My giftee’s painted package is now off via USPS, estimated arrival is this upcoming Friday.
… still gleefully rubbing my hands at the prospect of opening mine. The anticipation is fun!
Okay, I was having a really lousy day, so I decided a lil’ pick-me-up was called for.
I opened my box. Within, was another box! Two, TWO boxes to open!
I allowed myself one of the included gifts … the rest will wait to tempt me.
It was an ornament (painted purple on the back, of course) of my Monkey cat!!
… plus a lovely little card, with a snowman plus a tiny little purple horseshoe attached. How cute is THAT?!?
There are 4 pics … scroll down for the rest:
Package mailed-should arrive by Monday.
Glad you like the gifts you opened so far 
and I hope your day improves. 
Okay, you extra special, double secret Santas, you’re making me cry. Of course, that’s easy this month as my tears are running on a hair trigger.
Though I am unable to participate this year, I still have received two parcels from people in this group. I did open the first one and the second is waiting on me to quit sniffling or to see if I can hold out for the big day. I know who the senders are but won’t share it with you all unless it is okay with them. I have socks, soap, a cheery magnet. and a heart keychain.
You guys are the bestest. 
I’ve used Pomona’s Pectin with relatively good results elsewhere but I’ve never tried agar-agar. I wonder how it compares, especially in ease of use. Gelatin smells awful and can have negative consequences for my guts, so I’d like to avoid it.
Yep, this is a really great bunch of very nice folks
I’m not hearing of any unusual shipping delays this year, so hopefully all will go smoothly.
A parcel arrived today from Arizona! I’m assuming it’s from my SS. I’m leaving all the prettily-wrapped items where they are until Christmas morning. An-tic-i-pay-ay-shun… And thank you, whoever you are!
That is pretty amazing, I only mailed it on Monday. I’m glad it got there so quickly!
Received mine today! Haven’t opened it yet. Probably won’t wait until Christmas Day, but may not open immediately, unless there’s a reason I should (other than sheer impatience)?
What about us? Enquiring minds want to know!!!
The chocolate bars are already gone.
Someone told me there is something kiiiiinda perishable in it
This is a shot in the dark - I just got notification from FedEx of a delivery to my front door. I have nothing on order, and there’s nothing on my porch. I thought at first it might be a Secret Santa, but I don’t believe that email is associated with the Dope. However, if you had my name and sent via FEDEX, they lie if they tell you it was delivered.
And if not, just ignore this. I deleted the notification, on the outside chance that it was some sort of phishing thing.
Ho ho ho.
Further investigation revealed the FedEx wasn’t the originator. Sneaky scammer…
Well, I can guarantee that it’s not your Straight Dope Secret Santa. I’m shipping yours tomorrow! 
And I’ll do my utmost to make sure it gets there by Saturday! 
Heeeyyyy, so I’m not the most overdue Secret Santa shipper in the thread! Little victories! 
I did mail my parcel yesterday, sneaking in RIGHT under the wire before the Post Office closed, and it is supposed to be there tomorrow. I’m sorry I’m so late but somehow I thought I could manage to both sew AND knit objects for this parcel, and I am not a fast sewer or knitter, and I didn’t want to send two packages. All done and wrapped and shipped now, though, along with auxiliary goodies!
On returning from the PO I rewarded myself with opening the box FairyChatMom sent me, which I had dutifully not touched for several days because of her contagion concerns (but I’ve suffered no ill effects and hope you are all better now!).
It contained a set of handmade cat-butt coasters which are both amusing and remarkably cute, considering the name, as well as being extremely useful! Serendipitously, I had just been remarking to myself once again that crocheted coasters are handy to have around and I am a little short of them and should really take some time out of my holiday gift crafting to make myself some, and then not doing it.
There was also a lovely little hand-painted shell which has been installed as my pin dish to catch pins, thread scraps, stitch markers etc., so I am all set to continue with my holiday gift crafting! Thank you FairyChatMom!!
Glad you like the coasters. Most people I’ve given them to think they’re cute, but oddly, there were a few who thought they bordered on gross. Sad, sad people.
I like the idea of the painted oyster shell serving as a pin dish. I thought of it as maybe a place to put rings, or a teensy-tiny candy dish! 
And I’m pretty much recovered from plague, so if you do catch it, it’s someone else’s fault! Healthy thoughts and Happy Holidays!!
I had never heard of these before. How. Utterly. Adorable. Next Christmas, I’ll order some: one for every cat owner I’m on gift-exchanging terms with.
Order them from @FairyChatMom this spring. She makes them as a fundraiser for her daughter’s school abd I know they have another craft fair coming up in the spring. Hers are adorable.