The HCN Global Coffee Exchange
Spread coffee joy around the world this holiday season!
Every year, we bring coffee lovers from around the globe together for our annual HCN Coffee Exchange – a secret gift exchange where you send carefully selected coffee to someone on the other side of the world, and receive a surprise package yourself.
It’s part adventure, part discovery, and completely magical. This year marks our third edition, and we’re inviting you to be part of this global coffee celebration.
Join coffee lovers from 20+ countries in this year’s exchange!
Coffee Connects Us Across Continents
Imagine opening your mailbox in December to find a carefully selected bag of coffee from someone on the other side of the world. Maybe it’s from a roaster in Germany, a coffee professional in Canada, or an enthusiast in Australia.
That’s the magic of the Global Coffee Exchange.
This year, we’re keeping it beautifully simple:
One global community. No regions. No budget restrictions. Just coffee people sharing their favorite beans with fellow coffee lovers worldwide.
The spirit of this exchange is GIVING.
When you sign up, you’re making a commitment to send someone coffee – not just hoping to receive it. We’re trusting our community to show up for each other (though we can’t give any guarantees sadly!)
What We’re Asking From You
This isn’t a transaction – it’s a gift exchange built on trust and generosity.
When you sign up, you commit to:
Sending coffee to your assigned person – this is non-negotiable. Someone is counting on receiving your package.
 Sending by December 1st – postal services need time, and your recipient deserves to enjoy their coffee before the holidays end.
Choosing quality over price – we’re not setting a budget. Send what feels right to you, but make it something you’d be excited to receive yourself.
Including a personal touch – whether it’s tasting notes, a postcard from your city, or just a friendly note, make it meaningful.
Please only sign up if you can commit to these. We’re counting on each participant to make someone else’s December a little brighter.
 This exchange is about giving first, receiving second. (It’s the holidays after all..)
This is how the
HCN Global Coffee Exchange works:
1
How It Works
- Sign up via the form on this pageÂ
- Names drawn automatically via the Elfster platformÂ
- You’ll receive an email with your secret friend’s details
- Send your package by December 1st
- Receive your own surprise coffee in December!
- Join the virtual Reveal Party on Dec 28th
2
What To Send
- 150-250 grams of freshly roasted, whole bean specialty coffee of your choice
- Preferably light(er) roast suitable for filter brewing
- Optional but loved: local treats, a handwritten note, or holiday sweets
3
When To Send
- Ship by December 1st at the latest
- Earlier is better – international shipping takes time!
- No budget restrictions – but shipping costs are also your own!
- Trust yourself to be generous within your means
- Share your Exchange on Instagram to spread the joy!
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re here to help!
NIET VERWIJDEREN
Q: What if shipping is really expensive?
A: That’s the reality of a global exchange. Consider this when signing up. If international shipping is beyond your budget, this might not be the right year for you to participate – and that’s okay!
Q: What if I can't find my person's address or have questions?
A: You can message them anonymously through the Elfster platform, or reach out to us at support@thehappycoffeenetwork.com.
Q: Do I have to be an HCN member to participate?
A: Nope! This exchange is open to all coffee lovers. However, HCN members get early access 😉
Q: Can I invite my friends to join the HCN Global Coffee Exchange?
A: Absolutely! Simply share this page with them and encourage them to join. The more, the merrier!
NIET VERWIJDEREN
Q: What happens if someone doesn't send their coffee?
A: We’re building this on trust. We’ll try to contact your secret giver to encourage them to send their coffee. If someone consistently doesn’t follow through, they might not be invited back to future exchanges. We track participation to protect our community.
Q: Can I reveal myself before the Reveal Party?
A: You can! Some people like the mystery, others include a note. Totally up to you. The Reveal Party is 100% optional, but super fun to meet other coffee people like yourself IRL!
Q: What's Elfster?
A: It’s a free gift exchange platform that randomly assigns participants and manages the logistics. You’ll need to create a free account to participate. This platform will send you the email with your secret draw, so make sure to add them to your list of trusted contacts after you’ve created an account!
Q: I've signed up but received no emails, what do I do?
 A: Oh no! First: if you’re a HCN Member, make sure you use your HCN email address for signing up.Â
Next:Â
Most emails will come from The Happy Coffee Network. If you’ve unsubscribed from our emaillist, we won’t be able to reach you. Send us an email to correct it!
Some emails will come from the Elfster platform once you’ve registered there, especially the one with your Secret draw’s name and address details.
Check your SPAM folder and make sure to add Elfster and The Happy Coffee Network to your list of trusted contacts.
Still no emails? Contact us at admin@thehappycoffeenetwork.com !
Important dates:
Put these in your calendar💛
Sign up opens: October 26th
Sign up closes: November 16th midnight
Names drawn: November 17-18th
Send your coffee by: December 1st
Virtual Reveal Party: December 29th, 16:00 – 17:00 CET
Are you a member of the Happy Coffee Network?
Please, register for the Global Coffee Exchange 2025 with the same email as your HCN account to make sure you receive the right emails!
