Books on the Nightstand discussion

It doesn't matter if you call the spirit of Christmas, Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, or Pere Noel. It doesn't matter if you celebrate Christmas. We know you celebrate books, so please join in the fun of this group.

This is a fun holiday bookish gift exchange for members of the Books on the NIghtstand Goodreads group. (bookish because the gift only needs to be book related (clothes with book memes, bookplates, etc.)

Starting with a word of caution: If you participated last year you should have already received an invitation, however There were briefly two exchanges, and the correct one is http://www.elfster.com/exchange/view/.... Please make sure you said, "Yes!" to the only group that exists now.

The rules this year are:

If you are going to participate, you must be signed up by 11/30/13 (Saturday).

The names will be automatically drawn on 12/1/13 (Sunday). Therefore there is no way to accommodate latecomers.

The spending limit is $25 (that would allow for a hardcover book).

The gift must be in the mail by 12/16/13 (Monday).

Please put a link to your Goodreads profile
To do this: 1. click your photo on Goodreads - (the page URL is the link to your profile)
2. Copy the URL
3. Go to Elfster homepage.
4. Click on your name from your home page to get to your own profile page. (Under your avatar and above the words "view wishlist")
5. On the left hand side, click on the arrow under the button which is labeled "add to wishlist"
6. Click on "edit" in the area for "Blog URL".
7. Paste in the "Blog URL"
8. Click on "done"

Voila. Not as hard as this sounds.

If you cannot mail internationally, please let the organizers know BEFORE 11/30/13.

It is helpful for your Secret Santa if you create a wishlist of books you might want. Elves are not required to send you something from your wishlist, but it's helpful to see what you like.

If you participated last year, please update your wishlist.

Open only to members of BOTNS Goodreads group.

Helpers for this exchange are Linda Johnson, Debbie Cantrell, Tracey McCrae and Patti Henger -- message them if you need help, or ask on this Goodreads Secret Santa 2013 thread.

We elves are eager to help, so...

let the Elfster games begin!

Thank you, Linda, for such a great kick-off to BOTNS 2013 Secret Santa!

This was a fun experience for everyone who participated last year--a surprise book, a new friend-- what's not to like?!

Let us know if you have questions or need help with anything--the elves are on it!

Thanks for posting Linda:-) I'm a newbie to Elfster but found it pretty user friendly. Really looking forward to participating- please feel free to get in touch and I'll try to answer any questions. I made a few early mistakes (such as somehow forgetting to put my zip code and needing to change my settings) so I now know a couple of things! Looking forward to meeting everybody:-)

Yeah, I think I already screwed it up lol

Becky wrote: "Yeah, I think I already screwed it up lol"


Do you need help, Becky?

I am not sure….when I clicked on the link, it did take me to my GR page….

HAHA, I wished for 1500 books LOL

I'm new to Elfster too - I think I've signed up properly - is there a way to tell for sure?

I am getting it, slow & steady lol

Tracey....the 2013 BOTNS Gift Exchange should be listed on your profile page, once you go into that you can click the the Accepted profiles to make sure you see yourself (there are about 49 so far) hope that helps!

There is a Tracey there

It says 'you currently have no gift exchanges' O_o

I might try again..

OK I've got it! All good! Thanks

A few people, including myself, had two accounts on Elfster, so I "declined" the invitation for those of you that this was true for and had already accepted the invitation with the other account.

Those double accounts were my fault ... when I closed the erroneous duplicate exchange, I invited all who had accepted to the new one via email. I guess Elfster didn't match up the accounts like I thought it would.

Ann wrote: "Those double accounts were my fault ... when I closed the erroneous duplicate exchange, I invited all who had accepted to the new one via email. I guess Elfster didn't match up the accounts like I ..."

I don't think so, Ann. They all had a different name, but same e-mails. i.e. my two accounts had one in my name and the other was in my beginning of my junk-e-mail address name.

Wouldn't it be great if each secret santa could purchase their gift at the local indie bookshop? I think that could be our little way of spreading the love to the lil guy! Just a thought, but that's what I will be doing, maybe even on Small Business Saturday even!
Happy reading all!

if I had a local indie bookshoop.............

or shop......

Pat wrote: "if I had a local indie bookshoop............."

You probably have a shoop, but for a shop, you can always contact one of the stores that was bookstore home to a Booktopia. I am in small town kind of central Ohio and have used Northshire in Manchester, VT to send a book to my brother http://www.northshire.com/

I haven't used Square Books in Oxford, MS (other than Booktopia) but, you could buy an autographed copy of something from them http://www.squarebooks.com/

Last Christmas, because I'm signed up for their newsletter, I was able to get a discount on books for my son for his present http://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/

The team at Village Books in Bellingham was very helpful with my lost books after this year's Booktopia http://villagebooks.com/

And, I already have books ordered this year from McLean and Eakin in Petoskey and they ship for 99¢ http://www.mcleanandeakin.com/

Finally, although not Booktopia related, I wanted a signed book for my Elf partner last year so I knew I could get a book she wanted at Parnassus in Nashville. This was after I stopped there on the way to Oxford because I wanted Adam Johnson's book, signed. I called them the week before and they held the book for me until I got there. http://www.parnassusbooks.net/

A lot of these stores have websites where you can see what signed books they have.

And, an after thought, I think there are a few independent booksellers who follow this link, IF you want, I think it would be okay for you to say, "Hey! Any Booksellers message me."

We don't want this site to become a place for promoting commercial enterprises, but if you do it behind the scenes - you would be the one reaching out.

Linda wrote: "Pat wrote: "if I had a local indie bookshoop............."

You probably have a shoop, but for a shop, you can always contact one of the stores that was bookstore home to a Booktopia. I am in small..."

I agree! I just recently found a small independent book store near me, but have done most of my small business Saturday shopping online since I am somehow usually working the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Linda wrote: "It doesn't matter if you call the spirit of Christmas, Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, or Pere Noel. It doesn't matter if you celebrate Christmas. We know you celebrate books, so please join in the fun ..."

Hi Everyone,

I was not able to participate last year. Do I have to be invited in order to complete step #4 which references my avatar. I don't currently have an Elfster account. Thanks in advance.

Tina wrote: "Linda wrote: "It doesn't matter if you call the spirit of Christmas, Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, or Pere Noel. It doesn't matter if you celebrate Christmas. We know you celebrate books, so please jo..."

No, Tina,

Click on the first link above to join Elfster and our Give Away, then you can complete the rest.

Thanks, Linda!

Hi! I live in England, could you let me know if I can take part or is it a US only exchange? Thanks

Laura wrote: "Hi! I live in England, could you let me know if I can take part or is it a US only exchange? Thanks"

Hi Laura,

Yes, you can take part in the exchange!

Thanks,

Tracey

Cool! Thanks for the speedy reply Tracey :)

Now we need a gift guide so I can see what is coming up to add to my wishlist!

thanks, Linda, for your suggestions for a nonlocal bookshoop, er..shop.

I've figured it out.

Melissa W wrote: "I am totally confused as to what I should be doing! I don't know where to put my wishlist. There is too much confusion for me. Can somebody please help me?"

Hi Melissa!

I can see you signed up on Elfster and I can see the 6 books you've added to your wishlist. Looks like you are doing fine. If you have any specific questions, give a shout!

A Great Game looks really good! I'm going to add it to my books!

Tracey

For those that are participating, I am going to be adding things that I would like to see from my family for Christmas and my birthday, as there might be things on my wishlist that aren't book related.

Tracey wrote: "Melissa W wrote: "I am totally confused as to what I should be doing! I don't know where to put my wishlist. There is too much confusion for me. Can somebody please help me?"

Hi Melissa!

I can ..."

I eventually figured it out; thank you for your offer :)

Melissa W wrote: "For those that are participating, I am going to be adding things that I would like to see from my family for Christmas and my birthday, as there might be things on my wishlist that aren't book rela..."

I set up 2 wish lists

Amy wrote: "Now we need a gift guide so I can see what is coming up to add to my wishlist!"

Was that directed at us Amy? ;)

Yes, the gift guide will be coming. Probably not until Thanksgiving, but that will still be in time to add books to your wishlist!

Linda wrote: ... for a shop, you can always contact one of the stores that was bookstore home to a Booktopia. I am in small..."

this is probably my favorite post EVER.

Michael wrote: "Linda wrote: ... for a shop, you can always contact one of the stores that was bookstore home to a Booktopia. I am in small..."

this is probably my favorite post EVER."

: > )

Michael wrote: "

Was that directed at us Amy? ;)

..."

Yup, hint hint! Can't wait to get it around Thanksgiving then!!

I like surprises ::)) but don't see a way to signal this on Elfster yet. Such a grand idea! Books have always been my favorite gifts to give or receive.

Me too, Deb! My children always say, "but I got you a book last time!" And I say, "but it's a different book!"

I've never done this before and I can't seem to figure out how to sign up. Help!

Lol, nevermind ... looks like I figured it out, I think.

Cathy wrote: "Lol, nevermind ... looks like I figured it out, I think."

You got it, Cathy! If you have any questions, give a shout!

There's still time to register ... sign ups close on Nov. 30th, sharp!

I am just wondering about shipping internationally how that is going to work, as I have to first order the book and then ship out the book and I probably won't get it to the person in time for Christmas and I kinda would like to get it out in time so that I can giftwrap it properly and then send it. And if I send it through Canada Post, its probably not going to get to the person in time. If I have to send it to Europe, I have to get it out by December 2 (for air mail), if I send it to the States, I have to send it out by December 10 and if I am sending within Canada, I have until about December 11 and I am not sending it priority post. This is if the receiver doesn't mind getting a Canadian edition, if I can get said book. Why can't you just extend it until the very latest this coming Friday, because not everybody will be in the States. Or maybe you should match up Canadians with Canadians and Europeans with Europeans to ease the stress. I am planning on purchasing the book online, as I don't want to be spending $35+ Canadian for a hardcover (and yes, that is how much a hardcover typically costs in Canada and if you are asking for a new release, that is how much its going to cost me and honestly that is a little much for my budget; I typically have a $20-25 CDN budget for my gifts, so that usually means trade paperbacks).

Melissa, I believe you can indicate that you are unable to ship internationally if that helps.

Melissa W wrote: "I am just wondering about shipping internationally how that is going to work, as I have to first order the book and then ship out the book and I probably won't get it to the person in time for Chri..."

and, by all means, stay within your budget. This isn't meant to stress you out. It's supposed to be fun. And, if I knew my item was coming, via anonymous message, I would be patient if it didn't come until after Christmas. After all the twelfth day of Christmas is not until January 6!

The machinations (read: computer programming) at Elfster do the pairings. All we can adjust is whether someone wants to ship internationally or not.

Debbie wrote: "Melissa, I believe you can indicate that you are unable to ship internationally if that helps."

I did but I doubt there are any other Canadians that are participating and I was hoping to do my shopping this weekend, as I like to bundle up my gifts when ordering online. Now I have to wait until at least the end of the month and the longer I hold off, the less likely I am to get the gifts for my family before Dec. 20th.

As Linda said, this is not meant to be stressful, and if we had to pair up people manually it would be very stressful indeed on the organizers! Please don,t exceed your budget, and if you are going to be later in mailing, just let the organizers know and they can alert your recipient.

We want to keep it open to 11/30 because many of the people here don't check Goodreads very often, and it's a busy time of year.