What do you guys think about Secret Santa?

frogurt814

I saw a thread on E yesterday about them doing a Secret Santa with each other.  I thought it sounded like a fun idea and wondered if maybe the WP board would be interested in doing something like that?

I think E was using the website Elfster for theirs.  I checked out the site, and it looks like you can keep things fairly private.  The setting can be changed so that only the person who draws your name will be able to see your address.  And you don't have to use your home address.  You can use work, a P.O. box, etc. 

So what do you all think? yay? nay?  I'm not going to cry about it if no one wants to do it.  I know we all have busy lives and probably plenty of other people to buy for, but thought it might be fun. 

bablingbrooke

I may be willing to do it.  DH and I skipped Christmas last year so we need to make up for it this year.

frogurt814

Elfster does a wish list too, I think.

Yes, I was thinking about a dollar amount too. (Man, I think your $$ amount is a little on the low side...we should probably bump it up by a few mil or so. haha)

Instead of a wish list, like "I want a waffle maker" maybe we could write out hobbies we have or things we are interested in.  Not that I don't like getting things I specifically ask for, but it's more fun to get a gift that I wasn't expecting.

I was also thinking of maybe having it be like a regional gift, since we are all located all over the place.  Say there is a store in your city that makes the most fabulous fudge ever or something like that...know what I mean?  As long as the person that you have likes fudge, I suppose.

Anyway, on Elfster, it let's you annonimously communicate with the person who's name you have so you could ask them if they like fudge and they still wouldn't know who their secret santa was.  I'll check out Boogspace too, aerin, and see what it's like.

I'm glad other people are on board with this.  I think it will be fun.

stina93446

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_guys-think-secret-santa?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:bc996562-1e92-4559-b628-250597c79935Post:5ac8a955-f5bc-44ab-b535-66609727f13f">Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa?</a>:
[QUOTE]Elfster does a wish list too, I think. Yes, I was thinking about a dollar amount too. (Man, I think your $$ amount is a little on the low side...we should probably bump it up by a few mil or so. haha) Instead of a wish list, like "I want a waffle maker" maybe we could write out hobbies we have or things we are interested in.  Not that I don't like getting things I specifically ask for, but it's more fun to get a gift that I wasn't expecting.<strong> I was also thinking of maybe having it be like a regional gift, since we are all located all over the place.</strong>  Say there is a store in your city that makes the most fabulous fudge ever or something like that...know what I mean?  As long as the person that you have likes fudge, I suppose. :) Anyway, on Elfster, it let's you annonimously communicate with the person who's name you have so you could ask them if they like fudge and they still wouldn't know who their secret santa was.  I'll check out Boogspace too, aerin, and see what it's like. I'm glad other people are on board with this.  I think it will be fun.
Posted by frogurt814[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I REALLY like that idea in addition to the other gift if possible. If someone lived in Boston, they could send boston baked beans, someone in maine could send lobster suckers, etc. 

</div>

stina93446

haha, I don't even know WHAT I'd get whoever I drew. Black and white cookies? I might just get them an "I love NY" related thing.

frogurt814

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_guys-think-secret-santa?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:bc996562-1e92-4559-b628-250597c79935Post:38f11fe6-1015-4b94-afc0-11ed04450c17">Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa? : Well, I'm in Arkansas, so whoever I draw is gettin' Prairie Oysters!
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]
I guess I will send some corn from IL.  haha.  But really, that's kind of what I was going for but kind of along the lines of I'm sure we all have specialty stores or shops in our area, something that is really unique to your town or area, and it would be fun to include something from there.

frogurt814

Sweet.  I'll look into the websites more when I get home and then post info on how to sign up for the secret santa.

megk8oz

I'll play! And just an FYI, literally work 2 blocks away from where the greatest fudge in the world is made, so whoever I draw better like fudge, dammit!

lalap69

Ooh, sounds like fun!  Why not?  I'm in too!

Manwaithiel

There's an awesome farmer's market around here with the best apple butter ever. Whoever I draw better be prepared for some awesomeness

Frogurt, well fine, I'll just break out my trust fund *breaks piggy bank*

marissa_claire

I want in!  And the regional thing sounds awesome. 

amber2123

I'm too new...next year

Manwaithiel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_guys-think-secret-santa?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:bc996562-1e92-4559-b628-250597c79935Post:e4d7aed3-8dad-4bcd-a239-9c2582c26974">Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa?</a>:
[QUOTE]Nooooooooooooooooo!  Not piggy!!!xeleventybillion!!
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

lol. =D

Manwaithiel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_guys-think-secret-santa?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:bc996562-1e92-4559-b628-250597c79935Post:e020a62f-195d-4d24-8b86-630de5698cc1">Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'll play! And just an FYI, literally work 2 blocks away from where the greatest fudge in the world is made, so whoever I draw better like fudge, dammit!
Posted by megk8oz[/QUOTE]

I hope you pick me <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" />

megk8oz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_guys-think-secret-santa?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:bc996562-1e92-4559-b628-250597c79935Post:cb9178b0-f386-41e0-821c-f93b366a4128">Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa?</a>:
[QUOTE]Do we want to do some sort of general survey about our likes/hobbies/etc so that everyone gets some ideas without the direct communication giving too much away?
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]



I think that's a good idea ... there should probably be something about anything about any prominent food likes/dislikes or allergies ... wouldn't want to kill somebody with walnuts or something<img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif" border="0" alt="Tongue out" title="Tongue out" />

aerinpegadrak

It's sad, I'm not sure what I would get as a local thing.  The first thing that came to mind is something from Disneyland.  I think whoever I get might be getting mouse ears.

tldh

I'm in if I can figure out how to join.  Don't laugh.  I still can't get my PM to work even though Knot Annie sears it's fine (every time I hit private message it takes my to my account page telling me to update it - it can't be updated any more.
This is what I get.  Every. Damn. Time.:

"We’ve noticed that you’re already a member of one of our sister sites. Please take a moment to review and update your account before moving on.No changes? Click submit below."
After I do this, I get yet another Welcome to TK email.

Anyway, whomever I get had better like Philly pretzels because I just can't send a Tony Luke's Philly Cheesesteak through the mail. (If you see this Joy, yes, I prefer Tony Lukes over Pat or Geno's.)

bablingbrooke

I don't know what we have local here.  Sunshine?  Something with a palm tree on it?  Or a surfer?  

aerinpegadrak

Actually, one of my friends sells this amazing flavored pasta at the LA Farmers Market, I'd probably include a couple of bags of that.

stina93446

Just a reminder for everyone, the local thing doesn't have to be food. 

frogurt814

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_guys-think-secret-santa?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:bc996562-1e92-4559-b628-250597c79935Post:a32e0cd4-014e-4c7f-ad44-941bc68a2eb8">Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa?</a>:
[QUOTE]Just a reminder for everyone, the local thing doesn't have to be food. 
Posted by stina93446[/QUOTE]
lol, Stina, I love how we all started naming off food as our local thing without giving much thought to anything else...besides the mouse ears or I <3 NY coffee mug. :)

I agree, and that we should do a general like/dislike survey type thing.  I'll check into the sites and see if on your wishlist, you can just type in text, like "I love Harry Potter.  I hate comic books" or if it will only let you add specific items and such.

tldh, I think you will just be able to go to the site and sign up, but I'll have to look into it more.  I don't think we will have to use PM at all.

frogurt814

Just putting this out there now, but on my list of Likes, food is definitely right there at the top.

amber2123

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_guys-think-secret-santa?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:bc996562-1e92-4559-b628-250597c79935Post:cf0e53e6-c25c-4a41-acdc-81b2a12dc71a">Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa?</a>:
[QUOTE]I don't know what we have local here.  Sunshine?  Something with a palm tree on it?  Or a surfer?  
Posted by bablingbrooke[/QUOTE]
Get some of the flavored honey tube things in old town! They ROCK!

frogurt814

Ok guys, here is the link to our gift exchange on Elfster.  I have it setup so that only the person who draws your name will get your address.  Like I said before, you can use your work address or a P.O. box or whatever if you are uncomfortable with putting your home address on there.

I have all info set to private, but your b-day will show up if you enter that, so if you don't want people to know your b-day, don't put it on there.

You can make a wishlist and just enter things you like, but it's not really a free text field.  You'll know what I mean when you get on there.

Also, whatever you put under your real name is what will show up when you register.  To avoid confusion, I suggest everyone sign up with their TK name or something close to it.  I signed up as First Name:  Frogurt   Last Name: 814.

I have the group open to join until November 12.  After November 12, Elfster will automatically draw names for anyone.

If you have any questions, post them here or PM me.

I will also post this info in a separate thread on another day as a reminder to people or if people missed this thread, they will see it then.

stina93446

I'm seriously adding a bunch of my amazon wish list. I will explain each item though. I am more excited about the local thing though....and my favorite part about gifts is the giving part. I love to know if the person loved it.

Manwaithiel

Oh my gosh, this is going to be so awesome. I can't wait to see who I get!!

kathrynhabibti

Oooh, I'm in!

marissa_claire

Can we add the rule no giftcards?   

frogurt814

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_guys-think-secret-santa?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:bc996562-1e92-4559-b628-250597c79935Post:806b0887-4cbb-45f2-91e4-aebcb2a8c36f">Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa?</a>:
[QUOTE]Can we add the rule no giftcards?   
Posted by marissa_claire[/QUOTE]
I think that's a great rule.

You know, now I'm wondering, if we are registering with our knot names...if a package shows up at work for me addressed to Frogurt, I probably won't get it.  We'll have to figure that out later, but for now I think it lessens the confusion if we register with the names we go by on here.

marissa_claire

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_guys-think-secret-santa?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:bc996562-1e92-4559-b628-250597c79935Post:43fccfff-0606-4bf3-9366-5f9964f747e4">Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa? : I think that's a great rule. You know, now I'm wondering, if we are registering with our knot names...if a package shows up at work for me addressed to Frogurt, I probably won't get it.  We'll have to figure that out later, but for now I think it lessens the confusion if we register with the names we go by on here.
Posted by frogurt814[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>First initial with last name maybe?  

</div>

tldh

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_guys-think-secret-santa?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:bc996562-1e92-4559-b628-250597c79935Post:ad2c59c9-e7a5-4999-8b4b-403d25a5859a">Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What do you guys think about Secret Santa? : First initial with last name maybe?  
Posted by marissa_claire[/QUOTE]

First name, last initial if we go this route.  Most of us have our first names our Knot home page.