# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/41 "2004-11-24T04:23:56Z")
I’m happy to exchange presents. I’m not sure about this \*Paypal \* business though for the charitable donation. What is _Paypal_? I doubt that it’s useful/available to those of us not living in the USA. Would a promise to make a donation to a local (in my case, Australian) charity be sufficient? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/42 "2004-11-24T06:23:30Z")
Okay, I _promise_ to do better on this than I did on the Valentines. Promise. Swear, avow, and affirm. Surprise me. Get me something cool from where you’re from or what you do, or something with a neon flamingo and palm tree on it. With a lady under the palm tree whose bikini disappears when you flip her over. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![MrFantsyPants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MrFantsyPants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFantsyPants)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/43 "2004-11-24T12:59:39Z")
I’ll give it a spin. I like odd things, or kitschy things, or strange books, or chocolatey things. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/44 "2004-11-24T13:33:09Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > Great idea! > > as suprises in the mailbox are the best, provided they don’t tick. Damn! Better rethink my gift. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/45 "2004-11-24T14:18:19Z")
I’m in! My e-mail is sent. I’m 24, female, love everything science-y, Monty Python, and Lord of the Rings. I also like brain teasers and trivia stuff, writing, and reading. But hey, surprise me with whatever - I’m not difficult and surprises are fun, especially at Christmas! Oh, and when I do get my gift, it’s going under the tree to wait for Christmas morning. So if you’re sending a puppy, give him air holes. ---
**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:** [November 24, 2004, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/46 "2004-11-24T14:26:25Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > I’m happy to exchange presents. I’m not sure about this \*Paypal \* business though for the charitable donation. What is _Paypal_? I doubt that it’s useful/available to those of us not living in the USA. Would a promise to make a donation to a local (in my case, Australian) charity be sufficient? Paypal is the highly popular method of payment that Ebay uses. I think you have given me a good idea. For those who do not have Pay Pal or do not wish to use something like it, a donation to your local charity of your choice is acceptable. Remember, kiddies, honor system. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/47 "2004-11-24T16:07:35Z")
Yeah I’m in. Don’t care what I get really, so long as it’s not a shrunken head. Unless it happens to be _my_ head, then I’d like it back please. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/48 "2004-11-24T16:40:40Z")
I’m in, and just FTR, I don’t give gag gifts, so whoever I draw will get a decent present. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/49 "2004-11-24T17:35:41Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > I’m in! > Oh, and when I do get my gift, it’s going under the tree to wait for Christmas morning. So if you’re sending a puppy, give him air holes. :snort: ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/50 "2004-11-24T17:39:35Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > I’m in, and just FTR, I don’t give gag gifts, so whoever I draw will get a decent present. What, you’re saying the rest of us won’t? Harrumph. ---
**Author:** ![7\_up\_yours](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/919ad9/32.png) [@7\_up\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7_up_yours)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/51 "2004-11-24T17:59:28Z")
I’m in! I already sent the email… As for what I like… Gag gifts are great, I love gag gifts Anything Garfield, I love that cartoon cat Anything punk rock, pop rock, rock rock, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Jurhael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cab0a1/32.png) [@Jurhael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurhael)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/52 "2004-11-24T19:16:01Z")
I’m in. I sent the mail. My Amazon wishlist name is “Alruhi”, so that should give you some ideas. But, if that doesn’t work, then I like: Gourmet Coffee Chocolate Scented Candles Scented Wax Melts/Tarts Incense Science Fiction/Fantasy Scented Oil Perfume ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/53 "2004-11-24T20:07:22Z")
I’m in like Flynn. E-mail on the way! Previous awesome scores (I’ve only done this twice): A sample of corn grits (which I’ve come to love) and two awesome shirts from local bars. A shrunken alligator head. Anything for my desk, something I can use, or something just plain cool to a single guy would most likely score serious DopePoints®. If you happen to be military or are prior, I would happily exchange a coin. I’m in that phase. 😃 Tripler I’ll happily be a Secret Santa, even if my sleigh isn’t equipped with a stealth coating. ---
**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:** [November 24, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/54 "2004-11-24T20:35:47Z")
Oh Boy!! E-mail sent, count me in! I like cool gadgets and gizmos Beanie Babies Cubs Stuff cool earrings Caramels Please NO coffee mugs, we just had to get rid of a bunch, we have so many.(Next time I weed them out I’ll have to post. A lot of coffee cup lovers here) ---
**Author:** ![Greenback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/2bfe46/32.png) [@Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greenback)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2004, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/55 "2004-11-24T22:25:36Z")
I am in. It’s great that I finally found one of these doper activities before it has ended this time. I am a doper activity virgin so, if I am to get pimped, be gentle. My wishlist: Books - I like almost anything and love reading about philosophy/history/Science/Misc. Fact books/etc. If a storybook is coming, anything with a good plot works. Puzzles - Brain teasers and such. Logic puzzles and cryptograms (although the last book on crytograms I bought was saddenly basic). Games - Have game will play. Foods - I like to eat but have a gluten disorder that can get nasty if I cheat on my diet. I like anything but boiled cabbage, apple juice, and iced tea. Widgets - Gizmos, thinga-ma-bobs, knick-knacks, etc are cool. I agree with **Elenia28**. If it does something cool or looks cool and does nothing, it is all good. If it looks cool **AND** does something cool, you may be sporting a SD stalker in 2005. Souvenirs - Yup. Magnets - Yup Music - Into jazz and classical atm. Would really go for some good opera. But I listen to anything short of gangster rap. You know, I’ll just say that I like nearly anything. ---
**Author:** ![Frankenbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c0e974/32.png) [@Frankenbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frankenbear)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/56 "2004-11-25T00:49:11Z")
I’ve been looking forward to this since Halloween. I did this last year and received some of the best chocolate and a cool Cows on Parade ornament from Kat. I’ve been picking up little things here and there while shopping so I’m pretty much ready to send the package to my giftee. My favorite color is green. I like toe socks. Anything off the wall and out of the ordinary. Really, though, I would rather be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/57 "2004-11-25T04:42:43Z")
Woohoo! I’m in an the email has been sent. As I’m in Australia, I’ll understand if you can’t match me up with anyone internationally. I like plushie things (bears, animals, Neopets, etc). ---
**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:** [November 25, 2004, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/58 "2004-11-25T05:13:25Z")
Yep. Count me in too. As for my gift? Surprise me. 🙂 Well… surprise me unless you’re planning to send me the rotary vibrator. I have enough of those. :eek: ---
**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:** [November 25, 2004, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/59 "2004-11-25T17:10:48Z")
double yay! My hotmail box is stuffed. That sounds dirty. I will be putting out a list of everything soon. But since today is Turkey Day, and must obligatorialy stuff my pie hole, will post later on. ---
**Author:** ![Kricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Kricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kricket)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269/60 "2004-11-25T17:27:50Z")
E-mail sent! I’m pretty easy to buy for. Off the wall stuff is the best. Hippy/goth stuff, Inuyasha or really any anime stuff, fairies are great. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-straight-dope-secret-santa-2004-exchange-new-with-improvements/276269.md?page=4)