# 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:** 18
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/341 "2004-12-14T15:54:46Z")
ACK! I just went to order my giftee’s gift online … and they said it would be 2-4 weeks for shipping. ☹ Unfortunately, if I buy it in a store, it’s more expensive (and over the limit). _sigh_ And it was so perfect … ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/342 "2004-12-14T16:03:19Z")
> [@Avarie537](#): > > ACK! I just went to order my giftee’s gift online … and they said it would be 2-4 weeks for shipping. ☹ Unfortunately, if I buy it in a store, it’s more expensive (and over the limit). > > _sigh_ > > And it was so perfect … Well, if it’s for me, I give you permission to get it and just send a note saying it will be late. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/343 "2004-12-14T18:31:56Z")
Sorry, **twicky** , it’s not for you! 😛 But … I was able to get in touch with someone from the website, and they made a special trip to the Post Office just to mail my order. Sooooooo, I’ll have it by the end of the week, and my Giftee will get it by Priority Mail before Christmas! 😃 YAY for cool helpful people. ---
**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 14, 2004, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/344 "2004-12-14T19:31:08Z")
> [@DeVena](#): > > I mailed the gift yesterday morning. (And the tag says To \*\*Elenia28 \*\* - who has changed usernames to **Anaamike**. Too Late Now!) And for charity, I put $5 in the Salvation Army kettle. Merry Christmas, everybody! You’re not very good at keeping secrets, are you? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/345 "2004-12-14T20:04:37Z")
> [@DeVena](#): > > I mailed the gift yesterday morning. (And the tag says To \*\*Elenia28 \*\* - who has changed usernames to **Anaamike**. Too Late Now!) And for charity, I put $5 in the Salvation Army kettle. Merry Christmas, everybody! > [@TellMeI'mNotCrazy](#): > > You’re not very good at keeping secrets, are you? Yeah, she gave it up already in the thread i made to introduce my name change. Ha ha. Just because \*\*DeVena \*\* can’t keep a secret doesn’t mean I can’t. I’ll keep mine even if it kills me. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/346 "2004-12-14T20:37:27Z")
I sent mine out today. I know I’m late but my giftee is pretty close to me so he/she should have it by Christmas. I hope they like what I sent. It was very easy. However, I did forget to add a card and the shipping label came from my employer. I forgot to add my own return address. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/347 "2004-12-14T21:44:01Z")
What are these secrets of which you speak?? 🙂 Besides, ever since the “Wedding Thank You Note Debacle of 1994” I don’t \*entirely \* trust DeHusband when sending him to the post office. He has an amazingly short attention span and there are many many shiny things between our house and the post office. I want to be sure you know who to fuss at if it doesn’t arrive, so I, in turn, can search DeHusband’s truck. ---
**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 14, 2004, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/348 "2004-12-14T22:36:03Z")
Just bought my giftee’s thingy on ebay. As far as I know it’ll be there by Christmas but if not, it shouldn’t be too soon thereafter. 😃 ---
**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 15, 2004, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/349 "2004-12-15T03:49:22Z")
Wheee!! Just got my package today. Holy crap there was a lot in it! :eek: Whomever sent it, a great big Thank You!!! 🙂 I’ve never heard of that brand of coffee. The beans are ready to be ground tomorrow morning and the pot is just dying to brew some up. It told me. A pocket Simon game for an ADD patient. The batteries are almost dead already! Whooo-Hooo! 😃 **Mrs duffer** wants to send a very special thank-you for her unexpected gift. Lavender is her favorite scent. That was so thoughtful of you! Great mug. I love theose M&M guys. And the perfect size mug for the amount of coffee I drink! And of course me and my wife are fighting over the chocolates. She’s a day or 2 away from PMS so I fully expect to lose that battle. And…A SLINKY! God I haven’t had one of those in almost 20 years. I forgot how much fun such a simple toy to be. Added bonus is the entertainment value of one of the Pugs. The youngest loses her mind over anything that moves, Lawnmowers, vaccuum cleaners, the Swiffer. She almost becomes a frothing psycho. Imagine the fun when I sent it walking down the stairs! Sorry for such a long post, but I may never know who you are and wanted to make sure you knew how much we enjoyed the gifts. Merry Christmas! For my giftee, I have the gift but haven’t gotten to the PO yet. So I’m going to check with them and UPS for approx shipping times. If needed I’ll send it priority or overnight to get it there before the 24th. I hope you like it. ---
**Author:** ![Frankenbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c0e974/32.png) [@Frankenbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenbear)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/350 "2004-12-15T04:56:44Z")
My mischievous intention was to keep my giftee wondering about the identity of his secret santa for a few days but I’m lousy at things like this. **Duffer** , I am very glad you like the gifts. I found most of them when I was shopping for family and others I already had on hand. The coffee is very good. It will taste fresher for longer if you keep it in the freezer. You probably already knew that, though. I’ve read many of your threads and remembered how stressful things are for you and your family right now. I came across the lavender gift set when I was running errands and that scent has always been relaxing for me so I thought **Mrs. Duffer** might like it. Forget the chocolate. You’ve already lost that battle. 😃 I’m giggling at picturing your pug chasing the slinky. I had already bought the gifts, wrapped and mailed them when you posted your likes so all I could do was cross my fingers and hope you liked what I sent. I’m very glad you do! Merry Christmas! ---
**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 15, 2004, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/351 "2004-12-15T13:57:15Z")
Just walked 1 1/2 miles in the 23 degree temp to mail my Secret Santa package. I’m posting from the library, which is fortunately on the same block. ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/352 "2004-12-15T14:28:49Z")
\ But was it uphill both ways in the snow with no shoes?? 😃 ---
**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 15, 2004, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/353 "2004-12-15T15:01:29Z")
> [@Avarie537](#): > > \ > > But was it uphill both ways in the snow with no shoes?? 😃 And she was GRATEFUL! ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/354 "2004-12-15T20:00:15Z")
Secret Santas today have it so easy, not like when **Annie** was a kid. ---
**Author:** ![Hugh\_Jass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4da419/32.png) [@Hugh\_Jass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugh_Jass)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/355 "2004-12-15T20:02:10Z")
I’ve sent my package to the great state of Massachusetts. It should arrive there pretty close to Christmas. So, if you live in Massachusetts, in the town where a famous author was born, you should be getting your gift in a few days. Woo hoo! I will be giving my $5 to the Austin Humane Society. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/356 "2004-12-15T20:40:47Z")
Alright - gift is purchased, wrapped, re-wrapped to be mail appropriate, and is being shipped today, after work when I go to the post office. I’m going to opt for Express Post, so it will be there by Friday. WooHoo! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/357 "2004-12-15T20:42:22Z")
Oh, I forgot to add: I donated $5 to the Salvation Army $50 to the Humane Society and $50 worth of school supplies for kids in Afganistan I’ll probably wind up giving some $$ to someone else too, so hopefully I’m covered. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![melondeca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@melondeca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melondeca)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/358 "2004-12-15T20:51:37Z")
My money is donated and my gift is wrapped (in dragonfly paper and black tape but still wrapped) and now it is on its way to where it is going. I sent it priority so it should be there before christmas. ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/359 "2004-12-15T21:37:27Z")
> [@Hugh Jass](#): > > I’ve sent my package to the great state of Massachusetts. It should arrive there pretty close to Christmas. > > So, if you live in Massachusetts, in the town where a famous author was born, you should be getting your gift in a few days. > > Woo hoo! > > I will be giving my $5 to the Austin Humane Society. That “famous author” wouldn’t perhaps be known for his poetry would he? ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/360 "2004-12-15T21:51:05Z")
> [@Hugh Jass](#): > > I’ve sent my package to the great state of Massachusetts. It should arrive there pretty close to Christmas. > > So, if you live in Massachusetts, in the town where a famous author was born, you should be getting your gift in a few days. Well, I live near the birthplaces of basketball AND volleyball, and a large black ball named for a great General but I don’t think we have any famous authors. Crap. I was hoping it was me. ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269.md?page=19)