# 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:** 18
**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, 2018, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/341 "2018-12-23T00:22:51Z")
Well that’d be it, lol… I’ve never had any silk yarn or even silk blend. Thank you again; it is completely gorgeous and I already have a project in mind for it. I think it will make a lovely shawl/pashmina, loosely done in the linen stitch. Gorgeous, gorgeous stuff. You’ve spoiled me rotten! ---
**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 23, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/342 "2018-12-23T01:00:41Z")
> [@justanothermike](#): > > That’s a fantastic sentiment, but do you have to use the word “witness”? Lol. … OMG! I m SO sorry. :o Holy shit. I am speechless at my own ineptitude and lack of sensitivity. I only have one defense: \*Da debbil made me do it! \* My face is seriously red. > [@Sarabellum](#): > > …Five delicious skeins/hanks of fancy yarn that I would never treat myself to, but I already know exactly what I’ll be making with this gorgeous stuff. It is kind of wine red with filaments of other colors running through it. I’m pretty well-versed on yarn, but I’m unable to immediately identify what kind of blend it is. > > And then a box of… chocolate truffles! Oh my goodness, they look and smell amazing! I can’t wait to try some of them. > > Some cat finger puppets! An orange tabby, Russian Blue, tuxedo, and Siamese kitties to play with! They’re so adorable! > > Apple-pie scented soap, of the hand-made, luxury variety. And a ginger and nutmeg-scented candle. … See, now this is the kind of post that demands pictures. Okay, I can picture truffles, soap, and candles, but _ **I want to see the kitty cat finger puppets and I want to see them now!** _ _\_ And boyohboy, a picture of the shawl you wind up making out of that yarn would be a huge bonus… ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/343 "2018-12-23T01:09:54Z")
I got an exchange from **Silvorange** once, and “going all out” is just the term for the gifties I got. ---
**Author:** ![justanothermike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/344 "2018-12-23T04:33:17Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > OMG! I m SO sorry. :o Holy shit. I am speechless at my own ineptitude and lack of sensitivity. I only have one defense: \*Da debbil made me do it! \* My face is seriously red. I hope you saw the next sentence where I said “just messing around”, because seriously there is no sensitivity there whatsoever. I just thought it was funny. I’m not one of those people that runs around looking for reasons to be outraged, I just like easy jokes. > [@](#): > > _ **I want to see the kitty cat finger puppets and I want to see them now!** _ _\_ THIS^, 1000 times THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ---
**Author:** ![txobbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@txobbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txobbin)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/345 "2018-12-23T05:33:15Z")
[[Album] SDSSE ![](https://i.imgur.com/bMCmf5Y.jpeg?fb "SDSSE") ](https://imgur.com/a/zAUJTUs) If I did it correctly, here are images of the hand towels and the Maneki Cat, in regular form and UV purple. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/346 "2018-12-23T13:24:25Z")
> [@txobbin](#): > > [SDSSE - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/a/zAUJTUs) > > If I did it correctly, here are images of the hand towels and the Maneki Cat, in regular form and UV purple. Oh wow, thanks for the pix. I need that cat. ---
**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 23, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/347 "2018-12-23T14:29:53Z")
> [@justanothermike](#): > > I hope you saw the next sentence where I said “just messing around”, because seriously there is no sensitivity there whatsoever. I just thought it was funny. I’m not one of those people that runs around looking for reasons to be outraged, I just like easy jokes. > … I got that you weren’t all that upset. I was irritated at myself. No harm, no foul. 🙂 > [@txobbin](#): > > [SDSSE - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/a/zAUJTUs) > > If I did it correctly, here are images of the hand towels and the Maneki Cat, in regular form and UV purple. Oooooo. The towels are so darling. Love the colors. And the bunny is the sweetest thing. But that color changing kitty! Fantastic! If that was your first time at imgur–WTG! ---
**Author:** ![txobbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@txobbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txobbin)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2018, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/348 "2018-12-23T14:56:36Z")
Aww thank you **ThelmaLou**! :o **swampspruce** , my kitty is a \*huuuuge \*hit! Do you take orders?? 😃 ---
**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 24, 2018, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/349 "2018-12-24T23:52:16Z")
I got my package from txobbin! But I won’t be opening it till tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2018, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/350 "2018-12-25T14:04:27Z")
On the first day of Christmas, **purplehorsehoe** gave to me… Five awesome Texas things (chocolate and vodka!) Four pairs of earrings Three colorful candles Two lovely bracelets And a blue-green sparkly ruffled scarf! (And a scalp massager that didn’t fit in the song, but I don’t have one and know I’ll use it!) The bracelets fit perfectly. I’m wearing the green pair of earrings right now. The scarf – well, sparkly AND blue/green/turquoise. Doesn’t get much better than that. I think the candles will go to my little meditation space (where I will heed your stern advice and NOT burn my house down). The chocolate and vodka will not last the day, I’m sure. Oh, and the jewelry, scarf and candles are all handmade by **purplehorseshoe** herself. (Almost typed “herelf.” Freudian typo!) Merry Christmas and thank you so much for all the goodies! ---
**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 25, 2018, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/351 "2018-12-25T16:06:44Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > On the first day of Christmas, **purplehorsehoe** gave to me… > > Five awesome Texas things (chocolate and vodka!) > Four pairs of earrings > Three colorful candles > Two lovely bracelets > And a blue-green sparkly ruffled scarf! > > (And a scalp massager that didn’t fit in the song, but I don’t have one and know I’ll use it!) > > The bracelets fit perfectly. I’m wearing the green pair of earrings right now. The scarf – well, sparkly AND blue/green/turquoise. Doesn’t get much better than that. I think the candles will go to my little meditation space (where I will heed your stern advice and NOT burn my house down). The chocolate and vodka will not last the day, I’m sure. > > Oh, and the jewelry, scarf and candles are all handmade by **purplehorseshoe** herself. (Almost typed “herelf.” Freudian typo!) > > Merry Christmas and thank you so much for all the goodies! PicturesPicturesPictures… Sounds so pretty! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Be of Good Cheer, and whatever else floats y’all’s\* boats! 🙂 - Yes, that is a real word. ---
**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, 2018, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/352 "2018-12-25T17:20:29Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > **Carnut** , I opened the U Maple Me Berry jam tonight. I’m low-carbing, so slathering it on a ginormous slice of toast isn’t in the cards at the moment. Instead I put a big tablespoonful on a scoop of plain Fage yogurt and added some blueberries and raspberries. It’s a marriage made in heaven! The tanginess of the thick Greek yogurt and the sweetness of the jam–perfection. 🙂 I put it in yogurt too. The full name is "U Maple Me Berry 🙂 because there wasn’t room to add the word “Happy”. Every time I come up with a new jam & jam name, I have to consider the label. When I saw the liqueur, I knew I had to use it in a jam. Because alcohol flavor in jam rocks, even if the alcohol burns off. ---
**Author:** ![justanothermike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@justanothermike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justanothermike)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/353 "2018-12-25T17:22:15Z")
Merry Everything to my fellow dopers! ---
**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 25, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/354 "2018-12-25T18:26:11Z")
Ok!! So I opened my package: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/4871/45738064794_b10141322f_z.jpg "Package!") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/45738064794/in/dateposted-public/) Got a grievous wound in the process: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/4867/45738063634_6bf190938b_z.jpg "Paper Cut!") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/45738063634/in/dateposted-public/) Pulled out the prezzies: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/4891/45738064324_6b989795c7_z.jpg "Prezzies!") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/45738064324/in/dateposted-public/) Unwrapped the first gift. An Audubon bird calendar! I thought “Wow, how did she know this is exactly what I wanted??” I didn’t put anything that specific in this thread other than “I like birds”. Then I remembered that we’d had a “What do you want for Christmas” thread. So I went back to see what I’d put because I couldn’t remember. I had indeed said an Audubon bird calendar. Then I thought “OMG what if there is a Labrys lapel pin in amongst these gifts!”. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/7868/45738063264_38a01694e6_z.jpg "Audubon Bird Calendar!") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/45738063264/in/dateposted-public/) Then I opened Vietnamese coffee and Mexican hot chocolate tablets, which I’d never heard of but will be enjoying today!" [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/7880/46461472501_3db693754a_z.jpg "Coffee and Hot Chocolate!") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/46461472501/in/dateposted-public/) Next was two Texas items. One is a map of Texas (sorry it’s unsidedown!) made from reclaimed wood: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/4863/46461473631_fa966048a8_z.jpg "Wood Texas Map!") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/46461473631/in/dateposted-public/) And a magnet from Paris, Texas: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/4900/46461473131_7aa5881ea2_z.jpg "Texas Magnet!") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/46461473131/in/dateposted-public/) I was so, so happy with my gifts. They just made me so happy. I had one, tiny gift left: [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/7824/46461472081_8323165357_z.jpg "Labrys Pin!!") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/46461472081/in/dateposted-public/) My pin! I’d been wanting a Labrys pin for a while but didn’t know where to find one. I normally wear a dinosaur pin on my work sweater but I’ve already changed it out for my Labrys pin. My sincere thanks, **txobbin** , for your well thought out gifts. I’m so pleased. Happy Holidays to you and yours. (hugs) ---
**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 25, 2018, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/355 "2018-12-25T20:18:39Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > Ok!! So I opened my package: > > [Package! | cowardmelissa | Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/45738064794/in/dateposted-public/) > > Got a grievous wound in the process: > > [Paper Cut! | cowardmelissa | Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/45738063634/in/dateposted-public/) > > Pulled out the prezzies: > > [Prezzies! | cowardmelissa | Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/45738064324/in/dateposted-public/) > > Unwrapped the first gift. An Audubon bird calendar! I thought “Wow, how did she know this is exactly what I wanted??” I didn’t put anything that specific in this thread other than “I like birds”. Then I remembered that we’d had a “What do you want for Christmas” thread. So I went back to see what I’d put because I couldn’t remember. I had indeed said an Audubon bird calendar. Then I thought “OMG what if there is a Labrys lapel pin in amongst these gifts!”. > > [Audubon Bird Calendar! | cowardmelissa | Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/45738063264/in/dateposted-public/) > > Then I opened Vietnamese coffee and Mexican hot chocolate tablets, which I’d never heard of but will be enjoying today!" > > [Coffee and Hot Chocolate! | cowardmelissa | Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/46461472501/in/dateposted-public/) > > Next was two Texas items. One is a map of Texas (sorry it’s unsidedown!) made from reclaimed wood: > > [Wood Texas Map! | cowardmelissa | Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/46461473631/in/dateposted-public/) > > And a magnet from Paris, Texas: > > [Texas Magnet! | cowardmelissa | Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/46461473131/in/dateposted-public/) > > I was so, so happy with my gifts. They just made me so happy. I had one, tiny gift left: > > [Labrys Pin!! | cowardmelissa | Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56821557@N06/46461472081/in/dateposted-public/) > > My pin! I’d been wanting a Labrys pin for a while but didn’t know where to find one. I normally wear a dinosaur pin on my work sweater but I’ve already changed it out for my Labrys pin. > > My sincere thanks, **txobbin** , for your well thought out gifts. I’m so pleased. Happy Holidays to you and yours. (hugs) Now THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about! I have some of that Vinacafe Vietnamese instant coffee, and I love it! That brand is excellent. One envelope makes a smallish cup, only about six ounces. I mix it in the cup with water just off the boil using my milk frother. That also helps cool it down. It already has milk and sugar in it, so some may find it too sweet, but not me. The chocolate tablets are, of course, for making hot chocolate (mix in hot milk while it’s on the stove), but sometimes if I’m desperate for a treat, I’ll just break them up and eat them. I’m bad, I know. Love the cowboy hat on the Eiffel Tower. Great prezzies, artfully presented. 🙂 **FloatyGimpy** , thank you for going to all that trouble. ---
**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 25, 2018, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/356 "2018-12-25T20:20:14Z")
Wow! I must say, having a song (parody) composed as a thank-you was delightful! The scalp massage thingy was a last minute little throwaway addition - the box equivalent of a stocking stuffer - so it’s quite appropriate that it didn’t fit the song either. I had vaguely noticed the sequential number of things as I was packing, but somehow the carol didn’t even occur to me! It was fun picking out colors for you and imagining what you might like. Internal arguments like, “I dunno. Maybe too much … ?” “She said BOLD COLORS dammit woman!” The vodka (Deep Eddy) is from the Austin area. I tried to pick “southern” flavors. This was barrels of fun. Merry Holidays y’all! ---
**Author:** ![txobbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@txobbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/txobbin)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2018, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/357 "2018-12-25T21:16:16Z")
**FloatyGimpy** , I am pleased that you are pleased! It feels wonderful making someone happy. Oh no! about the finger cut, may it heal quickly. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everybody, this has been great fun. I like the links to pictures of the prezzies, that doubles the fun! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/358 "2018-12-26T00:23:29Z")
Has everyone got their gifts? ---
**Author:** ![smokey78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@smokey78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smokey78)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2018, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/359 "2018-12-27T23:35:03Z")
Silvorange, I sent my gift to carnut, and she confirmed she got it… alas, I haven’t gotten anything (yet), but one bright spot was that it pushed me to join the confirmed delivery program for my PO Box. That way I don’t have to check it every few days. (I can only make a trip every other Saturday) . I had a bit of snafus over the years, but finally they approved taking pics of deliveries and just emailing to me to indicate I have something in my box! ---
**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 28, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869/360 "2018-12-28T16:37:37Z")
> [@txobbin](#): > > [SDSSE - Album on Imgur](https://imgur.com/a/zAUJTUs) > > If I did it correctly, here are images of the hand towels and the Maneki Cat, in regular form and UV purple. Thanks for doing that **tx** , I was going to post but you beat me to it! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdmb-secret-santa-gift-exchange-2018/823869.md?page=19)