This thread isn't about the "getting" not meeting expectations is it?
Have I missed something here? Forgive me if I have.
I'm 63 and nobody has ever told me how I should feel about the giving and getting experience before and I'm a bit puzzled. I thought I knew.

The giving is the main reason most of us join in -- I believe.   All of us love presents too, though, and if "the getting" didn't happen for some of us at all -- we are allowed to feel any way we want.

We do a lot of giving and getting, here on Mudcat, outside of the Secret Santa experience. That will continue. So will Secret Santa -- for us. (And I speak as a two-time loser).

Hello Sarah and Anne. Smiles and happiness to you.
Cheers, Joy