Okay, so this is something I have had in my head for a while, but every time I tried to bring it to fruition something seemed to come up. Well, procrastinate no more! The task is complete. In the spirit of the Giving Back thread, the giveaways, and maintaining an all-around positive vibe in the community, I wanted to do a little something myself.

So here is the deal. I have packaged up a random set of goodies into a mystery box. I have addressed and mailed these to a fellow member who has done me some solids over the years. Inside this box are some toy items (a lucky thirteen of them) as a gift to this person. Nothing exremely rare (just a few Nags I had laying around) but something for most peoples taste: some kaiju, some 'neo'-kaiju; some new, some vintage; some small, some big - a fair mix. So why am I rambling on about this? I am getting to that.

The key principle here is that my intent is to have this box grow or even multiply, and continue on its course around the toy collectors' world. The idea being, as much as I hate the term, to pay it forward to someone else. So, if you are the recipient of this mystery box at some point, I congratulate you, and ask you to send it on to someone else who you have had a pleasurable deal with, has helped you out in some way, contributed to your toy knowledge or enjoyment, or has just been a pleasure to talk toys with. There are so many great people here, you should not have any trouble.

A couple of caveats:

1. you can take any and all of the toys inside the mystery box, but I (and others) would appreciate it if you could in turn replace them with an equal number;

Actually, I think that is it, or I am forgetting the others I had in mind. At any rate.... Yes, you will have to pay for shipping, but keep in mind someone before you already has. If you want to split it into two smaller boxes to say Thanks to multiple people, go right ahead. The more, the merrier. As the package(s) reach its destination, I think it would be cool to post a pic of what you got/selected out of the mix, and thank the sender. Maintaining the surprise of what is inside and who is going to get it next is just part of it.

Anyway, I have rambled on enough, and I appreciate your attention. The box is out there in the mail ether somewhere, so let the waiting commence!

Fine Print: - I only had a choice of one person this time around, but if it turns out that wasn't you, don't take it too personally. I have so many people I owe on this board, and can't hit them all right off the bat.
__________- no doubt some packages will get lost along the way, but I aim to start a few more 'chains' once I am able to
__________- as much annoyance and tedium (and vitriol) that can sometimes come up, the Skullbrain community is a really great place most of the time, and I really appreciate that. This is just a small gesture but if it catches on with folks so much the better. Even if it ends at the next person in the line, I still have no regrets.

Thanks for starting this, this is a great idea!

What a stellar idea! I'm a big fan of sending off the mystery box, used to do it all the time, but it never occurred to me to make a chain-letter out of it. It would be fun to see how long the original box can survive and how far it can go, heh - I'm picturing a steam trunk of old, covered in dings and stickers that tell the story of it's travels. What a delightful and conscientious project, Steve. Kudos!

Thanks guys. I only wish I could have put in more stuff, like stickers, patched, candy, etc., as was my initial intent. But I was pressed for time and resources now, so I had to make do. I also should have used a sturdy, reusable box, that would have been perfect for this, but I was trying to cut down the size as much as possible. And I figure it will grow a little along the way too. But somewhere along the chain, this would be really a great idea.

I wanted to do something like this years ago, but never figured out "rules" etc.
What you have come up with is spot-on!

It's going to be fun seeing all the pictures from others.

Great idea. Might be good to keep a list of who got the box (maybe inside that very box) so it doesn't always end up at the same person's place. It just wouldn't be fair to you all if I kept getting all the toys...

It doesn't count when you send it to yourself Oli!

Hopefully the photos/posts will be a rough guide as to who has received it recently, but really if someone is that stellar to get it gifted a few times over, that is fantastic - it was well-earned. They must've passed it along at some point, which is the spirit of it.

I know the for some people, international shipping might be prohibitive/unintentionally restrict them from receiving the box. I did think of this, but hopefully if people want to just keep the costs down and cycle it locally, it eventually will move to another region, where it can again cycle locally, etc. I don't want to exclude our friends in the UK, Europe, or Asia, so if it doesn't end up in those places I can start some supplemental packages when I am able, or if it gets too big/heavy we can split some off for another "stream."

Surprise!

Great idea! I had a similar idea, but it revolved around a DS game where everyone played a part of it,left their mark and passed it along.

A big box of colorful randoms turned up at my door on Saturday:

Thanks, you big, lovable nutball! No clue what will live here and what will move on yet, but a week of playing with the pile should give me some answers.

Rule Canadia!

That is a big box of awesomness. Congratz!

Look at that Garamon , look at that little guy.


Such an awesome idea.

Hey ultrakaiju, are you on a commission from USPS? . . . . They must be loving you for starting a 'chain letter' that involves shipping a box of random junk that big to strangers that may not even want it all over the USA!

Very generous but logistically flawed!

How is this project going? Any new recipients? Photos of the keepers?

I think it is still on the go, somewhere, or at least optimistically hoping so. I've been itching to get another batch out, but just have not had the ability lately. I apologise to anyone feeling unloved, there are a lot of great board members well-deserving.

I'll try and supplement it when I can. There is no obligation to keep the package itself going if it proves a difficulty. We all know what happened with the moleskin(s). It's more just about the sentiment and passing along some thanks and appreciation for the community. Many folks have already contributed so much in the way of giveaways. I meant for this [as an opportunity] to extend a personal thanks as well, but I am quite happy if even a couple people received something.

I think it's a wonderful idea! I hope the package is still in circulation! Yes, I know there is bound to be stuff you don't want, but it's not ALL about the stuff! Or is it? No, just kidding! It's about the fun-ness and kindness of it all!
Don't pelt me with Hello Kitty plush! I know it's a kumbaya moment, but what can you expect at 1:30 am and no coffee?