DVDizzy Forum

I know it's a tad early to discuss this but I am wondering when signups will begin for this year's Secret Santa.

It's never too early to discuss Secret Santa! I would like to know when it'll start to so that I can start working on rough drafts of my Secret Santa Novel, er Letter.

(and since this is a Secret Santa-related thread: MASHED POTATOES!)

albert

At first I thought, "No guys, don't bring up Secret Santa so early!" but then I realized we need all the time we can get to make the perfect Secret Santa. Plus, this isn't as bad as Costco already selling Christmas trees and lighted moving statues for your front lawn! Oh how it agonizes me we skip two holidays before Christmas!

Looking at the past "is there a Secret Santa this year?" threads, October 4 does seem quite early, but it's not early enough! In 2007, Just Myself started a thread asking about it on October 2! And in 2006, disneyboy20022 asked about it on September 21! SEPTEMBER!

Mashed potatoes.

albert

I am sure sign ups will begin in a couple weeks.

Escapay wrote:Looking at the past "is there a Secret Santa this year?" threads, October 4 does seem quite early, but it's not early enough! In 2007, Just Myself started a thread asking about it on October 2! And in 2006, disneyboy20022 asked about it on September 21! SEPTEMBER!

Mashed potatoes.

albert

In my defense....it was my first year to be able to participate in UD Secret Santa and I was very excited about it....

Since today is the 1st of November, JM is in full Secret Santa anticipation mode. I presume signups will start in a week or two. I can't wait for another year of holiday fun!

Cheers,
JM

I am looking forward to it too!

This is my first UD Christmas, so you guys will have to educate me.
What is this? Is it a literal Secret Santa with actual gifts? How does one go about participating?

And does this belong in the Feedback section, or the Off-Topic section?

Margos wrote:Is it a literal Secret Santa with actual gifts?

Yep.

To borrow portions from Luke's "Sign Up" threads...

• 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, [Luke starts] 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.
  
  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 [Luke] 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. [Luke will] do [his] 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.

Margos wrote:And does this belong in the Feedback section, or the Off-Topic section?

Usually the threads asking when it starts go in Feedback, but when the Secret Santa begins, all three threads will be in Off-Topic:

(Year) UD Forum Secret Santa - Sign up by (whatever date is chosen)
Ultimate Disney Forum (Year) Secret Santa - WISH LIST Thread
(Year) Secret Santa - Post Here When You Receive And Send Your Gift

albert

Hmm... I don't know if my parents will go for that. They already think it's weird that I talk to people online. Haha

I am def being apart of it this year. I've been on the forum since it started and I never participated because stuff always came up. This time nothing is going to stop me. I am also going to put together a nice little gift for "ALL" the board members this year.

Aww, man! I really wanted to participate, but I'm kinda low on the cash.... I sincerely doubt my mom would let me ship anything, either, especially internationally! I really wish I could... perhaps I will be able to, but I sincerely doubt it....
It sounds like so much fun!

Also as a suggestion, I think we should be partnered up with people from our state, like USA with someone from USA, UK with someone from UK, like that. It will help save money with shipping costs.

Matt wrote:Also as a suggestion, I think we should be partnered up with people from our state, like USA with someone from USA, UK with someone from UK, like that. It will help save money with shipping costs.

That would make it difficult to match everybody.

I don't think shipping is a big issue, I live in Norway and get things from America every week and it is realy not expencive.

A good alternative if you get a Secret Santa who lives abroad is to order their gift from the Amazon website based in their country. That should save on shipping.

Example:

PeterPanfan lives in the US and gets Wonderlicious for Secret Santa. So PeterPanfan will order something from amazon.co.uk to be sent to Wondy.

or

Dottie lives in Germany and gets disneyboy20022 for Secret Santa. So she orders something from amazon.com to be sent to him.

albert

Escapay wrote:A good alternative if you get a Secret Santa who lives abroad is to order their gift from the Amazon website based in their country. That should save on shipping.

Example:

PeterPanfan lives in the US and gets Wonderlicious for Secret Santa. So PeterPanfan will order something from amazon.co.uk to be sent to Wondy.

or

Dottie lives in Germany and gets disneyboy20022 for Secret Santa. So she orders something from amazon.com to be sent to him.

albert

Very good escapay! Thanks! They can even gift wrap it for you too lol.

Escapay wrote:A good alternative if you get a Secret Santa who lives abroad is to order their gift from the Amazon website based in their country. That should save on shipping.

Example:

PeterPanfan lives in the US and gets Wonderlicious for Secret Santa. So PeterPanfan will order something from amazon.co.uk to be sent to Wondy.

or

Dottie lives in Germany and gets disneyboy20022 for Secret Santa. So she orders something from amazon.com to be sent to him.

albert

What about the card?

I'm sure you can scrounge a couple bucks to send a card on your own separate from the Amazon order.

albert

Escapay wrote:I'm sure you can scrounge a couple bucks to send a card on your own separate from the Amazon order.

albert

I don't have too, with the gift wrapping option you can write a msg to the person.