2006 Secret Santa Time already!

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: MMario
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:37 AM

Johnhenry'shammer, associated with the whole process are usually several threads - a more or less serious one where Santa's can ask their Santee's what kind of things they like;' and Santee's can hint, or beg Santa's for stuff; and usually a much LESS serious one (understatement!) where silliness abounds.

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: MMario
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:44 AM

PM sent - hopefully received.

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: GUEST,scrooge
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:51 AM

it is threads like this, and people like you, that give the encouragement (if any is necessary) to the absurd commercialism of Christmas, so that it is 'in our face' for *4 damned months* of the year.
Stop it!

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: MMario
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:56 AM

Ebenezer - in our case we have to start early to allow for the international shipping.

and despite fond dreams of many; I doubt the Mudcat is that influential that our little SS game effects mass marketing.

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Emma B
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 08:57 AM

I guess scrooge that you've never tried to post anything to North America in time for Xmas!
The Secret Santa is not about "commercialism" it's about fun; so let's hint early for Yule

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: artbrooks
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 09:11 AM

There have been several comments about lost and late mail, so let me throw this in. The US postal service has a critter called (I believe) "international priority mail"...it does cost a good deal more than regular mail (which goes by boat, I think), but it does get there. Jenn and I have had international Santees several times, and thay have always received their presents (or "pressies") within a week or so of when they were mailed.

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 09:52 AM

The UK has a priority postal service too... called 'Registered'. Means you know where your parcel disappeared from.

Marking 'Fragile' on a parcel indicates that you wish it to be drop kicked across a sorting office and marking it 'Urgent' means you want it redirected via Outer Mongolia and Ascension Island.

LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: CapriUni
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 02:02 PM

PM on its way. Is there a hints thread up, yet?

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Helen
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 05:00 PM

Guest Scrooge, let me tell you why I like the Mudcat Secret Santa. I live in Australia but I have made many friend at Mudcat over the last decade. I have had the pleasure of meeting only a handful, over that period. For all the joy I receive here I like to give something back, and one way to do this is to play the Secret Santa game. Another way, obviously, is to make a donation to Mudcat, or offer items for auction with a proportion or all of the winning bid going to Mudcat, or even just buying CD's using the Mudcat link.

Helen

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: CapriUni
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 09:54 PM

Besides, Ol' 'Nezer, Babe -- If Mudcatters really wanted to buy into the corporate culture, we each of us could just pop down to the local outlet store and grab some mass-produced, useless, kitch off the shelves. If we did that, we could get away with postponing our SS threads until late October...

But, seeing as many Santas (myself included) have often made all or part of the gift for their Santees, we need to allow more time, not less.

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 12:21 AM

Guess Santa won't be visiting THAT Guest this year!

He knows who's been naughty and nice you know... cos I tell him!

LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 05:00 AM

So far we've half as many folks in as last year and I can't help noticing that it's mainly the Rest of the World that's in on this... the UK is a little behind.

Should I be prodding my fellow countrypersons? Are they all dismayed at not getting anything last year?

Mind you.. this is only the first week!

SECSYA
LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 12:19 PM

I'm in - hope you got my pm liz

Sarah

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Becca72
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 01:17 PM

Sounds like fun...I'm in. Be forewarned, I am related to Jacqui and I live very close to the Christmas Tree Shop! :-)

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Bill t' bodger
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 03:48 PM

count me in Liz it was fun last year
B t' B

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 01:19 AM

Don't worry Becca, we know ALL about you and the Christmas Tree Shop!

LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 02:13 AM

Just in case you miss it... there's a Santa's Silly Secretary says hint here thread down below.... there was also a serious hints thread but the two have been merged into one glob.

Do what you will... like I said, I'm in charge, but I'm not responsible.

SECSYA
LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Becca72
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 08:27 AM

Me??? ONE time Jacqui ends up with a metal flamingo (who looked like he was about to vomit) in her garden and all of a sudden I have a reputation? Not fair! ;-)

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Pseudolus
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 09:59 AM

I'm in....

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: maeve
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 03:43 PM

It sounded fun last year... May I play? PM on its way. I like parcels from far flung places- or near! ;)

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 10:02 PM

I had an absolutely stupendous Santa (My Guru Always Said) last year. I was so busy with stuff going on that I probably didn't fully express what a pleasure it was to play the games and enjoy the leadup to the holidays. Given enough time (as happens when Liz starts things this early) you really can plan ahead to provide maxmimum pleasure without a huge output (postage and shipping, primarily).

I'm going to try to pay back the time and attention that was lavished on us last year to my Santee, once I have their name. And since I have addresses for several year's worth of past Santees, I may enlist their aid in mailing bits, just to cause confusion. :) If anyone would like to enlist my help toward the same end, just PM me and we'll see what we can work out! There's nothing like a little global mischief to make your Santee work to figure out who you are!

SRS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 04:10 PM

Refreshing this for the latecomers...

LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: My guru always said
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 04:51 PM

Oh, I'm definitely in, Thanks LTS!! I've had such a FAB time & Super Santa's the last couple of years - I think I'm getting the hang of it now!
And thanks SRS, it's been an absolute pleasure (found those paperclips yet?)

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 06:05 PM

My Guru: Those map and compass spots have largely been eliminated by bulldozer. Since last year in the spring they've plowed under about 100 acres of prairie so they can put cookie-cutter houses on tiny lots on it. I will visualize some lucky child walking out into his or her back yard in a year's time and finding a little cavity in the back corner of the yard, in which resides a film canister or urine bottle with paper clips and a few little GPS searchers' notes that survived the mighty dozer, relocated but undaunted!

Some time back I picked up a plate hanger for that tile you sent, and today I finally rearranged the other tiles on the kitchen wall and made room for that guy. A really interesting addition to the wall of cats and geckos. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Louisey
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 07:01 AM

Is there still time for me to join in the fun?!

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 09:40 AM

Yes!

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: GUEST,Tabster
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 01:19 PM

I'd like to join in for the first time ....fascinating!

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 03:19 PM

Books won't close until end of September so come on in!

LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Barb'ry
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 06:20 PM

Hope you got my pm - had some great pressies last year
Barb'ry

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: bet
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 11:11 PM

I really missed last year. It's so much fun. Count me in, I've sent a PM. bet

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 06:32 AM

Well Chapses.. this is the last week I'm taking addresses, so please, if you want in on the Secret Santa 2006, PM me your postal address and a name the postman will deliver to! Also tell me if you don't want a Santa out of your continent.

Books close next Saturday - only 85 days til Christmas!

SECSYA
LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 05:10 AM

Let's try and keep this visible....

SECSYA
LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 05:20 AM

right on, SECSYA LTS, it's far too much fun to just restrict it to the relatively few Mudcatters who have signed on.

Don't miss out, folks, only 84 days to Christmas! Or maybe 83 depending which side of the International Date Line I'm on. Or you're on. Or whatever.

sandra

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 04:39 AM

General rules are in the first posting here.... this is the last week I'm taking names.. there will be absolutely NO creeping under the wire like last year... last year there were so many I had to build a whole new fence!

Unless of course, the bribe is sufficient.

LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: jacqui.c
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 08:08 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 10:01 AM

Chocolate is usually a suitable bribe, is my understanding. . .

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: ranger1
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 10:21 AM

Beat me to it, SRS!

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 02:13 PM

Chocolate is acceptable, as is beer, wine, spirits or craft items.

SECSYA
LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: jacqui.c
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 12:33 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 03:50 AM

Last chance - after Sunday, there will be no more entries accepted. Watch your PMs for your Santees next week!

SECSYA
LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 10:07 AM

OOoooooo! Good timing--it finally feels like fall here, and now we have this to look forward to. (rubs hands together in glee. . . )

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: CapriUni
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 01:41 PM

Yay! I'm already planning what I can do for whomever my Santee is.

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 01:02 AM

Last chance today!!!

Seriously.... I'm not taking any more names after midnight tonight!

That's probably midnight your time, because I shall be in my pit with (in one of my mother's more colourful phrases) my nose up my bum, come midnight here.

SECSYA
LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 08:40 AM

Yes please for me - I'm not at home - been using a friend's PC - but will be expecting to be home next week....

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 30 Sep 06 - 09:31 AM

OK Fooles, PM me your postal address and a proper name and you're in.

SECSYA
LTS

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: SharonA
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 07:58 AM

*sniff* (wiping away tear) I feel like the little kid in the corner of the schoolyard, watching the big kids run off with the ball...

Liz, you may remember that I sent you a PM on September 15th asking to play, and you said you'd see what you could do.

I'm still waiting for the name of my Santee.

I followed the rules! i signed up with plenty of time to spare!! I wanna play!!!! Please don't make me sing, "I'll have a blooooo Christmas without yooooooooo....."

Sharon
(with lower lip trembling with the effort to keep from bawling)

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: SharonA
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 08:43 AM

Hmmm... I've been making the assumption that everyone else has received his/her Santee's name already... (after all, it's been a week since Liz said to watch for the names to arrive "next week")... Is it a faulty assumption? Am I being too literal in my interpretation of what Liz said?

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: MMario
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 08:55 AM

I haven't sharon - so I suspect others haven't as well.

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: SharonA
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 09:09 AM

Thanks, MMario. I feel better now. (drying tears and feeling slightly silly)

Sharon

P.S. -- Has anyone ever written a Mudcat Secret Santee Shanty?

Subject: RE: 2006 Secret Santa Time already!
From: Crystal
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 09:46 AM

I havn't had my santee yet either. But give it time, Liz will sort it all out soon, I'm sure she has a life too!