swapThere are just over two weeks until 2010 is upon us! Can you believe it?! Let’s embrace the swift passage of time and celebrate the new year with a fun Japanese tradition. This week’s featured swap is for the traditional Japanese New Year postcards called Nengajo. The is being hosted by . (The swap was inspired by a hosted by , which has already closed for sign up.) For the international 2010 Nengajo swap, each participant must send one New Year-themed postcard to each of their three partners. Postcards are an important part of the New Year celebrations in Japan. From the swap description:

On January 1 in Japan, postmen deliver stacks of specially postmarked, beautiful postcards with greetings for the new year. They are called ‘nengajo’ in Japanese and families spend lots of creative energy to make or purchase postcards that reflect their style. Japan Post even sells preprinted nengajo with special lottery stamps!

You can read more about the . The is open for sign up through December 20th.