# SDMB Secret Santa Gift Exchange 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 2, 2018, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869 "2018-11-02T00:42:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![smokey78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@smokey78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smokey78)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/181 "2018-12-10T00:45:03Z")
Ok I sent my gift last week, hopefully my gift (that I’ll get) won’t get returned to sender…I only have a chance to check my box Two days this week and one day next week. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/182 "2018-12-10T14:57:03Z")
I realized this morning that the box is in fact, not full of water and therefore said hypothetical cat actually has SCBA not SCUBA gear… Sorry for the inconvenience… 😃 Also, fitting a tiny little Scott pack to a calico isn’t nearly as easy as you’d think. - All in jest to those of you who are thinking what kind of idiot would do this.\* ---
**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:** [December 10, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/183 "2018-12-10T16:41:21Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > I realized this morning that the box is in fact, not full of water and therefore said hypothetical cat actually has SCBA not SCUBA gear… Sorry for the inconvenience… 😃 Also, fitting a tiny little Scott pack to a calico isn’t nearly as easy as you’d think. > > - All in jest to those of you who are thinking what kind of idiot would do this.\* So, no holes in the box, but several new ones in you? ---
**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 10, 2018, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/184 "2018-12-10T18:30:42Z")
Package has been sent! I hope it gets there by Christmas. Sounds like customs may slow things down and I can’t track it through customs. ---
**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 10, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/185 "2018-12-10T18:58:07Z")
Ugh! Had a rough weekend and didn’t get my box packed for shipping today. ☹ I will get it out this week. I think it will still make it for Christmas, but if not, my giftee will have a New Year’s gift. ---
**Author:** ![smokey78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@smokey78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smokey78)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/186 "2018-12-10T21:25:43Z")
So I didn’t see any packages in my box today…my next trip will be Saturday to look in the box. Then possibly Monday 17th…and then…Dec 29 Saturday. So guess could call it New Yrs Day gift! ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/187 "2018-12-10T21:57:39Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > So, no holes in the box, but several new ones in you? 😃 As owner servant of a calico I can corroborate that they only add to the ones I already have courtesy of same… ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/188 "2018-12-10T22:04:52Z")
By the way, thought I’d just mention that having a big old gleeful squee about all the cool stuff you got in a package or on a shopping expedition etc. is known as a **“loot gloat”**. 🙂 I hope my recipient will be able to join the fun soon as I’m shipping my parcel tomorrow! ---
**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:** [December 10, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/189 "2018-12-10T22:23:05Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > By the way, thought I’d just mention that having a big old gleeful squee about all the cool stuff you got in a package or on a shopping expedition etc. is known as a **“loot gloat”**. 🙂 > > I hope my recipient will be able to join the fun soon as I’m shipping my parcel tomorrow! Not a “schwag squeal”? ---
**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 10, 2018, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/190 "2018-12-10T22:38:05Z")
**Slow Moving Vehicle** - I loved reading what you got from \*\*justanothermike! \*\*😃 What wonderful gifts! ---
**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:** [December 10, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/191 "2018-12-10T22:44:20Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > **Slow Moving Vehicle** - I loved reading what you got from \*\*justanothermike! \*\*😃 What wonderful gifts! Yeah, he really went all out. I truly wish I had a way to post photos of the package, because it was beautifully wrapped. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/192 "2018-12-10T22:49:44Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > **Slow Moving Vehicle** - I loved reading what you got from \*\*justanothermike! \*\*😃 What wonderful gifts! I nominate Mr. & Mrs. \*\*justanothermike \*\*for Co-Santas of the Year! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/193 "2018-12-11T00:30:40Z")
**Thelma Lou** , I have to tell you the Alamo has fallen. It is no more. ---
**Author:** ![justanothermike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/194 "2018-12-11T01:03:00Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Ya know, for an ex-Jehovah’s Witness who’s only celebrated Christmas once or twice in his life, **justanothermike** has really grasped the aesthetic of the season. His package arrived on Friday, and I opened it today. > > Oh my. I’m kinda technologically clueless (thus my username), and I wish I could post photos of the package. It was gorgeous. I opened the box to find tissue paper scattered with puffy peppermint balls. Which are one of my favorite candies (pro tip: one or two dropped in a mug of hot chocolate makes for a hella yummy bevvy!). > > Underneath were four beautifully wrapped gifts: a really cool top, that when spun actually turns itself over to balance on the spindle, and a cube of those magnetic balls that can be squished, or formed up into a chain, or generally fidgeted with. Balm to my squirrel soul, and irresistible to my magpie eye. Telling ya now, gonna waste a _lot_ of time with those shinies! > > The third package was a shiny that’s actually useful - a key-shaped multitool with a bottle opener, screwdriver, serrated edge and nail file. Will be handy to have on my keychain. > > Next was an assortment of European chocolate. The phrase “European chocolate” should be sufficient to convey my reaction to that gift. > > Under another layer of tissue paper was a wicking tee shirt bearing the logo of the Louisville Cardinals, **justanothermike** ’s team.A really high-quality running shirt, which I’ll be happy to wear; especially as I lived in Louisville for a couple of years when I was a child. My sister was born there. So, happy to rep the Cards! Weather permitting, I’ll wear it on my next group run. > > All of these things were wrapped beautifully, too. **justanothermike** even lined the bottom of the box in cheery Christmas paper. (Mrs.SMV suspects female involvement, especially when I told her that **justanothermike** ’s partner is also a former JW who’s gotten excited about Christmas and birthdays…) > > **justanothermike** , as another poster said upthread, it has been so fun watching you explore these celebrations that you missed out on as a child. I’d say you’ve got the Christmas spirit pretty well nailed down. Your gifts were thoughtfully chosen and beautifully presented. Thank you so much for this wonderful package - today is gloomy and cold and I was feeling down (which is why I said "Screw waiting until Christmas, I’m opening my prezzie _now_! "). Your gift lifted and delighted me. I hope you and your lovely lady have an absolutely magical holiday! I love it SMV! Thanks for such a detailed post. I had posted earlier asking if you got the package at the side door because I’m always paranoid about packages not reaching their destination or being left somewhere weird from personal experience. I’m so glad that it reached you. Let’s just go ahead and admit that my wife, BludgeonMeSoftly, was behind the wrapping. Yes it was very beautifully done. She has really loved getting into wrapping gifts in our new life. If I had wrapped it you would have thought that a child sent you a box of cool gifts that maybe an adult picked out, lol. I try but I’m not good at wrapping gifts. What I do enjoy is buying gifts. I love trying to get in the head of another person and figuring out what might make them happy. I had a lot of fun picking out things for you and I identified with what you posted. Admittedly I had to look up what a magpie was. You have quite the way with words and I loved your “balm to my squirrel soul” remark. That’s very relatable to me personally. How cool that you lived in Louisville at one point! It’s a small world. It’s even smaller for me because I’ve never lived anywhere but the Louisville area. I’m so glad that people enjoy watching us go through this journey and celebrating the holidays now. I also love that my box of gifts brightened a blah day. 🙂 We’re visiting some new friends for a Christmas Eve Eve party and experiencing our first ever “white elephant” gift exchange along with a cookie exchange. The holidays are a wonderful time and we’re so happy to be able to enjoy them now. It’s a shame that we can’t enjoy them with our family but it’s so cool to be able to experience them with new friends and families that have adopted us into their own. ---
**Author:** ![justanothermike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/195 "2018-12-11T01:10:24Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I nominate Mr. & Mrs. \*\*justanothermike \*\*for Co-Santas of the Year! 🙂 Haha, awesome. We’ve both had our gifts make it to their destinations. No pressure “purplehorseshoe”, but Slow Moving Vehicle has given you a glimpse into what my wife BludgeonMeSoftly has in store for you in the box in your possession. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/196 "2018-12-11T02:14:05Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > **Thelma Lou** , I have to tell you the Alamo has fallen. It is no more. ☹ [El Deguello](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fdZy6OcW9ak) (music) > [@](#): > > The Degüello (Spanish: El toque a degüello) is a bugle call, notable in the US for its use as a march by Mexican Army buglers during the 1836 Siege and Battle of the Alamo[1] to signal that the defenders of the garrison would receive no quarter by the attacking Mexican Army under General Antonio López de Santa Anna. The Degüello was introduced to the Americas by the Spanish armies and was later adopted by the patriot armies fighting against them during the Spanish American wars of independence. It was also widely used by Simon Bolivar’s armies, notably during the Battle of Junin[2] and the Battle of Ayacucho.[3] > > “Degüello” is a Spanish noun from the verb “degollar”, to describe the action of throat-cutting. More figuratively, it means “give no quarter.”[1] It “signifies the act of beheading or throat-cutting and in Spanish history became associated with the battle music, which, in different versions, meant complete destruction of the enemy without mercy.”[4] It is similar to the war cry “¡A degüello!” used by Cuban rebels in the 19th century to launch mounted charges against the Spanish infantry. > > [Wiki](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Deg%C3%BCello) ---
**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:** [December 11, 2018, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/197 "2018-12-11T02:25:37Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I nominate Mr. & Mrs. \*\*justanothermike \*\*for Co-Santas of the Year! 🙂 Seconded! ---
**Author:** ![BludgeonMeSoftly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@BludgeonMeSoftly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BludgeonMeSoftly)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/198 "2018-12-11T03:09:29Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I nominate Mr. & Mrs. \*\*justanothermike \*\*for Co-Santas of the Year! 🙂 Best Job Evarrr!!! ---
**Author:** ![BludgeonMeSoftly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@BludgeonMeSoftly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BludgeonMeSoftly)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/199 "2018-12-11T03:45:15Z")
Today I got nominated for Co-Santa of the year AND I got my Secret Santa prezzie in the mail!!! Take that Monday! I put the padded envelope under the Christmas tree while I ate dinner so it could soak in lots of Christmas cheer until I could open it. As soon as I finished my Taco salad, I tore right in. The first thing I opened was the card which was so bright and colorful and cheery. It has zinnias all over which was a nice reminder of my garden last summer. As a seasoned Secret Santa participant (I did it last year AND this year) I know to wait to read the card after I look at my goodies. First off, I got a rainbow of colors of embroidery floss which will feed my habit nicely. So many colors! Next is a very nice sketchbook. The fabric cover feels classy and the tree sketch on the front cover is very pretty. Lots of blank pages just waiting to be filled with scribbles. Next comes a packet of stencils with my favorite - turtles! Also adorable birds and squirrels. I’ll be painting animals on all of my possessions now! And those aren’t even the best things I got!! The last gift was wrapped in bubble wrap at the bottom. It is a beautiful wire and bead lizard. Now it is time to read the card, which tell the story of the lizard. And it’s a good one! My Doper volunteers with an organization that works with Broadway shows to raise money to fight AIDS in South Africa. This lizard was sold after The Lion King to raise money for the foundation. Also the lizard himself was hand made by South African women to help feed and educate thr children in their village. The bright beads on my lizard seem even more colorful knowing that he has helped so many people on his path to me across the planet! I think that the organization that she volunteers for is a very awesome one. I actually donated to it when @justanothermike and I went to The Book of Mormon and got a very funny tote bag for it. So thank you @eyebrowsofdoom I am so very pleased with my gift. And knowing that it came from somebody with such an awesome Doper name I just adds to it lol. The mental image I get from your name scares me a little, but I think we’re gonna be friends after all. Yay Christmas!!! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/200 "2018-12-11T04:09:31Z")
> [@BludgeonMeSoftly](#): > > … > I put the padded envelope under the Christmas tree while I ate dinner so it could soak in lots of Christmas cheer until I could open it. As soon as I finished my Taco salad, I tore right in. > > … I love a woman who has [del]lots of[/del] NO self-control. I hope you also eat dessert first. (I do.) 😉 What fab prezzies! This is so great-- fun shopping, fun receiving, and loads of fun hearing about everyone’s gifts. **Silverorange** , you are The Bomb. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869.md?page=11)