Requesting input regarding ATOT Secret Santa

[MartyMcFly3]

Amdskip and I are getting things ready again for Secret Santa. That said, is there anything about the way it's ran that you want to see different? Anything not covered in previous sign up forms or issues during the gift exchange? Let us know so we can address an issue if something needs to be changed or added.

We are hoping to get the sign up post done by either end of this month or within first few days of November, depending on scheduling and mod approval.

Thanks and happy Halloween!

 

[Captante]

Holy crap its almost that time of year again ?!?


You guys did a fine job last year so as far as I'm concerned don't change a thing!

 

[rudeguy]

Amdskip and I are getting things ready again for Secret Santa. That said, is there anything about the way it's ran that you want to see different? Anything not covered in previous sign up forms or issues during the gift exchange? Let us know so we can address an issue if something needs to be changed or added.

We are hoping to get the sign up post done by either end of this month or within first few days of November, depending on scheduling and mod approval.

Thanks and happy Halloween!

First: thank you thank you thank you thank you


Second: is there a way to pair up old timers?

 

[gorcorps]

Not really anything regarding this SS, but I thought it'd be cool to have regional meet-ups and actually give gifts in person for those who could make it. Then we could all get drunk and bitch about the users we don't like in real life

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Sounds interesting someone please give me a quick brief of this. $ amounts & shipping please

 

[rudeguy]

Sounds interesting someone please give me a quick brief of this. $ amounts & shipping please

The minimum amount is usually around $25. Marty and Skip pair up people in the same part of the country or world. We usually ship a couple weeks before Christmas and lots of users go way over the minimum. That's why I asked about pairing up old timers; last year was the first year I got someone I had ever heard of. I had a ton of fun doing it. The years before I got people who never post and it was just another item on a shopping list.

 

[Kaido]

Amdskip and I are getting things ready again for Secret Santa. That said, is there anything about the way it's ran that you want to see different? Anything not covered in previous sign up forms or issues during the gift exchange? Let us know so we can address an issue if something needs to be changed or added.

We are hoping to get the sign up post done by either end of this month or within first few days of November, depending on scheduling and mod approval.

Thanks and happy Halloween!

Yes, my ATOT SS calendar has almost run out for the year and I need a new one

Nope, been fun every year, keep up the good work & let us know if there's anything we can do to help!!

 

[Kaido]

The minimum amount is usually around $25. Marty and Skip pair up people in the same part of the country or world. We usually ship a couple weeks before Christmas and lots of users go way over the minimum. That's why I asked about pairing up old timers; last year was the first year I got someone I had ever heard of. I had a ton of fun doing it. The years before I got people who never post and it was just another item on a shopping list.

Actually that's a pretty good idea...I've gotten people before who are lurkers (not much post history to base a gift off of) & write jack squat in the form - it's definitely more fun when you have an active poster who fills out the form well so you can load it up with goofy stuff :awe:

 

[Kaido]

Sounds interesting someone please give me a quick brief of this. $ amounts & shipping please

Yeah I think it's $20 or $25 minimum, no maximum. The idea is to try to get them stuff you think they'll like based on what they fill out for their likes/disklikes & their post history. The second idea is to get it there before Christmas so that they can have something fun to open. The worst is either getting it after the holidays due to shipping delays (so you want to ship it out early) or getting a lame gift (someone sent me a used game demo CD & a "sorry" note one year, haha).

With that said, I've also gotten some awesome secret santas (cough last year cough ) & it's a lot of fun to pick out stuff for someone who is not your family but is technically-oriented. Actually shopping for my ATOT secret santa is one of my favorite parts of the holidays because I really get into it :thumbsup:

 

[rudeguy]

Yeah I think it's $20 or $25 minimum, no maximum. The idea is to try to get them stuff you think they'll like based on what they fill out for their likes/disklikes & their post history. The second idea is to get it there before Christmas so that they can have something fun to open. The worst is either getting it after the holidays due to shipping delays (so you want to ship it out early) or getting a lame gift (someone sent me a used game demo CD & a "sorry" note one year, haha).

With that said, I've also gotten some awesome secret santas (cough last year cough ) & it's a lot of fun to pick out stuff for someone who is not your family but is technically-oriented. Actually shopping for my ATOT secret santa is one of my favorite parts of the holidays because I really get into it :thumbsup:

Heck yea! Its not often I get to shop for another nerd. Normally I end up getting my SS things I really want. Last year was different, my SS wanted weir things like dead fish, dried meat and fancy socks. I obliged and threw in a gift basket of coffee and chocolate that I really wanted.

I can't wait for this year!

 

[jmolayal]

The minimum amount is usually around $25. Marty and Skip pair up people in the same part of the country or world. We usually ship a couple weeks before Christmas and lots of users go way over the minimum. That's why I asked about pairing up old timers; last year was the first year I got someone I had ever heard of. I had a ton of fun doing it. The years before I got people who never post and it was just another item on a shopping list.

I can totally see your point on this. I rarely post, but read the forums almost every day. I really look forward to SS each year, and have participated the last couple of years.

Having said that, I'm not against what you're proposing. For me, the fun is in exchanging gifts with someone I know so little about, and the excitement of truly not knowing what the hell is in that box being sent to me. It makes me feel like I did when I was a kid, staring at the boxes under the tree.. It could be anything.. Maybe even a boat!?!

And to our organizers.. Rock on my friends. What you're doing has to be time consuming and even annoying at times. But please know that you are truly bringing that piece of "Christmas Magic" to so many of us...

And now, I shall return to the shadows of lurkerdom...

 

[rudeguy]

I can totally see your point on this. I rarely post, but read the forums almost every day. I really look forward to SS each year, and have participated the last couple of years.

Having said that, I'm not against what you're proposing. For me, the fun is in exchanging gifts with someone I know so little about, and the excitement of truly not knowing what the hell is in that box being sent to me. It makes me feel like I did when I was a kid, staring at the boxes under the tree.. It could be anything.. Maybe even a boat!?!

And to our organizers.. Rock on my friends. What you're doing has to be time consuming and even annoying at times. But please know that you are truly bringing that piece of "Christmas Magic" to so many of us...

And now, I shall return to the shadows of lurkerdom...

Lurker.

MINE!



You have made me feel like a pompous ass. I retract my previous suggestion.

 

[herm0016]

looking forward to this again!. ill actually be in the country this time!

Thanks for doing so much work for all of us!

 

[SlitheryDee]

All I want is someone who has a posting history extensive enough that I can do some research. Last year I got a good one. I think it's interesting to get a gift that shows that your SS knows a bit more about you than just what you put in the form.

 

[minendo]

First: thank you thank you thank you thank you


Second: is there a way to pair up old timers?

Agreed. I would love to send some Holiday Joy rudeguy's way.

 

[rudeguy]

Agreed. I would love to send some Holiday Joy rudeguy's way.

oh baby!

Stuff my sausage!!!

 

[JEDIYoda]

Not really anything regarding this SS, but I thought it'd be cool to have regional meet-ups and actually give gifts in person for those who could make it. Then we could all get drunk and bitch about the users we don't like in real life

Or we could drink all those cases of Kaopectate left over from previous years...

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Only thing I would ask is that there be a requirement that the recipient acknowledges receipt of their gift (somewhere). I still have no idea whether the person who I bought for actually received what I sent. And I sent some good stuff!

Also - people who have not posted more than 10 times in the last year should not be allowed to participate.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

I wasn't here much last year so I never got into it but the #1 thing people seemed to want is what Sho'Nuff said; confirmation that it arrived.

I might join in this year but I'm poor.
Cheers for setting this up every year!

 

[gorcorps]

Actually that's a pretty good idea...I've gotten people before who are lurkers (not much post history to base a gift off of) & write jack squat in the form - it's definitely more fun when you have an active poster who fills out the form well so you can load it up with goofy stuff :awe:

That's true. I wouldn't consider myself an old timer, but being matched up with members of the same activity level would be fun.

 

[SKORPI0]

Suggestions.....

Must have been a member at least 1 year, without any infractions/good standing member. :hmm:

Shipping cost should be considered. I usually by the stuff at B&M, not online. Give us at least 6 weeks to get the stuff and ship them,

Oh yes, please don't pair old timers with new timers. Paired last time with someone who rarely post at all. Had a hard time trying to match their request, searching their post history didn't help.

 

[Ns1]

Yeah I'm gonna go ahead and say you really should consider a minimum post count/age for this thing, even though I got really lucky last year.

 

[rudeguy]

Suggestions.....

Must have been a member at least 1 year without any infractions/good standing member. :hmm:

Shipping cost should be considered. I usually by the stuff at B&M, not online. Give us at least 6 weeks to get the stuff and ship them,

Oh yes, please don't pair old timers with new timers. Paired last time with someone who rarely post at all. Had a hard time trying to match their request, searching their post history didn't help.

Oh hell...I'd never be eligible.

 

[jlee]

I have no complaints about the last 5+ years.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Suggestions have been taken under advisement. Seems a lot of issues are more participant based (not notifying of gift reciept, not filling form completely, etc.) which is good for us. We do have a rule that participants must be members here with decent post counts (we don't set the number high). As for posts this past year I think it'll be more case by case basis. I can tell you I didn't post much this year (life with a toddler and working graveyard shift eat up free time) but I still lurked and consider this place an Internet "home". Will have plenty of time for Secret Santa. Always a priority.

Main thing is you all need to spend time on filling out the forms. I think we will crack down on that a bit more this year where we will make you resubmit or you won't participate if you provide next to nothing for your secret Santa. I know we started doing that a bit last year.

Any other suggestions please let us know.

Thanks!