Secret Santa gift exchange! discussion

Welcome to our 2025 gift exchange! Please introduce yourself here, and don't forget to register on Elfster!

https://www.elfster.com/gift-exchange...

Guys, this is our LUCKY 13th year!!!

Greetings, All and sundry. I'm not sure how many times I've done this exchange but I can tell y'all it's always a bright spot in any year. None moreso than this one as I climb out of the pit of pneumonia I've been in.

Hi, this is my third year participating. I hope everyone receives their ebooks without any problems.

Richard wrote: "Greetings, All and sundry. I'm not sure how many times I've done this exchange but I can tell y'all it's always a bright spot in any year. None moreso than this one as I climb out of the pit of pne..."

Awww, I hope you feel better soon xo!!

Hi! I'm Heather- I'm a happy, smiley romance reader (mainly M/M romance) from the NYC area. I love audiobooks (but I have an endless supply so please don't get me as a gift- but give me all of the suggestions!!), m/m romance, any and all alien/monster romance, and more!

Thank you, guys, for joining me in my annual ebook exchange! It's going to be another amazing year <3

Hi all! This will be my fifth year participating :D It's become something I look forward to every holiday season, and I can't wait for what will be another great year 🙌

I'm Ben, from Ireland. My favourite genre is fantasy, but if it has a queer romance I'll read any genre! Recently, after becoming obsessed with Infernal War Saga by Hailey Turner (just finished The Emperor's Bone Palace, and I'm eager and scared for the finale) I've been very interested in Steampunk. So, I'll take any recs!! :D

Thanks Heather for putting this together!! ❤️

Heather K (dentist in my spare time) wrote: "Awww, I hope you feel better soon xo!!

I'm alive...I'm recovering...I'm hoping it continues that way.

Hiyaaa

My name is Ami, I'm from Indonesia. I have been here since the inception, although I skipped last year, due to... reasons. But I am BACK this year and look forward to share some cheers around.

I read mostly M/M romance - with sprinkles of M/F romance and Urban Fantasy in between.

Hi I'm Faith and this is my second year participating. It was so fun last year! I read all kinds of stuff but like 95% is spicy M/M romance :)

Hi everyone Angela I live in California. This is my 10th year doing this exchange its one the highlights of my holiday season to witness the generosity of others.

Hello everyone! I am Tammy and live in the East Texas area. This is my seventh year and look forward to it every time. I read M/M romance and love me some shifter romance. Can't wait to begin!

Hi, I am Sarah and this is my first year participating! I love all romance: MF/MM/reverse harem. My top genres are historical, fantasy, and alien, but I am always up for something that is new to me!

Hey all, I’m Diane and live in northeast Ohio. I’m not sure how many of these that I have participated in, but I know it’s been several. I’m equal parts happy that it’s that time of year again and sadden because the year is just about over. I love m/m pnr and mpreg. But will read most anything except historical, if you have to hide your love and ya/na where they are still in high school. There are a few m/f series that are automatic purchases for me, but normally I stay away from those. Can’t wait to get started!

Hello! Hello! I’m sooooo happy that this is still going on!
I’m Jam and I live allllll the way in South America! I haven’t taken part in one of these in so long but I still have very fond memories of partaking! I love love romance! Recently I’ve completely fallen down a danmei (Chinese translated m/m romance: highly recommend!) hole and I can’t get up! When I’m not drowning in the pit, I love a good space opera or epic fantasy (rote lovers and sufferers say hi!)

Diane wrote: "Hey all, I’m Diane and live in northeast Ohio. I’m not sure how many of these that I have participated in, but I know it’s been several. I’m equal parts happy that it’s that time of year again and ..."

mpreg 👀 do you read manga?

Hello all!

This is my 13th year participating, and I look forward to this exchange all year long. I'm in the US.

I read primarily M/M romance with most of its subgenres. My wishlist is up to date, and I cannot wait to get the giving started!

This is going to be awesome!!

Welcome, everyone!!

Hi all, this is my ninth ( I think :-)), my math is bad tonight) year of participating. Heather as always thanks so much for inviting and organizing this awesome event where I always have tons of fun.

I am Hemmel and I am so jealous of people already doing this the 13th time. This is my seventh year, but I do not always join Elfster but just gift books to the people I meet here.

I am already struggling with Elfster login and have flashbacks from last year, when I had the same problem. I have to think a while, if I want the same this year, or just come here to chat with you all.

I am from The Netherlands and am mostly listening to MM romance.
Hi to all the familiar people, happy to see you.

Richard, I know how pneumonia recovery makes you feel exhausted all the time. Hang in there!

Hi everyone, I'm Iam (they/them) and this is my 7th year participating! Hello to new and familiar faces alike :)

I'm particulary excited for the fun and coziness of the exchange this year, as life has been pretty stressful for a while now. I finally finished my Doctorate, moved to another city, and have been searching for a new job for almost half a year now. Cannot wait to put all that aside and just look at wishlists and start gifting!

My reading tastes have stayed pretty consistent these past few years I think. I am still big into horror (especially cave, deep sea and deep space horror, if combined all the better), but also into romance and romantasy! I've always loved speculative fiction/SFF but fantasy has been really big for me this year, more so than SciFi.

I'm from Germany, so sorry in advance to my Secret Santa if you are from another region, I know it can be a struggle, but we can figure it out with gift cards somehow!

Sandra wrote: "This is going to be awesome!!"

It is! Always a high point of my year, joining this delightful group of reading nuts.

Hemmel M. wrote: "Richard, I know how pneumonia recovery makes you feel exhausted all the time. Hang in there!"

Thanks, Hemmel, I'm glad for your supportive message. I think I'm not recovering well if I am not full-strength within 24hrs...wrong, and not helpful to my *real* recovery. I appreciate your message.

Debbie wrote: "I hope you feel better soon!"

Thank you, Debbie, I'm happily getting better by the day. Welcome!

Hi everyone! I’m Yael and this is my first time participating.
I started reading M/M about a year ago and never looked back

Hi everyone! I’m Emmy 📚✨
This is my first time joining the ebook gift exchange, and honestly, I have no idea how it all works yet — but I’m so eager to be part of it and figure it out along the way!

I’m a total bookish introvert who loves immersive stories with rich worlds, clever writing, and characters you can’t forget. Fantasy and adventure are my go-tos, but I’m always open to something unique that pulls me in.

I can’t wait to see what everyone’s reading, discover new favorites, and share the joy of good stories together. 💕

Hey everyone, this time of year is always rough but this exchange has helped over the last few years I've been here. Crazy it's that time again!

Hi everyone!

My name is Mirella. I am not sure how long I've been participating in this event. At least 11 year, but it might be all 13. I lost count, tbh.

I live in MetroWest (it's in the state of MA) with my hubby and two serial killers aka "cats". Our kids are in college in Boston, and no matter how well we childproof the house, they somehow manage to end up back home for at least 3 days out of the week.

I primarily read MM fiction and prefer plot vs sex/erotica. In addition to DTB and epubs I also listen to audiobooks. My favorite genres are SciFi, Fantasy and Historical. Mystery and Suspense is also good. And Dragons! Give me dragons and I will even read horror! 🤣

So nice to see everyone gathering here again - old friends and new. I am looking forward to yet another wonderful book exchange!

Heather, thank you for keeping this event going! ❤️

M'rella wrote: "My name is Mirella. I am not sure how long I've been participating in this event. At least 11 year, but it might be all 13. I lost count, tbh."

You can actually see count it from the number of exchanges on Elfster, Ella ^^

@Ami

It only confirms 2013, which I actually also have a shelf for on GR. Before that I used my oldest daughter's account which I don't have access to anymore. I also have a tiny "gifts" folder on my hard drive from 2012, but I don't remember why those books were gifted to me.

It's a mystery 😉

Jamilla wrote: "Diane wrote: "Hey all, I’m Diane and live in northeast Ohio. I’m not sure how many of these that I have participated in, but I know it’s been several. I’m equal parts happy that it’s that time of y..."

no mpreg where the males can get pregnant.

Hi! I'm Kendra, and I'm excited to be back again for another exchange. I've been doing this since 2013, so I just can't get enough. I'm in CT, and I pretty much only read mm romance. I'm a hockey mom so I spend a lot of time freezing in a rink.

@Richard, I hope you are feeling back to yourself soon. Sorry you have been knocked pretty hard with the pneumonia.

hi! 😊 I'm Kate from Phoenix and this is my second year.

I like mystery romances, even better if there's a fantasy element. but really I'll read anything as long as it's not toooo comedic.

@Jamilla for danmei, I've really enjoyed Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation because it has explicit romance + pretty detailed mystery. lots of really good fanfic in that fandom too.

Kendra wrote: "@Richard, I hope you are feeling back to yourself soon. Sorry you have been knocked pretty hard with the pneumonia."

Thanks, Kendra, I think it's finally released me. So I hope anyway.

@Jamilla @OvercommuniKate I’ve actually never read any danmei before! What would you recommend for a first read? I don’t shy away from heavy themes, and I love intricate, character-driven stories.

Howdy from Houston, everyone! I’m Daniel and this is my 7th year participating. I don’t read like I used to, but somehow still collect ebooks at the same rate. 😆 I read all sorts of genres but my favorite are mystery/thriller & urban fantasy. As I’ve gotten older I am finding myself somewhat under the asexual banner and thankfully I have a VERY understanding husband! Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate books with some smut (not too much for me, though) but I’m always on the lookout for ace romances or books where the spicy parts are easy to get through and get back to the story. I know it’s borderline blasphemy for MM books, and I had no issues with folks with active libidos that enjoy books being ALL about the spice, it just doesn’t do it for me like it used to. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I’ll still read books with smut, I just speed read that part lol.
Anyway, that’s enough about me. I can’t wait to experience the good feelings from reading about the generosity, camaraderie, and positivity this group brings every year.

I'm in again! Wouldn't miss it for the world!
Thanks so much for always hosting such a friendly, welcoming, festive exchange Heather!!!
❄️❄️❄️☃️☃️☃️🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎁🎅🎅🤶🤶🧑‍🎄🧑‍🎄

Daniel wrote: "Howdy from Houston, everyone! I’m Daniel and this is my 7th year participating. I don’t read like I used to, but somehow still collect ebooks at the same rate. 😆 I read all sorts of genres but my f..."

TJ Klune has written a book with an ace character.



The 2nd book has a demi character.

.

Sandra wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Howdy from Houston, everyone! I’m Daniel and this is my 7th year participating. I don’t read like I used to, but somehow still collect ebooks at the same rate. 😆 I read all sorts of ..."

Oh yes, I absolutely adore those books (and TJ Klune, period!)

My favourite festive season experience is here! I can't remember how many I've done now but I look forward to it every time.

I'm Louise, a disabled single mum to a nearly 18-year-old son, former journalist and sub-editor for two decades and now a freelance copywriter, editor and beta reader. I'm also in the UK.

I pretty much only read MM romance these days, with the odd detour into fantasy and historical biographies.

Thanks once again Doc for organising!

@Daniel

I can totally relate! I love early Josh Lanyon for that :)

@Daniel - hi from fellow ace (and aro in my case). I have been known to myself "complainin" about too much sex in my reviews since I also enjoy books with less smut 🙂

Thanks again Heather! I've participated in 12 of the 13 years. I was on the fence this year since it's been a struggle to say the least, but I know this will bring some joy to the season.

Mostly m/m reader, but I've gotten back into general mystery, fantasy, dark reading since I'm finding a lot of new m/m coming out to be a "rinse repeat" experience. If anyone has found something that is different or interesting please let me know so I can add it to the TBR!

Hello everyone, new and old to our secret Santa exchange, my name is Chad. This is my 10th year.

Last year was another success, I enjoyed giving and certainly loved watching so many people receive gifts 🎁 and as with last year, I was blown away by the overall thoughtfulness, gratitude and generousness of every participant and those super generous elves that came along as the exchange went on, it always makes my heart soar and the holidays so much brighter, cheerier and that much more special!

I read many genres but am heavily into reading male/male fiction.

What a year it has been, I am joining this years’ exchange with a heavy heart, I lost my mom on October 24th but I am participating in this exchange this year because I’ve waited for this event all year and my mom would have wanted me to have a jolly good time with friends. So here’s to bringing joy and loads of smiles and festive cheer to everyone!

Hugs to all!! Let the festivities begin!!!

I'm so sorry, Chad.

my condolence, Chad.
I like your new Avatar!

And your pets's names!

Hi everyone and welcome! Debra- I'm happy you are participating again, and I hope you get so much joy from it xo. Chad- so sorry about your mom.

Welcome, everyone! I'm going to try to screen everyone well this year again to weed out people who will be difficult matches, so I'm hoping for a fantastic gifting year! If someone has financial issues but wants to participate, feel free to PM me and we can chat more.

Chad James wrote: "...I lost my mom on October 24th but I am participating in this exchange this year because I’ve waited for this event all year and my mom would have wanted be to have a jolly good time with friends. So here’s to bringing joy and loads of smiles and festive cheer to everyone!"

I'm so saddened by your loss of a mom who clearly earned your friendship as well as love.

My condolences to you Chad, so sorry about your Mom *hugs*

Hello everyone. I'm so happy it's that time of year again. I look forward to seeing new and familiar faces so I can add many new books to my TBR. I've been a part of this group for 9 years now and I have a ball each time.

I am a huge romance reader. My fav subgenres are Fantasy, Thriller, Sci-fi, M/M, and Polyamorous. I prefer them extra spicy with a twist.