# SDMB Secret Santa Gift Exchange 2015 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 22, 2015, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273 "2015-11-22T06:12:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2016, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/141 "2016-01-03T02:18:22Z")
**KinkiNipponTourist** , my family enjoyed a second Christmas tonight! I’ll try to describe our favorites - a small bag where the only English word is “mini,” and the snacks inside are like crispy noodles made of potato. Also, candy that starts like taffy, then turns to gum, then dissolves altogether. And my absolute favorite is in the larger bag featuring a red hot pepper with a mustache - the snacks are small spicy rings - maybe also made of potato? Mmmm. We figure that because we can’t read the nutritional information, the snacks have no calories. 🙂 The soap leaves are fantastic. I really hate soap in public bathrooms because it’s awful and cheap and dries out my hands, and now I have a solution! I’ll be sad when I go through all 50. Still to come - the face masks. Maybe next weekend! Thanks again, it’s all wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![Tread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/142 "2016-01-04T19:23:31Z")
Received mine today… All the way from Faroe Islands… A nice mixed Scandinavian gift… Candies and a nice piece of art made locally … Very unique …for my part of the world anyway… Much thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/143 "2016-01-06T04:49:16Z")
So this is it, y’all - Twelfth Night, the last night of Christmas, the with the drummers in that interminable song. So is it now kosher to drop the “secret” part of “secret Santa”? I put my package in the mail to my Santee four weeks ago, but she has not posted anything, so far as I can tell, since December 17th; I’d like to just ask her if she’s received it. I’m not usually arts-and-crafty, but I’m kinda proud of what I made for her, and I’d hate to hear that it got lost in the mail. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/144 "2016-01-06T04:52:37Z")
> [@Tread](#): > > Received mine today… All the way from Faroe Islands… A nice mixed Scandinavian gift… Candies and a nice piece of art made locally … > Very unique …for my part of the world anyway… Much thanks. Did **Septima** send you a salmon-skin leather ornament? She sent one to me last year, and I thought it was the coolest thing… ---
**Author:** ![Tread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/145 "2016-01-06T08:49:11Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Did **Septima** send you a salmon-skin leather ornament? She sent one to me last year, and I thought it was the coolest thing… Yes, she did. A heart, it is very cool. Never realized such a thing existed. ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/146 "2016-01-06T16:15:23Z")
We’re almost there! Of those that remain, a couple are very long distance and one was reassigned after Christmas. \*\*Sent: 23/24 Received: 20/24 EmilyG -\> swampspruce Filbert -\> Sir T-Cups peedin -\> TheSpeculationElucidation Tread -\> KinkiNipponTourist Silvorange -\> Reepicheep romansperson swampspruce -\> Rhiannon8404 Reepicheep -\> carnut Atomic Mama -\>Pai325 Rhiannon8404 Pai325 -\> Sarabellum1976 slightly askew -\> peedin Baker -\> romansperson Sarabellum1976 -\> slightly askew carnut -\> freckafree Slow Moving Vehicle TheSpeculationElucidation -\> rocking chair KinkiNipponTourist -\> Nayna freckafree -\> Baker Rocking Chair -\> Silvorange Sir T-Cups -\> EmilyG Nayna -\> Filbert Septima -\> Tread\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Anaglyph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anaglyph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaglyph)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2016, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/147 "2016-01-06T17:30:29Z")
Sorry - i was away for christmas and new year. I got some nice olive oil and balsamic vinegar samples as well as a Sacramento christmas tree ornament from **rhiannon8404**. Thank you very much! Wow - the postage on that was astronomical. Sorry, **slow moving vehicle** - you are getting a slow moving christmas present! But it should arrive any day now. ---
**Author:** ![Septima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Septima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Septima)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/148 "2016-01-07T01:00:24Z")
[QUOTE=Tread] Yes, she did. A heart, it is very cool. Never realized such a thing existed. [/QUOTE] Aw! Glad you liked it. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2016, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/149 "2016-01-07T03:57:26Z")
> [@Anaglyph](#): > > Sorry - i was away for christmas and new year. I got some nice olive oil and balsamic vinegar samples as well as a Sacramento christmas tree ornament from **rhiannon8404**. Thank you very much! Wow - the postage on that was astronomical. > Sorry, **slow moving vehicle** - you are getting a slow moving christmas present! But it should arrive any day now. No worries - I’m just glad it didn’t get swiped off my doorstep, or delivered and I not notice it. Sorry, **Septima** , you’re also getting a slow-moving prezzie. I’m hoping that the U.S.P.S. is simply being dilatory, as opposed to losing your package. I’ll send you something else, if that’s turns out to be the case. ---
**Author:** ![Septima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Septima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Septima)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2016, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/150 "2016-01-11T22:14:31Z")
It’s here! And it smells great! Oh…wow. Oh wow!. Juniper and sage soap. Did you know junipers are my favourite smell ever? I spent my summers in a part of Norway where wild junipers are everywhere. Love it. And I got a really cute glass bauble. And milk chocolate pecans, those look really yummy. And…og whats this? A really cute, hand written letter on fancy paper and glitter. It even has a postscript 🙂 And I love the laminated bookmark. It’s glittery and it has my board name on it. Thanks, Slow Moving Vehicle. Thank you so much for the great present. I’ll eat/use up most of it, and treasure the bookmark always. And the glass bauble is displayed on my shelf. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/151 "2016-01-12T02:59:05Z")
Ho hum. Guess I ought to check the mail. Hmm, what’s this? A package? Looks like it’s from Washington… It’s my secret Santa! Let’s see, what’s in it? A very nice note from **The Speculation Elucidation** , explaining all the goodies she’s sent to me: A bag of espresso! Highly appropriate from western Washington state. Local chocolate! Yeah, _that_ won’t last long. Craft beer and cider is all very well, but craft chocolate is a trend I can really get behind! A frosted shot glass with a Northwestern First Nations artwork! **TSE** ’s note says that it’s an eagle, in the iconography of the Squaxin tribe, to which people her half-sister belongs. It’s beautiful, and all the more so because of the personal connection. But what’s that great smell? A bar of soap! Pretty soap! Must have come from a local soapmaker, what does **TSE** ’s note say? It’s organic, and - how cool! - handmade! Now _that’s_ crafty, and awesome. I am impressed. Thank you, **The Speculation Elucidation**! What a great package! Made my day. ---
**Author:** ![TheSpeculationElucidation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@TheSpeculationElucidation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheSpeculationElucidation)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2016, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/152 "2016-01-12T16:30:57Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Ho hum. > > Guess I ought to check the mail. > > Hmm, what’s this? A package? Looks like it’s from Washington… > > It’s my secret Santa! > > Let’s see, what’s in it? > > A very nice note from **The Speculation Elucidation** , explaining all the goodies she’s sent to me: > > A bag of espresso! Highly appropriate from western Washington state. > > Local chocolate! Yeah, _that_ won’t last long. Craft beer and cider is all very well, but craft chocolate is a trend I can really get behind! > > A frosted shot glass with a Northwestern First Nations artwork! **TSE** ’s note says that it’s an eagle, in the iconography of the Squaxin tribe, to which people her half-sister belongs. It’s beautiful, and all the more so because of the personal connection. > > But what’s that great smell? A bar of soap! Pretty soap! Must have come from a local soapmaker, what does **TSE** ’s note say? It’s organic, and - how cool! - handmade! Now _that’s_ crafty, and awesome. I am impressed. > > Thank you, **The Speculation Elucidation**! What a great package! Made my day. That arrived quickly - I was worried the shotglass would break in transit, good to hear it arrived safely. SO glad you liked it! It looks like you’re original Secret Santa is sending you one too! Happy Holidays. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/153 "2016-01-13T05:11:56Z")
> [@Septima](#): > > It’s here! > > And it smells great! > > Oh…wow. Oh wow!. Juniper and sage soap. Did you know junipers are my favourite smell ever? I spent my summers in a part of Norway where wild junipers are everywhere. Love it. > > And I got a really cute glass bauble. > > And milk chocolate pecans, those look really yummy. > > And…og whats this? A really cute, hand written letter on fancy paper and glitter. It even has a postscript 🙂 > > And I love the laminated bookmark. It’s glittery and it has my board name on it. > > Thanks, Slow Moving Vehicle. Thank you so much for the great present. I’ll eat/use up most of it, and treasure the bookmark always. And the glass bauble is displayed on my shelf. I’m so glad it didn’t get lost in the mail! I had a lot of fun putting it together; in fact, making your bookmark was such a blast that it inspired me to make them as party favors.for.friends and family on our annual Christmas Eve dinner. Not to mention giving me a reason to spend a highly enjoyable, and slightly covetous, half hour in the fancy paper aisle of the craft store. I’m also pleased that I was able to find everything locally; with the exception of the pecans (and they are from my state of Georgia), everything was produced within a five-mileage radius of my house. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273/154 "2016-01-21T23:04:17Z")
I know I’m reviving a zombie, but I got a package in the mail today from my original Secret Santa, **Anaglyph**. Her note apologized for the delay, and explained that the wrapping took a while. I figured she was making a wry joke about the utilitarian box and envelope. Boy, was I wrong. Inside were three packages gorgeously wrapped in gold paper and cornflower-blue ribbons. And tucked between them? Two origami figures, fashioned out of gold tape! Amazing. My wife thinks they are horses, and I say they’re collies; but either way, they’re beautiful. They occupy pride of place on the mantelpiece right now, and will hang on the Christmas tree next year. And what else did **Anaglyph** send from snowy Zurich? Two, count 'em, two bars of Swiss chocolate. No one does chocolate like the Swiss do. A gorgeous calendar, featuring views of the Alps. Stunning. And finally, a Swiss Army knife. But not just a Swiss Army knife, a _Swiss_ Swiss Army knife. That makes it extra-double-special-cool. 😛 I love knives, so I am delighted. So big hugs and big "thank you so much"es to _both_ of my Secret Santas, **The Speculation Elucidation** and **Anaglyph**. I will happily say that I made out like a bandit, this year! And of course, thank you to the inestimable **Silvorange** , who put all this together. See you all around on the Dope! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2015/738273.md?page=7)