# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/141 "2013-12-25T20:01:31Z")
If some gifts are going UPS they may be late, the news said they are overloaded and will be late deliverlng many packages. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/142 "2013-12-25T20:09:30Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Ooh! Maybe next year, I’ll get a pony! Hmm…[.I have an extra.](http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j127/StG61/Pets/Peanut.jpg) Should I sign up next year? 🙂 StG ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/143 "2013-12-25T20:20:34Z")
Opened my secret Santa gift this morning. I received a very pretty, very shiny set of [bangle bracelets](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p4/rhiannon8404/2013-12-25120233.jpg). Thank you, **Anaamika**! I love them! ---
**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 25, 2013, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/144 "2013-12-25T23:20:00Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > 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! the franklin institute is a great place to shop for dopers. i’m fairly sure there was a sign on the card… ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/145 "2013-12-26T01:31:27Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Opened my secret Santa gift this morning. I received a very pretty, very shiny set of [bangle bracelets](http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p4/rhiannon8404/2013-12-25120233.jpg). Thank you, **Anaamika**! I love them! Ooo, they look very nice with your nailpolish! I love bling-y stuff like that and those totally caught my eye. Glad you liked! ---
**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 26, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/146 "2013-12-26T16:45:00Z")
Okay, the thing I sent is still “in transit.” I have absolutely had it. Tomorrow I’m going out and re-buying all the items (well many of them, I don’t have the time or money or patience to stand out in the cold waiting for late buses to re-buy all of them) and re-sending the fricking package. And making sure the dipstick at the post office sends it properly this time. Or else going to another post office and making sure they send it right. I may even shell out the extra $30 to send it express again. I just can’t take it anymore, having my package stay “in transit” forever. ---
**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 26, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/147 "2013-12-26T17:27:54Z")
My dad just checked the tracking thing online using a different website. Apparently, it’s fine. The package is just being held at the destination post office. Trust me for going, uh, postal over a little thing. :rolleyes: By the way, my cats really, REALLY liked the catnip toys that they got. 😃 ---
**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 26, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/148 "2013-12-26T19:07:10Z")
The card had a nice greeting and smiley face. Thanks again for the gift. I used the pen yesterday to fill out several checks. I like a big pen because its easier to hold. \*\*EmilyG \*\*Glad to hear the cats are enjoying the Catnip toys. 😃 I was a little nervous whether they’d clear customs ok. > [@rocking\_chair](#): > > the franklin institute is a great place to shop for dopers. i’m fairly sure there was a sign on the card… ---
**Author:** ![ChickaPicosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@ChickaPicosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChickaPicosa)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/149 "2013-12-26T19:50:17Z")
Checking in to mention that I received the most wonderful Christmas eve present from my Secret Santa, **Grrlbrarian**! An absolutely beautiful scarf, chocolate, book mark, elephant ornament, and post card! Sure feeling spoiled over here! Thank you so much for the thought you put into my gift! Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! 😃 ---
**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 26, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/150 "2013-12-26T21:27:49Z")
I don’t think there’s any way I can get out of here in time to make the PO office today before they close (seriously, who comes up with these hours?) but I gotta leave early tomorrow for a dr. appnmnt. so either I’ll swing by on my way or else go by on Saturday. So whoever’s wondering about mine, I’m sorry! (Man, the one time I manage to get my gift OUT on time … :smack: ) ---
**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 26, 2013, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/151 "2013-12-26T22:15:46Z")
Arrghhhh! I swear that I sent it. Next time I will spend the extra 10 bucks to get a tracking number. My giftee hasn’t logged in for a couple of days but I believe he/she maybe in an area affected by the ice storm so I don’t know if the package has been delayed or confiscated by customs or if the power is out. Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/152 "2013-12-27T07:14:43Z")
Received: 17 of 24 **carnut Waxwinged Rhiannon8404 EmilyG Silvorange ghostman twickster Hockey Monkey DataX rocking chair Anaamika Baker slightly askew ChickaPicosa purplehorseshoe Aceplace57 Pai325** Considering how late we started and how swamped all the delivery companies have been this year, I think we’re doing pretty well. I’m already planning on starting earlier next year, though, as long as no one minds if I keep the job. I have had a great time doing it. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/153 "2013-12-27T14:35:08Z")
Man, definitely take the job! Most of us are “one and done” with being the organizer – it will be terrific to have someone rarin’ to go! ---
**Author:** ![Grrlbrarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrlbrarian/32/4048_2.png) [@Grrlbrarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrlbrarian)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/154 "2013-12-27T16:00:40Z")
> [@ChickaPicosa](#): > > Checking in to mention that I received the most wonderful Christmas eve present from my Secret Santa, **Grrlbrarian**! An absolutely beautiful scarf, chocolate, book mark, elephant ornament, and post card! Sure feeling spoiled over here! Thank you so much for the thought you put into my gift! Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! 😃 Ah, I’m so pleased you liked it, **ChickaPicosa**! I had ever so much fun selecting stuff for you. 😃 Plus I had an excuse to go to the zoo, so it was a bit of a present for me too. Enjoy! No sign of my package yet, but I’m sure it will come any day now. 🙂 Apparently Fedex, UPS, and the USPS have all been more slammed than usual this year! ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/155 "2013-12-27T16:09:47Z")
> [@Grrlbrarian](#): > > No sign of my package yet, but I’m sure it will come any day now. 🙂 Apparently Fedex, UPS, and the USPS have all been more slammed than usual this year! I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say that all of the packages that haven’t made it yet are international. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/156 "2013-12-27T16:25:38Z")
> [@ChickaPicosa](#): > > Checking in to mention that I received the most wonderful Christmas eve present from my Secret Santa, **Grrlbrarian**! An absolutely beautiful scarf, chocolate, book mark, elephant ornament, and post card! Sure feeling spoiled over here! Thank you so much for the thought you put into my gift! Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! 😃 I first read this as a chocolate book mark, and thought “Design fail!” StG ---
**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 27, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/157 "2013-12-27T16:46:06Z")
Woohoo! Mil gracias **harmonicamoon** por todos estos regalos fantasticos! I got a bunch of [awesome stuff](http://oi39.tinypic.com/1z2osiq.jpg)! There are bowls made out of jicara (a type of gourd) with braided loops to serve as a base, several kinds of candy (sesame, peanut marzipan, and guava - yum!) and a bunch of cool wooden toys (a ball-and-cup, a yoyo, and I think the pear-shaped one is a top, but I’m dumb and can’t get it rewound properly…). And! Not pictured here is a CD of the singer [Kalimba](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalimba_(singer)). It’s really cool, kind of modern big-band style. I love it all, and so will my husband and kid! Feliz navidad! Oh, and **harmonicamoon** , the yoyo reminded me of one of my favorite Mafalda cartoons. You might [get a kick out of it](http://www.andrewferguson.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/yoyo.jpg). As for the one I sent, sadly, I didn’t get tracking on it (Stupid! Never again!) but I didn’t send it express or anything and it was going overseas, so it’s probably still on its way. If it doesn’t arrive by the new year, I’ll send something else. ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/158 "2013-12-27T17:50:17Z")
Last year we started earlier and still had packages arriving in late January. ---
**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 27, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/159 "2013-12-27T20:48:28Z")
I just got back from staying with family today to find a lovely exciting box of goodies from **Heart of Dorkness** waiting for me! I got an awesome wooden box hand-covered with a map of Washington DC, on one side and Maryland on the other, filled with a whole heap of interesting American candy, a lovely wooden cardinal ornament (which I did recognise before opening the card- we may not have them here, but I like my birdies!) and some Old Bay seasoning. Definitely made my day after a horrendous 6 hour drive home through foul weather, spent mostly stuck in traffic. Thankyou! 😃 If the one I sent doesn’t get there in the next few days, I’ll send another… ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432/160 "2013-12-27T21:41:59Z")
> [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Woohoo! Mil gracias **harmonicamoon** por todos estos regalos fantasticos! I got a bunch of [awesome stuff](http://oi39.tinypic.com/1z2osiq.jpg)! There are bowls made out of jicara (a type of gourd) with braided loops to serve as a base, several kinds of candy (sesame, peanut marzipan, and guava - yum!) and a bunch of cool wooden toys (a ball-and-cup, a yoyo, and I think the pear-shaped one is a top, but I’m dumb and can’t get it rewound properly…). And! Not pictured here is a CD of the singer [Kalimba](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalimba_(singer)). It’s really cool, kind of modern big-band style. I love it all, and so will my husband and kid! Feliz navidad! Oh, and **harmonicamoon** , the yoyo reminded me of one of my favorite Mafalda cartoons. You might [get a kick out of it](http://www.andrewferguson.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/yoyo.jpg). > > As for the one I sent, sadly, I didn’t get tracking on it (Stupid! Never again!) but I didn’t send it express or anything and it was going overseas, so it’s probably still on its way. If it doesn’t arrive by the new year, I’ll send something else. Super-duper! Very happy it arrived. With your wish list in mind, I bought gifts that were made locally to support my neighbors. It was fun shopping for you! Feliz Navidad. I did include the disk for your spouse. I researched your posts and one mentioned that he likes music. Kalimba is one of my favorites. Thanks for playing SemanaSanta! Abrazote, Pakito [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2013/675432.md?page=9)