207 replies to this topic

[Bopeep]

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

And 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 address

2. 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 age
Pets?
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)   

BoPeep

ilikefree

tracy0504

hillbillyswife

Coastiwife

Reinholt1

Reinholt1sMom

colemandawn4905

wittenlover

HanShotFirst

willandmel

gatorburg

msyves

Kash

BFAddict716

tyreejames

racerfan

sunni0913

stevierocks

Illinoismom

Jesusluvu

ytmomof4

jendeere

Pepper_Mint_Tea

 

Ornament Exchange (10) 

BoPeep

hillbillyswife

bethed

Coastiwife

colemandawn4905

willandmel

BFAddict716

racerfan

sunni0913

Jesusluvu

 

Card Exchange (10)    

tracy0504

bethed

Reinholt1sMom

packratfamily

msyves

BFAddict716

sunni0913

stevierocks

carheel

jendeere

Edited by Bopeep, Oct 30, 2020 - 6:28 am.

[Gator Pam]

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.

[Suzy Crampton]

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

[ilikefree]

Info sent!

[Reinholt1]

Count me and mom in for Secret Santa and mom in for the card exchange. She *LOVES* those cards from the different states. 😉

[Reinholt1]

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.

[tracy0504]

Not gonna lie, I like the earlier sign up

[stevierocks]

i would like to be in the secret santa and the card exchange.. thank you for hosting this again! 

[hillbillyswife]

Info sent!
OE
Secret Santa

Thanks for hosting!!!

Edited by hillbillyswife, Sep 17, 2020 - 7:45 am.

[Bopeep]

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

No, the priority insurance is enough.

[Coastiwife]

Signed up for the ss and the ornament exchange. Love these exchanges. Thank you for hosting again.

Edited by Coastiwife, Sep 18, 2020 - 7:55 am.

[Reinholt1]

Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! The lists are already growing! ::doing happy dance ::

[jesusluvu]

I am in....This has always been a joy for me around the holidays. I will get my info sent in soon 

[colemandawn4905]

Sent! I love this time of the year amd secret Santa is always a blast

[wittenlover]

Info sent! Woot!

[Reinholt1]

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

[gatorburg]

Will send my info in later today or so

[Bopeep]

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

Whatever advantage I can get  .  LOL 

[msyves]

Info sent. As usual I’m looking forward to this.

[Kash]

I will participate in the Secret Santa again, I sent my PM with my answers.

[Bopeep]

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 11

2018 - SS 39, OE 16, Cards 16

2017 - SS 31, OE 14, Cards 15

2016 - SS 30, OE 15, Cards 12

2015 - SS 33, OE 16, Cards 11

2014 - SS 34, OE 19, Cards 12

2013 - SS 33, OE 19, Cards 13

2012 - SS 46, OE 28, Cards 21

2011 - SS 44, OE 33, Cards 27

Edited by Bopeep, Sep 30, 2020 - 9:00 am.

[ytmomof4]

I want in. I will get my info to you this weekend

[Bopeep]

HEY  YOU  GUUUUYYYYYSSSSS!

 

Time's moving fast!  Just 23 more days to get your info turned in.  

 

COME PLAY WITH US! 

[BFAddict716]

Information Sent!  Looking forward to this so much.  Feels like some "normalcy" amidst a not normal at all holiday season.

[Bopeep]

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? 

[Gator Pam]

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.

[Bopeep]

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]

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]

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”.

[racerfan]

I sent mine in.  I missed last year due to being sick