SDMB Secret Santa Gift Exchange 2018

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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But wait there’s more! This morning as I was tossing out the box I found yet another small gift wrapped item with another origami bow — a dark chocolate bar with sea salt. Sounds tasty! It’s from a local chocalatier, Barkeater Chocolates in North Creek NY.

The Secret Santa package that keeps on giving!

Earlier I neglected to mention the box of ‘Wicked Dark Truffles’ that Kimstu included in my care package. They’re from The New England Fudge Company in Scotia NY, which I could not find but maybe were bought at Uncle Sam’s All-American Chocolate Factory in Schenectady. Just a guess. And the spun maple sugar cotton candy is from Slate Valley Farms in Granville NY.

I updated my map with these locations. Google Maps

Kimstu, you went above and beyond! Thank you.

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I’m so glad you like what you got! :smiley: I enjoyed making/finding the items for the gift box. Merry Christmas!

263

My package has left the country! Repeat! The package has left the country! (Don’t know why it took a week?!?) AND it has arrived in the recipient’s country! I am guessing that I will lose the ability to track it soon, so godspeed little package. May you arrive at your destination quickly!

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Thanks Bullitt, I’m so glad you liked the prezzies! But OMG here I thought I was introducing the sagebrush westerner to the exotic foodways of the distant Northeast and it turns out you are actually from around here yourself! :smiley: :stuck_out_tongue: Small world, even in a big country. So okay, the primary theme is retroactively “Childhood Nostalgia” instead of “The Weird Stuff We Eat in These Parts”.

(and yeah, I love using those flat origami bows on boxed giftwrapped parcels because they don’t get squished in mailing the way 3D bows do. Also making them is a great way to use up wrapping paper scraps.) Merryhappysanta to all!

(Oh, and I actually got the chox at Bob’s Trees in Galway NY, where a winter ritual is standing around watching them run the REALLY BIG trees through the treebagger with the winch. Honey and maple products were acquired at Schenectady Greenmarket.)

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Kimstu, do you have a link for the pattern for the origami bows? I do origami and that seems like something right up my alley.

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I forget where I originally learned them, but any of the instructions at Bullitt’s link a couple posts up should be adequate, they are probably pretty stinkin easy for an experienced origamist.

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Yes, the link in Post 260, if you then click on the image and then click ‘Visit’, leads to a YouTube tutorial on how to make the bows out of a 6”x6” piece of paper (or, it says, 3”x3” for a really cute bow).

Those origami bows pack and ship very well, I can attest. They looked great after shipping 3,000 miles between what are essentially Albany NY and San Francisco CA.

I’m going to start doing them too! (another gift that I got from Kimstu)

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Awesome! Thanks! I’ll try them out tonight!

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Cool. It might be Kimstu’s gift to all of us!

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I made it to the Post Office today, which was a miracle because I am not feeling well. I stood in line for about 20 minutes, but by the time I left, the line was out the door,
Anyway, my holiday packages are all mailed, including the one to my SD Santee. It is expected to reach her on Thursday.

Happy holidays, everyone.

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For future reference (assuming you are in the USA):

No more standing in line for 20 minutes when you don’t feel well (or even if you do feel well). :slight_smile:

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Squee! SWMBO has informed me there is a package from the US for me at the house! 15 more minutes before I can tear off home!

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This is really fun, now that the presents are flying thick and fast! :slight_smile:

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Harmonicamoon!!! Thank you thank you thank you! Your parcel arrived intact and my wife is eyeing up a few of the items (mostly the Dove chocolate truffles which I may begrudgingly share with her) for herself already!!!
First, a hand made Santa hat that fits perfectly on my largish cranium.
Then a beautifully painted clay treasure box with lid painted in red and bright flowers painted on the lid.
A licence plate fridge magnet saying Valladolid (I’m assuming your city?) which I promptly Googled. To say beautiful doesn’t do it justice and as I look out on all the snow I have to say it makes me a little jealous!
Then, oh then, I come upon a jar of papaya, orange and habanero marmalade! That is so going on my toast tomorrow morning!
A homemade change purse, with crocheted flowers to go with the treasure box! And within that chicle, which I am really looking forward to trying!
A wrist sweat band with the colours of the Mexican flag that I will definitely be using bike season.
Finally, a beautifully painted clay gecko in white covered in flowers, which will be hung up on our wall as we love geckos!

I’ve been to a few places in Mexico (Chihuahua, Jalisco, Nayarit, Baja California…) and have always enjoyed my time there. I have never been to the Yucatan, but I can see why so many do. Thank you again for the note and for sharing a bit of your home with us!

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Y’know, since this is a generally feel-good-and-say-nice-things about each other thread, I’ll just throw in this slight hijack.

I sometimes take hiatuses from the SDMB. But about nine months or so ago, I started reading and posting regularly again. I’ve also explored some older threads that get linked to ones I’m reading.

And I’ve noticed that every time I read something Kimstu has posted, especially if it’s about gender, misogyny, or sexual politics, I find myself nodding and thinking, “Yeah, that’s a good point, and well made.” I especially noticed her patient, fair, and firm way of dealing with a now-banned misogynist who showed his a-…um, ignorance…in any thread about gender or feminism.

Then, someone posted a drive-by about circumcision, and in ensuing multi-page kerfluffle, a similar thread from 2003 or so was linked. That one contained a gem, a Gilbert and Sullivan-style parody of the overwrought OP (who thought circumcision was the cause of all the world’s ills, from global warming to ho-hum mouth). Authored by…Kimstu.

So, as fun as it was being Eyebrows of Doom’s Secret Santa, when I saw she was participating, I kinda hoped I’d draw Kimstu, just so I could tell her what an intelligent, literate, and entertaining poster she is.

But there’s no reason I can’t do so just because I didn’t draw her, is there? So, Kimstu: I greatly enjoy reading anything you post. You are a real asset to this board, and patently have been for two decades. I hope you’re here for two more, and I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday!

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SMV how VERY nice of you to say so, extreme blush incident!!! :o :o :o :o :o :o If I write anything good it’s largely due to what I’ve learned from other posters here on the Dope. (The non-good stuff’s original, sadly.)

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This is a happy thread. I like it!

Happy holidays, everyone!

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I look forward to the SDMB Secret Santa exchange all year long! It is my favorite thing!

I love reading about what everyone gives and receives. I love reading the little hints people leave. I love that I wasn’t the only one to self-impose waiting to open my gift until I have put the one I am sending in the mail. When I’m stressing about getting my house ready for the many, many people that will be here and will people like what I bought them, etc. I can just take a break and read this thread. Makes my whole day.

I already can’t wait for next year!!!

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As of 1:18am this morning, my package, on it way, is near its recipient!

Thank you for your patience, oh Doper recipient of Bullitt’s procrastination.
Redacted email quote follows…

In just a little more time, oh Doper recipient out there, your patience should be rewarded!
(I say “should” because, well, as a former USPS employee myself, while our mail system is one of the best in the world, delivery isn’t quite a guarantee…)

280

How fantastic swampspruce! You received your prezzies the day I received mine from you! Absolutely love that timing.

The hand towels are lovely. Hand crocheted button tops with pretty linen below, one with a purple rabbit and the other purple gingham. The purple and blue crochet add the perfect pop of color to my gray and white kitchen.

The dark chocolate, cherry & pistachio bar is already half gone… which, considering I still haven’t had breakfast yet, I might should hold off and save the other half for another time.

When I realized the packing paper was an actual paper, before I even read your letter I thought how cool to read a paper from another country! It is surprising that American $$ signs are used in the ads, really expected British £ signs :smiley:
(On a side note, reminder to self, next year use local paper as packing)

and Finally the Secret Cat of Mystery! I *LOVE * that you made it on a 3-D printer, I have been wanting something from one of those neat machines ever since I heard of them. Maneki Neko cat was indeed Wiki’d, nice! Good luck and fortune are always welcome. It’s secret power is still un-figured-out, perhaps a hint? A clue or two to point me in the right direction?

Thank You for the wonderful gifts and charming letter!

Happy Holidays everyone!!