# The Straight Dope Secret Santa 2004 Exchange! New, with Improvements! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 23, 2004, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269 "2004-11-23T14:10:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/261 "2004-12-08T03:24:43Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > ( **Casey** – read upthread a bit – the last page, I think? **Shirley** has become daunted at the logistics and we’re going to do it on the honor system, to the charity of your choice.) Gotcha. Missed that post the first time around. Thanks. I gotta say, I really like the idea of donating $5 to charity as an “entry fee” to this thread. (It’d be nice if popular local nightspots, for example, adopted this idea instead of charging $10 cover on the drunkest night of the week–imagine how much money they’d make for a local women’s shelter, Ronald McDonald-type House, Friends of the Poor, or Adopt-A-Family type charity. But I digress…) Not only will **Shirley** know if we welched, but our own consciences should nag at us until we fulfill this obligation. **raises glass in Shirley’s general direction** ---
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/262 "2004-12-08T03:31:16Z")
[I now know who’s getting my $5.](http://www.gardenofangels.org/Home%20page.htm) ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/263 "2004-12-08T03:39:03Z")
> [@Abbie Carmichael](#): > > [I now know who’s getting my $5.](http://www.gardenofangels.org/Home%20page.htm) Is that the woman who just won 27 million bucks? (she asked before going back to the CNN article [http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/07/lottery.miracle.ap/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/07/lottery.miracle.ap/index.html) where she read it) Yes. Very cool case of good Karma. > [@](#): > > aris-Cifelli helped win passage of the law and has made it her life’s work to spread the word that scared and confused parents should drop their newborns at firehouses and hospitals – not in trash cans and alleys. She lobbies in states without such laws, talks to teens and police and has attended 12 trials of mothers accused of abandoning their infants. She also lays the dead to rest. Faris-Cifelli, 49, does all that with just a three-person staff and $172,000 annual budget covered by donations, grants, car washes and bake sales. Now the deeply religious mother and her high school counselor husband, Steve, will receive an after-tax lump sum of nearly $9 million. Some of the winnings will go to the couple’s seven children, most to her crusade. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/264 "2004-12-08T07:41:26Z")
Shoot, I forgot to post a list for whomever gets stuck with me. :smack: Shotglasses. (Have all 50 states, so if you’re American, something specific to your area or otherwise unique) Coffee mugs (same as above) Books (WWII history is always appreciated, though paperbacks may be difficult to find. Used are good, too) Anything even remotely associated with the Green Bay Packers. CD of a local Rock/Heavy Metal band not yet signed to a national deal that I may never otherwise hear about. Really neat re-fillable lighters. Thanks in advance for whatever you choose, this list is in no way written in stone. Merry Christmas! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jurhael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@Jurhael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurhael)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/265 "2004-12-08T07:56:34Z")
I donated my 5$ here: [http://www.4christina.org/](http://www.4christina.org/) ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/266 "2004-12-08T12:48:32Z")
> [@Medea's Child](#): > > **Shirley** , I still don’t have an e-mail from you. Please e-mail me my Secret Santa! I miss it and want to play! Check you email. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/267 "2004-12-08T13:17:27Z")
The other advantage of doing the charity donations this way, **Shirley** , is that it’s interesting seeing where all the bits and bobs of money are going – thanks for posting the links, everyone! $5 here, $10 there – it really does make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/268 "2004-12-08T14:59:39Z")
My money went to [www.alz.org](http://www.alz.org) This is an organization I find very important as we just got back from my Grandfather in law’s funeral - he died from complications from Alzheimer’s Disease and hasn’t known who any of use were for about 3 years. My Father in Law also has this disease. At 56 he is unable to do more than watch TV all day. At Grandpa’s funeral this weekend my husband had to help his father dress himself. When we got in the car to go home after the funeral Pa had already forgotten why he was there. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/269 "2004-12-08T21:14:29Z")
> [@Ravenous Lady](#): > > Dammit. > > Shirley, dear, can you please make sure Elenia28 is my Secret Santa next year? > > PLEASE?? Heh heh I think I know just the guy, too. Knew him back in college, and had sort of a summer fling with him. Now, it’s not really about size, it’s about skill right? Well, what happens when he’s got size and skill? Johan…you around still? Oh, and on to cleaner topics: this is where my $5 is going: [http://www.neaq.org/support/adopt.html](http://www.neaq.org/support/adopt.html) I’m going to adopt a penguin! I’m actually going to do it for $25, since that’s the lowest amount, but $5 of it will be related to this. I loves penguins. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/270 "2004-12-08T21:21:03Z")
Come next Friday I’ll be sending my donation to the PFLAG of Dallas. I just wish I could send more. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/271 "2004-12-08T21:58:38Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Come next Friday I’ll be sending my donation to the PFLAG of Dallas. I just wish I could send more. Does this stand for Penguin Flatulence Leaving Anus Goo? I know what it stands for, but I thought it funny to follow a penguin. ---
**Author:** ![Kuizelemartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19b73/32.png) [@Kuizelemartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuizelemartz)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/272 "2004-12-08T23:22:49Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Ooh, are you talking about the [**Ravenous**](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129332/) with Guy Pearce? Yep, that was _yummy_. 😛 Sorry **faithfool** , I missed you sayin this earlier. Yes, that’s where I got my name. Watched that movie one night, then soon after had to come up with a name for an online game and went with it. It does seem to fit me, if I’m on the computer, I’m hungry, always. ---
**Author:** ![Keapon\_Laffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@Keapon\_Laffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keapon_Laffin)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/273 "2004-12-08T23:24:18Z")
Note to self, do not read any **Shirley Ujest** ’s post during breakfast. And I do not throw like a girl. It just happens that girls seem to be able to throw like me. 🆒 Anyways, just thought I’d post to say that I have performed my duties as Secret Santa. It was tough, it was demanding, and I had to fight that old lady for the dead gerbil, but the deed is done. ---
**Author:** ![Tio\_Gringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5e925/32.png) [@Tio\_Gringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tio_Gringo)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2004, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/274 "2004-12-08T23:51:07Z")
> [@Elenia28](#): > > I loves penguins. Me too…they’re delicious. Braised with olive oil and thyme, with some carrots and new potatoes…mmmmm, good eatin’. Almost as good as Panda Kebabs. 😃 ---
**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 9, 2004, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/275 "2004-12-09T03:36:25Z")
I bought my present! Woo! I’m putting together the package tomorrow! Woo woo! It might hit FedEx on Friday! Woooooo! (In a former life, I was one of Santa’s elves. Probably the one who made the spotted elephant, thinking it was cuuute.) It’s a Good Sign when you want to keep the gift you bought for yourself, right? ---
**Author:** ![Qwisp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qwisp/32/397_2.png) [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/276 "2004-12-09T04:31:21Z")
I 've sent out my gift today, and I’ve decided to donate 5.00 to a local food bank.They make it easy around here by letting you purchase coupons to use when you go to the grocery store. I sure hope my doper likes their gift. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/277 "2004-12-09T06:41:52Z")
I bought my present today! It probably won’t get sent until the weekend though, since I rarely get home in time to hit the post office after work. I’ve given my $5 to BC Children’s Hospital. ---
**Author:** ![phall0106](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phall0106/32/5934_2.png) [@phall0106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phall0106)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/278 "2004-12-09T14:52:42Z")
My gift (and donation) will be mailed the 16th–sorry for sending it so late, but I had to wait until payday! For the record, my donation will be going to our local Salvation Army. Each year, the local Salvation Army’s send lots of kids to a week long, overnight summer camp. HallGirls went every year when they were kids and we were dirt poor, and if it hadn’t been for the (free) overnight camp, they wouldn’t have been able to do anything all summer. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/279 "2004-12-09T15:43:08Z")
> [@EvilAsh](#): > > Me too…they’re delicious. Braised with olive oil and thyme, with some carrots and new potatoes…mmmmm, good eatin’. Almost as good as Panda Kebabs. 😃 Not fishy, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2004, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/280 "2004-12-09T16:50:05Z")
I sent off my Secret Santa package yesterday. Because it’s going internationally, they had me write the contents on a little sticker on the envelope, so…um… just ignore that part… Thay also had me write my telephone number under my address… so no sales calls, please! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269.md?page=15)