# SDMB Secret Santa Gift Exchange 2014 \[signup closed\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 11, 2014, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314 "2014-11-11T06:00:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**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 22, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/301 "2014-12-22T16:22:27Z")
All of the chocolate I got in my package has now been eaten. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/302 "2014-12-23T00:54:58Z")
I got mine today! \*\*Nayna \*\*sent me a lovely handmade travel jewelry organizer, made of (I think) raw silk in a beautiful shade of dark red. Love it! Thanks so much! ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/303 "2014-12-23T01:44:14Z")
Got mine! Iā€™m not opening it yet, though! ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/304 "2014-12-23T02:57:01Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > the week started out well, celebrated beethovenā€™s birthday, enjoyed sleeping in. then a tooth broke yesterdayā€¦ off to the dentist today. > > so i finally set off for home, numb, drooling, and bloody. then i see a package notification on the lobby screen. i go to the package room, and behold! it is my secret santa package. oddly the handwritten label is named correctly, the one that fed ex did has my fatherā€™s name on it. oddā€¦ > > so here i am opening the box, it is from sarabellum1976! crinkly paper is claimed by lager! i lift out a big pointsetta bag, lager jumps into the box. i reach into the bag and pull out a box of christmas goodness! > > rudolfā€™s sugar cookie mix with a fantastic oven mitt and snow man cookie cutter. it is blue and i am happy! 5 bars of creamy milk chocolate goodness! a bag of chocolate figures! and a tray of cinnabon nuts! > good stuff! thank you so much! my week has ended on a good and happy note. So glad you liked it! I gave a :dubious: to the FedEx guys when I saw their address was labelled with a different name, but I figured itā€™d get there okay so I didnā€™t give them a hard time. Did you try a chocolate bar yet? ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/305 "2014-12-23T06:32:07Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Well, uh, happy birthday, **Silvorange**! šŸ˜ƒ I didnā€™t even think about the Kentucky Derby connection, but hey! Whatever works. Full disclosure: while I made the bracelet, my mom made the hat. Team effort FTW! > > **I almost gave in during a moment of weakness last weekend but Iā€™m still holding onto my gift, so Iā€™ll wander back here later to squeeeeee all about it. šŸ™‚** You are making me _crazy,_ woman! šŸ˜ƒ I hope part of it didnā€™t get really smushed, but if it did hopefully you can fluff it up. I didnā€™t consider that some people have patience (unlike me) and expected it to be opened in the two days it took to get thereā€¦:o I also hope you really like it! It was kind of a risk. ---
**Author:** ![KinkiNipponTourist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9bcb4/32.png) [@KinkiNipponTourist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KinkiNipponTourist)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/306 "2014-12-23T12:39:44Z")
HO HO HO HO! I got my wonderful gift today! An awesome pair of holiday boxers with THE GRINCH on them! And a copy of that bastion of hard-hitting serious journalism, the National Enquirer, which has already been placed next to the commode for later perusal. BUT WAIT, THEREā€™S MORE! TWO king-size packs of Double Stuf Oreos, a copy of Time magazineā€™s Year in Review (either impossible to find here, or just outrageously expensive, given how they mark up foreign magazines and the horrid jump the yen/dollar exchange rate has taken) AND beautifully-written notes describing each gift. And of course the perfect size box for my fat cats to curl up in. **Slow Moving Vehicle** , thank you for a most amazing Christmas gift!! I was so moved by the wonderful notes accompanying each gift that next year I am totally sneaking notes in with my present when I send it. Thank you again, **SMV** , and thank you **Silvorange**!! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/307 "2014-12-23T14:22:12Z")
Likewise. Also the shortbread cookies. **burp** ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/308 "2014-12-23T14:25:18Z")
The chocolate pudding \*\*peedin \*\*sent me is no more. I finished it with breakfast. Hush - it has milk in it, so it counts as a breakfast food!!! ---
**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 23, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/309 "2014-12-23T15:36:51Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Woohoo! I got mine this morning! I opened the door to start the car and a package fell into the house. The mailman stuck it between the door and the screen door. > > Possessing positively NO patience, I started my car and then scurried back to my seat on the couch. I opened it to find three packages and a card! One of the packages said OPEN LAST so I set that aside. I also had a row of lovely Lindt snowmen. > > First package I opened was a lovely, delicate snowflake ornament! My tree is in blue and silver and the ornament matches perfectly! Itā€™s already on my tree. > > Second package was - a hand-knitted scarf! Does my Secret Santa know how much I love scarves! And yet despite having many - 12 or so at last count - I did not have even one in the color that my Santa sent me - beautiful sea green. I put this on today and wore it to work. It is wonderful! > > I opened the last package and I swear I heard a plainitive ā€œmeowā€ and felt something slip past my ankles. Inside was a picture of the tormenter of the yarn and a bit of his spirit. Is it a he? > > Here is the picture! > > [Google Workspace Updates: New community features for Google Chat and an update on Currents](https://plus.google.com/photos/110581492773720901160/albums/6095668709560368577) > > Thank you so much, **slightly askew**! I love it all! Hi Anaamika! I am so glad that you like it! Merry Christmas! I forgot to include the washing instructions with the scarf. It is 100% lambs wool, so hand wash in cool water with baby shampoo. Wrap in towel to remove most of water. Lay flat and reshape, allow to dry. ---
**Author:** ![Anaglyph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anaglyph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaglyph)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/310 "2014-12-23T15:40:35Z")
Thanks, JSGodess, for the lovely scarf and the Los Angeles Puzzle! ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/311 "2014-12-23T16:28:56Z")
Of the seven that remain, all but one are international. That one went out yesterday. The one I sent cleared customs in Canada on the 17th, but I think the receipt got thrown away while we were cleaning up for our Christmas party, so I canā€™t track it any further :ā€™( . This has been so much fun! I hope you guys donā€™t mind if I keep organizing them. For future exchanges, do any changes need to be made? The suggested cost has been the same for years now, even though I think everyone goes over. Should we start earlier and/or have a set mailing deadline? My matching-up process seems to be going well, so Iā€™ll probably do it the same way. \*\*Sent: 42/42 Received: 35/42 FloatyGimpy -\> Tread Aspenglow -\> Hockey Monkey romansperson -\> FloatyGimpy carnut -\> MsRobyn peedin -\> FairyChatMom EmilyG -\> Helena330 FairyChatMom -\> OneCentStamp OneCentStamp -\> romansperson twickster -\> Nayna Helena330 -\> purplehorseshoe Baker -\> JoseB Filbert jsgoddess -\> Anaglyph SeaDragonTattoo -\> Septima freckafree -\> EmilyG MissTake -\>brainstall Hockey Monkey -\> slightly askew Anaamika -\> freckafree Slow Moving Vehicle -\> KinkiNipponTourist Silvorange rocking chair -\> Sir T-Cups Infovore -\> peedin KinkiNipponTourist -\> jsgoddess brainstall -\> twickster purplehorseshoe -\> Silvorange IvoryTowerDenizen -\> Grrlbrarian Sir T-Cups -\> Reepicheep Atomic Mama -\> Filbert Grrlbrarian -\> MissTake Pai325 -\> TubaDiva Sarabellum1976 -\>rocking chair Reepicheep -\> Aspenglow JoseB Septima Rhiannon8404 -\> carnut Tread -\> Infovore slightly askew -\> Anaamika Nayna -\> Sarabellum1976 ChickaPicosa MsRobyn -\> Rhiannon8404 Anaglyph TubaDiva\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/312 "2014-12-23T16:42:43Z")
more Christmas boxers! ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/313 "2014-12-23T16:42:48Z")
I am out of town yesterday to today, and will be back tonight. So if mine came yesterday afternoon or today, I havenā€™t been home. Maybe itā€™ll be waiting when we get back! šŸ™‚ ---
**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, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/314 "2014-12-23T16:51:04Z")
**Silvorange** , I think things went really well this year. I donā€™t think much should be changed with the set-up. I think maybe we can have the sign-up deadline a little earlier, as it would give people more time to get their gifts ready. I donā€™t think we should have a mailing deadline for everyone, but maybe we could have one for people shipping overseas? Just my suggestions, feel free to not go along with them. ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/315 "2014-12-23T16:54:45Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > **Silvorange** > I think maybe we can have the sign-up deadline a little earlier, as it would give people more time to get their gifts ready. I thought about that too. I was afraid people might be miffed it I made it before Thanksgiving. ---
**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, 2014, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/316 "2014-12-23T17:51:24Z")
Oh, Iā€™d forgotten about American Thanksgiving. Yeah, maybe keep the deadline date at the beginning of December. It worked this year. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/317 "2014-12-23T18:09:30Z")
I used my work address, so if mine comes after 2pm the 24th, I wonā€™t be back at work to receive it until the 29th. Which is fine! Better safe in my office than stolen from my apartment building. Been a rash of stolen packages this season, with theives following the delivery drivers around or lying in wait around the corners of larger buildings like mine. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/318 "2014-12-23T18:14:14Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > The bad thing about being the first to get a package - I feel all left out now! No more anticipation, just vicarious thrills for everyone else. > > Maybe next year Iā€™ll request a SS who puts things off till the last minute. šŸ˜‰ > > Thanks so much for wrangling this, **Silvorange**! Ya done good! I feel compelled to point out that you are part of the problem here, **FCM** , what with your own prompt packing and shipping habits. šŸ˜‰ Sincerely, **1cS** Fellow Vicarious Gift Watcher ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/319 "2014-12-23T18:47:29Z")
You just hush, **PennyStamp**!! šŸ˜› Iā€™m pretty sure I didnā€™t point a gun at your head and make you open your parcel! And itā€™s not my fault the USPS was super-duper efficient - 2 days from Merrylande to SLC? Really? It takes at least 4 for checks I mail to my Credit Union in FL to arrive. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314/320 "2014-12-23T20:41:23Z")
Still no package.ā˜¹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2014-signup-closed/704314.md?page=17)