Goodreads Secret Santa discussion

Hello everyone!

It’s that time of the year again! My secret Santa is coming soon! I have no official dates as of now, but wanted to come here and announce that this will be once again happening in 2019!

We have some changes happening this year, all things that went well in the mid year exchange! Otherwise, nothing much different!

Who’s signing up this year??? Please invite your friends :)

See you guys sometime in November for sign up!

Yaaaaaay. Cannot wait ❤

Yeah!!!!! So fun

Definitely in!

Can't wait:)

I’m glad everyone is excited!

Welcome to the group Dee! We’ve never had anyone from New Zealand participate before!

I am 100% in again :)

I have a job now so I can participate this time \o/

Yes! Me! Looking forward to it ^^

Love to join in this year.

Can’t wait. I never found out who my secret Santa was last year

Some people aren’t overly chatty so they don’t always follow back up after they’ve sent the books sadly :(

Me!! I can't wait! This is my FAVORITE part of the holidays! I love that you do this Mel!!!!

Marley wrote: "Me!! I can't wait! This is my FAVORITE part of the holidays! I love that you do this Mel!!!!"

Me too! Yay Mel!

For full transparency (and to maybe ease some minds) I regularly clean out the group members here. If you flake out during an exchange and don't send a book, I remove you and you're barred from ever joining again.
As well, if you join and don't participate for 2 years in a row, I also remove you and you're barred from joining. This is less serious to me, but just why join?
I never remove anyone from the "banned" members list. I lose track of why you're there and don't want to accidentally invite someone back who flaked out.

I've just been made aware that a couple people in the midyear exchange ordered books for people and then cancelled them, in order to send me confirmation and look legit, but then got a free book. Please don't do this. It literally makes you look like the scum of the earth and it's honestly a waste of your, mine, and everyone's time.

This means a new change is coming this year. Not everyone will like it, but it's going to help me track things a little better.

Omg seriously?! That's really sad. I don't know how those people can live with themselves.

It is sad. You wait wondering what it’ll be just for nothing to come.

How stupid! The best part is trying to find a book someone else will like...the hardest part is trying to decide what to put on my own list. Lol. I hope we figure out a better way that is easier for you Mel!

What a shame that some people have to ruin such a fun Activity I can’t wait it’s so fun!!!!

Well, that's just the most unnicest thing ever. Can't believe people actually do that. It's so sad.

I appreciate you keeping people who are in the exchange for the wrong reasons out. I second what Kushmi said! I can't believe someone would ever do that!

I just want this to be a "safe" place that people can exchange books without feeling like they can get scammed, so I will always do what I can.

With this being said:

for those of you in already, what do you think is a good "Acceptable" time frame to leave sign up open? I usually do 3 weeks but wanted to know if that's too long?

So excited for this round! I think 3 weeks is plenty of time

3 weeks sounds just fine :)

I’m so in!! So much fun last year!!

3 weeks sounds fine

I like three weeks!

Mel wrote: "I just want this to be a "safe" place that people can exchange books without feeling like they can get scammed, so I will always do what I can.

With this being said:

for those of you in already,..."

Sounds fine to me

Mel wrote: "For full transparency (and to maybe ease some minds) I regularly clean out the group members here. If you flake out during an exchange and don't send a book, I remove you and you're barred from eve..."

That's such a shame that people have done that :(

Hey everyone!

Life has been busy lately but I’m still so excited for SS!

I’m doing SS a bit late this year and making it the weekend of December 6-8. That gives it about 2.5 weeks to arrive.

I’m able to also do it November 29-dec 1, giving things 3.5 weeks to arrive.

I’m not sure what everyone’s thoughts are on that. 2.5 weeks is plenty IF they ship them out relatively quickly.

Depending on the date I choose from those 2, the sign up date will either be this Friday November 8th at midnight or the following Friday November 15th.

I will admit as usual I’m inclined to go early because I’d rather gifts arrive early then late.

It takes about 5 weeks to arrive in Sri Lanka anyway. So the earlier the better I would say :)

I'm fine doing it early! I'm just excited for our SS to start :) Whatever works best for you, Mel!

I'd be fine with either date, too - whatever is easier for you to organize. Of course it's nice if presents get to people close around Christmas. But then again, I think most of us are aware that the gifter isn't actually the bearded weird old guy from the North Pole... and surprise book gifts are fine any time. ;-)

Either date is great

I'm new to this. Can you give some general info? Thanks

I'd also say: early

I am good either way!

Whatever you pick Mel. It’s such a fun thing , thank you for doing it

I can't believe it's already this time of the year. But unfortunately I can't do it this year.

Just reminding everyone who have sent their sign ups to send a goodreads message if you haven’t already!

Everyone who signed up and sent their message has had their entries confirmed :)

Hey everyone. I'm thrilled to select a book for someone. This is a really great idea.

Kim wrote: "Hey everyone. I'm thrilled to select a book for someone. This is a really great idea."

I know, right? I just love this idea! and it inspired me when my friend asked me what I wanted for my birthday - I simply gave her a list of about 10 books and she got me two of them she recognized haha :D

Some weird tidbits for those of you who enjoy SS:

I have quite a few entries so far, several people signing up more than once which I’m loving! I’d say we’re around 40 at the minute and we usually reach 60-70.

Almost everyone is a returning member. I think we only have 3 newbies joining, and several who are coming back from several years without joining. Not sure if the group isn’t reaching a lot of people but surprising to me!

And this is the year I’ve had the most angels <3 which i always appreciate!

40 people ? nice.!!!!!!!

Hey guys!! We’re down to under a week left to sign up. If you’re still interested please sign up before it’s too late!

i have finally sent my email! thanks for the reminder - this time of year is HECTIC! but i am looking forward to participating again!

We’re down to 24 hours left to sign up!

I've got to bow out this year because funds are tight but I hope everyone enjoys it and I can take part next year.

Sign up is over 💕 I will start sending out emails in about an hour! Less even for some.