pogiporkchop

This is Bonnie. She is a member of the ShiShi clan, DD's panda family. They all want in on the action so mine is likely to change a lot this season. (Bonnie was the round one... updated Nov. 4)

I'll gladly sign you up once I get your info

Good idea, thanks for the suggestion. I will add something right now.

OK, the OFFICIAL thread is now up!

It's that time of year again... and a new North Pole elf is hosting this year's festivities! Want to join in on the fun? Read the rules first, then email me at [email protected] using "Secret Santa 2013" in the subject line. (You can also PM me if you like.) If you have any questions feel free to ask. This is not an official GottaDeal.com event, so participate at your own risk. GottaDeal cannot be held responsible if you do not receive anything. While I hope we won't be needing any please specify if you are willing to be an elf to someone in the event he/she does not receive a gift/ornament. Please include in your email: 1. Your forum username, your name and address 2. The exchanges you would like to take part in (Secret Santa, Ornament and/or Card) 3. The answers to the questions below if you are going to be in Secret Santa/Ornament exchange (Got suggestions for additional questions? Send them to me!) 4. Anything else you'd like your Secret Santa to know about you The Questions... Are you male or female? Are you married? Do you have kids? If so, gender and age Do you have pets? Are you allergic to anything? Would you accept homemade food (such as cookies)? Any absolute dislikes? Do you have any hobbies? Do you collect anything? Favorite Fast Food Establishment? Do you have a favorite candy? What is your favorite drink? What is your favorite color? Do you like lotions? If so what kinds? Do you like scented candles? What scent? Any favorite sports teams or Nascar drivers? What’s your favorite flower? What's your favorite music/artist? What's your favorite movie? What's your favorite holiday movie? What's your favorite author? What's your favorite thing to do during your ‘me time’? What is your favorite winter activity? Something that you wouldn’t buy yourself but have always wanted? Anything else? The Rules: 1. Secret Santa is just like it sounds - a secret exchange of gifts! There's a MINIMUM of $10 before shipping. If you choose to spend more, please don't be disappointed if your partner doesn't. 2. Ornament Exchange is also just like it sounds - an exchange of ornaments! There's a MINIMUM of $5 before shipping. If you choose to spend more, please don't be disappointed if your partner doesn't. 3. Card Exchange is also as it sounds - an exchange of holiday greeting cards. Unlike the other two, however, you send (a card) to everyone who signs up and you get (a card) from everyone who signs up! If you have a favorite holiday recipe feel free to include it with the cards you send out. There is no minimum or delivery confirmation but please understand that you send a card to everyone on the list so if 50 people join the exchange you will be spending $23.00 for postage. (The current cost for a first class stamp as of the time of this posting is 46 cents). 13 have signed up so your cost for stamps will be $5.98 4. Delivery confirmation is a MUST. Please PM/email me the tracking number and how it is being shipped (USPS or UPS) so I can keep track of everything. 5. Insurance from the USPS is also a MUST. Cost begins at $1.95 as of time of posting. 6. Make sure your item(s) is/are properly packed and with plenty of padding. 7. No junk. Everything must be new/unused within reason. Used books, CDs, and DVDs are okay as long as they are in a like new condition that you would be okay with receiving. 8. The last day to sign up is Wednesday, October 30th (you have until midnight ET). (I will have names out by no later than Monday, November 4th.) Sign up is now closed. 9. The last day to ship is Tuesday, December 3rd. If for some reason you cannot ship by this date you must let me know ASAP and then ship priority. 10. If you are participating in the Card Exchange please feel free to ship any time but make sure to keep holiday mail delivery times in mind. 11. You must have been a member since May 1, with some posting activity, in order to participate. This helps to make sure that only dedicated GottaDealers are participating and we have less of a chance of people flaking out. Also, if you have flaked on any of the 2012 events or the 2013 summer event, you will not be allowed to participate. 12. Any decisions made by the exchange host are final. Each case or question will be given fair treatment and consideration; if you plead a case or ask a question and don't get a reply you like please don't complain. Remember, this is all about having fun. Now ready, set.... GO! Secret Santa (33) pogiporkchop chrisjuvers tyreejames Illinoismom momlori jendeere msyves queenkishaa nafcmf Bopeep ytmomof4 Hockeyfanamo Gator Pam gatorburg racerfan Katyloveshockey stevierocks Reinholt1 RBWilliams Hillbillyswife Frugalnotcheap jstluvem SuggaD whynot0224 arf110106 npg princez916 mgmckny Spice9195 lilquiet raven20_79 Tara3117 ladybug0506 Ornament (19) pogiporkchop chrisjuvers nafcmf Bopeep Hockeyfanamo Swampbaby racerfan Katyloveshockey RBWilliams Hillbillyswife Frugalnotcheap jstluvem SuggaD Mandy4Matt bfaddict716 princez916 mgmckny lilquiet ladybug0506 Card Exchange (13) chrisjuvers queenkishaa Hockeyfanamo Swampbaby stevierocks Frugalnotcheap Katyloveshockey jstluvem SuggaD whynot0224 bfaddict716 princez916 ladybug0506

I'm sure I'll be asking quite a few questions but there are the archived threads to refer to for starters... Thanks to everyone who has offered help so far; if I need it I'll be sure to ask!

I guess I better get busy then! Don't know how long it will take me to get set up but I know the inquiring minds are out there...

Would it be safe to assume I'm hosting this year? I've got the time

I'm willing to run it this year

By the end of this month - Ace, Half Price Books or Harbor Freight

I'll be around the better part of Phoenix I'm sure...

Is it time to play guess the ad yet?

Just sign up when the official thread is started. You can go to the archives, read the thread from past years and get a general idea of how things go. It's a lot of fun.

Yes, that SS and I would fully support starting a bit earlier due to the shortened holiday shopping season. Especially since the mail by date is usually around Dec. 3 or so.

Congrats and welcome back

And to think I just picked up Folgers coffee today after having been out of coffee for two weeks... I can't wait for the Kisses commercial.

There aren't many on my list either - DH, DS, DD, brother, friend and family in Japan, DH's family, SS and OE... I'm sure something will come up later though and my list will grow.

Of course it will. I can't wait now. (Oh great, now I'm hearing "it's the most wonderful time of the year" playing over and over in my head...)

With duct tape coming in all kinds of patterns, etc. now you could put together a kit of your own too with a variety of tapes and whatever extras might be needed to make things she likes to make. I think I will be putting together a craft kit for my DD as one of her gifts; over the summer she got a small table where she keeps all of her supplies now.

My DD is 10 also. She just wants basic Legos so she can come up with whatever is in that head of hers - robots, cars, tools... I will take a closer look at your suggestion. Thanks

DD has taken a sudden interest in Legos. With one itty bitty container she has managed to make three different robots. Now she wants more. DS has been asking for board games, specifically Life. I can't begin to guess what will be hot right now, but they are both into the Vanguard trading card game and I have only been able to find the cards at one store.

OK I'll pass the happy - Sam's Club has had Christmas stuff out since before Labor Day... at least the one I go to. DH snatched up the big European cookie tin even though I said no.

You could always use those tapes and bandages as wrapping paper...

I hope sign up for the holiday exchanges will start soon... I know, it's way early yet but I'm having a great day so far and want to keep the happiness going.

I have no idea what mine want aside from gift cards and I'm not going to do just that. I'd like to find DS some class or group to join; DD is a Girl Scout so I may find some things at the council store she would like and could use. I guess I'll just wait and see.