Secret Santa gift exchange! discussion
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2022 Gift Exchange
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Random Chitchat
@Heather - Maybe, with your next email message, you can remind people to check their notifications on Elfster. It seems like a lot of books are being unclaimed this year and I'm thinking Amazon may not be sending out emails all the time. I've messaged several people anonymously on Elfster and still have unclaimed Amazon books and I know people have messaged me about books and I never got an Amazon email. Thanks for everything you always do!
@DebraYeah my SS has had to send me reminders on Elfster because I didn't receive at least 2 emails. I've also had to do it once for a giftee. I still have 2 ppl who haven't claimed my gifts.
Shari-amor wrote: "@DebraYeah my SS has had to send me reminders on Elfster because I didn't receive at least 2 emails. I've also had to do it once for a giftee. I still have 2 ppl who haven't claimed my gifts."
Amazon's new gifting system is pretty much a mess
Debra wrote: "@Heather - Maybe, with your next email message, you can remind people to check their notifications on Elfster. It seems like a lot of books are being unclaimed this year and I'm thinking Amazon may..."Smashwords too.
Debra wrote: "Shari-amor wrote: "@DebraYeah my SS has had to send me reminders on Elfster because I didn't receive at least 2 emails. I've also had to do it once for a giftee. I still have 2 ppl who haven't cla..."
Amazon truly IS a hot mess! But so is Elfster.
I've gotten 2 messages on Elfster saying I have unclaimed books but I don't know if I never got the email with the book gift or what. And one message said 'anonymously' but then had their name and picture. *facepalm* I wonder if my messages are indeed 'anonymous?! Or if it says "Sheri anonymously asked..." Ha
Total sidenote but... Sandra, are you enjoying Winter Dreams?!? I'm hoping to finish it today (I've been bouncing around books which is SO not like me!) and it's just so delightful!
Hmm my SS is MIA, and since not much action has been happening this year, I think this will be my last year participating. Thank you all =D BB
Sheri wrote: "Total sidenote but... Sandra, are you enjoying Winter Dreams?!? I'm hoping to finish it today (I've been bouncing around books which is SO not like me!) and it's just so delightful!"
I am. Dylan is hard to like, but I'm wondering what made him the way he is.
Jenn (not Lily) wrote: "I was checking to see if my gifts had been claimed and found a book I gifted a few months ago that hasn't been redeemed. Would anyone be interested in a copy of Or Else by [author:J..."@Jenn - This sounds like something I would enjoy. I'll take it if it's still available. thanks!
Sheri wrote: "Debra wrote: "Shari-amor wrote: "@DebraYeah my SS has had to send me reminders on Elfster because I didn't receive at least 2 emails. I've also had to do it once for a giftee. I still have 2 ppl w..."
All our tech is cursed this year! I don't know if my messages on Elfster are even going though then since the people I've sent them to still haven't claimed books.
Honestly I think there are a lot that just absent in general, not actually active either on here or elfster. So regardless message some may be unclaimed. Just keep an eye out towards end of month I feel.
I've been out of town and I only brought my work computer with me omg. I've been wanting to share my goodies that I've been gifted but I can't figure out how to do it on my phone :( So a big thank you to my generous elves/Secret Santa. I'm so grateful to all of you. ❤️
Mod
Kristy wrote: "@Jenn - This sounds like something I would enjoy. I'll take it if it's still available. thanks!..."I just sent you the email with a link -- happy reading!
Jenn (not Lily) wrote: "Kristy wrote: "@Jenn - This sounds like something I would enjoy. I'll take it if it's still available. thanks!..."I just sent you the email with a link -- happy reading!"
Jenn - Thanks so much for the book!
This is my fourth year and am I the only one feeling another vibe?On the one hand, there is a crowd of people I remember dealing with technical issues and happily chatting about it. This is familiar.
On the other hand, I think to notice more unhappy people. I visited some of their wishlists and could not find anything to gift myself. The prices were too high, there were no Smashwords gifts, and there were objects or ebooks asked years ago already rated on Goodreads.
Add to that a number of profiles Heather published as needing attention. Were there as many in previous years?
Am I the only one noticing more unhappy people than before?
Mod
On the one hand, there is a crowd of people I remember dealing with technical issues and happily chatting about it. This is famili..."
I think so also but I'm not sure why? People are being a bit... demanding... I'm going to be BRUTAL in filtering out people for next year's exchange, that's for sure.
Hemmel wrote: "This is my fourth year and am I the only one feeling another vibe?On the one hand, there is a crowd of people I remember dealing with technical issues and happily chatting about it. This is famili..."
It's my first year, but it makes sense to me. First timers who don't know the rules, or how the group and posts work? People who didn't get the memo that emails were hidden, and thus couldn't receive any gifts for the first half of the giveaway? People who are new to Elfster, and were confused by all the changes and work it took to make it useable?
I noticed a lot of people added their emails to their wishlist descriptions as per the instructions, but once those were hidden, many people didn't add their emails anywhere else. There were so many people I COULDN'T gift to. That early gift giving seems like part of what helped a lot of people engage here on the posts...so to people who never got connected to these posts, they probably missed other information, group culture, and just generally learning how things work. If they had been able to engage earlier, they might have corrected some of the other issues you mentioned sooner. And I'm sure for people who are coming in now, it's overwhelming, and easy to feel left out.
So I don't feel like we had a wave of grumpy people so much as the technical glitches caused some folks to be left out of some of the fun, and to miss some information...and that could be enough to make anyone grumpy. Don't let it get you down though...I'm really happy to be here. It's literally the best place on all of Goodreads. Anyone who doesn't feel the same will likely move on, and the group will just get better as time goes by (and as technology hopefully improves, so we don't have glitches!)
Hemmel wrote: "This is my fourth year and am I the only one feeling another vibe?On the one hand, there is a crowd of people I remember dealing with technical issues and happily chatting about it. This is famili..."
You’re not the only one to notice. But I also noticed the amazing generosity of this group. It’s my fourth year, too and I don’t remember having so much pre-match gifting as we saw this year. So there is goodness as well.
Hemmel wrote: "This is my fourth year and am I the only one feeling another vibe?On the one hand, there is a crowd of people I remember dealing with technical issues and happily chatting about it. This is famili..."
I hear you, Hemmel. There were several lists that had prices that precluded me from sending random gifts to.
I basically echo everything Sarah said above.
Also, I used to run a non-profit called The Living Christmas and we would work with community and basically did a large-scale in terms of numbers, but intimate in that it was person-to-person and family-to-family giving. We'd work with hundreds of families giving and receiving every year. Unfortunately there are always those (on both sides of giving/reciving) who will let their shadow fall across the good stuff - be it hurt feelings, entitlement, ego, resentment, bitterness, fear etc. The good news though, not to sound too cliche, is that love and light are always stronger. Give freely and generously (which looks different for everyone), receive graciously and joyfully, and relish in others excitement is what I remind myself to do.
I have been here for awhile. I think the problems have been with Amazon and Elfster making changes right before the exchange and Elfster during. Change throws people off most don't like it. I have also looked at a few wishlist that don't have any ebooks on it or ebooks that are very expensive so they don't get a lot of gifts so people complain or are unhappy.
Lizzy, I love you! Thanks for your post.
Aղցela W. wrote: "I have been here for awhile. I think the problems have been with Amazon and Elfster making changes right before the exchange and Elfster during. Change throws people off most don't like it. I have ..."THIS! I've looked at so many wishlists. I try to stay at $3 per book or less so there's enough funds to spread the joy all around. Thankfully there were some sales going on...
Sandra wrote: "THIS! I've looked at so many wishlists. I try to stay at $3 per book or less so there's enough funds to spread the joy all around. Thankfully there were some sales going on... "Imagine all that work for a Smashwords user. I can't gift internationally. So every Amazon title in every wishlist I have to search for on Smashwords. I have asked so many people already to go to Smashwords and choose some titles, but only once (luckily my match) did.
Hemmel wrote: "Imagine all that work for a Smashwords user. I can't gift internationally. So every Amazon title in every wishlist I have to search for on Smashwords. I have asked so many people already to go to Smashwords and choose some titles, but only once (luckily my match) did."Oh for sure. And anything in KU isn't going to be on Smashwords. I wish there was an easier way.
I am tired and go to bed early. I have been extremely busy with the rabbit shelter, for my real job was very slow, this month. I am exhausted. Tomorrow everything will seem light.Bye!
Sandra wrote: "Aղցela W. wrote: "I have been here for awhile. I think the problems have been with Amazon and Elfster making changes right before the exchange and Elfster during. Change throws people off most don'..."I try to do $3.99 or less but I just don't see many this time around. Unfortunately it has been a bit of a tough year for me so I haven't bought as many gifts as previous years. I'm still doing my best skimming list though 😆
Mod
Thank you also to all of our first timers who are seeing the joy of this group :)
Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Yes, totally! Amazon and Elfster being difficult has made it much more frustrating. I love how enthusiastic and loving you all are! I see more of the issues from my end- daily emails, LOL! But I LO..."This is my most favorite thing to particpate in and the fact that you manage to put it together every year is awesome. You're doing a great job 💜
Mod
xoxoxoxo :)
*nodding vigorously*I feel your comments and thoughts...almost to a T. Ha!
There are always grumps but not usually in this place. This is a haven that should be free from grumpiness!
And I hate that they try and change the atmosphere in the room. I'm not sad that Doc's going to do a little housekeeping. But if you can't play nicely, there are plenty of other places they can go. ;)
I very much agree with Daniel, and I'm overwhelmed with the opposite side of the group of naysayers....this is such a loving and generous group it brings me so much joy to spend this month with you all!
Lizzie, I absolutely love what you do! *hugs*
Hemmel, hope you get some solid rest! Night!
Doc, *squish* love you!
I agree with everything you guys have said above. I think it was just a combination of tech issues and a bigger groupI'm really loving seeing the overwhelming positive vibe that is coming from the goodies page. Yes some have tried to bring it down but nothing will bring down that vibe. It's always fabulous to me to see the generosity of this group.
Hemmel I agree it's been hard finding books on some lists. I had a few people I wanted to gift to that I just gave up on. I did find one list the other day that had books from all different publishers, it was so easy :-)
Lizzie, I'm with Hemmel and Sheri -- SO glad you're here!
Jenn (not Lily) wrote: "Lizzie, I'm with Hemmel and Sheri -- SO glad you're here!"Thank you, all! I'm happy to be here too!
Sure there are some problems, but overall most of those issues are due to technical errors. So I'm a bit surprised about the negativity. I mean what can Heather do if Amazon or Elfster changes things at the last minute? How many times people have brought up that there are so many people who can't gift through amazon, yet most wishlists I wander into are solely amazon lists? It's an absolute pain to find them all or any on Smashwords. Not really complaining. I just have realized many times that it doesn't matter that I want to gift to someone I literally can't because it's solely amazon books. I do admit I'm better at spotting only amazon books this year before I even try Smashwords. Smashword is not perfect either...emails don't seem to arrive very promptly.
I enjoyed the exchange last year and do so this year as well. I love gifting and it never fails to make my day when I see that I got a gift.
Heather K - big thank you for gifting one of your copies of Cut and Run to me! I received it and am looking forward to diving into this series in the new year!! I own books 6-9 on audio and now will just have to scour for 2-5 in libraries.
K. wrote: "I love gifting and it never fails to make my day when I see that I got a gift"Yeap, I love the gifting too, seeing someone like the gift I gave makes me so happy
I've got another book that needs a home! I gifted someone Chained a few months ago on the same day someone else gave them the book. Let me know if you're interested, and I'll send you the link. It's from Amazon, so unfortunately that leaves out anyone not in the U.S.
Mod
Oh yay! Happy it made it to you!
I still have two copies of Cut and Run up for grabs :)
Mod
Jenn (not Lily) wrote: "I've got another book that needs a home! I gifted someone Chained a few months ago on the same day someone else gave them the book. Let me know if you're interested, and I'll send y..."I will take chained. rojoroaors@yahoo.com
I have 7 unclaimed gift from past years I can redirect.If interested in a book pm me your email for Amazon us and which book. All books, I believe are M/M romances.
The Marine in Unit A
The Summer of Us
Forbidden Magic
Tricked, Bewildered and Bitten
I have some unclaimed gifts from past years I can redirect, too!Gingerbread Cookie Murder
Undertow
Among Monsters
Lifers
Reaper's Property
Squirm: Virgin Captive of the Billionaire Biker Tentacle Monster -This is the funniest book I've ever read.*
I posted about a duplicate gift I was given myself in the appropriate thread. I hope it gets sent to someone else who doesn't have it!
Let me know if you want any of these random sends!
Omg, gingerbread cookie murder and biker tentacle monster sound so funny…if no one else wants them, I’d be happy to take them off your hands 💜
Sarah wrote: "Omg, gingerbread cookie murder and biker tentacle monster sound so funny…if no one else wants them, I’d be happy to take them off your hands 💜"Send me your email! I'd be glad to send both your way!
Roger - president of NBR United - wrote: "I have 7 unclaimed gift from past years I can redirect.If interested in a book pm me your email for Amazon us and which book. All books, I believe are M/M romances.
[book:Among the Living|61835365..."
Roger, I’d gladly take Among the Living and/or Forbidden Magic! My email is droxnar711@gmail.com
Yayyy, so glad these lost books are finding homes!!Chained is great Roger!
And Daniel, I think you'll really enjoy PsyCops!! It's a fun series, I love JCP's writing!
Roger - president of NBR United - wrote: "I have 7 unclaimed gift from past years I can redirect.If interested in a book pm me your email for Amazon us and which book. All books, I believe are M/M romances.
[book:Among the Living|61835365..."
Thank you for sending me Summer Of Us, Roger!! Worked like a charm.
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