Bopeep Posted September 16, 2020 Posted September 16, 2020 (edited) Santa Claus Is Coming to TownAnd he’s coming early this year!! It is time to sign up for the GottaDeal Exchanges! If you want to join in on the fun, please send me a PM no later than Thursday, October 29. Please put "Secret Santa 2020" in the subject line. I will do my best to have the names picked and back out to you by Sunday, November 1. I did not move this date up, as I know some folks aren’t back yet. However, I am going to have to be stricter about the deadline date this year, as the shipping date is going to have to be earlier. Watch the names, and if you are missing someone you know usually participates, reach out to them! You know there must be rules, so here they are (please read before signing up):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 $27.50 for postage. (The current cost for a first class stamp as of the time of this posting is 55 cents).4. Tracking (aka delivery confirmation) is a MUST. Please PM me the tracking number and how it is being shipped (USPS or UPS) so I can keep track of everything. If you send via USPS Priority it should be included at no charge, but it is always best to check for yourself.5. Insurance from the USPS is also a MUST. Check with the post office nearest you for the cost.6. Make sure your item(s) is/are properly packed and with plenty of padding.7. 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 Thursday, October 29th (you have until midnight CT). I should have names out by Sunday, November 1. 9. The last day to ship is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30. This is earlier than usual, while still being after traditional Black Friday. If for some reason you cannot ship by this date, please let me know ASAP and then ship priority. **Please remember in the age of Covid, shipping is taking longer. Please try to ship earlier than this date if at all possible.10. If you are participating in the Card Exchange please feel free to mail them any time but make sure to keep holiday mail delivery times in mind. **Again, remember the mail is taking longer than normal.11. You must be a member with some posting activity, to participate. This helps to make sure that only dedicated GottaDealers are participating and we have less of a chance of people flaking out. 12. If you participate in the SS/OE, please post when you receive your package even if you are waiting until later to open. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT 13. Any decisions made by the exchange host are final. Each case or question will be given fair treatment and consideration. Please include in your PM:1. Your forum username, your name and address2. Your email address, in case I need to contact you and can’t reach you through PM (I don’t include your email address with the information to your SS)3. The exchanges you would like to take part in (Secret Santa, Ornament and/or Card)4. The answers to the questions below if you are going to participate in Secret Santa/Ornament exchange Are you male or female?What is your t-shirt size?Are you married?Kids? If so, gender and agePets?Allergies, diabetes, etc that your SS may need to know?Would you accept homemade food (such as cookies)?Any absolute dislikes?Anything you really don’t want any more of (i.e. coffee cups, knick knacks, etc)?Favorite Crafts or Hobbies?What do you do for a living?What is something you like to do with your family?Do you collect anything?Favorite Fast Food Establishment?Favorite Candy/Sweet/Finger Food?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 type of music? Who is your favorite musical artist?What's your favorite movie?What's your favorite holiday movie?What kind of books do you like to read?Do you have a favorite author? Who?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?Would you prefer your gifts wrapped, or no?If you had $10 to shop for yourself at Target or Walmart, what would you likely look for?What else would you like your Secret Santa to know? This is not an official GottaDeal.com event, so participate at your own risk. GottaDeal can't be held responsible if you do not receive anything. Speaking of not receiving anything, hopefully everything goes as planned and no elves are needed, but please let me know if you are willing to step up in case someone does not receive their SS/OE package. Secret Santa (24) BoPeepilikefreetracy0504hillbillyswifeCoastiwifeReinholt1Reinholt1sMomcolemandawn4905wittenloverHanShotFirstwillandmelgatorburgmsyvesKashBFAddict716tyreejamesracerfansunni0913stevierocksIllinoismomJesusluvuytmomof4jendeerePepper_Mint_Tea Ornament Exchange (10) BoPeephillbillyswifebethedCoastiwifecolemandawn4905willandmelBFAddict716racerfansunni0913Jesusluvu Card Exchange (10) tracy0504bethedReinholt1sMompackratfamilymsyvesBFAddict716sunni0913stevierockscarheeljendeere Edited October 30, 2020 by Bopeep 2
Gator Pam Posted September 16, 2020 Posted September 16, 2020 Have fun, guys! Since I am a clerical substitute in our school districts, and our schools and administrative buildings have been closed and are still closed with 100% remote learning going on, I have not worked at all since mid-March. So, I'm going to have to pass on participating this year. But, I always enjoy lurking and seeing everyone's excitement, so please know I'll be right here anticipating y'all's posts as the exchanges progress. 2
Suzy Crampton Posted September 16, 2020 Posted September 16, 2020 I mail out a lot of priority mail packages and have always been told that they are insured for $50. Would I have to still put more insurance on them? TIA
Reinholt1 Posted September 17, 2020 Posted September 17, 2020 Count me and mom in for Secret Santa and mom in for the card exchange. She *LOVES* those cards from the different states. 1
Reinholt1 Posted September 17, 2020 Posted September 17, 2020 Have fun, guys! Since I am a clerical substitute in our school districts, and our schools and administrative buildings have been closed and are still closed with 100% remote learning going on, I have not worked at all since mid-March. So, I'm going to have to pass on participating this year. But, I always enjoy lurking and seeing everyone's excitement, so please know I'll be right here anticipating y'all's posts as the exchanges progress.Gator, I am so sorry. It has been a rough year for many of us! I haven't been able to work either. Hang in there. We will get through this! I am glad you are still hanging out with us. 2
tracy0504 Posted September 17, 2020 Posted September 17, 2020 Not gonna lie, I like the earlier sign up [emoji2960] 1
stevierocks Posted September 17, 2020 Posted September 17, 2020 i would like to be in the secret santa and the card exchange.. thank you for hosting this again!
hillbillyswife Posted September 17, 2020 Posted September 17, 2020 (edited) Info sent!OE Secret Santa Thanks for hosting!!! Edited September 17, 2020 by hillbillyswife
Bopeep Posted September 17, 2020 Author Posted September 17, 2020 I mail out a lot of priority mail packages and have always been told that they are insured for $50. Would I have to still put more insurance on them? TIANo, the priority insurance is enough. 2
Coastiwife Posted September 18, 2020 Posted September 18, 2020 (edited) Signed up for the ss and the ornament exchange. Love these exchanges. Thank you for hosting again. Edited September 18, 2020 by Coastiwife 1
Reinholt1 Posted September 19, 2020 Posted September 19, 2020 Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! The lists are already growing! ::doing happy dance :: 1
jesusluvu Posted September 19, 2020 Posted September 19, 2020 I am in....This has always been a joy for me around the holidays. I will get my info sent in soon 3
colemandawn4905 Posted September 21, 2020 Posted September 21, 2020 Sent! I love this time of the year amd secret Santa is always a blast 1
wittenlover Posted September 22, 2020 Posted September 22, 2020 Info sent! Woot! [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16] 1
Reinholt1 Posted September 23, 2020 Posted September 23, 2020 You know, I just noticed something.....ever notice how BoPeep is always FIRST on the secret santa list?!?! Could she be kissing up to Santa?!?..... hmmmmmmm. :: ducking quickly while laughing maniacally. :: hee hee heee 5
Bopeep Posted September 23, 2020 Author Posted September 23, 2020 You know, I just noticed something.....ever notice how BoPeep is always FIRST on the secret santa list?!?! Could she be kissing up to Santa?!?..... hmmmmmmm. :: ducking quickly while laughing maniacally. :: hee hee heeeWhatever advantage I can get . LOL 3
msyves Posted September 28, 2020 Posted September 28, 2020 Info sent. As usual I’m looking forward to this. 2
Kash Posted September 28, 2020 Posted September 28, 2020 I will participate in the Secret Santa again, I sent my PM with my answers. 2
Bopeep Posted September 30, 2020 Author Posted September 30, 2020 (edited) Can you believe October starts tomorrow?? 30 days to get your info in! For those interested in numbers and history, this is what participation has looked like the last 9 years:2019 - SS 33, OE 12, Cards 112018 - SS 39, OE 16, Cards 162017 - SS 31, OE 14, Cards 152016 - SS 30, OE 15, Cards 122015 - SS 33, OE 16, Cards 112014 - SS 34, OE 19, Cards 122013 - SS 33, OE 19, Cards 132012 - SS 46, OE 28, Cards 212011 - SS 44, OE 33, Cards 27 Edited September 30, 2020 by Bopeep 2
ytmomof4 Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 I want in. I will get my info to you this weekend 1
Bopeep Posted October 6, 2020 Author Posted October 6, 2020 HEY YOU GUUUUYYYYYSSSSS! Time's moving fast! Just 23 more days to get your info turned in. COME PLAY WITH US! 3
BFAddict716 Posted October 10, 2020 Posted October 10, 2020 Information Sent! Looking forward to this so much. Feels like some "normalcy" amidst a not normal at all holiday season. 4
Bopeep Posted October 12, 2020 Author Posted October 12, 2020 Just 2 and a half weeks left to get your info in! We have about 9 or 10 people that participate yearly that haven't logged on to GD yet this fall. I'm considering shooting them an email if they aren't back by the end of this week. Do you think that's too pushy? Spammy? 3
Gator Pam Posted October 12, 2020 Posted October 12, 2020 hmm... Is the deadline to register earlier this year than in years past? If so, then yeah. Send an email explaining why, and that you didn't want them to miss the opportunity to participate due to them not knowing. I do miss the inclusion of posts from the forum at the bottom of the GottaDeal emails. I think this one should have definitely been included in them to get the word out to those who don't stop by the forum regular throughout the year. 1
Bopeep Posted October 12, 2020 Author Posted October 12, 2020 The deadline is pretty much the same, but there are always a few stragglers that I fit in after the deadline. I won't be able to do that this year, because the shipping deadline has been moved up.
msyves Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 Just 2 and a half weeks left to get your info in! We have about 9 or 10 people that participate yearly that haven't logged on to GD yet this fall. I'm considering shooting them an email if they aren't back by the end of this week. Do you think that's too pushy? Spammy? Yes, send them an email. With all that's going on with shipping it's best to get in front of it as much as possible.
HanShotFirst Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 The deadline is pretty much the same, but there are always a few stragglers that I fit in after the deadline. I won't be able to do that this year, because the shipping deadline has been moved up.I would email them. If it were me being one of the ones that usually participate but have yet to log in I would appreciate a “heads up”. 1
racerfan Posted October 13, 2020 Posted October 13, 2020 I sent mine in. I missed last year due to being sick 4
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