Secret santa 2015?

I am only saying what everyone is thinking... soo...it's coming up and the llamas are rejoicing and plotting!!

After a very long and thoughtful discussion the Moderating Team has come to the decision that there will not be a Secret Santa exchange this year. There were only eight members participating last year and since a fair amount of those participating were unwilling to ship to another country it made it almost impossible to organize.

Just a reminder that we also do not allow "unofficial" exchanges of any kind as we strongly discourage members sharing their personal information.

We realize that some members will be very disappointed by this decision but the lack of interest really makes it necessary.

This is our final decision and is not open to discussion or debate.

AbbysMom said:

After a very long and thoughtful discussion the Moderating Team has come to the decision that there will not be a Secret Santa exchange this year. There were only eight members participating last year and since a fair amount of those participating were unwilling to ship to another country it made it almost impossible to organize.

Just a reminder that we also do not allow "unofficial" exchanges of any kind as we strongly discourage members sharing their personal information.

We realize that some members will be very disappointed by this decision but the lack of interest really makes it necessary.

This is our final decision and is not open to discussion or debate.

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That's understandable. Is this a forever thing, or will it be possibly looked at next year? Also,what about a card exchange still? (more peoplewould maybe be willing to participate if it was just a card exchange?)

Oh the thread title made me so excited, and then the no SS made me so sad

Still interested in the card exchange if allowed this year.

I think it's a wise decision.  While I've enjoyed being a part of it the past 2 years, it really is problematic if it's only a couple of handful's of people.

Thanks for the update Karen.

I'm not sure what will happen down the road; but I'm sure we will find some other ways to add some merriment to the season here on TCS. 

I loved SS I really missed it last year, I just needed time out but Im with Tara totally up for a card exchange though  

I came looking for the SS thread, but it was so I could let folks know I wouldn't be able to participate. I'm glad we've suspended it for the time being but I hope it comes back over the next few years!

I would absolutely love to continue the Christmas card exchange, though.

AbbysMom said:

 a fair amount of those participating were unwilling to ship to another country

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It's just too expensive to ship overseas, especially from Canada. Our postage rates are astronomical. $1 to send a simple letter in Canada. $1.80 to the U.S. and $2.50 overseas, and those are base rates.  Parcels are especially expensive. I sent a parcel overseas a couple years ago and postage was $60 and that didn't include insurance. I took my chances and didn't insure it. Luckily the parcel arrived safely.

The last time I did SS I sent my parcel priority post so it would arrive in 5 days and so I could track it and make sure it arrived.  Postage was almost $40, because it doesn't only go by weight, but by package dimensions too.   Last year I thought about participating, but I'm off work on medical leave and I decided that I just couldn't afford to do it; same with this year.