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2008 UD Forum Secret Santa - Sign up by November 14

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:57 am
by Luke
It's time again for UltimateDisney.com's fun annual holiday gift exchange, Secret Santa! :santa:

The UD Forum Secret Santa is a nifty way for active members to exchange gifts with one another. Each person who participates is assigned a forum member that they will get a present for, and each person is likewise assigned to a different forum member who will get a present for them. The assignments are random, and people are encouraged to spend about $20 on their gift(s). This is not a strict guideline, and with the possibility of having to ship something internationally, you may find yourself spending a little more than that. But it's a reasonable amount which should allow all who enjoy being an active, responsible part of this community to participate if interested.

As usual, when we know who's participating for sure, I'll start a wish list thread. There, you'll be able to post a list of interests/favorites or specific things you'd like to get. Alternatively, you can post a link to lists of the DVDs or CDs you have for people to get an idea for something they think you might like.

Gift certificates are acceptable, but discouraged. It's much more fun if you put thought and pick out something for your assigned recipient. If you do decide to go the gift certificate route, or order online and have it shipped to your recipient's address, a personal touch (like sending a card, in addition) is a very good idea.

If you are interested in participating in this year's Secret Santa, send an e-mail to santa@ultimatedisney.com with
1) your full name and address
2) your forum name
3) what holiday you celebrate

<u>The deadline to sign up is Friday, November 14</u>. If I don't have your e-mail by the end of that day, you most likely won't be able to participate. The random assignments will occur sometime shortly thereafter, and you should know who you'll be getting a gift for by Sunday, November 16. As has been the case in past years, I'll be coordinating the assignments entirely by myself and no one else will know any of the random matchups. There is no trading of assignments permitted; if you are assigned someone you don't know much about, then this is the perfect way to get to know your fellow UD Forum poster better!

Regular forum members are encouraged to participate, no matter what part of the world they may live. Plenty of Europeans have participated in the past and without problems. If you're a minor (under 18 years of age), you're welcome to join in the fun, but you'll have to get a parent's permission to participate.

Note that an active forum member is one who posts on a regular basis, has successfully participated in Secret Santa in the past, or has long been in good standing here. It will be left to the discretion of myself and other moderators to determine if you can participate. The only reason anyone would be denied entry is to ensure that the Secret Santa program runs smoothly for all. There is a limited number of participants we need to manage this efficiently. If you've just recently registered or have only posted a handful of times, you'll definitely want to get to know the forum and its members much better before doing this anyway.

Anyone who signs up for Secret Santa and doesn't deliver a present to their assigned recipient will be banned from the forum. We've been lucky enough to not have this occur very often, but if this is your plan, please spare us and your membership.

Ask anyone who has participated in this in past years and most are bound to tell you it's a lot of fun and perhaps the most fun thing about being a forum member here. If you have any questions, you are encouraged to post them here. I'll do my best to let as many interested qualifying members participate, but still it's a good not to hesitate in signing up, as you could miss the deadline or a cut-off.

If you are definitely interested in participating:
E-mail santa@ultimatedisney.com with
1) your full name and address
2) your forum name
3) what holiday you celebrate

:santa: Season's greetings!

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:07 pm
by pap64
This sounds like fun! I have a question, though...

I registered last year, and while I posted on occasion I didn't become a full time poster till sometime last summer. Am I enough of a regular to participate?

What about members who have a present planned, but due to an emergency (lost money, payments, other stuff) or a mistake (the post office loses the package) they fail to give the other member a present and explains this to them, along with evidence. Will the member still be banned from UD?

I ask because even though its a fair move (especially for those that just want a free present) it would be unfair to ban someone simply because they couldn't send a present at the last minute or the post office messed up the delivery badly.

EDIT: Oh yes, does the present has to be store bought? What about handmade presents?

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:32 pm
by magicalwands
I've thought about it, and what the heck, I signed up! :)

Here's to hoping it will be a successful Secret Santa.

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:33 pm
by AwallaceUNC
I signed up! :santa:

-Aaron

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:38 pm
by CJ
I just signed up. Secret Santa is one of my favorite things about UD.

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:01 pm
by pap64
I signed up as well. I hope I am good enough to participate.

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:01 pm
by DaveWadding
Secret Santa is the coolest thing EVAH! :D

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:03 pm
by blackcauldron85
I just signed up, too! :)

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:44 pm
by Escapay
pap64 wrote:I registered last year, and while I posted on occasion I didn't become a full time poster till sometime last summer. Am I enough of a regular to participate?
I'm sure it's Luke & Company's call, but I believe one year (2006?) we had a few new members who registered in the calendar year and in the past 5-6 months proved they were a reliable "regular".
pap64 wrote:What about members who have a present planned, but due to an emergency (lost money, payments, other stuff) or a mistake (the post office loses the package) they fail to give the other member a present and explains this to them, along with evidence. Will the member still be banned from UD?
It depends on the evidence, I guess. However, the members have to keep in mind that they've got a more-than-monthlong window to ensure that something is bought and sent. So a last-minute "I couldn't send something because I don't have money anymore!" doesn't really fly. Especially since the 2005 Secret Santa had a SS that did that (continually stalled sending a gift, lied about sending it in the mail or via Amazon, etc.).

Of course, if someone suddenly realizes by late-November that they cannot do Secret Santa and give Luke sufficient notice, I'm sure something could be arranged. (I can't think of any past examples at the moment since I wasn't part of UD in 2003 and didn't sign up for SS in 2004.)
pap64 wrote:Oh yes, does the present has to be store bought? What about handmade presents?
It doesn't have to be store bought. In 2005 and 2006 I sent a gift via Amazon.com, and in 2007 I did store-bought simply because it was more convenient for me that time. And I know some members have sent handmade cards or other little trinkets with their gifts. Renata sent me Rachel McAdams wrapped in a bow/offensive lace collar in 2006. :P

albert

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:50 pm
by AwallaceUNC
pap64 wrote:EDIT: Oh yes, does the present has to be store bought? What about handmade presents?
I don't know that there is a strict policy on that, but remember that there is $20 guideline and everyone should be putting something in that neighborhood into their gift (more if you'd like, of course). Each participant posts a wish list as well, which gives you a guide as to what they'd like to receive.

-Aaron

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:38 pm
by PixarFan2006
I signed up too. This is my third year participating.

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:27 pm
by Just Myself
Heck yes, I signed up. Whaddidya think I was gonna do, just not participate this year? Gosh!

Dangit!
JM :thumb:

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:49 pm
by pinkrenata
I'm in! :pink: :tink:

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:13 pm
by Jules
I've always wanted to take part but always been a little apprehensive of this, so I never signed up. But this year ... I'm doing it! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

I'll probably sneak in one of my hairs into the gift, and fulfill one of my crazy ideas.

EDIT: I just signed up, but wasn't sure what to write for the holiday I celebrate. The request kind of baffles me. I wrote this in the email:
Holiday Celebrated

(Not sure what I'm being asked. Should I write "Christmas"?)
Hope Luke can decipher it.

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:21 pm
by universALLove
Julian Carter wrote:I'll probably sneak in one of my hairs into the gift, and fulfill one of my crazy ideas.
...and what idea may that be?

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:24 pm
by Jules
Nick Bryant wrote:...and what idea may that be?
Being cloned by an international UDer. :P

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:32 pm
by universALLove
Julian Carter wrote:
Nick Bryant wrote:...and what idea may that be?
Being cloned by an international UDer. :P
I see and what will you name your clone?

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:50 pm
by Jules
Priscilla :frog:

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:56 pm
by universALLove
Nice :)

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 6:05 pm
by pap64
Julian Carter wrote:Priscilla :frog:
Queen of the desert?