, in an apartment that was empty except for a poorly decorated tree." From there, the idea of swapping funny and fictional Christmas newsletters began to take shape.

How does it work? Participants sign up on the website and write a letter on behalf of a completely made-up family. They then send it to five strangers and, in return, they'll receive news from five other fictional families. You can be as goofy and creative as you want, though there are samples on the site to inspire you. Pictures are strongly encouraged. Letters will be displayed on the website, and there will even be a Hall of Shame for those Scrooges who did not honor their commitment.

The deadline for signing up is Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 5pm. Participation is free, the laughs are priceless.

Image courtesy of the Christmas Letter Swap website.

 
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Book Club is the literary section of Gapers Block, covering Chicago's authors, poets and literary events. More...

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