Well, the package is at home and I am at work, so I can’t open it at the moment even if I wanted to. I did bring my present that I am giving to work, so I am crocheting during my lunch break to speed things up. 
I received my package today! I’d rather not open it until Christmas, or at least until my daughter gets home from college (because she loves the SD exchanges as much as I do), but rest assured, sweetly concerned Secret Santa, your package is safe and sound!
I’m going to the post office when I finish this message.
Just one clue:
Orange and black
My box arrived last night!!! My gawd, some of you people are seriously on the ball. It’s a BIG box, too.
Thank you in advance, BludgeonMeSoftly! I haven’t decided if I’ll wait … my holiday is a bit topsy turvy this year, and my I.T. Guy and I have already exchanged like, half our gifts for each other. Maybe it’ll be nice to have an actual gift on the actual day.
Or maybe I’ll rip into it gleefully at random. (Will report back, either way.)
My days off are Tues and Wedn so ideally mine will be mailed off next week on one of those days.
The last time I tracked the package I sent, it did say that it got there.
**kayT, **thank you so much for the package of gifts! 
I got it a few days ago, but haven’t had the chance to post until now. The potholder will be useful as I love baking. The license plate with my name on it is neat! The kitten calendar is adorable, and will be useful as well. Love the cat card! And thanks for the homemade shawl and the shirt, and yes, the shirt fits perfectly!
I got some pictures, and I’ll try to post them soon.
Thank you so much!
EmilyG, I’m glad you liked your package. Sorry the UPS idiots made the delivery less than optimal!
And my package has been mailed at the post office! It should arrive to my giftee on Monday!
My package is on its’ way!
I’m finally off to post a package today. Yay! Would my giftee like a 3 day old kitten? I have several on offer… (crazy week, thank goodness for emergency pet hospital).
Okay, gifts are in the bag, tag is done, packaging now, and off to the post office!
My package is securely taped, addressed, and ready to be mailed. Unfortunately, the post offices close at noon here, so it’ll be mailed on Monday. I forgot to put a card inside, but I did put (FCM) after my name in the return address. Plus it’s obviously a gift from Aruba. 
I have not received anything yet - not nagging - just sayin’!
Sending kittens is one thing, but a tiger? :eek:
The box would have to be really big, with lots of airholes.
But no, those are team colors!
Okay! Finally got mine sent off. Turned out to be cheaper to send it in two padded envelopes, instead of one box; so my Santee should look out for both.
Did you happen to receive a box, perhaps yesterday morning at your side door?
I get so torn about it too! I want to know what it is but I love the anticipation but I want it under the tree but I can’t wait but it will be more fun but AAAAAAHHHHH!
I support you painful decision either way lol
dancing and hopping on one foot like a kid that’s gotta pee
I finished my shopping today, and in so doing I met up with a very nice story. There was the annual German Christmas festival in the next town over, with lots of local artisans. My wife and I enjoyed the evening strolling hand-in-hand through the place, listening to live German music and carollers, and browsing the booths with nice crafts for sale. I bought a couple of items for my giftee, from local artisans. The nice story has to do with one item I bought for my giftee.
I like woven textiles, and this one booth had nice, hand-woven items, with pieces tastefully done, in wool that felt soft and inviting. I pulled my wife into the booth. All items were made from alpaca wool, and there was a scenic picture of alpacas in a mountainous region that caught my eye. A young lady with a nice smile then came up and introduced herself to us, and explained that all the products come from 12,000’ high up in the Andes mountains in Peru by the ladies in the picture — sure enough, behind the alpacas were Peruvian ladies I hadn’t noticed. Those ladies spin all the wool by hand, and they weave the articles that I saw for sale, and then this lady brings them to sell in the US. The sales helps support the families back in Peru.
She lives here in California and has traveled to Peru 16 times over the years (she’s probably in her 30s, or so) and has connected with people there. She started this business that is now supporting Peruvian ladies who normally would not be able to bring their wares to such markets. My wife and I enjoyed her story of enabling those Peruvian ladies and helping them with their business and crafts. We bought some items and I got my giftee a nice surprise item that will get shipped in the next couple of days. I hope my giftee likes the item!
The alpaca wool items can be seen at the lady’s web site, www.culturalThreads.com, and the picture I mentioned is here, at the top of this page: http://culturalthreads.com/about-alpaca-peruvian-handmade-cultural-threads/.
(I have no affiliation with that lady or her company other than we just met her tonight, her crafts were nice, so was her story, and we just became her customer.)
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!
OK, I got my…stuff…together and it is now on its way Southward! No holes in the box as the cat has SCUBA gear!!! I’ve taken the liberty of furnishing the tracking # to my giftee so they can obsessively see where it is and I don’t have to.
Silvorange, you rock for making this happen! Just had to say that again.