I was so excited to come to work today and get my Secret Santa email!
And I was also excited to recognize who my "giftee" is and can't wait to do some more snooping around about "them"...
-
Too many ads? Join our community of cat lovers now to reduce ads by 90%! Click here to join for free!
Secret Santa Discussion Thread
- Thread starter pjk5900
- Start Date
Please feel free to move this thread if you want, but here is what I am wondering...What advice would you "veteren" SS's have for the "newbie" SS's?
Such as: when do you start sending gifts? do you send gifts to the "snoopers" and ask them to foward on? Things like that. Are we supposed to send hints along? or post them on the SS thread? Oh yeah, can we send vbPlaza gifts and points and doing it anonymously? Obviously, I don't want to be a "SS Dud"
and so any and all information that you can share with the "newbies" would be appreciated!
Oh, also, share any succesful and creative things that have been done before - it's not that I want to copy, but I have never been a long distance SS and so I would like to know how to dea, with that (distance) successfully.
I thank you and, ultimately, my Secret Santa giftee will thank you!
Such as: when do you start sending gifts? do you send gifts to the "snoopers" and ask them to foward on? Things like that. Are we supposed to send hints along? or post them on the SS thread? Oh yeah, can we send vbPlaza gifts and points and doing it anonymously? Obviously, I don't want to be a "SS Dud"
Oh, also, share any succesful and creative things that have been done before - it's not that I want to copy, but I have never been a long distance SS and so I would like to know how to dea, with that (distance) successfully.
I thank you and, ultimately, my Secret Santa giftee will thank you!
- Joined
- May 11, 2006
- Messages
- 8,028
- Purraise
- 22
I can only advise this: If you are shipping to Australia from the USA, send your package NOW.
Last year I shipped it the end of October, and I think it was finally received in March, shortly after we'd pretty much givewn up hope of it ever arriving.
Last year I shipped it the end of October, and I think it was finally received in March, shortly after we'd pretty much givewn up hope of it ever arriving.
I've done Secret Santa at work, where we all have lockers. We put a small gift by the locker each day of the week and then have a potluck and party at one of the Secret Santa's house on Friday evening, and anonymously deposit the big SS gift on the pile. Then we all eat, drink and be merry (with special emphasis on 'drink')....collect your SS gift and try to guess who your Secret Santa is.
So obviously, internet Secret Santa is VERY different from what I've known and done before. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
So obviously, internet Secret Santa is VERY different from what I've known and done before. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Here is my 3 years of experience.
I send one box with everything wrapped. I do a lot of snooping on my own. Meaning I want to know as much about my SS as I can. I read past post, I check out the questions they answer. If your SS has ever been person of the week, that is a great place to learn about them. I want to know their likes, dislikes, what makes them smile, do they have a special RB kitty, a special interest they might have and I go shopping from there. I try to make this about them and their kitties.
If your SS hasn't posted to the hint thread, just shoot a PM to one of the snoopers and they will gently remind your SS that they need to answer a few questions. If you have a specific question ask one of the snoopers to ask it for you or you can post it in the hint thread.
I do know that certain people have sent multiple gifts, like one every week until Christmas. I just hoard all my stuff and send it in one lump sum.
Saves on shipping. Normally this is done to mess with TCS members minds. Also if you want to make it harder for your SS to find you change your location in your profile.
I suck at trying to find a way to disguise my package and who I am. Normally I just sign the card with all my cats names.
I never give any hints as to who I have until the gift arrives and if my SS is looking to see who sent it.
Just remember this is fun, from the heart gift exchange. Enjoy it make it fun and most of all don't stress about it!
I send one box with everything wrapped. I do a lot of snooping on my own. Meaning I want to know as much about my SS as I can. I read past post, I check out the questions they answer. If your SS has ever been person of the week, that is a great place to learn about them. I want to know their likes, dislikes, what makes them smile, do they have a special RB kitty, a special interest they might have and I go shopping from there. I try to make this about them and their kitties.
If your SS hasn't posted to the hint thread, just shoot a PM to one of the snoopers and they will gently remind your SS that they need to answer a few questions. If you have a specific question ask one of the snoopers to ask it for you or you can post it in the hint thread.
I do know that certain people have sent multiple gifts, like one every week until Christmas. I just hoard all my stuff and send it in one lump sum.
I suck at trying to find a way to disguise my package and who I am. Normally I just sign the card with all my cats names.
I never give any hints as to who I have until the gift arrives and if my SS is looking to see who sent it.
Just remember this is fun, from the heart gift exchange. Enjoy it make it fun and most of all don't stress about it!
Thank goodness mine only lives in Florida...
Well that narrows it down a little!!!Originally Posted by lnbandcats
Thank goodness mine only lives in @@@...
Mmm that is some good advice for us SS newbies!! Another question: What is the general amount that everyone spends on one another?
I need to look up some shipping prices... gotta make sure it gets there in time!
I need to look up some shipping prices... gotta make sure it gets there in time!
I copied and pasted this from the sign up thread about pricing.
The upper price limit is $15-20 (USD), NOT INCLUDING SHIPPING. As of August 12, 2007, this converts to: 10.95-14.60 EUR, 7.40-9.90 GBP, 15.80-21.10 CAD, 17.75-23.65 AUD. Check here for additional currency conversions. Please note: this amount isn't set in stone; it's just mentioned here as a guideline. It's normal for some people to spend more, but no one is obligated to.
The upper price limit is $15-20 (USD), NOT INCLUDING SHIPPING. As of August 12, 2007, this converts to: 10.95-14.60 EUR, 7.40-9.90 GBP, 15.80-21.10 CAD, 17.75-23.65 AUD. Check here for additional currency conversions. Please note: this amount isn't set in stone; it's just mentioned here as a guideline. It's normal for some people to spend more, but no one is obligated to.
Yay!
I was wondering all the same questions you asked, since I've never done this before either!Originally Posted by lnbandcats
Yay!Let's keep this SS advice section going!So glad to know that I am not the only one who needs advice!
Its going to be hard not to go over $20 though, since kitty toys alone will cost almost that much
I've never been about to stay in my budget! EVER!Originally Posted by AlleyGirl
I was wondering all the same questions you asked, since I've never done this before either!
Its going to be hard not to go over $20 though, since kitty toys alone will cost almost that much
Originally Posted by AlleyGirl
I was wondering all the same questions you asked, since I've never done this before either!
Its going to be hard not to go over $20 though, since kitty toys alone will cost almost that much
I remember a thread last year where everyone posted pics of their SS gifts - could someone find that thread and post a link? That might help those of us who are new to this. I've had a quick search but not been able to find the thread.
What happens if we go over the $20? It will be hard not too!
The SS Kitty comes to your house and coughs up a furr ball!Originally Posted by Duchess15
What happens if we go over the $20? It will be hard not too!
Then your SS is one very lucky SS!Originally Posted by Duchess15
What happens if we go over the $20? It will be hard not too!
If you're shipping anywhere outside of your own country, be sure to check and see what the general time frame is to ship there. And be extra, super sure to check any restrictions on what can be sent to that country. I know someone sent some catnip toys to a friend in Australia and had it ALL confiscated and got a nasty letter about sending foreign plant materials into their country.
But, there are others in larger cities who have never had a problem getting catnip toys.
If in doubt, have a Snooping Santa ask.
Also, from what I understand the slower ( by ship) way of shipping is no longer available from the US. You'll have to send via Airmail, which means less time but more cost.
Have fun and be creative! I hit clearance sales so that my $$ goes a lot farther. Remember - a lot of stores are preparing for Christmas now so they are clearing out shelves and marking down stuff. Our Petsmart has 2 huge bins of clearance cat toys - refillable catnip toys, sparkle balls, mice - marked down to $1-$3. Yankee Candle's Semi-Annual Clearance Sale starts in mid- to late-November, I think. I found some super cute things in Michaels' $1 bins, including 2008 calendars.
Also, from what I understand the slower ( by ship) way of shipping is no longer available from the US. You'll have to send via Airmail, which means less time but more cost.
Have fun and be creative! I hit clearance sales so that my $$ goes a lot farther. Remember - a lot of stores are preparing for Christmas now so they are clearing out shelves and marking down stuff. Our Petsmart has 2 huge bins of clearance cat toys - refillable catnip toys, sparkle balls, mice - marked down to $1-$3. Yankee Candle's Semi-Annual Clearance Sale starts in mid- to late-November, I think. I found some super cute things in Michaels' $1 bins, including 2008 calendars.
