It’s time for the Straight Dope Secret Santa again!
Here’s the rules and regulations:
Put a message in this thread saying “I’m in!” In your message put a little bit about the things you like so that we know what to get you. Include as much detail as you can think of: whether you enjoy adult beverages; your favorite colors; your T-shirt size; the climate where you live; if you have pets. Spend what you feel comfortable spending, everyone will be happy with whatever they get!
Send an email to klgould5@gmail.com. In the email please include:
a. your user name
b. your real name
c. your mailing address
d. whether you are willing to ship internationally
Send me a PM that also says “I’m in!” Please be sure to add your user name and real name to this message.
Post in this thread when you have shipped the package to your recipient.
Come back and tell us when your package arrives. Be sure to tell us what’s in it!
Please sign up by November 13, and I’ll pick names that weekend. Ship as soon as possible for your Santa to receive their gifts in time.
Please sign up only if you absolutely intend to send a gift, and if circumstances change after you sign up, please let me know right away.
I’m in!
As for my likes; think of what you would get your hippy-dippy, animal loving friend. Candles, artsy fartsy knicknacks… if it’s a little bit funky I will love it. I love animals, most especially cats (I have three) sweets, libations, anything handmade, anything that represents where you live. T-shirt size is ladies small. I have adored everything I have ever received in this exchange, so if you’re my santa, don’t stress; I will love and appreciate your gift.
I’m female, if you didn’t know. And as others say, anything handmade, anything local to you will be loved.
My t-shirt size is small. My favorite colors are in the blue-indigo-violet end of the spectrum. College, or even high school logos would be interesting, regardless of color scheme.
I collect stuffed animals, the goofier the better.
I like plain chocolate (dark or milk), or chocolate with caramel, coconut or creme filling, or anything butterscotch. No nuts, though, please. I’m not allergic; I just don’t like them mucking up things like brownies that are supposed to be soft. I’m especially interested in anything that’s particular to my Santa’s turf, like fudge from upstate Michigan, or Amish peanut brittle. (Actually, that would be the one exception to the no-nuts clause. I can deal with peanuts in brittle because they’re supposed to be there. I just don’t think they belong in fudge.)
I like any kind of trinket that’s shaped like American junk food. Hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, ketchup bottles, ice cream, and so forth.
I’m always looking for a really good bookmark. And a really good pencil for doing crosswords. And a cookie cutter in some oddball shape.
You know what’s nice this time of year? Potpourri.
I’m in! I look forward to this every year, thanks so much for tagging me.
I do enjoy adult beverages, favorite colors are peaches and light blues - think easter colors. I collect small bowls, we have two very spoiled cats and the climate here is hot in the summer but we do get some snow in the winter. Lots of fog and rain, though. Coffee and chocolate are always welcome, too.
I would love any local treasures/favorites from my santa! I enjoy adult beverages, and have no allergies, although I do not enjoy coconut or raspberries. Shirt size is L in women’s or M in men’s/unisex. Blue is my favorite color. I live in PA so we get all four seasons (sometimes in the same day.)
I would love to receive something hand made by my Secret Santa, or something made in or native to where my Santa lives. I like earrings (pierced) and bracelets. Funky handmade or local stuff is fun. I love gardening, knitting/crochet, bats, corvids, coffee.
Food is fine, but I am allergic to kiwi and pineapple, and I don’t like coconut or mushrooms. Adult beverages are a yes. Tshirt is Ladies XL or unisex L. I live in Nor Cal where is is hot and dry 8 mos of the year and cool and sometimes rains the rest of the time. I have one dog, a pit bull names Penelope.
The reason was that I included various items in the first package that our local postal service (I used DHL) said could not be imported into the USA (Chocolate, alcohol, tea, local treats.) They even made me open the package in front of them to ensure that I was not sending anything that might be rejected.
So I repacked, with what I thought were innocouous things. This time it got rejected for “wood”, amongst other things. It cost a significant amount of money - the second package made it to the USA before being sent back, and the USPS wanted me to pay for return postage! And, worse, our local customs & excise wanted me to pay import duties on a package in which every single thing originated in South Africa.
If I can think of something fun - and shippable - I’d like to join, but for now, I am on the fence. I mean, I could just order off US Amazon, but half the fun is choosing local, and the complicated process of packing as much as possible into as small a space as possible.
I like everything. Books, snacks, knick knacks of all sorts. I crochet a lot, so if you see a skein of yarn that is cool, or, if you have a stash of partial skeins left over, that would be neat. I have no know allergies to foods or any other substances. I also like t shirts with sarcastic, but not profane statements. One of my favorites is “live so that if you life is turned into a book Florida would ban it.”
Another textile crafter (and gardener) here who likes making stuff for SS and receiving handmade stuff, or anything really. Secondhand paperbacks of Golden Age murder mysteries, classic literature, kid’s stories, sci-fi or whatever always appreciated.
Allergic to chocolate but enjoy everything else! Treats and trinkets local to sender are faves. Or, did you find some bizarre old embroidery scissors or other basic sewing supplies in a thrift store or yard sale? Gimme gimme!
(Posting again because I didn’t read the instructions the first time.)
I like food, recipes, honestly just about anything. It’s the thought that counts. And since I live in Hawai’i, something lightweight is fine. (I like napkins, dishtowels, pot holders … lightweight kitchen stuff is great.) Green is my favorite color, my t-shirt size is women’s medium, Hawai’i is pretty warm, I have many, many spoiled cats that I enjoy feeding treats to.
Regarding shipping weights/prices, I’ve recently learned that to ship a parcel within the U.S., they round up, and the lowest tier is 4 oz. for $8.40. If you plan to ship very light things, might as well get as much bang as possible for your buck.