The Qt3 Secret Santa Thread

[Ryan Markel]

READ THE RULES ONCE MORE IF YOU FORGOT!

The time to declare your participation in this event is now over.

Private messages have been sent out and everyone should have received their Santee's information at this time.

Here's how it will work:

1) Anyone interested in being a Secret Santa (and thus also a Santee) posts in this thread with an "I'm in" or something to the same effect.

2) You can provide for potential Santas to gift things to you either by providing me with your mailing information where you can receive a gift, or by providing me with a URL to an Amazon or Funagain or other such wishlist. This can be done by PM, so only myself (as coordinator) and your Santa will have this information. The wishlist option exists so that the exchange of personal information will NOT be necessary to participate in the exchange.

2a) Wishlists can be either private (only your Santa will see the URL), or public (people here might wish to give gifts to more than one person), at the Santee's discretion.

3) We'll keep track of who is in using a relatively long alpha post, just to keep things neat and orderly. You have until October 15th to declare your participation. You then have until the end of the month to send me your contact and shipping information.

4) After the cut-off, I will PM each person with the information needed to gift something to their Santee. Each participant will be responsible for their gift to another. No freeloaders! If you don't give a gift, we'll know.

4a) There is a $20 minimum gift value; no maximum.

5) You can now subtly or not-so-subtly talk about things you'd like to get, although that in no way means you'll get what you ask for.

6) When you receive your gift, you make a post in this thread mentioning who your Santa was, what you got, and some thanks to that person for your gift (it's only polite). Pictures are encouraged.

[Ryan Markel]

Now changed into a reference guide for Santa/Santee pairings (once the gift receipt has been posted):

Santa -> Santee

Troy S Goodfellow -> Ryan Markel
Nick Walter -> Skipper
AaronSofaer -> fire
fire -> TomChick
Skipper -> AaronSofaer
Drastic -> Wholly Schmidt
Moore -> Mike O'Malley
Spiffy -> Ben Sones
ElGuapo -> Drastic
Wholly Schmidt -> VegasRobb
Shift6 -> ElGuapo
VegasRobb -> Moore
NoWayJose -> Dean
TomChick -> Ryan A
Mike O'Malley -> shift6
Bill Dungsroman -> spiffy
Ryan Markel -> RichVR
Dean -> Nick Walter
Siren -> NoWayJose
JPR -> Bill Dungsroman
Bullhajj -> Troy S Goodfellow
Ben Sones -> JPR
Ryan A -> Bullhajj
RichVR -> Siren
John Merva -> Nellie
Hanzii -> John Merva
Nellie -> Hanzii

[Nick Walter]

I'm in

[Brendan]

If anyone is willing to post something to South Africa, I don't mind posting something smallish to where ever they are in the world. (Also, give me some extra time for postage (I'll need about 8 weeks for surface shipping to the US thanks to our useless postal service.))

[Matt Perkins]

This is a bad idea... Some people are going to get some disturbing gifts.

[madkevin]

At the very least, you should ban Whitta from it.

[Ryan Markel]

What sort of spending limit are we talking about here? Are we buying each other games or $5 Amazon gift cards? ;-)

The spending limit/minimum can be whatever we agree upon. When coordinating this kind of thing in the past, there's been a generally-agreed-upon $20 minimum, with a maximum at whatever the Santa felt like doing.

I don't mind setting either.

[bigdruid]

If anyone is willing to post something to South Africa, I don't mind posting something smallish to where ever they are in the world.

Diamonds are smallish, right?

[Ryan Markel]

This is a bad idea... Some people are going to get some disturbing gifts.


At the very least, you should ban Whitta from it.

Is there a history here of which I am not aware? If so, I demand stories, but then Gary's still in if only for amusement factors...

[madkevin]

Let's just put it this way: a pair of chogglepants would never make it past customs.

[polar boar]

(And hey, Wal-Mart has Christmas decorations on display already, so I'm not far behind the retail establishment in terms of timing.)

Heh, the supermarket closest to me has this area for seasonal products. The other week I saw them place Christmas stuff on one side, while the other side was still stacked with barbecueing supplies.

[Aleck]

Let's just put it this way: a pair of chogglepants would never make it past customs.

I'm sure Gary would vacuum seal them for freshness.

Blech.

[Ryan Markel]

I'm now going to pretend that I've never read any of the early responses to this thread.

[Skipper]

I'm in.

And I like your suggestion of $20 low limit and no upper limit. This places it squarely in "buy a buddy a game" category.

[Flowers]

I would only do it if we could send things of little or negative value, like surveillance pictures of a hobo from the recipients town that's bound to turn up dead, or maybe a piece of a bloody sweater, Lord knows I have enough of those lying around, so that the post office opens it, the Feds arrest us both, and take us to an undisclosed location to be interrogated together for the holidays.

Who wants a condom full of baking soda and the crumpled phone numbers of prominent local Republicans? Did I mention a little Thai elf with a forged passport might deliver it personally? He just needs your address so he can give it to customs as his destination. You'll feel like Glen Frey this Christmas.

[fire]

I'm in!

[Tom Chick]

I'm in! w00t!

-Tom

[AaronSofaer]

I'm in.

[Nellie]

I'm in. UK based for full disclosure :D

[edit] do you have a budget (inc/ex postage) in mind? I could, for arguments sake, send a game out, but somone in LA wanting that 64" HD tv from me is going to be disappointed. Also I don't want to send someone a £5 gift and get a £10 one in return.

[AaronSofaer]

budget


When coordinating this kind of thing in the past, there's been a generally-agreed-upon $20 minimum, with a maximum at whatever the Santa felt like doing.

I don't mind setting either.

Arrr.

[Nellie]

Doh! My bad, I didn't read the follow ons in enough detail.

That's fair game in my book and I'll absorb postage in "whatever Santa felt like doing".

[Athryn]

I'm in!

[Aeon221]

First, cut a hole in a box.

[Wholly Schmidt]

I'm in. Do you need my info like, right now? I need to decide if I'm doing wishlist or just going with my address.

[Mike O'Malley]

OK, I'm in too.

[Ben Sones]

At the very least, you should ban Whitta from it.

Are you kidding? Gary buys expensive electronics as casually as most people would buy a cup of coffee!

I'm totally in.

[Ryan Markel]

I'm in. Do you need my info like, right now? I need to decide if I'm doing wishlist or just going with my address.

No. I'll make a post after a bit to ask people to PM/post their information after the cutoff date as a reminder, but you can take until then to decide or shore up your wishlist.

If you want to send either piece of information, you can go ahead, and I'll file it (I have a document I'm keeping already with any information I receive).

[DeepT]

You can call me a Grinch, but I always hated the idea of secret Santa. It seems like such a pointless materialistic thing. If you buy a gift for someone, it should be because you want to and know the person well enough to give them a gift that makes sense.

[Drastic]

I wouldn't worry about it. It's just something those vile creatures called humans do.

I'm in.

[VegasRobb]

How cool :)

I'm in!

[ElGuapo]

Ok, I'm in. Sounds fun.

Sealed thermos full of hot tub water, coming to you via UPS.

[Hans Lauring]

You can call me a Grinch, but I always hated the idea of secret Santa. It seems like such a pointless materialistic thing. If you buy a gift for someone, it should be because you want to and know the person well enough to give them a gift that makes sense.

Pointless materialistic... I'm soo in!






... oh and, grinch!

[Moore]

I'm in, I buy and make a lot of weird shit. Someone might get a wicked beyond sideshow toy quality zombie figure.. or they might get a handful of japanese capsule toys.. plus I can unload my shitty old e3 swag. Lanyard wrapped toys ahoy!

I dont like the wishlist idea though, secret santa doesnt mean you choose what you get! So my recipient will have to provide a real shipping addy, hope you can ensure that or amazon itself will be getting a plush Nyarlotep or whatever I decide to send.

A price limit or guide would be handy though, I dont want to send a $100 sculpture and get a NICE BOTTLE OF BOURBON. I'm at least that materialistic. Plus I already have a NICE BOTTLE OF BOURBON.

Edit: ok, $20 min. works. If I send something handmade, I'll put $20 minimum effort into it.

EDIT: oh,, nothing.. really..

[Dean]

I'm in!

And I think it was $20 maximum.

Could you clarify?

[edit: It's minimum. Okay. Reading comprehension FTL, but it was a whole page ago!]

[edit 2: Maybe you'll get a $25 pen. Whoever gets Moore must now get him some kind of funky pen.]

[Tom Chick]

Yeah, wishlists are kind of contrary to what Secret Santa means to me. It's up to the Secret Santa to figure out the best gift. That's his cross to bear. In a workplace, that might be difficult, but we have the advantage of using the "Find All Posts By..." button.

-Tom

[DennyA]

Sealed thermos full of hot tub water, coming to you via UPS.
Probably containing everything you need to clone your very own ElGuapo...

Sure, count me in. Sounds like it's likely to be amusing, surprising, crushingly disappointing, or just plain disgusting, depending on who you draw.

[Ryan Markel]

Yeah, wishlists are kind of contrary to what Secret Santa means to me. It's up to the Secret Santa to figure out the best gift. That's his cross to bear. In a workplace, that might be difficult, but we have the advantage of using the "Find All Posts By..." button.

-Tom

In my case, my Amazon and/or Funagain wishlists are so long that no matter what someone picked, I would certainly be surprised.

And considering the type of people who are here, I figured it was easier than asking people to post lists of all the stuff (esp. games) they own. :)

[Ryan A]

Count me in, this sounds fun (North America list)

Also, I'm with the anti-wish-list crowd. Much of the fun of secret-santa exchanges is figuring out what sort of gift somebody would like and then gloriously succeeding (or failing) to much laughter and gnashing of teeth.

[Wholly Schmidt]

So Moore, are you trying to get out of the Greater Greenville Pen Expo '07 this weekend? Is that what you're saying?

[Moore]

You, joke, but I once watched a PBS show (california gold) where they went to a pen show in Cali. The host is a jackass so I couldnt turn away. The brick factory one got watched too..

[shift6]

Count me in.

[Ryan Markel]

Count me in, this sounds fun (North America list)

Also, I'm with the anti-wish-list crowd. Much of the fun of secret-santa exchanges is figuring out what sort of gift somebody would like and then gloriously succeeding (or failing) to much laughter and gnashing of teeth.

You can always ignore the wishlist and send something on your own. At the very least, the wishlist would give you a ballpark on where each person stands.

I personally would encourage giving out addresses and going the way you guys are talking, because you're right in that it's more fun.

[John Merva]

Go on then. Count me in too.

England, like Nellie and Mike.

[spiffy]

I'm in! (NA-CA) Is there some way to find out the receiver's info? At work, if we don't know the person we've been assigned, we secretly hit up their friends and cubemates for details. you know.. hobbies, shoe size, girth...

[Ryan A]

At work, if we don't know the person we've been assigned, we secretly hit up their friends and cubemates for details. you know.. hobbies, shoe size, girth...

What the hell kind of gifts are you buying that require you to know their GIRTH?!?

[RichVR]

I'm in.

[Nick Walter]

Add me to the list already! I'm so in and North American. Though whatever poor sucker I get won't be getting anything from their wishlist because I feel I have unerring taste in the area of matching people up with the star wars action figures they would most appreciate.

[NoWayJose]

I'm in, and in North America.

PS. Moore, do not hate on Huell Howser.

[Moore]

What the hell kind of gifts are you buying that require you to know their GIRTH?!?

Like you dont want a fancy cockring, please.

[Moore]

I'm in, and in North America.

PS. Moore, do not hate on Huell Howser.

I love the guy, he is my favorite happy go lucky jackass

[ElGuapo]

Like you dont want a fancy cockring, please.

I'd like not to be paired with Moore, please.

Ha!

Ok, only if it's really fancy. None of this plastic or wooden shit. It's gotta have encrusted jewels.

[ElGuapo]

I'll tell you what. If you get a thermos from me, will you even open it? What if it's two things, a thermos and a videogame sized box? But the outside of the box says "Open Thermos First".

[Ryan A]

Ok, only if it's really fancy. None of this plastic or wooden shit. It's gotta have encrusted jewels.

Don't you need one to have the other?

[RichVR]

I'll tell you what. If you get a thermos from me, will you even open it? What if it's two things, a thermos and a videogame sized box? But the outside of the box says "Open Thermos First".

The box goes in a bucket of water and the thermos is detonated at a safe distance by a robot. Next question.

[Moore]

Guapo, Guapo, you put the game size box in a fireproof lockbox, and a note saying the KEY is in the thermos of questionable liquid.

[Ryan A]

questionable liquid.

definitely has to be viscous. and green.

[Moore]

And somehow sharp enough to cut you, even though it is liquid.

[ElGuapo]

And somehow sharp enough to cut you, even though it is liquid.

I'll cut you!

http://slantmouth.com/articles/lost/images/westSideStory.jpg

[Moore]

I'm sure converse can sue over that somehow.

[Ryan Markel]

I just updated the list as well as the alpha post to include the deadlines for participation. Giving this a good bump to remind people it's here, too.

You have to post that you're in before the 15th.

You have to give your contact information before the 31st.

More people, please!

[Bill Dungsroman]

Ok, I'm in.

[Troy S Goodfellow]

I'm bowing to peer pressure and signing up.

Troy

[JPR]

I'll go ahead and participate as well.

[ElGuapo]

I'll go ahead and participate as well.

If I get you, you're getting a monocle. :)

[JPR]

As long as it's submersed in a thermos of liquid.

[Brendan]

Ok, I need to pull out. The missus saw me browsing that thread and forbade me from giving our postal address which is also our residential address to as she put it "A bunch of weird strangers I don't even know."

I blame Flowers.

[ElGuapo]

Damn, that totally ruins my plan to fly halfway around the world to one of the most dangerous countries in the world to stalk someone I don't know.

[Brendan]

Damn, that totally ruins my plan to fly halfway around the world to one of the most dangerous countries in the world to stalk someone I don't know.

I'm more worried that you'd rape my dog or something.

[Nick Walter]

I'm more worried that you'd rape my dog or something.

Does your dog like hot tubs?

[ElGuapo]

I'm more worried that you'd rape my dog or something.

Come on, I'm sure your wife doesn't appreciate being called names.

[spiffy]

oh, so it's $20 min huh. That's fine with me, but I hope no one goes too balls-out. Funny is better than expensive, imo. Anyone expecting real presents of things you actually want should hit up all your lost aunts and uncles instead.

I wonder how much this antique 17" CRT costs to ship , anyhow?

[jpinard]

Can it be funny and totally useless? Or are you going for a serious vibe of practicality or coolness? See, I have this idea...

[Ryan Markel]

Can it be funny and totally useless? Or are you going for a serious vibe of practicality or coolness? See, I have this idea...

Often, the other group I would do this with would send maybe one token thing someone wanted (a movie/game/MS points) *and* a small joke gift, especially if it was something you "made" or similar.

However, being as this is Secret Santa, the gift is up to the Santa. Above was just an example, not a rule.

[Bill Dungsroman]

Ooh gee, can jpinard be my Secret Santa?

[TimElhajj]

I'm in. One of you lucky dogs is getting a big old greasy red dildo! :)

[shift6]

Forehead attachment plz.

[fire]

A vote here for choggle pants.

[Ben Sones]

Fire, Secret Santa requests go in the other thread.

;)

[Nick Walter]

A vote here for choggle pants.

I know what fire has been secretly lusting after from her SS:

http://www.yourfunnymedia.com/m_pictures/27.jpg

[Ben Sones]

Fire, Secret Santa requests go in the other thread.

;)

I would just like to say that, for some reason, I thought I was looking at Gary's dragon tattoo thread. Probably because that thread has broken my brain. Obviously, fire did request her choggle pants in the correct thread.

[fire]

I know what fire has been secretly lusting after from her SS:

http://www.yourfunnymedia.com/m_pictures/27.jpg
HOLY CARP! There's a stash of that in my new apartment!

[Ryan Markel]

Just a quick post and a bump to remind you that you have one more day to signal that you'd like to participate in the Secret Santa-ness.

Those who have already signed up should begin forwarding me address and/or wishlist information.

[Siren]

Eh, why not? I'm in. Address info will have to wait a week, at least. I just got a job in San Francisco; and I'm currently in the process of finding a new place.

[fire]

So when do we get our assignments? I may need time to, ermmm, prepare.

[tiohn]

Hey ok i'm in

[Raife]

You guys all need to do Whitta-style loot pictures.

[Mike O'Malley]

I'm OK with making that a requirement for participation.

[Bill Dungsroman]

So when do we get our assignments? I may need time to, ermmm, prepare.
ohgodpleaseohgodpleaseohgodplease

[RichVR]

http://xkcd.com/325/

[Ryan Markel]

http://xkcd.com/325/

Is that a Whittalink? Because I'm not clicking on anything that's not been properly identified.

[Ryan Markel]

OK; the time to join up is now over; please get address information to me ASAP so I can start pairing people up with their benefactors (or, in some of your cases, apparently malefactors).

I'll begin bolding names on the list of in-ness as people return their information to me.

[RichVR]

Is that a Whittalink? Because I'm not clicking on anything that's not been properly identified.

It's "teh funneh". Click it you wuss. Then go thru the rest. You'll enjoy many of them. I guess.

[Ryan A]

It's "teh funneh". Click it you wuss. Then go thru the rest. You'll enjoy many of them. I guess.

No. Not funny. Very Rimbo.

[RichVR]

No. Not funny. Very Rimbo.

No humor at all there? Damn. Sorry.

Edit: Damn. I just checked the thread that had the comic linked by Rimbo. I swear that I had not seen it before I posted it here.
You bastard, Rimbo.

[John Merva]

Ryan - I PMd. Bold me please!

[Mike Cathcart]

Aw man, this sounds cool. I guess I should click on EE more often than once every six months.

[Ryan Markel]

I've gone ahead and updated the list one more time; if you have not sent me your information, please do so when you get a chance this weekend so you're not left out.

[Nellie]

Anyone expecting real presents of things you actually want should hit up all your lost aunts and uncles instead.


TOYS! I want silly crap that I can play with dammit. I got a jacket last christmas because "Guitar hero" isn't the right answer to "What do you want for Christmas?" apparently.

[Skipper]

I couldn't think of specifics so I listed generic categories. I hope that was okay. Bold me as well Ryan.

Part of the fun of secret santa is the surprise of what you do end up getting. Like the Whitta PS3 pic.

[spiffy]

TOYS! I want silly crap that I can play with dammit. I got a jacket last christmas because "Guitar hero" isn't the right answer to "What do you want for Christmas?" apparently.

Is it a bad sign when I google to see what acronym TOYS stands for? lol...

[Ben Sones]

I gave no hints as to what I want when I sent my info. Whoever gets me may feel free to get as creative as they want.

[Nick Walter]

Ditto. It's a secret santa so I'm assuming cutesy christmas crap is de rigeur. Possibly with a nerdy twist since this is QT3 after all.

[JPR]

If somebody sends me "cutesy Christmas crap", I'm going to be furious.

[Nick Walter]

If somebody sends me "cutesy Christmas crap", I'm going to be furious.

Oooo, better hope I don't get you.

[Ben Sones]

In completely unrelated news, does anyone know where I might be able to find goatse-themed Christmas Hummel figurines?

[Troy S Goodfellow]

In completely unrelated news, does anyone know where I might be able to find goatse-themed Christmas Hummel figurines?

The best gift is one you make yourself.

Troy

[Nick Walter]

In completely unrelated news, does anyone know where I might be able to find goatse-themed Christmas Hummel figurines?

Must . . . resist . . . urge . . . to . . . photoshop . . . Santa . . . into . . . goatse

[ElGuapo]

TOYS! I want silly crap that I can play with dammit. I got a jacket last christmas because "Guitar hero" isn't the right answer to "What do you want for Christmas?" apparently.

Oh, you'll get toys alright.

Giggity giggity.

[tiohn]

I've been tempted to make shirts that say "Ask me about my choggle pants" for some time now. It's just too bad for everyone here that I have decided to withdraw from the Secret Santa pool.

[Ryan Markel]

I've altered the list one more time this morning; please check and make sure that if you have sent me your information, I've marked you on the list.

I'm going to be generating the initial lists this morning; I won't send them out until Thursday, however.

[Raife]

I'm not in this thing, but awesome job putting it together, Ryan.

[Ryan Markel]

Two-day warning!

A few of you have not yet sent your information to me - please do so or be dropped from the list. The information for your Santee will be distributed sometime around the end of the week (as soon as I can get to it after the cutoff).

So in the meantime, begin the public discussion of what you would like and the sharing of Amazon wishlists - you'd be surprised what kinds of discussion this can generate...

[Nick Walter]

Let me start the ball rolling with my tame list.

I like cutesy christmas crap, sweets, and humorously tasteless adult novelties. Anything that can cover more than one of those categories at once is a big win.

[Hans Lauring]

Yay me!

Ryan is my secret santa and he allready bought me a condo in California!

(or perhaps you missed the last part of my adress? I really should go in the Special Needs category with Nellie...)

[ElGuapo]

I don't care what I get. Whoever I get though, is gonna get something sweeeeeeeet.

[Raife]

I don't care what I get. Whoever I get though, is gonna get something sweeeeeeeet.

Eau de Tüb. A fragrance by Guapo Ltd.

[Ryan Markel]

Yay me!

Ryan is my secret santa and he allready bought me a condo in California!

(or perhaps you missed the last part of my adress? I really should go in the Special Needs category with Nellie...)

Nah, I got it, I'm just too lazy to re-arrange the list. :)

[Ryan A]

I'm not posting any wishlist stuff because half the fun for me is seeing what somebody thinks of based only on what they know from my posting history. Similarly, I'm looking forward to the subsequent "look what I got" posts after this is all over.

[Nellie]

I really should go in the Special Needs category with Nellie

:(

I don't have special needs, anything with a flashing light on it will keep me amused for hours. Days if it also makes a noise.

[Ryan Markel]

The private messages detailing Secret Santees all went out just this afternoon. All participants should have received a message with enough information to get started (and in most cases, complete) their buying and shipping processes.

I made sure that no one had each other and also that no one who had declared in-ness was left out. If you have questions, please PM me and I'll do what I can to get more information from your Santee.

I'll be the first person to post something up wish-list oriented:

My Amazon wishlist (http://amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1PT91EFTWYKEH/)
My Funagain Games wishlist (http://www.funagain.com/control/viewShoppingList?shoppingListId=19427)

(I, of course, have the curse of knowing who the person was who ended up with my name, but I'm not telling.)

As a reminder, the most fun of this kind of process is to post a picture when you have received your gift, detailing to the world what you received. Be creative and have a good time with it!

[Skippers Secret Santa]

What time frame are we supposed to be targetting for gift arrival?

Also, how much teasing are we supposed to do? I personally don't think it was appropriate for Skipper to ask for that much tentacle porn from his Secret Santa, but I'm not going to tease him about it unless the secret santa program rules permit.

[John Merva]

:(

I don't have special needs, anything with a flashing light on it will keep me amused for hours. Days if it also makes a noise.

Isn't that the definition of Special Needs?
Also, when are we going diving?

[spiffy]

Wow, ok. all I want is whatever. How's that! Not too hard right?

[Drastic]

My planned time frame for delivery is going to be the very strictly-planned "sometime before the end of the year."

I reserve the right to throw a tantrum and forum meltdown if I don't get something I like. That's just standard boilerplate in the Giving Me Stuff EULA, though.

[Ben Sones]

What time frame are we supposed to be targetting for gift arrival?

Also, how much teasing are we supposed to do? I personally don't think it was appropriate for Skipper to ask for that much tentacle porn from his Secret Santa, but I'm not going to tease him about it unless the secret santa program rules permit.

You know, Tom, only one person on the secret santa list has the ability to create new accounts, so I'm not sure who you think you are fooling.

[TimElhajj]

Augh!

I can't send my secret santee a slimy red dildo. I was hoping for someone who deserved, and hopefully wouldn't enjoy, a greasy dildo for Christmas (or, er, the Winter Holiday)! I think I got the wrong secret santee. I should have gotten Bill Dungsroman (or at least fire). But noooooo! Who's running this operation anyhow? :)

[Ryan Markel]

Feel free to scare the wits out of your unknowing Santee in the forum (without naming names, of course). It's part of the fun.

Aim to have your gifts in peoples' hands by the end of the year. You can send as soon as you're ready, of course, since you have the information now, but by the end of December is a good goal.

[Wholly Schmidt]

Didn't you get my note about needing to know my Santee's blood type? This is crucial, it's not like I can just put the blood back.

[Ryan A]

End of December is a good goal? What kind of daytime drunk santa claus doesn't get around to making his deliveries until the end of the year? Christmas Eve is the deadline for holly jolly deliveries of the belly like a bowl full of jelly variety!

[Skipper]

What time frame are we supposed to be targetting for gift arrival?

Also, how much teasing are we supposed to do? I personally don't think it was appropriate for Skipper to ask for that much tentacle porn from his Secret Santa, but I'm not going to tease him about it unless the secret santa program rules permit.

Don't tease me bro!

j/k ... tease away!

[Skippers Secret Santa]

You know, Tom, only one person on the secret santa list has the ability to create new accounts, so I'm not sure who you think you are fooling.

Bah, you are so oh wrong.

-Tom

[Siren]

I have some creative ideas for my santee... And I'm wanting pictures! ;)

[TimElhajj]

Bah, you are so oh wrong.

-Tom

Fuck, I wanted Tom to be my secret santa!

[fire]

Fuck, I wanted Tom to be my secret santa!
Don't we all!

[Hans Lauring]

Don't we all!

Not me. With all the discussions on the subject we've had I know for sure he wouldn't send something that would hurt my young and fragile mind... and I allready own all the Barbie games.

[Nellie]

He wouldn't be able to send you anything fun either.

[Hans Lauring]

He wouldn't be able to send you anything fun either.

Heh, love your location field BTW (just noticed).
You just need to add "... while shopowners are being gunned down left and right" to encompass all the threads we've had recently.

[Raife]

That must be between the wotchas and the toodle pip and cheerio, guvn'ers.

[shift6]

I'm rolling 1d8. On 1-2, Santee gets lump of coal for Christmas; on 3-4, Santee gets yarmulke for Hanukkah; on 5-6, Santee gets orange, green, and black candle for Kwanzaa; on 7-8 I'm going to roll up a random miscellaneous magic item because those tables were so effing awesome!

[Skipper]

I rolled my die off the table, what does that mean?

[Ryan Markel]

This is going to be awesome.

I'm receiving many private messages back about the Santee assignments that read like this:

"You gave me this guy? ... Excellent."

And for all of you who have been expressing their thanks to me for getting this organized, I can only say (a) wait until you see what you're getting and then get back to me, and (2) you're very welcome. I did this last year with a different community and had some fun with it, but I think this group will be even more entertaining.

[ElGuapo]

http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2006/09/thermos-element-5.jpg

http://images4.thomann.de/pics/modpics/search_expsearch_undsuche.gif

http://i11.tinypic.com/6b1jy4j.jpg

[Skippers Secret Santa]

I rolled my die off the table, what does that mean?

Means I get to pick!

[Mike O'Malley]

I think EG just altered my sexual orientation a whee bit.

[fire]

I think EG just altered my sexual orientation a whee bit.
Mine too. Ugggh. :(

[ElGuapo]

Yeah! Did I just make fire a lesbian?

You can thank me later, women of . . . wherever fire moved to.

Enjoy her smelly carpet!

(This crappy joke brought to you by another thread and weeks long timing).

[shift6]

Enjoy her smelly carpet!
Man, at first I thought "damn that's fucked up!" but then I remember she had that thing with her actual apartment carpet.

[fire]

On the bright side, your recommendation (of having everyone who comes over pee behind the door) is working to mask the dog urine.

Also, you guys are gross.

[Skipper]

I asked Santa to get the next Master of Magic game released sooner. If he can't do it, I say fuck him, I'll stop believing. Besides he complains of my weight at the mall every year when I sit on his lap. Insensitive bastard.

[Ryan A]

Also, you guys are gross.

Really, fire, there's no need to specify with "you" in the above sentence.

[Lunch of Kong]

Man, at first I thought "damn that's fucked up!"

I haven't stopped laughing yet, and it's been over a minute since I read elguapo's post.

[RichVR]

ElGuapo. If you're using a Thermos to get hot water into that sucker, you might want to read the instructions again... Just saying.

[Nellie]

http://i11.tinypic.com/6b1jy4j.jpgAwesome, no wonder you get more pooney than Ron Jeremy.

[Nellie]

whoops

[Lunch of Kong]

I bet there's a mattress in the back of the van, too. :)

[Hans Lauring]

I must admit after all the buildup I'm kinda dissapointed with the hottub.
I was expecting more of:
http://www.hot-tub.org.uk/picts/hot-tub-XL26000.JPG
not something in the driveway with a serial killer van as the background...


There's a lot of the resident divers in the list, which makes me sad that i didn't keep the chum-smelling wetsuit from my shark diving trip...

[ElGuapo]

That's not my hot tub, that's my parent's hot tub at their Florida snowbird house. The only pictures I have of me in my hot tub are ... not able to be posted on the internet.

[Hans Lauring]

The only pictures I have of me in my hot tub are ... not able to be posted on the internet.

Then you're not really familiar with the internet...

[Ryan Markel]

I must admit after all the buildup I'm kinda dissapointed with the hottub.
I was expecting more of:
http://www.hot-tub.org.uk/picts/hot-tub-XL26000.JPG
not something in the driveway with a serial killer van as the background...


There's a lot of the resident divers in the list, which makes me sad that i didn't keep the chum-smelling wetsuit from my shark diving trip...

That hot tub is like eleventy kinds of awesome.

[Ryan Markel]

I'm posting to bump this up to remind Secret Santas to be watching their calendars. Thanksgiving is only one week away.

[JPR]

Oh yeah. I forgot to ever post my wishlist (https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3LCYVDVA350P8), in case anybody cares.

[ElGuapo]

I have no idea what to get my Secret Santaee cry cry.

[Major Icehole]

I have no idea what to get my Secret Santaee cry cry.

A hot tub
/obvious

[RichVR]

I've received my gift. Is it too soon to post what it was? I assume that who sent it should be kept a secret until everyone gets theirs.

[fire]

NOOOOOOO YOU MUST WAIT!!!

I vote no results get posted before December 25th.

[RichVR]

NOOOOOOO YOU MUST WAIT!!!

I vote no results get posted before December 25th.

That's cool with me. I shall wait.

You must relax. Have a Xanax and a glass of wine...

[Wholly Schmidt]

I've received my gift. Is it too soon to post what it was? I assume that who sent it should be kept a secret until everyone gets theirs.
Spoilers! Geez. Now I know I wasn't your secret santa, way to ruin it!

[Ryan A]

I vote no results get posted before December 25th.

I agree. It's not secret Ronny Ramadan or Manny Menorah (I have no idea how other religious holidays are crassly commercialized, but I have to imagine Ronny and Manny would be popular characters if marketed to middle east, where they are TOTALLY into cartoon images of people to focus on while praying).

[Hans Lauring]

Do anybody know any remailers? Even if I don't send a stale danish and a side of bacon my postage will give me away...

[Ryan Markel]

Do anybody know any remailers? Even if I don't send a stale danish and a side of bacon my postage will give me away...

I wouldn't worry about that *too* much - they're going to find out who you are anyway.

Let me think about this delaying the posting of who got what until December 25th. Not a bad idea, but I also don't think everyone will be around with access to a computer to post up. I hadn't done it that way before, but I kind of like the idea. Maybe I can come up with an alternative.

At the very least, once you have received your gift, please PM me so I can keep track of who has sent and who has not. I would rather not be completely surprised on the 25th and have several people who haven't received anything.

[Mike O'Malley]

I'm delaying shipping anyway, just to sweat my secret Santee a bit...

[Moore]

Same here. Also I'm busy. I did finish the sculpting though...

I just have to find something to buy thats universally appreciated in case they hate what I sculpted.

[fire]

Do anybody know any remailers? Even if I don't send a stale danish and a side of bacon my postage will give me away...
You could ask one of the secret santas to remail it... Hmm. For a real kick, ask your secret santee to remail it. HA HA!

[ElGuapo]

I might need extra time. It turns out it's going to take a long time to fill a thermos bottle the way that I'm filling it.

[fire]

...

I'm speechless.

PS: http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/1702

[Mike O'Malley]

I might need extra time. It turns out it's going to take a long time to fill a thermos bottle the way that I'm filling it.
http://www.semenax.com/

[Dean]

Wait, what?

What does Thanksgiving have to do with anything? I thought we had until Christmas? Who are these early shoppers who have not only already completed their Secret Santa shopping but have managed to get it shipped before Thanksgiving?????

Where I come from Santa doesn't do shit until he's stuffed full of turkey and half asleep. Then he either whips some elves into shape, or hits the internet with a nice scotch and a paid-off credit card.

Have I missed a deadline? WTF?

[TimElhajj]

I might need extra time. It turns out it's going to take a long time to fill a thermos bottle the way that I'm filling it.

http://www.quartertothree.com/game-talk/showthread.php?t=38454&highlight=catheter

[TimElhajj]

Wait, what?

What does Thanksgiving have to do with anything? I thought we had until Christmas? Who are these early shoppers who have not only already completed their Secret Santa shopping but have managed to get it shipped before Thanksgiving?????

Where I come from Santa doesn't do shit until he's stuffed full of turkey and half asleep. Then he either whips some elves into shape, or hits the internet with a nice scotch and a paid-off credit card.

Have I missed a deadline? WTF?

You're cool. Note to self: no more secret santaing with a bunch of goddamn overachievers.

[Wholly Schmidt]

This is for Christmas 2008, right?

[RichVR]

I sent mine already. Just don't open the box. Mkay? I had to send it now. In a week or so I'll be dead broke. Consider it a test of your willpower and a neat gift.

[Nellie]

I have to admit I'm struggling. I've seen something that I think "Wow, I think they'd like that" but I'm concious that they might like it but their partner might not.

I can get a few other things that might be that word that Tom hates that would be a lot cheaper. I guess my question is:
Am I allowed to check, given the narrow time constraints of not finding anything else as good, to PM my santee and at least make a tentative enquiry that what I think they'd like would go down well?

[fire]

No way!!

I think it's fair game to talk to other people that aren't your santee, that you think know your santee, as long as you swear them to secrecy.

But the whole point of secret santa is secret!

If your santee is US-based, then whatever you pick is going to be awesome. Don't worry too much.

[Nellie]

You're right, they'll have to live with my decision.

[Drastic]

Worst-case is, they'll just hate you forever. So relax!

[Nellie]

best part is, unless they're mine as well, they won't know where I am.

[Ryan Markel]

best part is, unless they're mine as well, they won't know where I am.

No one has each other; I made sure of that.

[Hans Lauring]

You're right, they'll have to live with my decision.

People signed up for this on the board of the choggle pants - they knew what they got themselves into.

[Mike O'Malley]

People signed up for this on the board of the choggle pants - they knew what they got themselves into.

Oh, good idea! I'm changing my gift.

Also, nice pun, Hanzii!

[TimElhajj]

Rethinking my wish list, I would really like the third google post down (http://www.google.com/search?q=tim+elhajj&rls=com.microsoft:*&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1)deleted from the pool of available posts. If the Secret Santa who has my name could butter up the relevant Entity, I'd appreciate it! :)

[Moore]

I havent shipped. I won something and am waiting for it to send to someone somewhere.

And I need a teeny little ----- ---. To put on the ----- ----. Which is just extra, really.

I didnt bother doing much stalking besides a quick console ownership check (result: ------).

I'll mail when I get my rather late shipment of ----- -- --- --- --. Hope it doesnt show up too late and isnt already owned by the Santee. The ----- --- -------- ------ ------ are ready to go.

[Raife]

Rethinking my wish list, I would really like the third google post down (http://www.google.com/search?q=tim+elhajj&rls=com.microsoft:*&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1)deleted from the pool of available posts. If the Secret Santa who has my name could butter up the relevant Entity, I'd appreciate it! :)

No way, Tim. We're referencing that in your epitaph.

[shift6]

I'm conflicted on whether or not to send out my gift now. On one hand, it would be one less thing to do. On the other, maybe the person will open it early and RUIN EVERYTHING.

OK actually nothing would be ruined, but still.

[TimElhajj]

I'm conflicted on whether or not to send out my gift now. On one hand, it would be one less thing to do. On the other, maybe the person will open it early and RUIN EVERYTHING.


Just rig an explosive device so they can't SAFELY open it before the 25th. That's what I'm doing.

[Dean]

If our Santee gets gently touched, do we still have to send them something?

I mean, after all, we're only doing this for the Whitta-esque pictures of us holding up some weird shit and grinning sheepishly, right?

Just wondering...

[TimElhajj]

Nothing lasts forever. Send the gift.

[RichVR]

Nothing lasts forever. Send the gift.

Don't worry, left handed toilet paper is on the way. Hang on man.

[Skipper]

I've got the gifts picked for my Santee. I hope they get put to use, they were kind of staining the concrete in my garage. I heard I can buy some stuff at Home Depot to take the stain out. Anyone familiar with that?

As for sending the gift though, what kind of person lives in Noonan, North Dakota?


EDIT: Spelling ftw.

[Moore]

I've god the gifts picked for my Santee. I hope they get put to use, they were kind of staining the concrete in my garage. I heard I can buy some stuff at Home Depot to take the stain out. Anyone familiar with that?

As for sending the gift though, what kind of person lives in Noonan, North Dakota?


http://www.biocareenvironmental.com/trauma-crime-scene.html

http://www.biocareenvironmental.com/images/crime.jpg

[Skipper]

http://www.biocareenvironmental.com/trauma-crime-scene.html


I've seen it all now. And they are in South Carolina no less, just a short distance away. The fact that this is a business tells me way too much about how often someone actually needs that kind of cleaning. Wow.

[Nellie]

The gift for my santee turned up this morning, I think I underestimated the size of thing. Do I get bonus points if the postage costs more than the gift?

[Ryan Markel]

The gift for my santee turned up this morning, I think I underestimated the size of thing. Do I get bonus points if the postage costs more than the gift?

ROCK BAND CONFIRMED

[Nellie]

The exchange rate isn't that good!

[ElGuapo]

Oh yeah, my secret santa present is on the way. You can open it when you get it or wait a few weeks, your choice. The thermos will contain anything leaky.

Enjoy!

[Wholly Schmidt]

I was planning on mailing mine off this morning, but I'm not sure how many air holes to punch in the box.

[Moore]

seventy three.

[fire]

I am holding off on sending mine, too, because it requires the fume hood.

[Dean]

I have decided on the gift and found it online, but have to check a local merchant to see if I can get it locally.

Hoping by the end of the week.

Can anyone tell that I do a lot of my shopping the week before Christmas? This is actually very proactive of me.

[AaronSofaer]

So like I told Ryan, but he never PM'd me back, I moved. :P

So I hope nobody sent my gift to Canada, because then I'll like have to get it shipped to the USA. Or something.

[Ryan Markel]

So like I told Ryan, but he never PM'd me back, I moved. :P

So I hope nobody sent my gift to Canada, because then I'll like have to get it shipped to the USA. Or something.

Oh, I took care of that.

[quatoria]

Rethinking my wish list, I would really like the third google post down (http://www.google.com/search?q=tim+elhajj&rls=com.microsoft:*&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1)deleted from the pool of available posts. If the Secret Santa who has my name could butter up the relevant Entity, I'd appreciate it! :)

I'm so proud of that thread. Sorry, Tim.

[Nellie]

It's in the post! It'll probably be flat when it arrives but I did giftwrap it if you want to stick it under the tree, assuming you don't just want to open it there and then.

[Hans Lauring]

Mine's away as well all giftwrapped and nice.
I did research my Santee, so it should come useful, but I regret not going out of my way with the crazy stuff.

Santee, if you're dissapointed I have a special print of The New Testatment I picked up at the 2007 AVN Expo called 'Jesus Loves Porn Stars', which will look good on any coffee table. It's yours for the asking.

[Siren]

I received mine! And opened it... Oops.

I had ordered something from the same company, and only fleetingly wondered why my first name was spelled wrong as I tore open the boxes.

I love them, btw. And was happy I hadn't purchased any of the gifts for myself in the order I placed. Thank you!

My Santee's gift should be in the mail soon. Am awaiting one last piece.

[fire]

NOOOO IT IS A SECRET UNTIL XMAS :( :( YOU OPENED NOTHING

[shift6]

SPOILER ALERT DANG IT

[Siren]

Hey, I posted no spoilers... Didn't mention what I received or who I received it from. Simply that I didn't think when getting excited over mail.

[AaronSofaer]

Oh, I took care of that.

Excellent!

Sorry for doubting you, oh Great Santa.

[Ryan A]

Wait, I'm confused, aren't the Sofaers jewish? Or am I thinking of another set of Qt3 brothers? Shouldn't we let people be Secret Hannukah Harry (http://www.leenite.org/jonisland/hharry/hhsong.wav) instead of Santa?

[fire]

No, you're right about the Sofaers. But in the interests of assimilation and conformity, you know....

[Skipper]

Would that mean they are guaranteed to get a dradle? I mean how secret can that be. I say we just count them among the Santa crowd and welcome them with open arms.

[Raife]

You could allow for both Secret Santas and Secret Satans.

[Ryan Markel]

Wait, I'm confused, aren't the Sofaers jewish? Or am I thinking of another set of Qt3 brothers? Shouldn't we let people be Secret Hannukah Harry (http://www.leenite.org/jonisland/hharry/hhsong.wav) instead of Santa?

I'M THE HOLIDAY ARMADILLO, BITCH


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2051/2089899733_5f5070fa47_o.jpg

[Dean]

Well, I bought part of it yesterday, but I think it froze in my car. Not sure it will have the same consistency. Just sayin', Santee.

Oh, and it was much cheaper locally, so my Santee gets bonus gifts!

[VegasRobb]

Mailed out today, but I couldn't get a gift wrap option. :/

[ElGuapo]

Oh yeah got mine today. When do we reveal and thank?

Thanks, Secret Santa! I liked the wrapping paper too. Well researched as well (unless it was random). :)

[NoWayJose]

Mine's sent. Should be there next Tuesday or Wednesday.

I had a horrible realization on my way back from the UPS store - I forgot to remove the price tag from one of the items. To my Santee (you'll know who you are): I realize this is a gross breach of etiquette, it certainly was not my intention, I hope you'll do me the favor of ripping the plastic wrapping off as soon as you open the box and eating it, so no one will ever know how much it cost.

[Hans Lauring]

Mine arrived and I opened it, sorry. I'm having christmas with the inlaws and there's no way I'd open a gift from one of you freaks in front of them.

I love it. My wife thinks I'm the geekiest geek ever, but I'm so taking it with me to work tomorrow to show off (one or two will 'get it' the rest will think my wife is understating my geekiness).

My wife do tend to get me geeky presents (she just call one of my friends and ask if I'd like 'X', if they say 'Oh yes!' and 'why don't you marry me instead of that loser' she knows she's on the right track), but I told her, that no matter what she got, she just lost to a total stranger from the internets...
Looking forward to show and tell.

[spiffy]

shipping snafu.. my bad .. it may make it by christmas but barely.. ohh this's gonna be tight.

[Ben Sones]

Mine goes out on Monday. You guys are all way too timely with your Christmas shopping. Makes me sick. ;)

[JPR]

It remains unclear when mine is going out. Some time, surely.

[Nick Walter]

Mine goes out on Monday. You guys are all way too timely with your Christmas shopping. Makes me sick. ;)

Don't feel too bad, I'm in the same boat.

[AaronSofaer]

Mine goes out on Monday, because due to a confluence of events and someone owing me a favor, I won't have to pay for it.

The world can work out well sometimes.

[Moore]

Mine goes out whenever mr random ebay seller gets it here. I also still need a teeny tiny _____ ___.

[Dean]

The last component of my multi-part gift just arrived today. On to the wrapping, boxing, and shipping.

My wife thinks I'm having more fun with a gift for "some random internet stranger" than my friends and loved ones.

She is right.

[spiffy]

yeah, you know? I'm buying my secret santee something I've stared at and wanted for a while. I guess this way I get the gratification without the guilt. Lucky dog.

[Ryan Markel]

Just a quick reminder (though it looks like you guys took care of it for me today) that Christmas is coming up. If you haven't bought yet, now's the time.

How about we begin the show and tell on the 22nd? That's the Saturday before, and should allow those people who might be out of town for the actual date sneak something in beforehand so we can see.

[RichVR]

I'm good with that.

[fire]

No way. Christmas or bust.

No sharing before Christmas!

[Ryan A]

No way. Christmas or bust.

No sharing before Christmas!

I agree!

[TimElhajj]

I sent mine out today. Hooray for me!

Thanks to everyone who helped me decide. Who knew gourmet popcorn would be so roundly scorned? I still have a big box of it here in my office, if anyone has the munchies.

I actually went with something no one suggested (although your suggestions were all wonderful or mostly wonderful... give another man undies? I'm just not masculine enough!).

So are we allowed to say who our santees are, or is that still part of the secret?

[Nick Walter]

My understanding is that it's secret until the great unveiling the weekend before Christmas when we post our pictures of our new neato stuff and then out Secret Santa gets to reply to the post and take credit :)

[TimElhajj]

My understanding is that it's secret until the great unveiling the weekend before Christmas when we post our pictures of our new neato stuff and then out Secret Santa gets to reply to the post and take credit :)

Dang, I think the cat is out of the bag because of how I addressed the package. My only hope is that my santee can't figure out who I am from my real name on the return address. :)

[Nick Walter]

Dang, I think the cat is out of the bag because of how I addressed the package. My only hope is that my santee can't figure out who I am from my real name on the return address. :)

Oh, hmm, I may have a similar problem. I didn't even think of that.

[Dean]

I may be late with the Great Unveiling, because the annual pilgrimage to Both Sets of Parents begins on the Saturday before Christmas. If my package arrives, I will get the wife to take the picture in the appropriate Whitta-pose, but until I can find a B&N or Panera or something with wifi, there will be no pic.

[Nellie]

I didn't think there was much chance of hiding it once I'd stuck a return address on the package, but I might have got away with it.

[Siren]

Blah... Getting what I had originally had in mind proved to be completely unfeasible.

I'm sure my santee will like it, but it is nowhere near as cool as I had hoped. My apologies.

[ElGuapo]

My understanding is that it's secret until the great unveiling the weekend before Christmas when we post our pictures of our new neato stuff and then out Secret Santa gets to reply to the post and take credit :)

I dont' think that was anyone's understanding. I addressed mine to my specific Santatee and my secret Santa did to me too.

[shift6]

Dang, I think the cat is out of the bag because of how I addressed the package. My only hope is that my santee can't figure out who I am from my real name on the return address. :)
I cleverly named the To and From labels on my package (sent via Fedex) since I don't know the last name of the recipient and wanted to send a clear signal of who I was, but I also wanted the dang package delivered. For example, I've had packages not delievered to me before because they were address to "shift6" or "voltaic" or something silly, because the mailman fears terrorist plots and loves the troops or something.

I think the Secret and Great Revealing will mostly be for the benefit of everyone else.

Also: phat lewts arrived today at my door. Thanks SS!

[Mike O'Malley]

Now I know shift6 is not my SS.