# I want to do a white elephant swap... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 4, 2001, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573 "2001-06-04T20:55:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2001, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/101 "2001-06-16T04:11:44Z")
Who’s got his address? Was it ever said if we could send more than one thing? I might want to send a couple small things, maybe. And should we say who’s sending it, or are we waiting until everyone has theirs and then posting who we had? ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2001, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/102 "2001-06-17T10:10:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Was it ever said if we could send more than one thing? I might want to send a couple small things, maybe. > > And should we say who’s sending it, or are we waiting until everyone has theirs and then posting who we had? Well, I dunno if this is Kosher or not, but I’m sending several small things… _hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe_ Your second question is a good one **Kat**! Anyone with an answer? ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2001, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/103 "2001-06-17T12:24:39Z")
Uh oh!!! I didn’t get my email. Can you resend? Send to [GLFreak@aol.com](mailto:GLFreak@aol.com) OR [bpayne@iwon.com](mailto:bpayne@iwon.com). ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2001, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/104 "2001-06-17T22:46:39Z")
It looks like many have already eceived an email with details for the white elephant exchange. I emailed to join in and haven’t received an email with details yet. ☹ Does this mean I don’t get to play? Abby ---
**Author:** ![callie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2acd7d/32.png) [@callie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/callie)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/105 "2001-06-18T01:04:08Z")
I too would like to know if we have to “sign” our - er - gifts? Anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/106 "2001-06-18T01:08:35Z")
Good question Callie…I suspect that it would be a matter of courtesy. Keith ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/107 "2001-06-18T01:37:06Z")
To answer questions, in no particular order: > [@](#): > > **Jeannie** > Just wondering…are we trading names, or are you passing them randomly? IOW, does the person whose name I got in my email today also have my name, or does someone else? Short answer is: **NO** Longer answer: No. In order to ensure a random distribution, I entered the names of every Doper that had sent their information on time [sub]\<_cough_ **purplebear** _cough_\>[/sub] into a database, then scripted a program to prot that information over the network through the main hub, over the VAX and back through a randomizing multi-plexor. The names were rolled, spindled and folded and the result was sent back to me. Then I drew names from a hat and put them next to an alphabetical list. > [@](#): > > **Kat** > Was it ever said if we could send more than one thing? Send whatever you want, it’s completely up to you. _Next_ **Grace** and **Abby** , I sorry if you didn’t get yours yet, I don’t know what happened. I’ll look into it and fire off your info tonight. Anyone else still waiting? Email me. > [@](#): > > **Callie** I too would like to know if we have to “sign” our - er - gifts? I’m going to go with a “Yes” on this one. I think it’d be nice to know who is responsible for sending the lilac and pewter napkin holders, wouldn’t you? > [@](#): > > **Arden Ranger** and **Kat** In appreciation to all the effort **thinksnow** has put into this, I think we should all send him something! > (and) Who’s got his address? Well, someone does, I know that ‘cuz I sent it 😃 If’n y’all are feeling generous, just make sure to attend a Dopefest sometime and share the joy, ya’ know? Anything else, let me know. Again, **Grace** and **Abby** , I’ll resend your info tonight, and sorry 'bout that. ---
**Author:** ![AndYrAStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@AndYrAStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndYrAStar)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/108 "2001-06-18T02:39:19Z")
I didn’t get my email ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/109 "2001-06-18T03:47:15Z")
I went to the post office here this morning, and the cr… uh _items_ are on the way… the lady at the PO (if I understood her right, remember she was speaking Korean…) said it would take 10-15 days from here… Some poor unsupectin’ slob has a package in the mail right now!! Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe!😃 (I just hope I filled all the forms out correctly!) ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/110 "2001-06-18T04:05:07Z")
**Abby** , I just got a bounce from AOL saying you are not accepting email, so I don’t know what to tell you right now. I’ll look into it again tomorrow. Next, as those that _have_ gotten the email may have noticed, it did not come from my, normal, listed email addy. I used the [sub]work[/sub] email for it’s LAN speed, etc. I’m wondering if this isn’t the problem for those that say they haven’t received anything? Look for a message with a subject of **thinksnow says, you’ve got…**. As I said, it won’t have been from “[thinksnow@ohiostatebuckeyes.com](mailto:thinksnow@ohiostatebuckeyes.com)”, but it is, in fact, from me. Hopefully, that clears things up. P.S.: **AYAS** , I resent your info. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/111 "2001-06-18T04:16:53Z")
Okay. Who got **thinksnow** ’s address? C’mon, fess up and share so we can shower him with sh… I mean, gifts. Gifts. Really. ---
**Author:** ![AndYrAStar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@AndYrAStar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndYrAStar)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/112 "2001-06-18T04:17:27Z")
thinksnow - do you have something against my username? 🙂 yay. the person I got is recieving two _lovely_ (snicker, snicker) items, probably in addition to some random stuff I find laying around. And when you get it… I appologize for the box being so icky. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/113 "2001-06-18T07:02:49Z")
**thinksnow** Thank you for trying to resend. I can’t imagine the problem, I’ve only one moron blocked from emailing (and I’m certain you’re not him). I double checked the settings and everything appears fine from here. I’ll email you tonight and perhaps it will work better if it is a reply. Thank you again **Cranky** for the fun idea and **thinksnow** for coordinating things. Abby ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/114 "2001-06-18T10:08:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Arden Ranger \* > \*\*Okay. Who got **thinksnow** ’s address? > > C’mon, fess up and share so we can shower him with sh… I mean, gifts. Gifts. Really. \*\* [russian spy] I know _nothingk_ [/russian spy] ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/115 "2001-06-18T13:56:37Z")
> [@](#): > > into a database, then scripted a program to prot that information over the network through the main hub, over the VAX and back through a randomizing multi-plexor. Be still me beating heart. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/116 "2001-06-18T16:13:10Z")
> [@](#): > > Be still me beating heart. It’s all that [sub]\[/sub] reading I’ve been doing, gets the romantic juices going. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/117 "2001-06-18T21:16:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Beadalin \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > into a database, then scripted a program to prot that information over the network through the main hub, over the VAX and back through a randomizing multi-plexor. > > Be still me beating heart. \*\* That got me all hot and bothered as well. “It’s no good, Capt’n! I cannae hold 'er. If I can just reconfigure the _randomizing multi-plexor_…” ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2001, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/118 "2001-06-18T23:22:44Z")
I dunno aboot the rest o’ ye, but I’m sendin’ something _nice_ that I simply have no use for. Not used, not ugly, kinda lovely and all. I really should learn to be more - um. What’s the word? ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2001, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/119 "2001-06-19T05:05:25Z")
Wow, I hope Ginger got me. I, on the other hand, haven’t decided what to send yet. Procrastinate, procrastinate, procrastinate. ---
**Author:** ![pink\_kitten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@pink\_kitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pink_kitten)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2001, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573/120 "2001-06-19T06:48:12Z")
I haven’t sent mine either. I had something picked out, you know something that screams **WHITE ELEPHANT!** and then I got **thinksnows** email saying to send something _ **good** _ and now I don’t know if my pick is worthy _sob_! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-do-a-white-elephant-swap/67573.md?page=7)