Secret Santa gift exchange! discussion

Feel free to talk about anything and everything here :)

I wonder what Kinky Tinselicker Elf on Parole has been up to? 🤔

Lisazj1 wrote: "I wonder what Kinky Tinselicker Elf on Parole has been up to? 🤔"

I can't wait to find out! ;)

Haha, I can't wait to see what fun names everyone comes up with this year.

Oh right! Thanks for the reminder... last year I sent a gift from Smashwords and forgot to change my profile name.

Feel free to invite friends, guys! The more the merrier :). We had maybe 200 people last year!

OK so who will be creating a list of all the names and keeping track of them for us because you know there will be a zillion different elves running around dropping gifts here and there! I couldn't keep up with all the different creative names it was so much fun though trying to figure out who was whom. LOL

Nadine Bookaholic wrote: "OK so who will be creating a list of all the names and keeping track of them for us because you know there will be a zillion different elves running around dropping gifts here and there! I couldn't..."

I don’t mind doing it. I’m disabled so I have a lot of free time and love making lists!

I did it two years ago. It was lots of work but everyone pitched in and helped out :) And it was also fun because we had freakin' awesome names that year!

Josy wrote: "I did it two years ago. It was lots of work but everyone pitched in and helped out :) And it was also fun because we had freakin' awesome names that year!"

Google Sheets is awesome!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Nadine Bookaholic wrote: "OK so who will be creating a list of all the names and keeping track of them for us because you know there will be a zillion different elves running around dropping gifts here and there! I couldn't..."

That list was so fun the past few years! I remember when you did it, Josy!

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "That list was so fun the past few years! I remember when you did it, Josy! ..."

:)
I actually just looked it up because I'm still searching for a new elf name. And of course I had to laugh at some of the names people came up with, lol! I'm just saying Santas Little Fluffer or Kinky Tinslelicker :D

Devon wrote: "Google Sheets is awesome!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/....."

That's a good start, lol!

Josy wrote: "Devon wrote: "Google Sheets is awesome!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/....."

That's a good start, lol!"

Haha, everyone’s a critic or a smartass. Or both!🤪 j/k I was just goofing off when I linked Sheets lol. I know I volunteered to do the list but I’m not sure if that means I’m definitely doing them or if it would be better for someone with more experience with this event to do them (like you!). I’d vote for more experience but I’m willing to help out anyway I can.

LOL! Actually, I was serious! Sorry if I came off as being a smartass!

I'd do it again but right now, I can't say for sure if I'm able to. It's depending on my workload. Some days I only have an hour of free time in the evening and because I'm in Germany, most comments are being posted while I'm sleeping. So I'd need to have enough time to read through all the comments from the previous day to catch all the names.

The spreadsheet isn't a bad idea. Make it available to all of us (or only some people who are willing to help) and those who catch a new name can add it to the list.

I didn't do any kind of detective work, lol! I just listed all the elf names I saw when someone posted about receiving a gift and at the end of the event, I added the real names from those who revealed their secret identity :) It just takes time.

Josy wrote: "LOL! Actually, I was serious! Sorry if I came off as being a smartass!

I'd do it again but right now, I can't say for sure if I'm able to. It's depending on my workload. Some days I only have an h..."

You’re fine! I like to tease so I always make sure there is a lol, haha, hehe or a funny face in there somewhere. Teasing doesn’t come across very well in text lol.
Spreadsheets are a must for me. My handwriting is worse than a doctor. It’s so bad even I can’t read it! I like your idea of a few people adding names, especially with American Thanksgiving being in the middle of the event. Thanks Josy!
I can’t wait to see what names come up. This is going to be hilarious 😂

Phew :)
Yes, sometimes teasing can go wrong while writing, lol! Add that English isn't my first language and I'm quite lost at times or I write something I think is funny but really is not, lol!

I'm sure it's going to be awesome! Last time I participated, this event gave me all the warm and fuzzy feelings and made me really happy. And I'm quite proud of my name for this year, lol! Can't wait to use it ;)

I got the warm and fuzzy's last year too. :D Can't wait to see all the great names this year and investigating who the owner of said name is. :D

Melissa wrote: "I got the warm and fuzzy's last year too. :D Can't wait to see all the great names this year and investigating who the owner of said name is. :D"

I'm really looking forward to it! Last year I couldn't do it but I really missed it.
International gifting is going to be a pain without ARe but still, I'm happy to once again being part of this fun group :)

We will manage without ARe; just gotta be creative. :) It's amazing that geo restrictions exist. It's a digital product! The peeps in charge need to hurry up and get with the times of the reader.

I was excited last year to participate since it was my first time. But now that I've participated I am like bursting at the seems with giddiness because I now know how much fun this is. 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁

Hey Josy. I’m between books and I’m waiting for my chili to cook. I got bored so I played with the spreadsheet. Let me know which one you like better:
Naughty Elves
Copy of Naughty Elves
Copy of Copy of Naughty Elves
(lol)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Melissa wrote: "We will manage without ARe; just gotta be creative. :) ..."

We will - somehow, lol :)

Melissa wrote: " But now that I've participated I am like bursting at the seems with giddiness because I now know how much fun this is...."

Me too, Melissa :) It's going to be fun and I can't wait!

Devon wrote: "Hey Josy. I’m between books and I’m waiting for my chili to cook. I got bored so I played with the spreadsheet. Let me know which one you like better:."

Ohhh, these are pretty!
I like Copy of Copy of Naughty Elves best :)

Hope your chili was delicious :)

Josy wrote: "LOL! Actually, I was serious! Sorry if I came off as being a smartass!

I'd do it again but right now, I can't say for sure if I'm able to. It's depending on my workload. Some days I only have an h..."

My job is super relaxed, most of the time. I generally read 4-7 hours during my 8 hour shift. So I am more than able to help out with the list this year if you wanted help :)

It might make it easier on the list if you add another column for post #, so if it is a group effort you can see where the last name was found and go from there.

Isaiah wrote: "It might make it easier on the list if you add another column for post #, so if it is a group effort you can see where the last name was found and go from there..."

I think that's a pretty good idea! Thank you, Isaiah :) It would certainly make things easier if more than one person is working on the list.

What do you think, Devon? It's your list after all 😄

I'm so amused by the creativity in the names! I love spreadsheets too so I'm glad you're sharing the sheet so we can all see it.

Humor isn't my strong suit. I may wind up using a random name generator for my elf name lol.

Y'all for the next week, (I think) every single Cara Dee book out there is 99 cents each. Get 'em while they're hot! Well, the books are hot anyway, but that price! <3

Lisazj1 wrote: "Y'all for the next week, (I think) every single Cara Dee book out there is 99 cents each. Get 'em while they're hot! Well, the books are hot anyway, but that price! <3"

Thank you, Lisa :)
I got a few that were still missing in my collection, lol!

Deal Alert!

For those who don't already have this, Leta Blake's Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series (books 1-3) are free on Amazon US (not sure about other locations).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DYPVA92/

I love this series and highly recommend.

Melissa wrote: "Deal Alert!

For those who don't already have this, Leta Blake's Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series (books 1-3) are free on Amazon US (not sure about other locations).
https://ww..."

Yeeess Thank you Melissa. xx

Melissa wrote: "Deal Alert!

For those who don't already have this, Leta Blake's Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series (books 1-3) are free on Amazon US (not sure about other locations).
https://ww..."

I love that series also!

Shile loves books wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Deal Alert!

For those who don't already have this, Leta Blake's Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series (books 1-3) are free on Amazon US (not sure about other locati..."

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Deal Alert!

For those who don't already have this, Leta Blake's Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series (books 1-3) are free on Amazon US (not sure about other locati…

I love that series also! "

You're welcome, Shile. That series is very addicting and once you read the first 3 you will be rushing to buy the rest. :) The whole series in on KU too.

Melissa wrote: "Shile loves books wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Deal Alert!

For those who don't already have this, Leta Blake's Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series (books 1-3) are free on Amazon US (n..."

Awesome.

Do we just make up a random elf name or are we allocated one from somewhere?

Hazel wrote: "Do we just make up a random elf name or are we allocated one from somewhere?"

We all make up our own names and it's always hilarious what some people come up with :)

Most people just say “secret Santa” if it’s from your match. If people are gifting outside their match they usually have an elf name.

Hazel wrote: "Do we just make up a random elf name or are we allocated one from somewhere?"

I was about to ask this!

Thanks Josy and Heather for clarifying.

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Most people just say “secret Santa” if it’s from your match. If people are gifting outside their match they usually have an elf name."

Ohh! good to know we can send gifts outside our matches. :)

A ton of people gift to others outside their match! Some people gave 10+ gifts in the past, I swear! As long as you don’t forget your match, anything goes!

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "A ton of people gift to others outside their match! Some people gave 10+ gifts in the past, I swear! As long as you don’t forget your match, anything goes!"

This is going to be so much fun. :)

Shile wrote: "Ohh! good to know we can send gifts outside our matches. :).."

YES!! Like Heather said, lots of people gift to others who are not their match ;) This group is always so generous that it blows my mind!

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "A ton of people gift to others outside their match! Some people gave 10+ gifts in the past, I swear! As long as you don’t forget your match, anything goes!"

I have a question. Since I have never gifted before. The limit is 15$. If the wish list of the one I'm supposed to send is filled with 5$ books, do I send 3 or just 1? :/

Shin Mon wrote: "I have a question. Since I have never gifted before. The limit is 15$. If the wish list of the one I'm supposed to send is filled with 5$ books, do I send 3 or just 1?."

I think it's a guideline but hopefully, Heather can clarify :)
Of course you can buy 2 or more books for your match but I'm sure everything you are able to gift is appreciated :)

edit: Just make sure you mark the book(s) as purchased on the Elfster wish list in case other people are planning on gifting something to your match as well.

I got so many wonderful books from folks that weren't my match last year it inspired me to give more too and it just kept going and going!

Josy wrote: "Shin Mon wrote: "I have a question. Since I have never gifted before. The limit is 15$. If the wish list of the one I'm supposed to send is filled with 5$ books, do I send 3 or just 1?."

I think i..."

The $15 is a suggestion, but people really do whatever they want ;)

I usually stick around that for my match and then I gift to others. Sometimes I give way more to my match if I'm really excited by their wishlist.

Shin Mon wrote: "Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "A ton of people gift to others outside their match! Some people gave 10+ gifts in the past, I swear! As long as you don’t forget your match, anything go..."

I also go off wishlist a lot. I'll do a few from the wishlist and then throw in some favorites of mine that they haven't read (I check their GR to be sure).

I bet my wallet wishes I stuck to the guide lines, LOL! But that's no fun. Or, not as MUCH fun. :)

I know what you mean lol 😂. I enjoy gifting to others as well as to my SS 😉

Happy Holidays to everybody here!!

I save up random gift cards all year from different apps, so I can go a little nuts. I can't get in trouble if it isn't real money ;)