UD Secret Santa 2005 - Post here when you receive!

[Luke]

It's nice to hear the cards were a hit!

Just a fairly quick update on the Secret Santa... One of our two deadbeats has been banned and branded. The remaining one is something of a puzzle - from chats and his postings here, orestes. seems like the last person who would try to cheat the system and his complete disappearance since November 17th is disconcerting. Let's hope we hear from him soon and he has a sufficient explanation.

Nonetheless, lolopimp's recipient has been passed along to his Secret Santa (who was wise enough to be slow to send out), leaving one of our three un-gifted members on tap to receive their present soon. The USPS's unbelievably slow service is to blame for another - MickeyMouseboy should have already received a card from his Secret Santa a while ago and the present is only a state (and let's hope a day) away. The final ungifted participant will be receiving something from someone ideally by the end of this week.

By and large, the 2005 Secret Santa was a success and hopefully all who participated enjoyed the experience. There are some things to be tweaked and I'm not sure if we can grow to much more than the 33 participants who signed up this year. If this sounds like something you'd definitely like to do next year (either again or for the first time), then be sure to make regular appearances (i.e. posts of substance) around here and not to hesitate in signing up when the threads begin appearing in November. I'd love for any forum member who is interested to be able to partake in this but the few loose ends of this year's gift exchange illustrate why that's not possible. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and those who had to wait until after the holiday to receive their present can take the setback in stride.

[MickeyMouseboy]

just wanted to make a quick apperance to let you guys know i finally got my secret santa stuff lol! it was Pinky winkie! ::

I got Madonna - Confessions of a Dance floor special edition! quite thrilled! thanks Pinkie!

[pinkrenata]

I'm very glad to hear to finally recieved your gift, MMB! Leave it to USPS to take two full weeks to get halfway across the country. I guess you never got the card I sent at the beginning of the month informing you that the postal service seemed to be running slow and to warn you not to purchase a certain item (that is, the gift I was sending you). In any case, I'm happy you were content with your present, despite its lateness.

[JiminyCrick91]

I got MY card today. I must say it was a surprise as I only thought it was for a small few but THANKS VERY MUCH! It was very nice of you. Also your drawing of Kermit was Great I must say! I hope very one had a MERRY CHRISTMAS and WILL have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!


Edit: you did differing pics for your Drawings?!? That's awsome! What did anybody else get?

[Mermaid Kelly]

I want to thank Luke for the Christmas card he sent me! It really brightened my day, especially with the Ariel stamp and the Ariel drawing inside the card! Also, Happy New year everyone!! 2006 is here!!

[AwallaceUNC]

Thanks again for my card too, and the awesome Mickey drawing!

-Aaron

[Wonderlicious]

I've had it for a while now, but I have yet to thank you (and Renata) for the card. Thank You Very Much!

[Luke]

Well, disneyfella should have received his present last Thursday and Paka is away but should have a present waiting for her upon her return, so that pretty much wraps up Secret Santa. Two folks had to be banned and I'm waiting to hear from a third, but otherwise, it was quite a success! Thanks to all who participated and actually delivered on their promise.

[disneyfella]

Well, all that wait sure paid off! After my secret santa failed to deliver, Luke stepped in and made sure I had a gift for Christmas. Two in fact!! I arrived home last weekend to find The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (an all time Disney favorite of mine) and AFI's Steven Spielberg Documentary (a much needed addition to my Spielberg collection). Thank you to Luke for taking care of me and for setting this whole Secret Santa thing up. It's such a great idea and so fun! Count on me for next year's secret santa sign up. For the final time this season....Happy Holidays Everyone!!

[Paka]

Hey guys!

As Luke said, I'm on vacation 'til the 16th, but I just wanted to drop a note saying that as of yesterday, nothing has yet come in the mail for me, or so my sister says. Glad to hear that disneyfella was taken care of, but that's still quite unfortunate that we got 2 deadbeats this year. >_< Good that the 2005 Secret Santa was a success otherwise!

So I hope all loose ends are wrapped up in due time, and thanks again to Luke for making up for the less-than-honest members we had.

[Escapay]

Came back from our three-state vacation (Nevada, Arizona, California) very late Wednesday night, and the following afternoon we retrieved all our mail, and woohoo, I got my card from the Lukester and Renata! Thanks you two, sooo much! It was unexpected (well, expected but unexpected as well), and I enjoyed reading it to Kram and Jane (who both send their thanks as well). Jane was like "They remembered me!" since she hasn't posted in like a year. What a great way to end the holidays!

Also, got a card from my old roommate from Florida. I was wondering why I got a mysterious card from Ohio, and now I feel guilty for not sending him a card. I think I'll give him a call tomorrow.

Escapay

[AwallaceUNC]

Remember that you can post feedback in the Trade forum for your sender for a successful Secret Santa transaction, if you wish.

-Aaron

[MinnieMe]

I know this is late to be posting, but I just returned home to VA from my parents' house in NY... and I received my card from Luke!! Thanks Luke, and I like the Minnie drawing too... I had a feeling that would be the character you drew me

[Luke]

Paka's substitute Secret Santa (which is a secret only to those who haven't been keeping tabs or using Escapay's guide) claims that her substitute Secret Santa gift was sent out last week, so hopefully her sister will notice a package (or an envelope, as it sounds it might be) within the next day or two and can report such to the vacationing Paka.

Today represents one month from when all were encouraged to have their presents sent out by, so naturally I'm not too thrilled that the book on this year's gift exchange has not yet been closed, but it just means that changes will obviously have to be taken to make things flow better in this year's Secret Santa. At least it mostly went off without a hitch - there was one banning, two deadbeats, two participants I'd really like to hear from soon (hint: orestes. and disneybell, this means you!), and this last exchange we're waiting on. But that's all. Oh, and a partridge in a pear tree!

Glad to hear that disneyfella got/liked his package and that Escapay and Minnie got/liked their cards!

[Luke]

The dust has more or less settled on Secret Santa 2005 and just about everyone who might have been banned has been. The troubling disappearance of orestes. plus the fact that his Secret Santa plainly stiffed him has saved him from banning if he ever does return. The same cannot be said for lolopimp, Disneybell, and Disney Guru, who either attempted (lolopimp) or succeeded (the other two) at getting and not giving. It's too bad that they will no longer be a part of this forum, but there is really no alternative. Lack of punctuality can be excused, but lacking consideration, continually sending untruthful messages, and using the Secret Santa program to score a free gift are all unsavory things which merit bannings.

One Secret Santa participant named Paka has still yet to receive anything, despite sending an especially thoughtful gift well in time for Christmas. She'll get hers, but in the meantime, I guess we can only hope that Santa Claus remembers these transgressions and appropriately delivers coal next Christmas to the few who unfortunately took something pure and well-intentioned and tried to use it to their own personal gain. Such behavior really is disgusting and uncalled for.

To the 29 participants who delivered on their promises and had fun in the process, thank you for helping to send some happiness to your fellow UD Forum member. If the Secret Santa can continue for a fourth year, I'd love to have you join again.

[Zoltack]

I must say I'm quite shocked that a seinor member (Disney Guru) who's been on the forum for more than 2 years would do something like that. It just doesn't make any sense. I guess that's why it's so hard to come up with a fool proof screening process for future SS because anybody can be a rotton cheater.

[Isidour]

ye, definitely pretty Odd than Disney Guru haven`t competed his part on the SS of this year.

well, even when I couldn`t participate(or will...considering than I`m not a US resident) I hope than Paka recieve hr gift soon and this events doesn`t happen again the next time

[MickeyMousePal]

What Disney Guru didn't give his Secret Santa a gift that's not like him.
Maybe he's having a bad year.

[CJ]

Well, Disney Guru scored a free gift from me. I find that irritating.
I could have given to one of our gipped members instead of him.

[RJKD23]

Maybe Disney Guru might send his gift. It took weeks...weeks..almost a month to receive the DVDs I received from him; of course I had to bother him with my emails. Just maybe.