Welcome!
We’re so happy you’re here! This little tradition began back in 2012 as a way to sprinkle joy around the world — and after 13 years, it’s still one of my favourite parts of the season.
Think of it like a penpal… but with presents!
Funds Raised So Far
People Joined
You give a gift, you receive a gift
Here’s how it works:
- To join the exchange, we ask for a minimum donation of $5 — and you’re most welcome to give more if you’d like. Every dollar goes directly to Rafiki Mwema, and this year your generosity will help fund the education of the older girls in our care. Adults (18+) will join the Adults group. Kids (17 & under) will join the Kids Group.
- You will receive a link in your email immediately after your donation. You will need to click the link in the email, and RSVP in the relevant Elfster group to take part. Failure to do this step will mean you will miss out.
- RSVP with Elfster. Sign up or login to Elfster and choose the group you would like to be in (Location to send gift) and double check your address is correct!
2025 GIFT EXCHANGE NOW CLOSED
Thank you to everyone who donated!
We will be in touch with an update on how the donations were used x
The Gift Exchange is our annual love-fest where people all around the world send gifts to strangers we partner them up with.
How the Gift Exchange works
Have questions? Check the FAQ!
Groups for 2025
Adults: Australia & New Zealand, USA, Europe
Kids: Australia & NZ, USA (ages 0–18 only)
You’ll be matched with another participant in your region only (due to US parcel tariffs this year).
Please only join the correct group for your region.
sign up BEFORE OCT 7Child participation
Does your child want to join in the Gift Exchange?
We love children getting involved and it’s a lovely learning experience to figure out what a stranger would like as a gift.
You will need to sign up for a child account for your child to participate.
Learn howFacebook group
The Gift Exchange Facebook group is where you’ll share more details about you to your gift-giver, and you’ll learn about the person you’re gifting to.
Please make sure you join, because this is where the fun happens!
The link will be provided in your Welcome Email but for now you can follow the FMS Facebook page for updates.
FMS FB pageGiftee partners
By October 10th you will be assigned a partner.
You will receive this information via email and will include their name and postal address. You can look for your partner in our Facebook group and get to know them there.
Please note: The person you are gifting is not the same person that is gifting to you.
FAT MUM SLIM FB pageBudget and deadline
You will need to send your gift by October 30th.
You’ll be matched with another participant in your region only (due to US parcel tariffs this year).
Your job is to spoil them with gifts to the value of $30 (AUD$30 for Australia & NZ, USD$30 for US and European groups), wrap them up with love, and send them on by 30 October.
Someone else will be doing the same for you. It’s kindness, connection, and Christmas magic, all rolled into one.
Gift wrapping and online shopping
Did you know? “A study by professor Daniel Howard found that giving a gift that’s been lovingly wrapped influences the recipient to value it more.”
Gifts must be wrapped but don’t fret if it’s not perfect, there is also research that says a not-so-perfectly wrapped gift can surpass expectations!
Please do not buy a gift online and send direct to your partner. This is not allowed.
Gift wrapping ideasJust like every year, all entry fee donations go to Rafiki Mwema
This year, every dollar raised will help cover the cost of education for the older girls in our care — from high school to tertiary studies.
Thank you for being part of something so wonderful.
FAQ
Your questions, answered
When the Gift Exchange is open for entries you will see two entry boxes on the top of this page, one for Adult entries and one for Child entries. Click on the ‘Sign up for..’ and you are on your way! These payments are tax deductible within Australia.
You will receive a link in your email immediately after your donation. This email will be from Rafiki Mwema (Check your junk mail if you cannot see it) You will need to click the link in the email, and RSVP in Elfster to take part. Failure to do this step will mean you will miss out.
You will need to RSVP with Elfster. If you already have an Elfster account, you will only need to login to your account and then RSVP for this gift exchange (the link will be sent in the email after you make your donation) If you have never used Elfster before you will need to Sign up and choose the group you would like to be in (Location to send gift)
Double check your address is correct as this is where your gift will be sent!
There are no hidden costs. There is a AUD$5 donation to join, with 100% going to the charity Rafiki Mwema. This donation is simply a way of supporting Rafiki Mwema, and also keeping participants accountable. Other than that, the Gift Exchange is a completely free activity run by Chantelle of Fat Mum Slim. The only other cost is what you spend on your gift and shipping. We run the Gift Exchange on Facebook and Elfster, both are free to use.
You’ll need to have you gift sent my October 30th. Keep your tracking so you can update your partner (anonymously through Elfster), so they can stalk their gift!
The link to the Facebook group is in your emails from Rafiki Mwema. Refer back to those and join the group. There may be a slight wait for approval, but all Gift Exchange participants will be given access before the Gift Exchange officially kicks off.
The cost of your postage will depend on the weight and size of your item. Due to the US tariffs, you’ll be matched with another participant in your region only.
While this feels efficient, it’s not an ideal experience for the person on the receiving end. The idea is that they unwrap a gift from someone across the country, opening a parcel from a shop like Amazon just isn’t the same.
The minimum spend for your gift is AUD$30, with postal on top of that. If this feels like a stretch for you, please skip this year and consider joining us next year. If you like to make handmade things, you’re welcome to send something to your partner, as long as the value of the gift is still over AUD$30.
In our Facebook group you’ll be able to stalk your partner secretly and find out their likes and dislikes, and even allergies. You can also ask them anonymous questions on Elfster.
You will receive details on your partner by October 10th. Keep an eye out for an email from Elfster with all the details.
