# SDMB Secret Santa Gift Exchange 2013 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 4, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432 "2013-12-04T03:03:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/121 "2013-12-21T21:17:35Z")
Thanks to my secret Santa (I’m guessing) who sent me a glass from “Despair”! I didn’t see a note on the packing slip. There is a real name - but it would be cool to know the actual SDMB name. Good job in picking something that suits my personality! Thanks and Merry Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/122 "2013-12-21T22:33:57Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > If I’m found in a sugar high later today it’s because I got a package from **Silvorange**! Yay!!! She has sent me all kinds of chocolate candies from Kentucky, a miniature Louisville Slugger bat, and a Violet Crumble bar that I’m \*\*\*almost \*\*\*ashamed to admit is already open and halfway eaten! Oh, and a set of miniature measuring spoons, with “a pinch”, a dash", and “a smidgen” > > Thank you so much, it is all very awesome. I hope you didn’t break the bank. > > I’ve always wanted to visit Louisville, as that’s where Churchhill Downs is and I was horse crazy as a kid. > > I’m not surprised the fleur-de-lis is the city symbol, considering it’s for **Louis** ville. > > If you are in the exchange next year people should fight to be gifted by you. I’m going to keep the candy for myself, thank goodness I live alone. Thank you, thank you, thank you, you are the best gift giver! I’m glad you liked everything! I had fun shopping for you. The current count: Shipped: 23 of 24. I will send a PM to check on the last one. Received: 13 of 24 **carnut Waxwinged Rhiannon8404 EmilyG Silvorange ghostman twickster Hockey Monkey DataX rocking chair Anaamika Baker slightly askew** ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/123 "2013-12-22T00:09:46Z")
> [@DataX](#): > > Glad you liked it - that is actually the simplest one they sold :). I’ve seen them that require 50+ moves to open - it was on an episode of the Big Bang theory (season 2 episode 17). They are called Japanese puzzle boxes. > > Unfortunately - while looking for yours - I found the store on eBay that sold them was within walking distance of where I was going the next day (glad I noticed the address before ordering it). Needless to say I’ve now got a small collection and planning on getting more :). The ones I have now only go up to 12 moves, but I’ll be going back for the more complicated ones this week. i thought of that episode while opening it. i resisted the “penny method”! that is a nifty collection! will you be storing items in them? ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/124 "2013-12-22T02:58:31Z")
> [@slightly\_askew](#): > > Package received! But I think my secret santa wants to remain secret. I have a real name, but I can’t find anything with the a SDMB username. > > I got a warm, cozy, and colorful crocheted blanket and some really dark chocolate. > > [=41135047&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0"]Blue enjoying the new afghan!]([Photo Storage](http://s152.photobucket.com/user/golightlyone/media/picture025_zps9fc0ec73.jpg.html?filters)[user) > > Thanks so much to whomever you are! Oh, and I forgot to mention that a new afghan isn’t really broken in until it has cat hair on it!😃 ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/125 "2013-12-23T17:17:46Z")
OK, I have confirmation that all packages have been sent. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/126 "2013-12-23T17:55:37Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I got mine on Friday! I have no plans on waiting until Xmas, but we are downstate at the in-laws’ so I didn’t have time. It is a giant box from Michigan with hello kitty wrap. I’ll open it on Monday but I just wanted to post that I got it. > > It is too big! I am excited to open it! Ok! I had time to open it! It is a very lovely rather elegant looking candle! Its from ghostman - I have already lit it in my kitchen. Thank you! I couldn’t figure out the YouTube link you sent me?? Eta- ooh! And chocolate! ---
**Author:** ![phall0106](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phall0106/32/5934_2.png) [@phall0106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phall0106)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/127 "2013-12-23T18:15:19Z")
I’ll be unable to access my mail for awhile, so if whomever sent my package sent it USPS, then we’re good and I’ll get it in about a week or so. If not…well…let’s hope it doesn’t grow legs and walk away. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/128 "2013-12-23T18:28:22Z")
My package is still “in transit” and was supposed to have gotten to its destination on the 18th. I’m tempted, at this point, to just go out shopping for all the items again, and send another package. ---
**Author:** ![ghostman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a3d4f5/32.png) [@ghostman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ghostman)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/129 "2013-12-23T19:06:28Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Ok! I had time to open it! It is a very lovely rather elegant looking candle! Its from ghostman - I have already lit it in my kitchen. Thank you! I couldn’t figure out the YouTube link you sent me?? > > Eta- ooh! And chocolate! (: glad you liked… Candles with scents are difficult. I took a guess… Here’s the link I found (the day I bought it) [Life Size Flying Tardis](http://j.mp/Ju0XfT) Sorry for the horrible handwriting… ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/130 "2013-12-23T19:26:39Z")
My Secret Santa made a delivery. 😃 😃 I received a very nice Franklin Institute pen and a gift wrapped Newton’s cradle for my desk. Also some tags shaped as beakers, ph test strips etc. There’s a science theme here. Perhaps everything came from the Franklin Institute? I’ve often thought of getting a Newton’s Cradle and hadn’t. I’ll put this one to good use as a stress reliever at work. There was a gift card and message. But no SDMB name. Whoever my Santa is, thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/131 "2013-12-23T21:41:57Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > My package is still “in transit” and was supposed to have gotten to its destination on the 18th. I’m tempted, at this point, to just go out shopping for all the items again, and send another package. Check with the post office before you do that! For one thing, there is the insurance, if you have it. For another thing, I happen to know that yours is not the only package that is behind schedule. ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/132 "2013-12-23T21:54:58Z")
Also, **EmilyG** (and anyone else who’s getting impatient): we live in a townhouse, and our mail is delivered to a locked box a couple of blocks away from our house. We try to check it often, but it’s not always possible, and stuff can sit there for a few days. So if your recipient is in a similar situation - or is in fact me - know that it might already be there, and we’ll let you know it’s arrived ASAP. Note to self: remember to check the mail tonight! ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/133 "2013-12-24T00:16:56Z")
I am not home, but my husband is. He, however, has to be really prompted to tell me what came in the mail, or if we got any packages. He never thinks to look by the front door, so they can sit there a while. So if something was sent, I may not know for a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/134 "2013-12-24T03:45:44Z")
My husband called, and my gift arrived! I won’t be home for almost a week (sister in hospital, daughter broke her arm), and I don’t want him to open it because I’m selfish and want to do it myself. My Santa put a real name and not a Straight Dope name on the return address, so I can’t even thank you personally. But Thank You! ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/135 "2013-12-24T11:02:16Z")
I’m just about to head out to stay with family until the 27th- my present hasn’t arrived yet, , but that just gives me something to look forward to when I get back 😃 I don’t think the one I sent has made it yet either, and we don’t seem to do overseas tracking in the UK, so I can’t even check what’s happening- I hope it makes it today! ---
**Author:** ![slightly\_askew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@slightly\_askew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slightly_askew)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/136 "2013-12-24T14:28:16Z")
It doesn’t look like my package has arrived yet and I don’t have a tracking number. I guess first class international doesn’t get tracking. I sent it the 14th so I hope it arrives today. If not, I will start shopping for a replacement after Christmas. Apologies to my giftee. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/137 "2013-12-24T20:27:16Z")
> [@DataX](#): > > Thanks to my secret Santa (I’m guessing) who sent me a glass from “Despair”! I didn’t see a note on the packing slip. There is a real name - but it would be cool to know the actual SDMB name. > > Good job in picking something that suits my personality! > > Thanks and Merry Christmas. I’m happy you liked it. I enjoy the Despair items and had quite a few of their posters in my classroom, in contrast to my fellow teachers who liked the “Shoot for the moon and reach the stars” or whatever posters. They never actually read mine so they thought mine were like that, too. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/138 "2013-12-24T22:27:34Z")
Found a thingy from the USPS that I can haz a package. Their holiday hours didn’t allow me to make it there (that whole “work” thing) so I will have to retrieve on Thursday. Assuming it’s from my SDMB SS so will post with squees when I have obtained it. Unless… Are there breathing holes or something? > [@twickster](#): > > Ah, good – I was a little nervous about it because I was kind of riffing off your letter to Santa rather than directly fulfilling it. I thought it was such a cool calendar, though – and we all can use another calendar, right? Glad you liked it! > > And I was actually coming in to say that **purplehorseshoe** is a kick-ass Santa herself! She sent me two skeins of lovely soft yarn (olive green and rust orange – they’ll look great together!), a bar of _Mmm_URGENCY dark chocolate (and I’m feeling an emergency coming on right now), a pair of black sparkle Ear Mitts (ear muffs without the band, you just slide 'em onto your ears directly), and a great card with a photo of the Sugar Plum Terrier on the front. All of this in a box that does, indeed, look like it was fingerpainted by a demented toddler. Thank you very much – you did great! Glad you liked it. Your post totally made my day. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/139 "2013-12-25T17:01:46Z")
Finally Christmas arrives and I let myself open a package from… Hockey Monkey! I’m now enjoying a stroopwafel with my tea after breakfast! Yay for breakfast dessert! HM, you gave me my dad’s car as an ornament! And, no, I didn’t already have it. Thank you very much! Have a wonderful Christmas day! ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/140 "2013-12-25T18:42:54Z")
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