Secret Santa gift exchange! discussion

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2021 Gift Exchange > Technical Questions

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Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Having an issue with something? Post it here.

Don't forget to sign up at out Elfster site!

https://www.elfster.com/gift-exchange...


message 2: by Corinne (new)

Corinne Colbert (cocothegeekyyogi) | 33 comments This is my first time ever getting to participate in the exchange so I will kick off the technical questions! I’m excited to play!

Will I be gifting more than one book? Do I gift multiple books, but one at a time over the course of several days? If it’s multiple books, is the grand total supposed to be within the $15 price range? Is my wish list supposed to be on the elfster website?


Jenn (not Lily) | 111 comments Also a first timer -- can I get some ideas for my elf gifting name? I don't want to take anyone else or to out anybody, but what are some names that have been used in the past?


message 4: by Aղցela W. (new)

Aղցela W. | 481 comments Corinne wrote: "This is my first time ever getting to participate in the exchange so I will kick off the technical questions! I’m excited to play!

Will I be gifting more than one book? Do I gift multiple books, b..."


Hi Corinne welcome to the group. Most people like to spread the gifts out. The people in this gift giving are very generous. You are going to need to put a wishlist on elfster so you may get the books that you want to read.


message 5: by Milyd (new)

Milyd | 30 comments Hello, is there a way I can hide my mailing address from my profile?


message 6: by Daniel (new)

Daniel Hanson-Brown (dozerpup711) | 118 comments Corinne wrote: "This is my first time ever getting to participate in the exchange so I will kick off the technical questions! I’m excited to play!

Will I be gifting more than one book? Do I gift multiple books, b..."


Welcome! It’s really up to you how you want to do it. Lots of folx will spread out multiple gifts. Also, don’t be surprised if you are randomly gifted by another elf. It is not expected to do this, but our elves can be very generous and love to share the joy with as many as possible. For me personally, the $15 is more a suggestion than a hard rule. If I have the ability and the holiday spirit hits me, I may spurge a little more on my recipient.

The important thing is to have fun!


message 7: by Hemmel M. (new)

Hemmel M. | 402 comments Jenn (not Lily) wrote: "Also a first timer -- can I get some ideas for my elf gifting name? I don't want to take anyone else or to out anybody, but what are some names that have been used in the past?"

You can browse last years thread for ideas.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


message 8: by Aղցela W. (new)

Aղցela W. | 481 comments Milyd wrote: "Hello, is there a way I can hide my mailing address from my profile?"

You don't have to put it on there here is what I did
https://www.elfster.com/settings


message 9: by Daydreamer (new)

Daydreamer | 76 comments Hello, I've introduced myself and made my wish list in Elfster. Is there anything else I should do? I'm kind of lost. Thank you


message 10: by Hemmel M. (new)

Hemmel M. | 402 comments Daydreamer wrote: "Hello, I've introduced myself and made my wish list in Elfster. Is there anything else I should do? I'm kind of lost. Thank you"
Enjoy the chatter on the discussion boards, wait until Elfster matches secret santa's, recieve gifts, send gifts.
Maybe you can read a book until then 😏


message 11: by M'rella (new)

M'rella (mrella) | 792 comments Daydreamer wrote: "Hello, I've introduced myself and made my wish list in Elfster. Is there anything else I should do? I'm kind of lost. Thank you"

Browse other people's lists on Elfster. Not only time will fly, but your own list will increase exponentially 😁


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
M'rella wrote: "Daydreamer wrote: "Hello, I've introduced myself and made my wish list in Elfster. Is there anything else I should do? I'm kind of lost. Thank you"

Browse other people's lists on Elfster. Not only..."


I've already added so many books to my to-read list!


message 13: by Mwanamali (new)

Mwanamali  (mwanamali) | 146 comments M'rella wrote: "Daydreamer wrote: "Hello, I've introduced myself and made my wish list in Elfster. Is there anything else I should do? I'm kind of lost. Thank you"

Browse other people's lists on Elfster. Not only..."


I'm ready for my tbr to further explode


message 14: by Mwanamali (new)

Mwanamali  (mwanamali) | 146 comments Hi Heather,

Is it possible to add to our wishlist purchase pages of physical books from our local bookstores?


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
mwana wrote: "Hi Heather,

Is it possible to add to our wishlist purchase pages of physical books from our local bookstores?"


That would be super hard. Your match will come from all over and making purchases from local stores would be tricky. Ebooks are the best. Make sure to specify country and currency.


message 16: by Jenn (not Lily) (new)

Jenn (not Lily) | 111 comments If I wanted to be sneaky and send a little something to someone who I'm not matched up with, how would I go about getting their email address so I could send their present?


message 17: by Aղցela W. (new)

Aղցela W. | 481 comments Jenn (not Lily) wrote: "If I wanted to be sneaky and send a little something to someone who I'm not matched up with, how would I go about getting their email address so I could send their present?"

Go to more on there page and click on more info it will be there


message 18: by Alicja (new)

Alicja (140177766-alicja) Hello I’m new to the group and before I start I just wanted to ask. I don’t read ebooks would this be a problem? Of course I would buy my secret Santa an actual book rather than an ebook as well…


message 19: by Ami (new)

Ami (amie_07) | 332 comments Alicja wrote: "Hello I’m new to the group and before I start I just wanted to ask. I don’t read ebooks would this be a problem? Of course I would buy my secret Santa an actual book rather than an ebook as well…"

It could be tricky when your giftee ends up at different country/region. BUT, I live in Indonesia and I have sent my US giftees physical books in one of the years of this event (I ask Heather to help posting it because, you know, different region and all).

As for your giftee, they may prefer ebooks so make sure you ask their preference too if you're not sure.

Just remember we all here to help :)


message 20: by Alicja (new)

Alicja (140177766-alicja) Ami wrote: "Alicja wrote: "Hello I’m new to the group and before I start I just wanted to ask. I don’t read ebooks would this be a problem? Of course I would buy my secret Santa an actual book rather than an e..."

I have joined the group, I hope that it won't be a problem for me not to be able to read e-books, but I'm willing to buy whatever to whomever :)


message 21: by Hemmel M. (last edited Nov 06, 2021 12:48PM) (new)

Hemmel M. | 402 comments Jenn (not Lily) wrote: "If I wanted to be sneaky and send a little something to someone who I'm not matched up with, how would I go about getting their email address so I could send their present?"

Hi Jenn, are you familiar with the Elfster website? You can find friends in the 2021 Goodreads exchange. There is a general menu button in the top left of the screen. When you click on 'more' you find an anonymous message service.
If you have friends listed, you can go to their account and click on the 'more' button close to the top right corner.
Below their birthday is a second clickable 'more' link, where you find the e-mail address.


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Good news! Looks like Pride Publishing does international gifting! That might help out a bit with international matches!


message 23: by Alicja (new)

Alicja (140177766-alicja) Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Good news! Looks like Pride Publishing does international gifting! That might help out a bit with international matches!"

Brilliant, is this for e-books or physical books because I do know that book depository do free international shipping as well as world of books


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Alicja wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Good news! Looks like Pride Publishing does international gifting! That might help out a bit with international matches!"

Brilliant, is this for e-book..."


ebook.


message 25: by Alicja (new)

Alicja (140177766-alicja) Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Alicja wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Good news! Looks like Pride Publishing does international gifting! That might help out a bit with international matches!"

Brilliant, is ..."


No this is for physical books as I know in the description it does say that you make exceptions, that's why I joined. I can leave if it's a problem or anything.


message 26: by Lena (new)

Lena (lenag4) | 38 comments Hi everyone, I'm having a problem buying books as a gift, I'm getting this message:
Sorry, we couldn't complete your purchase
You can only buy Kindle titles on Amazon.com

I'm on Amazon.com and I've set my region to US.
Tried this with different books and keep getting the same message :(


message 27: by Lori (new)

Lori | 79 comments Hi Heather. I can’t see all of my giftees email address. Help!


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Lori wrote: "Hi Heather. I can’t see all of my giftees email address. Help!"

I'll message you :)


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Lena wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm having a problem buying books as a gift, I'm getting this message:
Sorry, we couldn't complete your purchase
You can only buy Kindle titles on Amazon.com
I'm on Amazon.com and ..."


That's really weird. Maybe try a different browser? You are in the US and so is your match?


message 30: by Lena (new)

Lena (lenag4) | 38 comments Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm having a problem buying books as a gift, I'm getting this message:
Sorry, we couldn't complete your purchase
You can only buy Kindle titles on Amazon.com
I'm on Ama..."


Yep, tried a different browser, even tried to restart my computer - didn't work...
also tried to put my own email & send the book to my elf- didn't work.
I've purchased the book and loaned it to my elf 'cause I didn't see any other options :((
I live in Israel and I did the exchange last year without issues... don't know what else I can do


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Lena wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm having a problem buying books as a gift, I'm getting this message:
Sorry, we couldn't complete your purchase
You can onl..."


I would try to do it through smashwords or pride publishing. Can you PM me? Also, audible doesn't have country restrictions in most cases.


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm having a problem buying books as a gift, I'm getting this message:
Sorry, we couldn't complete your purchas..."


I looked at your match and they have wishlist items on their goodreads wishlist through those vendors. I would stick with them for the rest of this year's exchange.


message 33: by Daydreamer (new)

Daydreamer | 76 comments Hi, I know this is stupid but if I follow the person I'm gifting to, don't they know I'm their elf?
the second question (sorry) , when you say change the sender name at checkout, do you mean on Amazon?


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Daydreamer wrote: "Hi, I know this is stupid but if I follow the person I'm gifting to, don't they know I'm their elf?
the second question (sorry) , when you say change the sender name at checkout, do you mean on Ama..."


They don't know! I everyone and it doesn't say your name.

And yes, at Amazon. I'm sure at other vendors also. At smashwords, you have to change your name there, not just at checkout.


message 35: by Daydreamer (new)

Daydreamer | 76 comments Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Daydreamer wrote: "Hi, I know this is stupid but if I follow the person I'm gifting to, don't they know I'm their elf?
the second question (sorry) , when you say change the sender name at checkout,..."

Thank you!!!


message 36: by Kyle (new)

Kyle Sullivan (jamthecat59) | 10 comments Hi, Heather,

I'm having an issue and can't remember how to get around it.

When I go to purchase the book for my elf, Amazon only wants to send it to my e-dress orI have to supply the recipient's e-dress. But it's not coming up. I don't want to send the book to me then have to forward it. How did we get around this, last time? Did you email me the recipient's address?

Kyle


message 37: by **Kαчcєє** (new)

**Kαчcєє** (slavetoromance) | 223 comments When I’m posting my book gift, why is it showing up with a book title link instead of the book cover??


message 38: by Jenn (not Lily) (last edited Nov 13, 2021 09:10PM) (new)

Jenn (not Lily) | 111 comments **Kαчcєє** wrote: "When I’m posting my book gift, why is it showing up with a book title link instead of the book cover??"

You can always add "cover" between "book" and the colon -- instead of "[ book:name of book..." it'll look like "[ bookcover:name of book..."

So it's [ bookcover:Stray Fears |55452756 ] instead of [ book:Stray Fears |55452756 ]


message 39: by Lena (new)

Lena (lenag4) | 38 comments Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm having a problem buying books as a gift, I'm getting this messag..."
Yeah I'm gonna stick with audible & smashwords for this year, it's super weird though 😕


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Lena wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm having a problem bu..."

Pride publishing also :)


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Kyle wrote: "Hi, Heather,

I'm having an issue and can't remember how to get around it.

When I go to purchase the book for my elf, Amazon only wants to send it to my e-dress orI have to supply the recipient's ..."


The email is listed under "more info" on the left of screen on the Elfster page. Click on "more info" and their email will pop up


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Kyle wrote: "Hi, Heather,

I'm having an issue and can't remember how to get around it.

When I go to purchase the book for my elf, Amazon only wants to send it to my e-dress orI have to supply the recipient's ..."


Send me a message if you still have issues.


message 43: by Kitty (new)

Kitty (kittymiao) | 22 comments I'm having trouble finding the email address for my giftee. I can't remember how this worked last year but I've checked their profile on Elfster and can't figure out where it's listed.


Heather K (dentist in my spare time) (dentistinmysparetime) | 2075 comments Mod
Kitty wrote: "I'm having trouble finding the email address for my giftee. I can't remember how this worked last year but I've checked their profile on Elfster and can't figure out where it's listed."

It's under "more info" on the left of their elfster page under their address. You have to click on "more info"


message 45: by Kitty (new)

Kitty (kittymiao) | 22 comments Thank you! Sorry for the trouble! I did find it.

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Kitty wrote: "I'm having trouble finding the email address for my giftee. I can't remember how this worked last year but I've checked their profile on Elfster and can't figure out where it's listed..."


message 46: by Daydreamer (new)

Daydreamer | 76 comments Hi, I have this situation
The person I sent the gifts is not responding to the Elfster questions and also the gifts I sent remain unclaimed.
I noticed the wish list hasn't been actualized since 2020.
It only has been a couple of days but I'd like to know what to do, I have bought another book and programmed it to be delivered next week and maybe this person can't access their email or something. thank you in advance


message 47: by Aղցela W. (new)

Aղցela W. | 481 comments Daydreamer wrote: "Hi, I have this situation
The person I sent the gifts is not responding to the Elfster questions and also the gifts I sent remain unclaimed.
I noticed the wish list hasn't been actualized since 20..."


I had this happen to me before. Did you find the person here on GR and see if they are active or send Heather a message maybe she can send a message to the person. Goodluck


message 48: by Daydreamer (new)

Daydreamer | 76 comments Aղցela W. wrote: "Daydreamer wrote: "Hi, I have this situation
The person I sent the gifts is not responding to the Elfster questions and also the gifts I sent remain unclaimed.
I noticed the wish list hasn't been ..."


Thank you , I'll do that!
<


message 49: by Lena (new)

Lena (lenag4) | 38 comments Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Lena wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm having..."

Thanks for the help ❤️


message 50: by K. (new)

K. | 29 comments My match has a wishlist that only lists books on amazon, where I can't gift books since we are in different countries. I tried. So I'm wondering if I'm allowed to use some other vendor that allows me to gift a book? Also there are physical books listed, but no address. So what are my options?
I checked that I can send amazon gift card, but I would rather send a book from the wishlist.


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