Secret Santa gift exchange! discussion
2019 Gift Exchange
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Random Chitchat
Cadiva wrote: "I had two last year. The person I was matched with git Secret Elfster, then I had Holly Gingerbread for randomly gifting people.I LOVE this time of year on Goodreads.
I need to get my thinking c..."
I remember you sending me DSP gift card. Love you! I can't wait to guess your elfname this year. :P
I haven't thought of a good one yet. :D
Shin Mon wrote: "Cadiva wrote: "I had two last year. The person I was matched with git Secret Elfster, then I had Holly Gingerbread for randomly gifting people.I LOVE this time of year on Goodreads.
I need to ge..."
I always have the worst time thinking of something that doesn't sound dumb LOL, and it always sounds even more dumb to me because there are so many cool names. <3 But I think I have one this year. :)
I love this exchange and can’t believe it will be my fourth year! Like others have said, it’s a favorite part of the holiday season because it’s just easy, kind and decadent with the books flying everywhere. Makes me so happy! 💕
Lisazj1 wrote: "Shin Mon wrote: "Cadiva wrote: "I had two last year. The person I was matched with git Secret Elfster, then I had Holly Gingerbread for randomly gifting people.I LOVE this time of year on Goodrea..."
My elfname last year was too obvious. Everyone knew it was me as soon as they saw that name. xD
Shin Mon wrote: "My elfname last year was too obvious. Everyone knew it was me as soon as they saw that name. xD"Even when I think I'm being all obsure and sneaky, the people that know me best are always "yeah, that's you, I know it is". What the hell guys, LOL. <3
Here's something I always want to bring up and forget until it happens to me AGAIN. Please make sure you put a good number of books on your wish list. Sometimes I want to gift somebody that's not my giftee and that person will only have 4 or 5 books on their list and they're all bought up. Sure I can pick something and look at their read list but we all know how that goes. Sometimes you just forget to update every purchase *especially if you're like me and buy way more books than you can ever read at once. Or even in a few years* And inevitably, those are the books I end up picking. And yes, they can exchange it for something else and they're still happy but it makes me happiest to give somebody something they wanted and didn't have. So yeah, this post is all about making ME happy, LOL. :)Also for the new people, you may think 10 books is plenty to choose from but you will be absolutely AMAZED at the books being flung around. *figuatively speaking, of course* This is a super generous bunch, I'm telling you.
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Oh, do we need an elf name? Where do we use it...on elfster? Sounds like a good idea"
I just use "Secret Santa" for my match (most people do) and then I pick an elf name for everyone else ;)
Lisazj1 wrote: "Here's something I always want to bring up and forget until it happens to me AGAIN. Please make sure you put a good number of books on your wish list. ..."So much this! Quite often I went to buy for a random person and their wishlist was all done. I did default to sending a lot of DSP giftcards last year but I'm not sure what I'll do this time round.
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "I just use "Secret Santa" for my match (most people do) and then I pick an elf name for everyone else ;) ..."
Yep same, I think I used Secret Elfster last year and Secret Santa the year before.
Vicky wrote: "Shin Mon wrote: "So freaking excited to participate again!!!! And I'm still thinking about my elf name! :P"Oh, do we need an elf name? Where do we use it...on elfster? Sounds like a good idea"
The elf name I use for additional people I gift rather than to my SS receiver. :D
And it's super fun to guess! Everyone comes up with the most creative names. :P <3
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Oh, do we need an elf name? Where do we use it...on elfst..."
Yes! Don't use your own name!
Vicky wrote: "Shin Mon wrote: "Vicky wrote: "Shin Mon wrote: "So freaking excited to participate again!!!! And I'm still thinking about my elf name! :P"Oh, do we need an elf name? Where do we use it...on elfst..."
Yes, and on all other platforms I gift. :D
I hate trying to think up an elf name too. I'm one of the least creative people on the planet!
I have a secret ELF name for my non-matched gifts the only one I tag myself as SS to is the name I was matched with.Years past there has always been someone keeping track of the crazy elf names is anyone doing it this year?
I pull crazy hours and sometimes I won't see my gift emails right away, if a few days have gone by and I still haven't accepted them don't worry it's just that I've been extra crazy. I am hosting Thanksgiving, followed closely by my grandsons first birthday party which again I am hosting, My youngest is turning 21 on Friday and I somehow have to work in a "party" for him when he's home from college in December, along with work and life it gets a little crazy, which is why I love that you can order gifts on Amazon and schedule their delivery dates :)
Since I’ve never used Elfster before, all I have is books on my list. Is it normal to put other things on it?
Zach wrote: "Since I’ve never used Elfster before, all I have is books on my list. Is it normal to put other things on it?"For this exchange, books are best! Some people also add gift cards to their list.
Zach wrote: "Since I’ve never used Elfster before, all I have is books on my list. Is it normal to put other things on it?"I also put audios on my wishlist. :D
And of course, a boat load of books! <3
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "I send all my gifts to my match as "secret Santa" and then gifts I give randomly (you'll see!!), I send as an Elf name. Some people use elf names for all of their gifting, though!"This is so exciting! This is my third year doing this and I'm still unsure about the random giving. Do I just pick random people and go under their Elfster account to give them a random book?
Vicky wrote: "I made a note that audiobooks are accepted, but didn't link them on wishlist. I don't want to deter anyone because of price."If you really want the audio version of a book, I wouldn't let that stop you. Audible has lots of sales, especially around the holidays and I know some peeps that save some of their credits up and use them for that. I saw quite a few audiobooks given last year. Or you could note that you are happy with audio or kindle and they can choose whatever they want to give. :)
*edit* Now that I think about it, I believe I might have gotten a couple myself last year!
Vicky wrote: "Lisazj1 wrote: "Vicky wrote: "I made a note that audiobooks are accepted, but didn't link them on wishlist. I don't want to deter anyone because of price."If you really want the audio version of ...
Adding audios now...thanks!"
I think this year you can add individual notes on each book, so if there's just particular ones you want you could try that. :)
I add individual notes to each book and I got around 15 audio gifts last year. The people in this exchange are the most generous so I'm very excited for this year exchange. :D
Mod
15??! Wow!
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Shin Mon wrote: "I add individual notes to each book and I got around 15 audio gifts last year. The people in this exchange are the most generous so I'm very excited for this year exchange. :D"15..."
Heather, I want to say I’m popular and well loved but most likely, these people bribed me so that I’d be less bratty and minxy. 🤣🤣🤣 After all, I have the reputation of being an incorrigible brat to maintain! 😂😅
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For sure popular and well liked!!!
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Shin Mon wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Shin Mon wrote: "I add individual notes to each book and I got around 15 audio gifts last year. The people in this exchange are the mos..."Lol! Thank you! You are the best my love! 😍😍😍
I have a newbie my person put a lot of expensive books on her wish list and that's fine but if all your books are $12.99 or 15.99 you might only get one or two books at least from me this year.
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I'll message you about your match!
A newbie question - just wondering what to do to if your match hasn’t made a Wish List and seems to have a private GR profile?😯
Julia wrote: "A newbie question - just wondering what to do to if your match hasn’t made a Wish List and seems to have a private GR profile?😯"send them a friend request or you can send the a message anonymously on elfster asking them to add some books to their wish list
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You can message me about this also and I can poke at them :)
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Aղցela W. wrote: "I have a newbie my person put a lot of expensive books on her wish list and that's fine but if all your books are $12.99 or 15.99 you might only get one or two books at least from..."Heather, I'm in the same condition and I PMed you about this case. :(
Vicky wrote: "How do we handle books from wishlist that aren't due out until Dec 17th ... 2 days after exchange ends?"Maybe send a gift card in the amount of the book with a note about which book you wanted to send?
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When I joined this SS group I thought it would be easy. I think I managed it, but I'm not sure my identity is secret. And now I am curious when and where I will hear my gift has arrived.
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there is a "show me your goodies" thread that people can post in when they have received their gifts!
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Mandy wrote: "Since this is my first year I am super excited. However I need to warn you. I work for the 2nd most hated government affiliation. Yes the United States Postal Service. So this is a super busy time ..."I love the USPS. I love the people who do things I need, like bring me my mail. All the love!
Love audiobooks!Will add to my wishlist too!
I've got a recommendation. We already have a dupe gift, which is going to happen because everybody is in such a hurry to give books everywhere. *It's so damn awesome <3* It's not a big deal really, exchanges are easy to do. But I found last year that it cuts down on duplicate gifts a lot if you delete the books you're gifted off your wishlist instead of leaving it there and marked purchased, especially for the peeps with their wishlists here on GR. Just a suggestion though. :)
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Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "I try to delete mine ASAP!"Yeah, it helps. :) But seriously, once the books start flying, and they already are LOL, it happens!! It's nice to be thought of no matter what though.
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Just a thought! If you'd like a book in AUDIO format (or are open to one), maybe comment below! There are lots of audio listeners here!"Addicted to audios ☺
I am so excited about this! I was SUPER swamped with school work, visitors, and reading/proofing and I've forgotten A LOT about this thing :D
Heather, I've sent you a DM regarding my match's wishlist. :(
Hemmel wrote: "When I joined this SS group I thought it would be easy. I think I managed it, but I'm not sure my identity is secret. And now I am curious when and where I will hear my gift has arrived."Oh, and this event happens for a month, sometimes people spread out the gifts and not immediately send their gifts. So be patient if you haven't received one this week
Ami wrote: "Oh, and this event happens for a month, sometimes people spread out the gifts and not immediately send their gifts. So be patient if you haven't received one this week."It's a struggle to not send them out all out at once
*strain*
I think it’s wonderful the friendships that seem to have formed in this group. I tend to be a little shy at first and am super busy with my special needs kids(2) that I often don’t comment but do read every post or comment on here. I feel like that’s bad and not good
Lyra wrote: "Ami wrote: "Oh, and this event happens for a month, sometimes people spread out the gifts and not immediately send their gifts. So be patient if you haven't received one this week."It's a struggle...
*strain*"
I keep finding books I want to send on people's lists and have to keep reminding myself there's so much more time to gift. The struggle is real.
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It..."
I know- I always jump right on it!
Secret Santa gift exchange!
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I LOVE this time of year on Goodreads.
I need to get my thinking cap on for a new Elf name.