[Varin]

Lunsford wrote:

Varin made me a puzzle box and inside was a gift certificate to Amazon. I will say it took me a while to figure the box out to even get it open..

Yay, I'm glad you liked it I didn't make it myself (I wish!), but I had a hard time opening it myself to get the certificate in.

[addlepated]

Hopefully everyone has received a gift or heard something from their Sekrit Santa by now. Hooray!

However, if you are still without any word from your Santa, or you think that your gift might have gotten lost in the crazy holiday rush, please let me know and I will make discreet inquiries on your behalf.

Please don't feel the need to suffer in silence - it is very important to me as organizer to know the status of the exchange to make sure that it remains healthy and happy in years to come. If there is a problem, PLEASE let me know as soon as you are aware of it so that I can handle it.

Happy New Year to everyone!

[pancito]

My Sekrit Santa sent me a card and a puzzle. I've been banging my head against it for three hours now... Not ready to give up just yet... Seems to be a web/email address in Baudot Sugar Cookie code, but I am mighty confused by the 00/1F sprinkled throughout like... sugar on a sugar cookie. Those are control codes in Baudot. Time for a different perspective I'd guess.

[addlepated]

To answer my question, my Santa had me two years in a row. But she sent me an awesome package this year, of course!

Celina sent me chocolate, a bikini-clad starfish ornament for my tree, and one of my favorite kinds of puzzles that I don't know the name for (the letters are underneath and you have to place them in the crossword looking grid above) that pointed me to an Amazon gift card.

[addlepated]

Pixie, you got the same Santa two years in a row? That shouldn't be - I had it set so that you can't pick the same recipient more than once, just for variety's sake and so that people get to know each other more. Hmm.

Did anyone else get the same recipient they had in previous years?

[Pixiestix]

I got my Sekrit Santa Gift - only I don't know who it i from!!!!! I will say, I love it! I am a TOTALLY obsessed with World of Warcraft, TOOOOOTALLY!!!! And I am Horde, thru and thru. I spit on the Alliance, paaaatooie! Anyway, i got an awesome Horde patch {which is much bigger than i though it was going to be!} and a shirti've wanted for a LONG time - http://www.jinx.com/world_of_warcraft/women/locked_chest.html?catid=1&cs=19&csd=chest

It is so funny, I am glad they updated it for Cata, the highest lockicking you can get to now is 525.... looking thru the customer shots, i see that it has been updated for every expansion. I feel bad for the girls with the original shirt, their chests being available to even the lowest lockpicking skillz LAWL!!!

But seriously, who picked my name?


ETA:
I did a bit of research, mwa ha ha. My Sekrit santa put their phone number in as mine for shipping purposes. So i texted the number. I had half a feeling i knew it it was, knowing someone else who is also heavy into WoW - and knows me well enough to feel comfy sending me that shirt... Sure enough, second year running, LU!!!!! I love ya girl! Thank you again!!!

[Lunsford]

Varin made me a puzzle box and inside was a gift certificate to Amazon. I will say it took me a while to figure the box out to even get it open..

[Pixiestix]

I'm always interested to hear what people got, so if you got your gift, would you mind sharing?

[Lunsford]

I received my gift!! I am so amazed!! Thank you so much Varin

[pancito]

Giftie sent. Afraid it's not too creative, but hopefully will bring joy.

[Nighthawk]

For a variety of personal reasons, this year I regrettably have to withdraw from the Secret Santa. I have already "declined" in Elfster.

Sorry guys. Have fun nonetheless!

[Pixiestix]

Since i've had a few people ask me {why me? not entirely sure, lol}:

As Addle said,

addlepated wrote:

Recommended spending limit is US$25. Don't feel obligated to spend cash money! You can get creative and make a puzzle trail, artifact, or other ARG-y goodness for your recipient. Go nuts.

I guess i'll elaborate, with examples:

When the names are drawn, you can ask your giftee anonymous questions on Elfster, such as "coffee or tea" or "fave color?" Those of us who have done this multiple years already have some answers up, and that helps. Also, you can fill out your profile with info, including linking to wishlists. I myself link to Amazon & Thinkgeek, just in case i'm a tough cookie to figure out.

In my past I've received very personal & ARG related gifts {a sweet letter from someone important to me & game swag} as well as just general things i wanted {i'm greedy, my wishlists over floweth, LOL}. Last year Lu gifted me a "grow an aloe plant" that i asked for - a gift that every day i look at and think of her!

I know Celina won't mind if i use this example - One year she got a most EPIC puzzle box that was hand made by Rogi, a puzzle box might I add that has come to ARGFest and stumped quite a few people!

I believe people have gotten puzzle trails, custom made for them.

I myself, if i know the person, try to make it more personal. I admit that is harder when I don't know the person well. Sometimes I try to send a gift that connects us {One year I sent Faeryqueen21 Joss Whedon related gifts that i knew she wanted - a common interest of ours} Other times I might make something {a charm bracelet for Lu with various uplifting messages}.

This is really one of those times when it REALLY is the thought that counts! AND sometimes, you get to know someone just a bit better in the giving of your gift, so BONUS!!!!

Okay, i'll stop being so cheesey now.

[addlepated]

Hay guyz!

It's that time. If you want to be included in this year's gift exchange, email/IM/message/smoke signal me ASAP with your email address so that I can add you to the list!

[pancito]

Got my invite! YAY!

[addlepated]

Wow, time flies!

Okay, the Unfiction Sekrit Santa 2010 Exchange is officially open!

Please email meSPLATaddlepated.net, message me on this forum, or catch me on IRC if you want to participate. Make sure you tell me your email address so that I can send you an invitation. If you already got an email from Elfster, just follow its directions (you'll probably get one if you've participated in past exchanges unless you've changed your email address).

Recommended spending limit is US$25. Don't feel obligated to spend cash money! You can get creative and make a puzzle trail, artifact, or other ARG-y goodness for your recipient. Go nuts.

Elfster will draw names on December 1, so that is the deadline to sign up for this exchange.

Your gift needs to be in the mail by December 19!

Please do not sign up for this gift exchange if you will not be able to send a gift! Every year someone gets stiffed and it's unfair and sad.

Now go forth and giftify!