Secret Santa gift exchange! discussion
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2021 Gift Exchange
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Random Chitchat
Zach wrote: "Apropos of nothing, has anyone else started using Storygraph? It’s goodreads-like, but is more reader-focused. No community function (yet), but it allows people to create and join group book challe..."I didn't find it particularly useful for anything other than listing books. It's missing the "community" aspect of Goodreads for me to switch to it because it's not easy to find people as you have to know their user name.
But there's also cool features too, I think their Stats section is excellent!
I thought the recommendations side of it was also a bit weak as it's mostly, imho, still focused on "mainstream" genre books.
I feel a bit disconnected from the Secret Santa group, this year around. People I know seem to post little. I remember more joking around, previous year. And I am having a hard time recognizing which novels are hetero or gay. Several times I have been reading 20 reviews, before I realize it is M/F.
Hemmel wrote: "I feel a bit disconnected from the Secret Santa group, this year around. People I know seem to post little. I remember more joking around, previous year. And I am having a hard time recognizing whi..."The members in the group are not solely m/m readers so many m/f books will show up on the show us your goodies feed. Reading the book summary before going into reviews can help.
I am sorry to hear you're feeling a disconnect. I wish there was more to make you feel a connection to the group. I'm sending you all the virtual hugs. 💜
Bookreader87(Amanda) wrote: "I'm sending you all the virtual hugs ..."Thanks. I think maybe it was only the last week of the 2020 Exchange that made me feel so committed.
Hemmel wrote: "I feel a bit disconnected from the Secret Santa group, this year around. People I know seem to post little. I remember more joking around, previous year. And I am having a hard time recognizing whi..."Yeah, this group is quite the melting pot. Which is part of what makes it so special. But not always easy. I'm sorry it's not the same experience for you. I hope that things click and feel smoother for you as we enter the second half of the exchange. We seem to have several first-timers this year, maybe that's part of it? Whatever it is, I hope you find the joy you're missing soon! *hugs*
I've really been wanting to socialize more here, but work and my studies has kept me busy. That I can't stay away from team reading challenges doesn't give me more time either... lol.
Hemmel wrote: "I feel a bit disconnected from the Secret Santa group, this year around. People I know seem to post little. I remember more joking around, previous year. And I am having a hard time recognizing whi..."As one of the first timers here, I must admit that I've admired your reviews for years and am pleased as punch to be in this exchange with you in particular. Like Sheri, I hope this December is more than you'd hoped for.
Mod
Same here!
Mod
I try to pop in every day, but it's super hard, especially to also manage all of the prezzie issues. I always have fun, though!
Hemmel wrote: "I feel a bit disconnected from the Secret Santa group, this year around. People I know seem to post little. I remember more joking around, previous year. And I am having a hard time recognizing whi..."this is my first exchange so I have nothing to compare to but I'm having fun. I'll try to participate more though.Hope things go better this second part- 💜😊😊😊
Jenn (not Lily) wrote: "As one of the first timers here, I must admit that I've admired your reviews for years and am pleased as punch to be in this exchange with you in particular. Like Sheri, I hope this December is more than you'd hoped for ..."Thanks.
Does anyone else lose track of who they’ve gifted?
Daniel wrote: "Does anyone else lose track of who they’ve gifted?"Yes, which is why I’m keeping a list! Although, my memory is so bad right now that at one point ... I forgot about the list 🤣
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Gustaf wrote: "I've really been wanting to socialize more here, but work and my studies has kept me busy. That I can't stay away from team reading challenges doesn't give me more time either... lol..."Heather, we just appreciate all the hard work you do behind the scenes to make this book party happen! Thanks for being awesome 😘
I think that November and December are crazy months across the globe because of end of year things and the holidays (ALL holidays not just Christmas) that means people are working overtime, they are running all day to catch up with things and it is understandable that they might not have the time or strength to socialize more than drop a thank you note for their gifts and do some gift giving themselves =D
Daniel wrote: "Does anyone else lose track of who they’ve gifted?"With a dedicated SS mail account, I just have to open my send messages and have a list of recipients.
Daniel wrote: "Does anyone else lose track of who they’ve gifted?"I started doing a list last year and it helped tremendously! I just keep an open note in my phone for "Elfster" stuff.
Pam wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Gustaf wrote: "I've really been wanting to socialize more here, but work and my studies has kept me busy. That I can't stay away from team reading chall..."Ditto!!
One of the things that personally drives me crazy is when I notice the number of participants changes on Elfster...and then I can't figure out who the new addition is!?! Ha.
Sheri wrote: "One of the things that personally drives me crazy is when I notice the number of participants changes on Elfster...and then I can't figure out who the new addition is!?! Ha."I think, I might be wrong though, that since the drawing happened participants can't be added
Sheri wrote: "One of the things that personally drives me crazy is when I notice the number of participants changes on Elfster...and then I can't figure out who the new addition is!?! Ha."Yes. This. It started with 164 and now there are 168 (yes I keep a list, I'm an excel addict) but I haven't gone through it to compare and figure out who the 4 new people are. It's all I can do to keep looking at all the new books everyone is adding and put them on my own TBR. LOL
Sheri wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Does anyone else lose track of who they’ve gifted?"I started doing a list last year and it helped tremendously! I just keep an open note in my phone for "Elfster" stuff."
I do this too! I have a list I work off from the previous year. I add and update it every year I participate. Apparently this my 5th year doing so lol.
Kristy wrote: "Sheri wrote: "One of the things that personally drives me crazy is when I notice the number of participants changes on Elfster...and then I can't figure out who the new addition is!?! Ha."Yes. Th..."
Does Excel have the funtion: "compare documents"? You open one xls, click on compare, select the other xls and you get a document with every difference in red.
Word has this for at least 20 years.
Hemmel wrote: "Kristy wrote: "Sheri wrote: "One of the things that personally drives me crazy is when I notice the number of participants changes on Elfster...and then I can't figure out who the new addition is!?..."I could probably do that if I could figure out how to export a clean list from Elfster. It's a mess if I try to copy/paste and takes less time to just compare the Elfster list with my excel spreadsheet, I just have to do it.
I do the same thing as Amanda and copy my list from last year and add the new participants and delete the others not participating this year.
Daniel wrote: "Does anyone else lose track of who they’ve gifted?"yes! I'm lost, I don´t know what I sent to whom
Daydreamer wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Does anyone else lose track of who they’ve gifted?"yes! I'm lost, I don´t know what I sent to whom"
I don't ever remember which books I given. My list just helps with keeping track of who I've given too.
Mod
xoxo!
Bookreader87(Amanda) wrote: "Daydreamer wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Does anyone else lose track of who they’ve gifted?"yes! I'm lost, I don´t know what I sent to whom"
I don't ever remember which books I given. My list just helps..."
My spreadsheet is a little OTT, with color codes for Amazon.com vs not and ebooks vs. not and who I gifted in prior years and this year and which commonly requested books are on sale and who has added those to their wishlists. LOL I love the holidays (and being obsessive about spreadsheets apparently).
Kristy wrote: "My spreadsheet is a little OTT, with color codes for Amazon.com vs not and ebooks vs. not and who I gifted in prior years and this year and which commonly requested books are on sale and who has added those to their wishlists. LOL I love the holidays (and being obsessive about spreadsheets apparently)."Sounds like you love it. What is a good reason to keep making spreadsheets.
Kristy wrote: "I love the holidays (and being obsessive about spreadsheets apparently)."lol, if you're having fun, you're doing it right :)
Kristy wrote: "My spreadsheet is a little OTT, with color codes for Amazon.com vs not and ebooks vs. not and who I gifted in prior years and this year and which commonly requested books are on sale and who has added those to their wishlists. LOL I love the holidays (and being obsessive about spreadsheets apparently)"I honestly love that you do this. If I was any good with spread sheets I'd probably do something similar lol.
& I second what Pam said. If you're having fun, you're definitely doing it right!
Daydreamer wrote: "Hope your Friday is going great."I don't know who you addressed, but let me tell you about mine 😏
I need to read a business plan before monday and have been avoiding it by starting 5 or 6 novels which couldn't keep my attention because of a sense of foreboding.
Hemmel wrote: "Daydreamer wrote: "Hope your Friday is going great."I don't know who you addressed, but let me tell you about mine 😏
I need to read a business plan before Monday and have been avoiding it by star..."
I was addressing everyone here 😉.
I know the feeling, I'm a master of procrastination so last-minute pressure and I are close friends. I hope you get to finish your reading during the weekend, I am working my ass off myself today so not a lot of fun here but I have tomorrow and Sunday off Wohooooo 🎉🎉
I'm having this weekend off, but I should get some studying in. Not that I'm complaining, I love the subject I'm studying but I also feel like I need a weekend off.
Pam wrote: "Kristy wrote: "I love the holidays (and being obsessive about spreadsheets apparently)."lol, if you're having fun, you're doing it right :)"
Exactly! I’m in awe of spreadsheets masters. I have a love/hate relationship with Excel. 🤪
Daydreamer wrote: "Hope your Friday is going great."You too Ve! Hope it was a goodie!!
Gustaf wrote: "I'm having this weekend off, but I should get some studying in. Not that I'm complaining, I love the subject I'm studying but I also feel like I need a weekend off."sometimes you need a nothing day…hope you have some down time between your studying! 🤞🏻
Hemmel wrote: "Daydreamer wrote: "Hope your Friday is going great."I don't know who you addressed, but let me tell you about mine 😏
I need to read a business plan before monday and have been avoiding it by star..."
Hemmel you got this! This is my first year to not be in school (MBA) or studying for a certification in years! Just think, you will get through it and still have 5-6 novels started and feel squirrelly about other things (aka me right now) lol.
I haven't been nearly as active as I would like to be. Until last weekend I was commuting 1 1/2 hrs each way plus packing to move. Then last weekend was moving and now I have to unpack. As if that wasn't enough, I found out this week that the people renting my house skipped so I'll have to spend weekends cleaning up that mess instead of getting ready for the holidays! :(
Mod
I'm sorry lisa!! I'm also checking in with your match now xo
Work has been beating my ass this week. But coming here seeing all of you talk and seeing your gifts never fails to put a smile on my face.
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: ""I'm sorry lisa!! I'm also checking in with your match now xoThanks Heather, you are the absolute best! <3
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Thanks Heather, you are the absolute best! <3"
xo :)
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Every year I learn something new about the gift exchange. The first year was: hide your own name. The second year was: use an elf name, because Santa uses elfs. The third year was: the giftee is looking for clues to find out who you are, and call yourself Santa when gifting your giftee. And that lack of knowledge occured while reading contemporain American novels for years. So maybe more information for the international crowd is useful, in the first post.
I’m so excited for this year’s gift exchange. It popped into my head for some reason tonight. This has become such a fun holiday tradition for me. 🎁🎁🎁📚📚📚
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I didn't know GRL was near me this year :"(
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Secret Santa gift exchange!
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Hoping for that as well and I gotta admit I worked overtime the previous Saturday so that I can have some extra cash in December to spend on gifting my person and random others ^^