Pay it Forward on Facebook

Sure, there's always some digital action on Facebook. You update your status, you post pictures, you comment on your friends. (You stalk your friend's cute friend, and search for long-lost boyfriends, especially after a night out.) But for the most part, what happens on Facebook stays on Facebook.

Then yesterday, my cousin posted this: Pay it forward 2012. I promise to create something for the first 5 people to comment. They must, in turn, post this and make something for the first 5 people who comment. The only rules are that it needs to be handmade by you and they must receive it before 2012 ends. It can be as simple as baking a batch of cupcakes. Who's in?

More than 24 hours later, there were four people in. I made the fifth, 30 hours later.

Thirty hours later, and there was still a spot available? She has 282 friends. Are people too busy? Can't they think of something to make? My cousin, Kari, is an artist, and all-around creative, crafty goddess. If you're going to get something from someone, you want it to be from her.

I keep checking to see if anyone wants to do this with me, but so far, no go. (It's been 23 minutes.)

I'm loving this idea, but not for altruistic reasons. I just like the idea of sharing talents and sharing things. So I'll be puling out my old '78s to melt them into record bowls for anyone who decides to join me in this off-Facebook fun. And I'll send one to Kari just to say thanks.

Sarah Western Balzer

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Sarah Western Balzer is the editor of HITC Life. She grew up in Tampa, Florida, and lived in Washington, DC and New York before moving to London, where she lived for seven years. She now lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Her background is in the music industry, lifestyle relocation, and journalism. If you'd like to contribute to HITC Life, and work in banking or a field related to finance, please drop her a line (sarah.balzer@hereisthecity.com).