Random Chitchat

[G]

Thank you, Heather, for hosting this again!
I always have the most fun. x

[Sheri]

Perhaps they were traveling for the long holiday weekend? It's still early...here's hoping they arrive soon! *fingers crossed* I had a few no show years but am always blown away by the elves around here.

And I agree GK, it's such a good time!

[Daniel]

Hey there, fellow elves!

I have a few unclaimed books from exchanges past that are up for grabs!

Treading Water by Diana W.

Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher CLAIMED!

Gay Love and Other Fairy Tales by Dylan James

The Booker by Grace Hudson

Let me know if you’d like one! I’ll have to go through Amazon chat for some of these so it may take a day or two, but I’ll get it to you by Christmas guaranteed!

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

GK wrote: "Thank you, Heather, for hosting this again!
I always have the most fun. x"

*kisses*

I hope all of the Santas get moving! There are a few MIA that I'm working on...

[Ami]

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "I hope all of the Santas get moving! There are a few MIA that I'm working on..."

As always, if you need a replacement Santa, I'm willing to step up for the orphans

[Aղցela W.]

I'm willing step in also

[Bookreader87(Amanda)]

Same! Just let me know 😁

[Cadiva]

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "GK wrote: "Thank you, Heather, for hosting this again!
I always have the most fun. x"

*kisses*

I hope all of the Santas get moving! There are a few MIA that I'm working on..."

Let me know if you need an extra Santa for any UK based orphans.

[Shandra]

I’m also willing to be a bonus Santa for an orphaned participant! Feel free to hit me up anytime, Heather K!

Daniel I’d love to claim your copy of Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher! Thanks for offering to share with the group!

[Chad James]

I’m willing to help out when you need extra Santas, just let me know 🎄🎄

[Sheri]

Oh, yep! Me too....Give a shout if your missing Santa's don't show up!!

[Shandra]

Randomly: I keep updating my wishlist because I see books I would like to get too, but I don’t want people to think I’m greedy or seeking more gifts. What’s the general consensus on regularly updating the wishlist? Is it okay or should I stop adding to my list?

I just don’t want anyone to think I’m vying for more gifts when I really do just want to make sure I’m not losing track of books I would like my own copy of eventually.

I get most of my ideas for more books by gifting to other people. lol

I’ve just put myself on a buying ban until after the exchange is over. I only want to gift books for now. I have the whole rest of the year to buy for myself, you know?

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Shandra wrote: "Randomly: I keep updating my wishlist because I see books I would like to get too, but I don’t want people to think I’m greedy or seeking more gifts. What’s the general consensus on regularly updat..."

Keep updating! I do, LOL

[Shandra]

Thanks, Heather K! Lol I get ideas from your list too! You have great taste in MM!

[Fran]

I’m happy to help out if you need an extra hand with missing Santas, Heather 😊

[Sandra]

Shandra wrote: "Randomly: I keep updating my wishlist because I see books I would like to get too, but I don’t want people to think I’m greedy or seeking more gifts. What’s the general consensus on regularly updat..."

Add them all!!!! :) Seriously, people add books throughout the gifting time frame. Lot of elves wanting to spread the cheer. :)

[Sandra]

Just a quick reminder... Smashwords allows gifting books to anyone not in the US from US based elves, and vice versa too.

But do change the name on your Smashwords account if you don't want to be found out. Ask me how I know... 🤣

[Aղցela W.]

Sandra wrote: "Just a quick reminder... Smashwords allows gifting books to anyone not in the US from US based elves, and vice versa too.

But do change the name on your Smashwords account if you don't want to be..."

I did it twice

[Bookreader87(Amanda)]

Sandra wrote: "Just a quick reminder... Smashwords allows gifting books to anyone not in the US from US based elves, and vice versa too.

But do change the name on your Smashwords account if you don't want to be..."

I used to make different accounts every year but now I just have one with a name I can use over and over. They don't make changing your name easy on there lol

[Andrea]

M'rella wrote: "Can we have a discount thread? :D

Starlight Kisses for the Omega by Lacey Daize is free on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W98G9FQ"

M'Rella you're a genius <3 thank you for posting this

[Lulu]

I think my secret Santa is busy writing their own book 📚 and forgotten about me 🤶🏽

[Bookreader87(Amanda)]

Lulu wrote: "I think my secret Santa is busy writing their own book 📚 and forgotten about me 🤶🏽"

Oh no. I had one show up the very last day. That might be the case here. I hope they show up soon!

[Daniel]

Lulu wrote: "I think my secret Santa is busy writing their own book 📚 and forgotten about me 🤶🏽"

Oh no! I don’t think I’ve heard from my SS yet either, but I have had many friendly elves gift me so I’m very grateful. I hope they visit you, too, Lulu!

[Gustaf]

Lulu wrote: "I think my secret Santa is busy writing their own book 📚 and forgotten about me 🤶🏽"

I don't think I've heard from my secret santa yet either. But just like Daniel I've had many friendly elfs visiting me. I 'm sure some of the might find their way to you as well.

[Lulu]

I think some people enter the exchange then get busy with life and forget about it 🎁

[Sandra]

I have also found some emails in my spam so do check there as well, as some may get misrouted.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Also, some people gift with elf names! They don't write "secret santa." But I'm reaching out to matches to see where they are :)

[Gustaf]

I've noticed that sometimes gifts from smashwords get "stuck". My first year some of my gifts didn't get redeemed for like a couple of weeks so I reached out the the people I had sent them to through elfster and it turns out they hadn't gotten an email at all.
Since then I'm always double checking to see they have been redeemed and if not, I use the option to send the email again just to make sure they get it.

[Kathleen]

Hello and Happy Holidays! I've received three gifts! One from Fellow Bookworm by Garrett Leigh, Christmas Mountain, that I'm so excited about starting! Thank you! 🧑🏼‍🎄❄️🎄🎁🦌

The other two I'm struggling with as I listed PAPERBACKS but was sweetly gifted with ebooks, which I already own. What do I do??? If the gifter is reading this, please contact me! I'm overjoyed with two gifts from you, but as I said I already own the Kindle versions. 😔 I don't know what to do.

[Shandra]

I’m so overwhelmed by all the love I’ve gotten during the exchange. I’m sending gifts under a few names to spread the cheer. I still have gifts to send so the exchange is far from over for me!

Has anyone else been shopping on other people’s wishlists? Lmao

I’ve found books I’ve never heard of and then went “hey, I wanna read that too!” It’s great!

Thank you guys for being a joyous respite during a stressful season. My family is struggling. I’m struggling. Work is hard. It’s just all hard right now. The exchange brings me joy when I really need it. I only hope I’m giving half as much as I’m getting out of this! I love you guys!

[Chad James]

Shandra wrote: "I’m so overwhelmed by all the love I’ve gotten during the exchange. I’m sending gifts under a few names to spread the cheer. I still have gifts to send so the exchange is far from over for me!

Ha..."

I’ve found so many new books, that my TBR pile has grown by leaps and bounds 😂🎄🧑🏻‍🎄🎅🏻

We love you too, Shandra!!

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Kathleen wrote: "

Hello and Happy Holidays! I've received three gifts! One from Fellow Bookworm by Garrett Leigh, Christmas Mountain, that I'm so excited about starting! Thank you! 🧑🏼‍🎄❄️🎄🎁🦌

The o..."

post also in the show me your goodies group and your match will probably see it- if not, I can reach out :)

[Shandra]

Question: some people specify they want Smashwords instead of Amazon even when the book is available on Amazon. Is there a reason for this? Like does the text differ or is it a different edition?

I’ve seen some saying Amazon is okay before a certain release date too. Am I missing something?

I can gift through Smashwords as I’ve done it in the past, but I don’t feel as comfortable with it since there’s almost no recourse if they don’t redeem the book in a timely fashion or if they already have the book.

[Gustaf]

It’s mostly a region thing. I live in Sweden and can’t accept books from Amazon.

[Shandra]

Oh I understand not being able to access based on country of origin! I figured it was something else I was missing since I know a lot of international folks link Kobo or their own Amazon page.

[Hemmel M.]

For me, I have ethical issues with Amazon and will not sponsor them by buying a Kindle. I use as less apps on my device as possible so don't download the Kindle app. This is because I dislike how apps gather and sell personal data I can't even check before it is sold.

I know I am a minority, but people like me exist, live a happy life, and love to read, too.

[Ami]

For me personally, I put Smashwords in case if my Secret Santa is in international region and cannot gift from Amazon. It is a way to make it easy for them to choose. Of course if my Santa is from US, they can send link from Amazon instead

[Sandra]

Ami wrote: "For me personally, I put Smashwords in case if my Secret Santa is in international region and cannot gift from Amazon. It is way to make it easy for them to choose. Of course if my Santa is from US..."

Same! I have a few Smashwords book on my wishlist just in case someone outside of the US would like to bless me with a gift. And I use Smashwords to gift to others not in the US when possible.

[Trio]

I was going to agree, that I do try to purchase from Smashwords or the publisher when possible to give greater support to the authors.

[Sheri]

Sandra wrote: "Ami wrote: "For me personally, I put Smashwords in case if my Secret Santa is in international region and cannot gift from Amazon. It is way to make it easy for them to choose. Of course if my Sant..."

Same Sandra, same.
I try and shop small when possible but I do admit to having an addiction to my kindle. I'm on my third in the past 15 years. I never leave the house without it!

[Djschuster]

I’m new to the group this year, HI, EVERYONE, and Happy Holidays! I’m probably doing something wrong, but I sent a (very cool, I thought!) gift to my match, but I have no idea if they received it. I also haven’t received anything yet. Any ideas for me?
Daphne
(BIG fan of historical fiction 😀)

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Djschuster wrote: "I’m new to the group this year, HI, EVERYONE, and Happy Holidays! I’m probably doing something wrong, but I sent a (very cool, I thought!) gift to my match, but I have no idea if they received it. ..."

Hi! I messaged your match to see if they sent a gift yet. They could have sent a paperback as it seems that's what your links go to, and they can take awhile to come. I'll shoot you a message when I hear from them!

[G]

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "GK wrote: "Thank you, Heather, for hosting this again!
I always have the most fun. x"

*kisses*

I hope all of the Santas get moving! There are a few MIA that I'm working on..."


Willing to help out if you need an extra Santa!

[Lulu]

...random thought; its hard to keep gifting when most books in the wish list are $8 and over, you go over the budget real fast 👩🏽‍💻

[Shandra]

I’ve been so lucky with my recipient! They have a huge variety to select from in terms of pricing and even vendors. I admit I only sent from Amazon because it was easiest for me -and because I can use my $3 off coupons I’ve stockpiled over the whole year through Kindle Rewards- but I had options from Smashwords, Kobo, and a few publisher sites even!

I say if you’ve hit the limit for your match, maybe spread the love around to other people whose wishes are more economical?

[Aղցela W.]

Shandra wrote: "I’ve been so lucky with my recipient! They have a huge variety to select from in terms of pricing and even vendors. I admit I only sent from Amazon because it was easiest for me -and because I can ..."

My match has 5 audiobooks and two ebooks that are $6.99 and up. I have asked them to put more books on the list nothing happened so I sent two audiobooks and ebook. I am over it I started spreading the love around its there loss.

[Bookreader87(Amanda)]

Lulu wrote: "...random thought; its hard to keep gifting when most books in the wish list are $8 and over, you go over the budget real fast 👩🏽‍💻"

I think most prices on books just went up over the last year. I try to do $4.99 and under but I don't even see that much anymore. It's hard especially when all I want to do is gift lol

[Bookreader87(Amanda)]

Shandra wrote: "I’ve been so lucky with my recipient! They have a huge variety to select from in terms of pricing and even vendors. I admit I only sent from Amazon because it was easiest for me -and because I can ..."

I've used my $3 coupons and audible credits a few times. They do come in handy.

[Aղցela W.]

Bookreader87(Amanda) wrote: "Shandra wrote: "I’ve been so lucky with my recipient! They have a huge variety to select from in terms of pricing and even vendors. I admit I only sent from Amazon because it was easiest for me -an..."

I do also and I agree book prices have went up

[Shandra]

I didn’t know I could gift an audiobook with credits on Audible! I wish I had run across some folks wishlists with those on them! I have tons of credits I could use.