Hello lovely friend! Thank you for your interest in being a part of the Seventh annual Lionheart Canyon Studio Gift Swap!

2025 registration is open Through Sunday, january 19!

I'm so happy you're here! This has been a joyful, growing experience over the past six, now seven (!!!) years. I love curating this for my community, and last year over 30 people participated! Some lovely friendships bloomed and thoughtful packages have been sent over the years, and what a joy it is to watch unfold during a weird season.

The Lionheart Gift Swap is meant to invite YOU and other humans to feel a little extra love on Galentine's/Valentine's Day. I'm a firm believer in intentional community, especially these days. A lot has happened in our own lives this past year, as well as taking on the weight of the world. There’s something special about celebrating our friendships and forming new connections, and I think it’s so important to lean into that these days <3

The basic rundown

First, you’ll submit a fun questionnaire and pay a $15 registration fee (I share below why I need to charge a sign up fee), and then I will intentionally “matchmake” you with a partner based on your answers! After you find out who you are paired with, you will be able to shop + curate a lovely package for your partner. They will do the same, and you will mail your packages to each other to receive in time for Valentine’s Day!

the details

Please fill out the sign up questionnaire by Sunday, January 19 — it won't take too long and it's fun, so the sooner the better! Your answers here will help your partner curate a box of goodies that you'll hopefully love, so be specific! (Ex. if you love neutral smelling candles but aren't a fan of fruity-scents, it's good to share that!) I’ve heard feedback that the MORE detail you share, the easier it is for your partner to curate a package for you!

Registration is open til Sunday, January 19 or sooner if we reach 30 participants before then! After all of the questionnaires have been turned in, I’ll get to work on intentionally match-making you with a partner based on all of the answers! Most pairings find they have fun similarities, and you may even find a new friend/penpal. I think I have a knack for matchmaking kindred spirits, and take consideration with each lionheart’s likes, activities, life situations and budget.

You’ll receive an email sharing who your partner is & their questionnaire answers by Friday, January 24 (or sooner). Once you know more about your partner, you can begin shopping for their package and they will do the same for you. Packages must be mailed to your partner by Monday, February 10 at the very latest.

*** Please note - this year I am only opening this gift swap up to Lionhearts in the United States. I am so sorry to do this, but international shipping costs are high and I know there have been international delays. If you are a Lionheart friend outside of the US, I highly encourage you to find a friend to swap gifts with! You are more than welcome to use the Questionnaire outline I’ve shared below to help curate your own experience <3

IMPORTANT + SAID WITH LOVE

I need to gently say this to make sure the gift swap is taken seriously. I WILL follow up to ensure packages are sent! Please note that by signing up, YOU are responsible for sending a quality package to your partner by the shipping deadline. Please only sign up if you know that you can curate an intentionally curated package, and mail it. DO NOT “ghost” your partner—the gift swap is not fun if your partner mails you a package, but they don’t get one from you or if you don’t take it seriously. The $15 sign up fee also acts as an investment to ensure people are serious about signing up!

Lionheart Canyon Studio is not held responsible for you and your partner mailing each other packages. However, I have put in place a condition to ensure packages are mailed. I do understand that life things happen, so if you are unable to send a package to your partner, I need to know ASAP. I will ask you to Venmo me the amount that you shared as your budget in the questionnaire ($30, $40 or $50) and the cost of shipping, and I will use that money to curate and send a package to your partner on your behalf. I would really like to avoid doing this, but I feel like this is the best way to ensure everyone gets a package.

Thank you for letting me say that! I just want to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience and nobody gets ghosted or the energy isn’t reciprocated <3 Now for more fun information!

other sign up perks

I will send each participant a link for a Collaborative Spotify playlist so we can all add our favorite songs, a Pinterest board with packaging/gift/recipe ideas, and shipping tips! I will also compile a list of everyone’s name, city and Instagram/social media handles for you to connect with people other than your partner (you can let me know whether or not you’d like to be included on the list).

Again, please note that there's a $15 registration fee separate from your package budget. This is to ensure you're serious and committed to curating a quality, intentional package for your partner, and to also compensate the time I put into curating the swap! I put a TON of intentionality into matching you with a kindred partner — and it takes time/energy to manage this/communicate individually with everyone multiple times throughout the swap :) This is definitely a passion project I do for my community, and I’d love to continue in future years as long as there’s interest. In order to keep hosting this Gift Swap at its growing capacity, I need to pay myself for my time. Thank you for understanding, and I’m so excited to host this for the SEVENTH year!

YAY yay yay!!!

Now it’s time to apply!!!!!!!! Love to you, Lionheart!

Kate Laing
Lionheart Canyon Studio Owner + Artist

gift swap QUESTIONNAIRE!

2025 registration is open through Sunday, January 19 — or sooner if we reach 30 participants!

remember, the more detail you share, the easier it will be for your partner to curate a fun package for you!

Best filled out on a computer, your responses may not save if you refresh or exit the page!

Name

First Name

Last Name

What are your pronouns, friend?

We always want to offer an inclusive, comfortable space. We respect all identities and pronouns in the Lionheart Canyon community.

Are you on Instagram? How about other social media channels?

If you are, please share your handles for whatever platforms you'd like!

What's your age?

You must be over 18 but there's no upper limit!

What's a good United States address for your partner to send your package?

Include name, street address, apartment number (if applicable), city, state and zip!

What is your budget for the gift swap? (Before shipping costs)

You will be matched with a partner who has the same budget! While this number should be your minimum spending amount, you are allowed to go over. Please note this number does not include the $15 sign up fee or shipping cost.

Preferences!!! Please be as specific as possible. This will help your partner as they shop for you.

What's something on your wishlist/in your shopping cart that you'd be delighted to get? (Think: a third to half of your budget?)

This could be an idea for your partner to select your "wow" gift of the package! Shopping local is highly encouraged! Please note, your partner is not expected to gift this item, just an idea :) Each package must contain some sort of "wow" gift, with smaller items. This could be a gift, an art print, local goodies, etc. You CANNOT only include samples/stocking stuffer type items. Please reach out if you have questions about this. Thank you!

Are you an artist or a crafty person? If so, what art/craft supply would you be thrilled to play with?

Do you like receiving handmade items?

Do you like receiving fun vintage/thrifted finds?

Do you have any favorite artists/makers/small business owners? If so, share them here!

Especially if you love anything from them, this could be a fun way for your partner to find the "wow" gift in your package! Supporting local (or non-local!) artists + makers encouraged :)

If you like collecting artwork, what's your favorite medium to collect?

Ceramics, painting, handmade jewelry, fiber works, etc!

What's your morning/self care drink of choice?

Coffee, tea, something else?

Name a book or two you've been wanting to read, but don't already have.

Or a movie/something else if you're not a reader ;)

Describe your personal style! What do you wear? How is your home decorated?

Classic? Modern? Vintage? Something else? This can help your partner get an idea of your style :)

Favorite movies, tv shows, franchises, podcasts, etc?

You don't need to have an answer for each one of these categories!

What colors/patterns are you drawn to?

Favorite candies, snacks or treats?

Scents of choice for candles/bath/other scented items?

Do you prefer tall socks or short socks?

What kind of jewelry do you wear most or want? Do you prefer gold or silver, or another color metal? (Any metal sensitivities?)?)

Do you have any allergies/sensitivities/dislikes? Anything you don't need more of?

Answering this question well will help your partner know what NOT to give you! Example — I don't need ANYMORE coffee cups (haha), and I am not a fan of sour things! Please be sure to include any allergies/sensitivities you might have.

Any other favorite small/lower priced gifts you might like to receive?

This could help give your partner ideas for more "stocking stuffer" type gifts to help fill the box!

Now let's get to know YOU better! Your answers here will help me matchmake you to a kindred spirit.

If you know... what is your enneagram type? Your love languages? Myers Briggs? Astrology sign? (any or all of them, or other personality typing systems you know haha!)

If you don't know, there are tests online you can take for all of these!

What activities make you feel more alive?

Creative things? Cooking? Hiking? Exploring? Reading? Thrifting? Coffee with friends? Puzzles? Crocheting? Etc!

What do you spend most of your day doing?

Are you a student? Working? Self employed? Staying at home with kiddos? Traveling? Something else?

What do you do for self care?

How's your heart doing? Your relationships? Your energy?

What areas of life could you use encouragement in this year? (Your partner will be encouraged to write a card/letter for you!)

School, relationships, family, creativity, work, faith, pandemic etc?

Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them!

I am a doting dog mom to Sage Biscuit, as you may know ;)

Share a 3-4 sentence bio for yourself! Don't think into this too much <3

What's your communication style? (Are you looking for a potential new friend, or just looking to swap some gifts? Would you like to start conversation with you partner? How often do you respond to DM's/messages?)

I will try and use this to matchmake you to someone who communicates similarly to you!

Almost done!

Do you promise. to pay the $15 submission fee, and commit to sending a QUALITY package of gifts to your partner by Feb. 11?

Any questions I can answer for you?

If you have questions you'd like answered before submitting this form, there's a contact box below! You can also send me a DM on Instagram at @lionheartcanyonstudio.

Yay!! Thanks so much for taking time to fill out this questionnaire! Last thing you'll need to do is fulfill the $15 sign up fee below! Once you do, you're officially in! (You must pay the fee to participate). After submitting the form, you'll have to scroll through some blank page to find the registration fee listing :)

I can't wait to read your responses and get to matchmaking you with a partner. I'll be in touch with you soon!

After submitting your questionnaire, please fulfill the registration fee! Make sure to do this AFTER you submit your form! You can also Venmo me at @lionheartcanyonstudio! If I don’t receive payment within 24 hours of receiving your registration form, I will be reaching out to you! Thanks for being proactive!