# Secret Santa 2023 - sorry for the delay, let's hustle! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 14, 2023, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131 "2023-11-14T16:23:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/41 "2023-12-07T20:52:44Z")
I received a package from @Rhiannon8404 today and oh, gosh, what a dilemma! I like to save my package to open at Christmas (we are old and have been married forever, we stopped doing “mandatory” gift exchanges years ago), but the box says it is one of two, which means I could open it today and still have something for Christmas. Except what if the post office loses or mangles box #2? Then I won’t have anything to open on Christmas and it will have been my fault because I couldn’t wait to open this one. Thank you so much Rhiannon, I’m sure I will love everything no matter when I give in and open it. ---
**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 8, 2023, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/42 "2023-12-08T01:48:56Z")
Thanks for letting me know it got there. The little gifts inside are individually wrapped, so you could open one of them and set the others aside for later. My sister said she would be mailing the other package this week, and she’s not that far from you, so it should be to you pretty soon. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/43 "2023-12-08T01:53:22Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > The little gifts inside are individually wrapped, so you could open one of them and set the others aside for later. Ohhhh, a test of my self control…I _am_ a very weak person you know… ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/44 "2023-12-08T03:00:59Z")
My reply got eaten by the internet gremlins! I opened the box to find 3 packages (with ribbons suitable for the cats to play with, thank you for that!) and a card that said “Read last”. I used all of my self control to leave it unopened and chose the intriguingly interestingly squishy package and found COFFEE! Wonderful smelling coffee that I briefly considered hiding from hubs. We are going to have a great morning tomorrow, thank you so much! The super interesting conversation starting package “listen to this when I shake it” will be the last to be opened because messing with it is so much fun. ---
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2023, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/45 "2023-12-08T03:26:52Z")
I will _not_ make the deadline, and have to violate my own rule! I received the replacement Etsy gift today, but we’re flying out very very early tomorrow and will return on Sunday. I’ll get my gift to the post office on Monday, December 11. Still plenty of time to make it, I think! ---
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2023, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/46 "2023-12-09T00:16:11Z")
One of Santa’s elves has let me know that another gift will be sent a few days later than the deadline. I still think we’ll all be fine (we still have 17 days until Christmas!), and I also think that late gifts are charming in their own way. All good, fellow Santas! ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2023, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/47 "2023-12-09T00:25:56Z")
> [@Nayna](#): > > I also think that late gifts are charming in their own way. All good, fellow Santas! I agree! If my Santa is shipping late, please don’t worry. Prezzies are prezzies no matter when they arrive! I suppose it is time to reveal that I was lucky enough to get two Secret Santas this year so had even more fun baking and shopping for two people. I have heard from Carnut (who is working even crazier hours over the holidays) about that successful delivery (I was worried about it sitting in the mail room for all this time). The PO says my other package was delivered today so hopefully we will hear soon that it has also arrived. The anticipation is making me even crazier than usual, LOL!!! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2023, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/48 "2023-12-09T01:34:16Z")
As I’ve said, mine have arrived. But if it had been late, well, my birthday is NYE. ---
**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 9, 2023, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/49 "2023-12-09T20:22:41Z")
I received a box! Everything inside is individually wrapped. I did see the handy-dandy cutter on the outside, Santa! All else is sitting in their packaging, because I’m having a DAY and really can’t cry more. ---
**Author:** ![hocow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hocow/32/4112_2.png) [@hocow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hocow)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/50 "2023-12-10T16:39:14Z")
Happy to report my package arrived on Friday! I was going to be patient and wait to open, but I saw the note about semi-perishable items so took that as a perfect excuse to not wait! I got a lovely treat bag from Arizona. I got prickly pear candy and marmalade, mesquite honey, a snowman soup cocoa kit, chocolate covered oreo (love these!), a very cute kitchen towel (matches my decor!), lovely scented goat milk soap, and four different types of homemade cookies that traveled very well! Can’t wait to dig in to all my goodies. Thank you so much @JaneDoe42 !! Note to my recipient - all gifts are now purchased, I just need to pack them up and ship. You should receive it in plenty of time for Christmas, but I will post when shipped. Thanks again! ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/51 "2023-12-10T17:17:29Z")
I am so glad your package got there intact and on a timely basis. I hope you enjoy everything! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2023, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/52 "2023-12-10T20:11:35Z")
I got a package just now on Sunday! It is wonderful. The note taped to the outside said to open it first, so I did and it was a package slicer. The box was heavily taped and that’s why. There was a gnome and I like gnomes, although I didn’t mention them. Then there’s Pez, with a dispenser like a truck. And since I like Godzilla there is a baby soft Godzilla holding a cup of noodles. I’ll set him up beside my other kaijus. But oh, the big thing is an absolutely wonderful portrait of a dachshund, backed by a starry night landscape… The colors are gorgeous!!! Now I have to figure out where to hand it, it’s so fantastic. Now one odd thing that I’ll keep from the box, is the heavy duty inflated packing material, kind of long ribs. It’s strong and I can use it for something I send in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2023, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/53 "2023-12-11T18:52:34Z")
Oh shoot, in my previous post I left out the two tea towels I got…Thanks for those too! ---
**Author:** ![Nayna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ebca7d/32.png) [@Nayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nayna)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2023, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/54 "2023-12-12T22:13:59Z")
The package slicer is such a great idea! I brought my package to the post office today. They say it will arrive in two days! So far (I _think_ this is correct!): **Baker - sent and received (rocking\_chair)** **JaneDoe42 - sent and received (Rhiannon8404)** **Rhiannon8404 - sent and received (Baker)** rocking\_chair - sent carnut - received (JaneDoe42) purplehorseshoe - received (rocking\_chair) hocow - received (JaneDoe42) Nayna - sent ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/55 "2023-12-13T03:30:20Z")
I’m glad to see this. I couldn’t tell who sent my gifts, but now I recognize the little logo on the enclosed note as being that of a rocking chair. BTW, my sister saw the dachshund painting and greatly admires it! ---
**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 13, 2023, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/56 "2023-12-13T23:00:31Z")
Poking in to say that I know I’m terribly behind (life got in the way) but I have finally obtained a lovely assortment today, that I hope will please my recipient. Will get a box tomorrow at work, and should hopefully have my belated package on the road by this weekend. I haven’t opened my packages yet, as a sort of incentive plan. But some obstacles were out if my hands till today. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/57 "2023-12-13T23:11:23Z")
I’m glad you enjoyed everything and it arrived in one piece. I also like the picture. The pez dispenser is a Wawa truck. They put a new one out every year. Wawa is the major convenience store in the northeast. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2023, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/58 "2023-12-13T23:22:11Z")
Today I got a box two of @Rhiannon8404 gift. Tomorrow is my birthday so I’m opening something then! Rhiannon, we have both very much enjoyed the coffee, thanks so much for sending it! ---
**Author:** ![Kitten\_Mitten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b782af/32.png) [@Kitten\_Mitten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitten_Mitten)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/59 "2023-12-14T02:43:56Z")
Well, I wish life hadn’t been so busy this year; would have liked to have participated. Something to look forward to for next year 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2023, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131/60 "2023-12-14T04:57:36Z")
You have a good reason to be so busy now. PM me your address and I will make you some cookies. I’m feeling in the mood for chocolate crinkles or maybe snowballs. We probably won’t get snow this year, so I’ll make due by covering the kitchen in powdered sugar! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-santa-2023-sorry-for-the-delay-lets-hustle/993131.md?page=4)