Good afternoon,
I would like to know what kind of things people leave in new boxes for the first finder.
Thanks,
-TPL

We don't always leave a "prize", but oftentimes do. We haven't used certificates, but instead have either used something to do with the box (a "Holly" ornament in a box featuring holly in a Christmas Botanicals series, a Jelly Belly tie-tack type pin in a box near a Jelly Belly distribution center, Silly Putty in a "Fool" box, etc.) OR we have left a hitchhiker as a surprise for the first finder.

Wisconsin Hiker

We leave one of our business cards (letterbox trailname) with our email address requesting that the finder take the card with them and email us with information about the box (contents, stamp design, etc.) Once we are convinced that person found the box we will send them their prize. Sometimes it is a gift card from a major retailer (K-Mart, etc.) for their use, a Barnes and Noble gift card, a t-shirt, what ever strikes our fancy.

My own personal PREference is for items which can be placed in one's own logbook - making me not a fan of "trinkets" which I have no where to put.

So, when I place a box I usually work in a copy of the stamp itself with some kind of "dressing it up". It's been as simple as just putting a border around a stamp image, or more elaborate...almost always working in some of the paper or cloth I used for the logbook's cover...

It really depends on what kind of mood I'm in when I finish up a box, since the FF is what I do last and it's often getting late. For me, I like each of my FFs to be unique. I've seen others where the placer has a standard FF certificate and they put the stamp image (and their own personal stamp) on the certificate, the name of the box, etc.

Some don't put FFs at all, btw, but I'm a fan of finding them, so I do the extra work to make one when I place a box...

preboxed

Actually I have heard hints of, and actually found in one box, a coupon or business card redeemable for food items (ie. a beer, an ice cream etc.)

We're new to letterboxing, but have been first finders once so far. We were treated to a hitchhiker as our FF prize. FYI.

I'm about to plant some boxes this month. I think we'll leave a certificate (as described in another response) as well as a hitchhiker. It keeps it all "in" the game... although if a box was hidden in a coffee shop or in a shopping center, I can see how a certificate for a cup of coffee, or a local food shop certificate might be fun too...

Ladybugs Picnic

I don't do first finder's prizes for boxes for an event or WOM boxes, but I do them on regular boxes (this is just my personal preference only!).

I do certificates sometimes with other prizes, sometimes just the certificate. We have created bookmarks and framed images from the stamp image, a little story book with the stamp series, put in related store bought trinkets, modified store bought trinkets with the image and note of first finder, put in a WOM clue as a prize (mine), put in related HH-- I like to make it so you never know what might be in there. :)

My experience has been about 50/50. 50% of my FF have had some sort of prize; 50% have had nothing but the satisfaction of getting there first.

My kids love it when there's a tangible prize. Me--I just like knowing I found it before anyone else. I have put HH's in my boxes, I've put in certificates, but I haven't put any prize at all in my last couple of plants. I'm doing well just to get the box put together and out there.

This past weekend I was FF on a box that has been in the wild for almost a year. There was a sticker with the stamp image on it as a prize, but I was more thrilled by that gorgeous, blank first page in the book. ;-)

Knit Wit

Funny you should ask. Just today I bought some Polymer clay with the idea of making a *First Finder* charm/medallion/ whatever you want it to be. My idea is to carve a wooden stamp and use it to press out the tokens and then make a hole that a cord could be strung through. I've never worked wiht polymer clay before so we'll see how it works.

Shiloh

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Just today I bought some Polymer clay with the idea of making a *First Finder* charm/medallion/ whatever you want it to be.

If I remember (it has been awhile) I did this with one of my PLBs. I used polymer clay to make the backing for the stamps and with the left over I made a little FF prize. I wonder what ever happened to it?

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I used polymer clay to make the backing for the stamps

How did that turn out?

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I wonder what ever happened to it?

Sombody left it in a cache to get rid of it. :) *kidding*

Shiloh

I used foam for the actual stamp. I was trying to get exact shapes, without any design on them. Then I used foam glue to attach it to the polymer clay backing. It worked pretty good. It confused a lot of people, but at the time it was the only way I could get the exact shapes I needed.

cool ideas. I agree
1. I already have enough 'stuff' so more trinkets wouldn't be something I would do
2. love the ideas of certificates, hmmm.
3. I really love the idea of a bookmark made with the letterbox image, that is Awesome!!!!

This has been a great thought provoking post. when we first started boxing hadn't heard of prizes. Then later we started placing a very simple certificate in.

Hmm, maybe the prize thingy would be just the thing to help along those new BC boxers to continue boxing (so many box once or twice, then no more.)

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I would like to know what kind of things people leave in new boxes for the first finder.

I have left and found First Finder Certificates.

My certificates have the usual congratulations stuff plus the electronic version of whatever image I used printed on it. Then I also stamp my stamp on it. I keep them small enough so people can tape or glue them into the average size logbook without folding it more than once.

I have also gotten a wooden little disk with a little sticker printed like a First Finder Certificate. It was cute but it didn't fit in the logbook too well.

I have found a refrigerator magnet with the image of the stamp as well. I really liked that idea!

I've read about people who have put a letterbox in the letterbox. The first finder was supposed to take it and replant it as a permanent plant somewhere of their choosing and put it on the websites. That was creative.

Larry

This information is just what I was looking for. Thanks to all who replied.

I am wanting to place a box in an area that is known for family entertainment. I thought tickets for free admissioin would be cool. (I can get them at a discount)

I also like the idea of making a nice presentation of the stamp to be placed in the log book.

P.S. I stayed up late last night working on my personal stamp.....yeah, I think it looks good. It was much easier than I expected. I am already having to tell myself, "Get your work done FIRST!!!" lol I am soooo pumped!

Thanks again,
-TPL

I am currently working on a 50 box series - one for each state. I decided that it might be cool to have a postcard from the state in the box as a first finder's prize. So if any of you would be interested in sending me a postcard from your state (I'm from Illinois so I have that covered) please email me here at AQ for my address. I thought it might also be neat if donors could stamp their personal stamp on the card where the message would be. I have people sending postcards from Alaska and Hawaii. Most other states are open. :D Anyone interested?!
Cherokee Rose 2

I would love to help you out by sending one from Ohio.

sure...
I can get you the NC one you will need

dixiekin

am going to TN this weekend also.

I could get you a CO one for sure, and a WY one (with a little time) if you can't find anyone to get you one from that state. Cheyenne is only about 90 minutes from me.

Send address privately.

preboxed
Denver, CO

I could do WA and I am close enough to Oregon if you need that one to.

M n M Maniac

I can provide South Carolina...just email me via AQ
Zoe

Hi Cherokee Rose - I can send you one from MI, and I'm fairly close to OH too, if you need that one.

SunFleur

I work with PC all the time. You have to warm it up in your hands to get it ready. Truly the stuff is amazing. If you want, you can just use your pz cut to make an impression. Of course, if you enjoy making a carving in wood, that will work well too. I use my practice stamps to texturize my polymar clay projects instead of buying special plates in the craft store.

Eaglewatcher

Cherokee Rose 2

We can send you one from Oregon (already have some on hand)... and we can get one each from California and Nevada, as well, if you like!

Just send us an email via AQ to let us know.

Ladybugs Picnic

I live in a winter wonderland and hibernate. I did a lot of practice carving this past winter and thought about first finder prizes. I wanted something to do however, so I went searching the craft section. In the end I found suncatchers that you "paint" with this stuff, I'm sure someone will know what I'm talking about. In between carving I painted on those and that's what I'm using for ff prizes. They may not have anything to do with the box or location, but I know people like them so whatever.

Moonduck

Since I've now reposted this link a few times for reference, I'm going to also add to it with that in mind.

I've been known to put a hitchhiker in a box for the FF, or maybe even some bonus clues, in addition to a FF prize of some kind.

<looks up at the ceiling, whistling innocently>
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