# Secret Santa 2008 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 16, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037 "2008-11-16T21:20:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Hi\_Neighbor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hi_neighbor/32/494_2.png) [@Hi\_Neighbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Neighbor)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/281 "2008-12-25T18:39:08Z")
I “opened” **jsgoddess** ’s gift today. Earlier, I had made a thread announcing that my family was doing away with stockings. \*\*jsgoddess \*\*acknowledged that and picked out a wonderful Christmas stocking chock full of delicious treats… and deodorant! Haha! Among the edibles were, get this, peanut butter balls (or “buckeyes”). Opal would be proud! Thanks again, **jsgoddess** , and have a wonderful Christmas and new year. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/282 "2008-12-25T21:13:16Z")
> [@Hi\_Neighbor](#): > > I “opened” **jsgoddess** ’s gift today. Earlier, I had made a thread announcing that my family was doing away with stockings. \*\*jsgoddess \*\*acknowledged that and picked out a wonderful Christmas stocking chock full of delicious treats… and deodorant! Haha! Among the edibles were, get this, peanut butter balls (or “buckeyes”). Opal would be proud! > > Thanks again, **jsgoddess** , and have a wonderful Christmas and new year. 😃 The buckeyes thing was sheer coincidence, I swear! ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/283 "2008-12-26T03:36:06Z")
> [@Queen of Town](#): > > So sorry for the delay, I received **vivalostwages** ’ package two days ago but I’ve been away from the computer. She sent pretty-scented Christmasy hand soap and a cute little stuffed polar bear, who has taken up residence with the others on my bear shelf! I must think of a name. > > Thanks so much, **viva** , and merry Christmas to everyone! Call it Flaky (Snowflake). Kidding! I’m glad it got there on time. Sorry I forgot to put a card in; I just wanted to hurry and get it into the mail ASAP. ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Cream\_Conquest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e480ec/32.png) [@Ice\_Cream\_Conquest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Cream_Conquest)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/284 "2008-12-26T03:55:08Z")
I opened my gift from Eleanor of Aquitaine today. She sent me some cashew macadamia nut candy (yum!) and a NASA t-shirt. Thanks a bunch! ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/285 "2008-12-26T15:50:32Z")
Checking in. Haven’t received a package, and my recipient has not posted that she received hers, either. The package was sent priority-it should have gotten there in plenty of time. Oh well, give it a couple of more days. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/286 "2008-12-26T15:56:20Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > I’m guessing your birthday is tomorrow? Anyway, that’s from me, and I thought I’d go ahead and let you know 'cause I’m going to be out of pocket for a few days. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂 Happy Merry Birthday Christmas! Thank you so much for giving me something to open on my Bday/Xmas. The pecans were praline and Cajun–sweet and spicy, just like me! ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/287 "2008-12-26T16:11:19Z")
> [@fisha](#): > > Checking in. > > Haven’t received a package, and my recipient has not posted that she received hers, either. The package was sent priority-it should have gotten there in plenty of time. > > Oh well, give it a couple of more days. Dunno about the one on its way to you, but [your recipient](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10570304&postcount=153) posted almost two weeks ago. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/288 "2008-12-26T17:47:44Z")
Maybe my gift will be waiting when I get home today!😛 I’m glad my gift got to it’s destination, and that the recipient enjoyed it. It sure went fast for going overseas. I hadn’t been sure it would arrive by Christmas, but it arrived well before it! ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/289 "2008-12-26T20:43:32Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Dunno about the one on its way to you, but [your recipient](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10570304&postcount=153) posted almost two weeks ago. Ah, I’m a complete and total idiot who hasn’t seemed to master the ability to scroll through threads. Glad you like it **Avarie537**. Although the book Nails only mentions horses in passing, I love the series, and am always try to convert others. Hopefully it worked. ---
**Author:** ![spockerel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@spockerel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spockerel)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/290 "2008-12-26T21:26:48Z")
Just received **Hockey Monkey** ’s package! Some yummy mini candy bars and a pretty, vintage-y hair scarf. Thank you, **Hockey Monkey**! The “99 Ways to Survive the Holidays” card seems appropriate for any occasion. Upset at having to grade student papers? #85: Flee or #44: Whistle while you work. Tired of your in-laws? #8: Guzzle eggnog or #61: Agree. Feeling content? #32: Glow. Buying flowers? #71: Eschew poinsettias. Think I might transfer all these suggestions into a bowl, and when I’m in need of advice, I’ll draw one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/291 "2008-12-26T21:53:59Z")
> [@fisha](#): > > Ah, I’m a complete and total idiot who hasn’t seemed to master the ability to scroll through threads. > > Glad you like it **Avarie537**. Although the book Nails only mentions horses in passing, I love the series, and am always try to convert others. Hopefully it worked. Don’t worry about it – we’ve got a slew of people here, and even having checked her off as a “received,” it took me a while to find the post. Your Santa, BTW, shares your concern about your package, and offered (via PM to me) to send another – it’s only been a tad over a week, though, and with the volume of stuff the USPS is dealing with I gave her permission to wait another couple days. Have no fear, though, Santa is going to take care of you. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/292 "2008-12-26T22:26:46Z")
> [@spockerel](#): > > Just received **Hockey Monkey** ’s package! Some yummy mini candy bars and a pretty, vintage-y hair scarf. Thank you, **Hockey Monkey**! > > The “99 Ways to Survive the Holidays” card seems appropriate for any occasion. > Upset at having to grade student papers? #85: Flee or #44: Whistle while you work. > Tired of your in-laws? #8: Guzzle eggnog or #61: Agree. > Feeling content? #32: Glow. > Buying flowers? #71: Eschew poinsettias. > > Think I might transfer all these suggestions into a bowl, and when I’m in need of advice, I’ll draw one. 🙂 Whew, that sure did take a long time! I’m glad you finally got it and you like it. It’s a vintage silk scarf/handkerchief. The card cracked me right up too, so I grabbed them. That’s what everyone got this year. Hope you have a Happy New Year! ---
**Author:** ![Gail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Gail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gail)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/293 "2008-12-26T22:56:14Z")
I haven’t received a package yet. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/294 "2008-12-26T23:04:54Z")
A bunch of packages didn’t go out till this week – I’m going to give the post office/UPS/FedEx another week to do their magic and then start compiling a list of orphans after the New Year. Until then, please be patient. ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/295 "2008-12-27T02:52:52Z")
> [@Ice\_Cream\_Conquest](#): > > I opened my gift from Eleanor of Aquitaine today. She sent me some cashew macadamia nut candy (yum!) and a NASA t-shirt. > > Thanks a bunch! You’re welcome! (Geeky enough for you? 🙂 The shirt came from the Space & Rocket center, and the candy from my favorite local chocolate store.) ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/296 "2008-12-28T18:27:15Z")
Finally wanted to catch up and tell **Anaglyph** how much I loved my gift and share what it was with everyone else… First off, it was wrapped in the most beautiful way. Since green is my favorite color, there was pale green on the paper itself, then a darker green that boardered it in different ways (it was homemade parchment!) and surrounded by gorgeous gold filigree-type ribbon. I can’t describe it well enough to convey just how pretty the presentation was. It must have taken forever to do, but the effort was well worth it because I’ve oohed and ahhed over it non-stop. Next, I got two vintage (which has to be my favoritest word in the whole world) items; a Swiss cookbook and a necklace / bracelet that had been handmade by **Anaglyph** back in the 70s! I don’t know if my cooking is quite up to par yet to try something as sophisticated as Swiss cuisine, but I can’t wait to read all the recipes anyway. It looks delicious. And the bracelet (indeed I can wrap it around my wrist three times perfectly) is soooooooo cool, with long silver curly-que links and smokey see-through beads. I adore it and look forward to wearing it to dazzle my friends. Then there were my totem animals; monkey (and banana) earrings and a butterfly pin. I’m not big on those types of jewelry, but **Anaglyph** must have read my mind anyway because I take really interesting pins and earrings (no lie!) that I like and use them on my bulletin boards. I have one solely for butterflies and I think this means (read: gives me an excuse) I should start one for all my monkey love. 😃 Finally, she rounded out my presents with some colored map pencils in all various shades of green (which I am so gonna steal that idea!!) and a yummy HUGE Lindt white chocolate bar. That stuff is like manna from the heavens. Combine everything with a handmade card as well, and I deem **Anaglyph** the bestest Secret Santa ever! YOU ROCK!!! Thank you so much for making my Christmas an even better one. This has, as always, been such fun and your presence in my holiday, from so far away, will be a treasured memory for years to come. Thanks again and here’s to you (and everyone else) having the brightest 2009 imaginable. ---
**Author:** ![Ducktail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/43a26b/32.png) [@Ducktail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ducktail)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/297 "2008-12-28T21:28:47Z")
Dear **Faithfool** , Thank you so much for the lovely Christmas package. It really made my first Christmas without even extended family hanging around really special, and it’s so cool that I could tell how much work went into it. Everything was great–the shirt, the earrings, the stationary, the chocolate, the Farmer’s Almanac (which I haven’t read since I was a kid–great blast from the past!). If it’s okay with you, I’d like to send you an actual paper-and-stamp thank you note. Ducktail ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/298 "2008-12-28T22:16:38Z")
Oh **Ducktail** , that’s so nice of you! I’d love to receive a note from you and I’m even happier to hear that you liked everything, especially when the rest of your loved ones aren’t near. I had a ton of fun picking stuff out and wrapping it. I was almost tempted to co-opt a journal or two. 🙂 If you still need my address, just PM to let me know and I’ll shoot you an email when it arrives. Happy, Happy New Year!! ---
**Author:** ![Dottygumdrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Dottygumdrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dottygumdrop)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/299 "2008-12-29T00:05:00Z")
Hi. Just posting to say I haven’t received my gift yet! I am yet hopeful it will arrive before we leave Australia on January 6th! ---
**Author:** ![Anaglyph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anaglyph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaglyph)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037/300 "2008-12-29T09:59:59Z")
Dear **faithfool** I am glad to hear that my gift arrived, and that you like them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2008/473037.md?page=16)