BS: Secret Santa 2008

Subject: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 10:42 AM

I know it's early, but I'll be away again in a couple of days.

It's that time again - Towersey Festival is over and autumn is in the hedgerows... so let's start thinking about Secret Santa!


Same rules apply - PM me with your real name, a valid postal address and any requests with regard to wanting a 'home' Santee, or an overseas Santee, or if you're not fussed.

At the end of September I'll do the draw and send you a PM with the address of your Santee.

Gifts can be whatever you please, we try to stick to US$20/£15 average.

You can make your gift, or buy something, try to include something from your country of origin.

You can reveal yourself immediately in your gift or you can keep it a secret until next year...   that's half the fun!

I look forward to your PMs!

LTS - aka
Santa's Executive Confidential Secretary for the Year or
SECSY

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 10:46 AM

OK ! I'm In !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: bfdk
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 10:48 AM

Me, too.

Bente

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Dave Earl
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 10:50 AM

And me

You've got my new contact details haven't you

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Becca72
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 11:14 AM

Me too!

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Zen
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 11:19 AM

I will join in again this year.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Severn
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 11:21 AM

I'm back in!

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: ClaireBear
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 11:59 AM

Me too, please!

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Tig
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 01:21 PM

I opted out for last year but would like to play again this please.

Hugs
Tig

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Anne Lister
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 01:37 PM

I'm in ....looking forward to it!

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: artbrooks
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 01:45 PM

I'm in - I'm not sure about herself...she says she will have other things on her mind about that time. How-some-ever, can I include my 6/9 of a granddaughter?

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 02:01 PM

I am not in, this year, but I would like to reiterate, please, please DO play if you sign up to...I know we've said it before, but I think it needs repeating. Too many folks get left without presents (until rescue santas step in) and/or no response from their Santee. Takes all the fun out of it. So, be good and play!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 03:12 PM

Art, of course you can, after all, I include Limpit whether she wants to or not!

SECSY
LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: sian, west wales
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 05:19 PM

I'm in! Already have a few 'generic' goodies stashed away ...

And ... let me reiterate what Kat said: the fun is in the taking part. Play the game. Put up hints. Prod your Santee. Poke your Santa. SEND YOUR GIFTS! And it's kinda nice if you say thanx too.

I was blessed with a Rescue Santa this year - for whatever reason - and I shall be forever grateful (and warm, in my lovely shawl!).

I shall do my very best for my Santee and look forward to making your acquaintance!

sian

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 06:00 PM

Kat, you're missing a GREAT de-cluttering opportunity! Maybe you should rethink the decision to opt out. Every little bit counts!

Liz, count me in!

Here is last year's hint list. We'll need a new one soon.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 06:01 PM

Not I again. Sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 06:49 PM

I'll be there - if I don't forg.. ah er, what was the question?

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 09:04 PM

I'm in -- early this year. (Last year I forgot until even AFTER the last minute; sigh.)

Already got most of it planned and on hand...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Emma B
Date: 26 Aug 08 - 09:49 PM

I'll be out again this year too

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: alison
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 02:37 AM

I'm in


slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 02:45 AM

Count me in please.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 04:27 AM

Yes!!!!

Must be the weather, or in the air - I found something today that's perfect for my next Santee!

sandra (clutching said prezzie & laughing happily)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 07:02 AM

Why is it necessary to post, just to say you're not taking part. Is it some bizarre form of masochism or what?
JM

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 08:12 AM

I am in dor a laugh.

Scooby

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 08:22 AM

It might be as a reminder to this year's participants that it is quite disappointing to do your part and not receive a gift in your own right. We've had a few say they'll play then not send anything, a sure way to convince a few they maybe don't want to try it again. It's a small thing that can go a long way, sending a few trinkets to make a fellow Mudcatter feel good, but it comes across as a big negative when nothing is received and no communication is offered by the errant Santa.

So if you're IN, you're really in, shop or make it early and get it in the mail. Especially if you're trying to ship from overseas.

I don't think there was ever a resolution of last year's Santas, was there? Who sent to whom?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 08:36 AM

Me, me (even though I never did find out who mine was last year...)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 10:44 AM

That's part of the reason, SRS, but also to say if you are a Santee, an acknowledgement goes a long way, too. I don't think any of us do it specifically for that and we don't expect any one to fall down on their knees in thanks, but to hear nothing when a package has been sent with each gift picked with such care, it is really disappointing to hear nothing from one's Santee.

So, there ya go, MacKenzie...posting we're not playing, as a reminder to folks to really mean it if they say they are going to play.

Have fun, folks!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Nancy King
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 11:00 AM

Good grief, is it that time ALREADY??!! OK, count me in. PM on the way.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Zen
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 11:01 AM

but to hear nothing when a package has been sent with each gift picked with such care, it is really disappointing to hear nothing from one's Santee.

Quite! Which is what happended to me (under my previous nom-du-chat) last time I participated after having gone to quite some trouble to take account of my Santee's tips and hints. That time too I got a rather sharp and curt PM from my Santa because I hadn't already thanked him/her by Boxing Day afternoon (I keep my presents (if any) till Christmas Day to open!

Nevertheless, I've decided to opt back in this year and look forward to a more positive experience as per previous years.

Zen

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 11:02 AM

So it's not to say, 'I'm not in so you won't be lucky/unlucky enough to get me as a Santa/Santee', then?

JM

[That's by way of joke, for those who might be tempted to take offence.]

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: JennyO
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 12:06 PM

I'm in. Won't be able to do much till my trip is over, in the second week of October, but there'll still be plenty of time. Now THERE'S a hint for my potential Santee - if you don't hear anything from your Santa for the first few weeks, maybe it's me!

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 01:25 PM

In yer dreams, MacKenzie! Nada from Colorado for you this year!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 01:41 PM

Oh dear, I was so looking forward to your bountiful gifts too.

JM ¦¬]

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 02:18 PM

Oh, well...I guess I could be in charge of sending out lumps of coal to naughty Santees. We have miles long coal trains coming through here every day!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Aug 08 - 04:47 PM

Here's a hint thread for this year.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 03:26 AM

OK, so that's Kat in charge of the coal distribution this year... be afraid folks, be very afraid!

SECSY
LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Megan L
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 03:27 AM

Hey its safer than lettin Sins get in charge o the presents :) *heads for under the table - I dinny hae a cellar

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Joybell
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 05:47 PM

I'm in please. Also wrapped in a lovely rescue-Santa shawl. Three playful Santas sending lovely gifts, one rescue Santa also bearing lovely gifts and two vanishing Santas so far. Five chances to be a Santa. Yes I'm in.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Hollowfox
Date: 28 Aug 08 - 07:21 PM

Thank you for starting this a bit early. I'm in.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 29 Aug 08 - 03:47 AM

It's only early by a couple of days - I usually start it around the first of September but I'm presently packing to go away again and next week is a bit fraught!

And this is just idle chitter to keep the thread up aloft.

SECSY
LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Barb'ry
Date: 30 Aug 08 - 07:11 PM

Me too, please! Love it.
Barb'ry

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 06:08 PM

It doesn't seem that long since I was opening pressies....ah yes it wasnt that long but I too got some lovely gifts in July - all sorts of bits and pieces and a lovely Santa shawl followed on! So YES I will be in again this year and hope that the post office and my address don't go awol again!!!!!!!

Cheers

Sarah

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Hawker
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 08:38 PM

Count me in too!

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Cats
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 08:34 AM

Having seen the look on Cllr's face when he opened his secret santa on christmas day a couple of years ago, including, the 'how the hell did this end up here?' look, I'm in!

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: greg stephens
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 12:44 PM

I'm in, as ever.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: maire-aine
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 12:55 PM

Hi. I'm in too, please. PM on its way.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 09:13 AM

Boiiiiiiiiiiiiinnng up to the top again.

SECSY
LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: Snuffy
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 07:03 PM

I'm in again too. Would have missed this if I hadn't been tipped off, as I haven't been below the line in months.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Sep 08 - 07:19 PM

"You can reveal yourself immediately in your gift "

Sadly, since 911, Australia Post demand identification and a real name on the outside of the package now when you post a parcel to the USA or UK (well, everywhere, actually!). Which may not help much unless you already have a connection between real name and Mudcat handles.

Subject: RE: BS: Secret Santa 2008
From: ranger1
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 09:52 AM

I'm in!