Cellar Secret Santa

Sundae • Nov 18, 2007 4:42 pm
Apologies if this has been brought up before. Something in chat made me think of it and I could find another post.

For those not familiar with the concept:
Everyone wanting to take part submits name and address - can be work address, PO Box address, friend's address, whatever you are happy with if not home address.
The "Secret Santa" draws names from a hat - for example Ducks might get Labrat, labrat might get Monster. In the case of odd numbers either someone else is called in or "Santa" gets generous
Each person is informed by PM of their recipient and spends $5-10 on a suitable/ rude/ useful/ legal present via post.

Now, I am willing to be Santa, but I would rather take part.
It's up to UT of course - he has plenty of info on us and is obviously trustworthy, but also works hard already for us

In offices the sender is usually kept private, but the wrapped present is on display for days, and the gifts are much discussed. Every year, to my distress, the gift I bought and wrapped on behalf of my Manager was always more admired than mine!!!

Anyone up for it?
limey • Nov 18, 2007 5:14 pm
Me!
DucksNuts • Nov 18, 2007 5:54 pm
Me
Sundae • Nov 18, 2007 6:40 pm
wHOOWOOOO"
A few more and we won't be able to guess who thery're from!
Clodfobble • Nov 18, 2007 6:52 pm
I'd be up for it. I think we should definitely have to post descriptions and/or photos of the presents when they arrive!
monster • Nov 18, 2007 7:20 pm
Sundae Girl;408304 wrote:
Now, I am willing to be Santa, but I would rather take part.



By Santa, do you mean the one who pulls the numbers, makes the pairings and informs people of their intended? I can do that if you want. I like to be bossy.

I'm not sure why you think it wouldn't work with an odd number of people. I don't see it will be a problem.

Let me know. You gotta remember, though, of we're going intercontinental, mailing dates are early and mailing costs can be huge.

I would be mean old Santa and insist that you -SG- and anyone else on an extremely tight budget think of the mailing cost (which is nearly a pound for just a letter UK-US) when purchasing :p it's all very well keeping the gift cost down to $5-$10, but if you buy a souvenir rock, that shipping's gonna kill you.
jinx • Nov 18, 2007 7:24 pm
In.
zippyt • Nov 18, 2007 7:38 pm
in
kerosene • Nov 18, 2007 8:08 pm
I am up for this. :)
richlevy • Nov 18, 2007 8:21 pm
Count me in.
LJ • Nov 18, 2007 8:53 pm
yeah, baby, yeah
Undertoad • Nov 18, 2007 10:06 pm
The drawing can be on youtube video to keep things honest.
lookout123 • Nov 19, 2007 12:15 am
i'm in.
Cloud • Nov 19, 2007 12:35 am
overseas gifts can present problems. I've been involved in Internet Secret Santas before, where the poor giftee has to pay duty tax on their gift. Not sure there's even a way around that.
DucksNuts • Nov 19, 2007 5:29 am
Hmm....I've sent a few hundred dollars worth of Xmas gifts to the US every year and never had any problems with import tax.

Down here you have up to $250 before import duty kicks in and most people just declare under that no matter what
Sundae • Nov 19, 2007 5:35 am
Same here - not £100s in my case but bits and pieces to the States and Kenya. All arrived intact and without duty. Books are good - printed papers sent as gifts have no duty to pay.

Just get something cute, light and obviously gift-like. That's part of the challenge surely :)

Anyway, I'm in as Monster has offered to run it.
Monster I'll PM you my address, let me know when you draw it (by beginning December I guess - as you said, we need time to mail overseas).
Aliantha • Nov 19, 2007 5:35 am
I'm in. what's the limit?
LabRat • Nov 19, 2007 9:56 am
Ooh Ooh! Me too!! Me too!!

[SIZE="1"]FYI a package I recently sent to the UK that weighed approx 2lbs cost $18 US to send. Just in case peoples were wondering about shipping.[/SIZE]
Cicero • Nov 19, 2007 1:08 pm
I'm game. I've got something special for a special someone out there...and time to kill while I'm in Taos...Hey Sundae...tell me who my recipient is before I leave for Taos. Shopping time! (Wednesday morning)

And let me know if you don't want to be left out...I am capable of sending packages to England..
:)
DanaC • Nov 19, 2007 1:26 pm
Don't think I can play gals and girls. I am currently dodging debt collectors on a month by month basis til my next student cheque:P
jester • Nov 19, 2007 1:44 pm
i'll do it - it would be fun
Cicero • Nov 19, 2007 2:08 pm
Pssst. Don't give me Jester....she doesn't like pajamas.
lol!!!
Shawnee123 • Nov 19, 2007 2:11 pm
DanaC;408555 wrote:
Don't think I can play gals and girls. I am currently dodging debt collectors on a month by month basis til my next student cheque:P


Sadly, I'm in sort of that same boat.

Bah humbug for me. But I hope you all have a ball! :)
Cicero • Nov 19, 2007 2:12 pm
Yea...or maybe you guys are just being...how do I say....cheap?
:)
DanaC • Nov 19, 2007 2:30 pm
Cheap? I think that's pronounced b*r*o*k*e :p
Sundae • Nov 19, 2007 2:38 pm
These guys are being sensible.
I just see ooh shiny, sparkly, presents, mail, ooh, shiny!!!!

Which means I shouldn't, but I can't help it (and it won't cost much I can promise you that)

*** Unless I hear otherwise, MONSTER is playing Santa, forward all addresses/ applications to her ***
BigV • Nov 19, 2007 2:44 pm
I would love to participate! Count me in.
jester • Nov 19, 2007 2:48 pm
Cicero;408586 wrote:
Pssst. Don't give me Jester....she doesn't like pajamas.
lol!!!



Who told?
SteveDallas • Nov 19, 2007 2:53 pm
I'll do it.
Cicero • Nov 19, 2007 4:42 pm
Your mama. @Jester.
:)
lol!!
monster • Nov 19, 2007 5:09 pm
OK, I'm Santa. PM me your mailing details -they will only be passed on to your recipient. Let me know if you want me to tell the recipient your cellar name too, or whether you want to leave that as a surprise.

Unless there are objections, I say the limit is $15US including shipping. All entries should be in by December 1st when i'll draw the pairings, then you have one week to buy and mail your gift. Home-made gifts are acceptable. The drawing will not be on you-tube because I'm camera-shy, but I have no vested interest in any pairings and you can trust me, I'm a Dr. :lol:

I would advise all to steer clear of sending food to the US (candy and chocolate would probably be OK)

Should we try to have an official online opening party in the chatroom? maybe not on the 25th?
monster • Nov 19, 2007 5:12 pm
Please note that neither I nor the Callar can accept any responsibility if your sender turns out to be a lame duck. I think unknown noobs must be excluded for this reason, but I'm open to discussion on that.
LJ • Nov 19, 2007 5:22 pm
Known noobs are ok, though....right?



...guys?
zippyt • Nov 19, 2007 5:32 pm
sounds ok to me
Cicero • Nov 19, 2007 5:34 pm
*crossing fingers*
Lumberjim Lumberjim lumberjim.....
lol!!!
LJ • Nov 19, 2007 5:47 pm
Did I ever mention how attractive and intelligent I find you to be, Cicero?
Aliantha • Nov 19, 2007 5:49 pm
When will it be drawn?
LJ • Nov 19, 2007 5:55 pm
. All entries should be in by December 1st when i'll draw the pairings
Aliantha • Nov 19, 2007 5:58 pm
oh right. Didn't see that.
Cicero • Nov 19, 2007 5:59 pm
LJ;408735 wrote:
Did I ever mention how attractive and intelligent I find you to be, Cicero?


:D
Petty....but I'll take it!
Aliantha • Nov 19, 2007 5:59 pm
I'm wondering if that's going to leave enough time for those of us on the other side of the world.

the postie gets pretty busy around xmas time.
monster • Nov 19, 2007 6:16 pm
Aliantha;408747 wrote:
I'm wondering if that's going to leave enough time for those of us on the other side of the world.

the postie gets pretty busy around xmas time.


what's your last mailing date for US and UK? You can always pre-buy the gift, so you can mail it as soon as you get your recipients details -you may get someone who's requested to stay anonymous anyway.

Hey, shall we have them all addressed to and from Mr. or Ms. Cellar? :lol: So both senders and recipients are anonymous? Senders can reveal if they wish when recipients open gifts....

or not...
kerosene • Nov 19, 2007 6:43 pm
I don't have a problem with non-anonymity...in such a small dose, anyway.

But its cool with me if everyone wants to be anonymous.
lookout123 • Nov 19, 2007 6:55 pm
so, i'm thinking that all the gifts should belong to a common theme. being as this is the cellar i think the theme for this year should, of course, be Cock! I can see 20+ dwellars mailing variations of cock gifts to each other around the world and then posting pictures of the cock they received. Then we can of course play a "who gave what cock to who?" game.

you know, i was just screwing around with this post as a joke, but the idea of cock gifts has grown on me a bit. I mean seriously what male dwellar doesn't want to give cock as a gift, and most of the female dwellars wouldn't mind getting a little cock. as long as it isn't too little.

any thoughts?
kerosene • Nov 19, 2007 6:59 pm
ummm....yes, I like that idea.
LJ • Nov 19, 2007 7:03 pm
lookout123;408764 wrote:
[COLOR="silver"]SNIP![/COLOR]the ...[COLOR="Silver"]SNIP!....[/COLOR]cock ....[COLOR="silver"]SNIP!!..... [/COLOR]has grown on me a bit.
lookout123 • Nov 19, 2007 7:05 pm
ok, admittedly i threw some words and phrases just to see if i could get it to show up in google. no dice. i guess there is just too great a plethora of cock in the world for us to be noticed in googleland.

although i have to say that your willingness to snip around the cock is a little scary.
LJ • Nov 19, 2007 7:10 pm
gotta keep it looking presentable....


this year for christmas...don't be surprised if you recieve this:

[youtube]H-MFhAtrF3M[/youtube]
SteveDallas • Nov 19, 2007 7:37 pm
LJ;408717 wrote:
Known noobs are ok, though....right?

What about known boobs?

I personally vote against the Cock idea.
shina • Nov 19, 2007 8:34 pm
I'm a noob (newbie) and don't know whether I fall into any said category so...will pass this year. Sounds like fun though. And yes...Cocks for Christmas is my vote for y'all. :D
monster • Nov 19, 2007 9:00 pm
Hey Shina, so far so good, welcome to the cellar and thanks for making that call -I think your noobness -even through you show great promise- :D (could that be more patronizing ;) )- would have me feeling a little uncomfortable.
DucksNuts • Nov 19, 2007 9:38 pm
monster;408708 wrote:
Please note that neither I nor the Callar can accept any responsibility if your sender turns out to be a lame duck. I think unknown noobs must be excluded for this reason, but I'm open to discussion on that.


:eyebrow:
BigV • Nov 19, 2007 9:46 pm
I vote no. I have all the cock I need, thanks. And I have a reliable consumer for all my overstock when my inventory gets too high.
monster • Nov 19, 2007 10:04 pm
DucksNuts;408814 wrote:
:eyebrow:


ooh, sorry ... (but in mitigation, duck_duck......)

How about damp squib?
shina • Nov 19, 2007 10:04 pm
monster;408808 wrote:
Hey Shina, so far so good, welcome to the cellar and thanks for making that call -I think your noobness -even through you show great promise- :D (could that be more patronizing ;) )- would have me feeling a little uncomfortable.


I can't wait to see the pics. This ought to be really good:D
monster • Nov 19, 2007 10:23 pm
shina;408825 wrote:
I can't wait to see the pics. This ought to be really good:D


I feel more comfortable after chatting with you tonight ....but I bet you don't! :lol:
bluecuracao • Nov 20, 2007 10:12 am
Count me in. Cocks Rocks! :shred:
shina • Nov 20, 2007 10:43 am
monster;408828 wrote:
I feel more comfortable after chatting with you tonight ....but I bet you don't! :lol:


???
ZenGum • Nov 20, 2007 12:01 pm
I'll pass on the Secret Santa business, on account of being barely able to send gifts to relatives.
But for your amusement I have found this page which features some great gifts, if only I knew where to buy them. Be sure to check both pages.
lookout123 • Nov 20, 2007 12:23 pm
in all seriousness i would murder to get my hands on a "gilroy the ghost" vintage avon lip balm finger puppet. yes, i seriously said that. i NEED to give one of those bad boys as a gift, but i can't find one on ebay. damn!
Shawnee123 • Nov 20, 2007 12:54 pm
lookout, see your Gilroy thread. I found one.
monster • Nov 20, 2007 1:35 pm
I have 9 sets of details so far.
monster • Nov 20, 2007 1:35 pm
shina;408960 wrote:
???


having found out what a weirdo I really am......
Cicero • Nov 20, 2007 1:37 pm
Feeling postal monster?
Uuuugh...sorry guys...
I'm sorry...oh jeez.
:)
Sundae • Nov 21, 2007 5:01 am
You know I didn't like the cock theme at first, but I'm really warming to it now.
Especially as I'd love a bit of cock at Christmas and this is the closest I'm likely to come :)

I know it's early doors yet, but could I get an idea of the rough time for the unwrapping? Some of us are going to have to stay up late or set our alarms early either way, so I might mention it offhand next time I talk to my Mum :)

Oh that's a point... wonder if I should have given her address? Nah - we're not getting there til Christmas Eve and if it's cutting it that fine I'll just do without it.
DanaC • Nov 21, 2007 6:52 am
So...you're warming to the cock are ye Sundae?
shina • Nov 21, 2007 1:20 pm
monster;409059 wrote:
having found out what a weirdo I really am......


Ah..ok. I didn't see the weirdo. :) Still can't wait for the pics. I hope the cock idea follows through. I can only imagine what the whole lot of you will come up with!
BigV • Nov 21, 2007 3:07 pm
shina;409295 wrote:
Ah..ok. I didn't see the weirdo. :) Still can't wait for the pics. I hope the cock idea follows through. I can only imagine what the whole lot of you will come up with!


I don't.

But I'll submit to the will of the people. My question is when will we know?
monster • Nov 21, 2007 3:22 pm
Cock theme optional, I say. I don't have you down as a participant, though, V.

All particpants should note the drawing will be entirely random and only subject to a redo if spouses are paired.

Now if you want to have a set opening time, state your preferences for when that is....... I'm thinking early evening, Eastern time = late night UK time = Mid morning in Aus? but what day?
DanaC • Nov 21, 2007 3:40 pm
Cock theme optional, I say.


Now there's a philosphy to live by :P
lookout123 • Nov 21, 2007 3:44 pm
the verdict is that the cock theme is voluntary. i predict we will all exchange white elephant gifts then regift them for years to come in the annual cellar secret santa swap.

newbie's in 5 years will be so confused at the ceramic rooster they receive.
Sundae • Nov 21, 2007 5:02 pm
Put this item number into eBay - 280173932448
Sadly this is the cock you won't be getting as it has already gone over $20

Although I should have expected it for such a huge gorgeous art pottery rooster cock.
Aliantha • Nov 22, 2007 7:57 am
the reason I wouldn't prebuy is that I don't know who I'm sending to. I'd rather know who I'm buying for so I can get them something they might like.

I suppose if the person chooses to remain annon, they'll just be getting a stuffed koala or something equally inane.
monster • Nov 22, 2007 12:48 pm
When is your last posting date, then?
zippyt • Nov 22, 2007 2:59 pm
I have know idea of our last mailing date but how about something like Dec 10 or sum such .

How many address do you have ??
Sundae • Nov 22, 2007 3:31 pm
I got a leaflet from the Post Office for the Brits:

UK - Australia & New Zealand: Friday 7 December (International Airmail)
UK - USA & Japan: Monday 10 December (International Airmail)
UK - UK: Thursday 20 December (1st Class)

We've missed Surface Mail posting dates already!
Please note the above are last recommended posting dates
Aliantha • Nov 22, 2007 6:02 pm
I think we need to get this under way for those of us who want to participate but might have trouble paying higher postage costs. Alternatively, perhaps it should just be for US and Canadian Cellarites and leave the rest of us out of it.

There's not really any other way to say we need to know pretty soon is there?
Aliantha • Nov 22, 2007 6:04 pm
And I don't know what the postage dates are, but in the past it's always been a matter of getting it in the post at least 6 weeks before the big day or you've got no chance. Traditionally even then it's a risk from here.

If I had time I'd go to the post office and find out, but I do not.
LJ • Nov 22, 2007 11:06 pm
would the world end if you didnt get your pressie before the 25th?
Aliantha • Nov 22, 2007 11:15 pm
the world wont end either way. to be honest, I really don't care anymore.

Just take my name off the list please monster.
Aliantha • Nov 22, 2007 11:21 pm
one final thing. I was more concerned about getting a gift to the other person than recieving my own. I like to put time and effort into every gift I give otherwise there's no point doing it.

I wasn't planning on sending a crap present regardless of whose name came up for me.

Anyway, it doesn't matter now. I'm out of the game.
zippyt • Nov 23, 2007 12:20 am
Now don't get all mad and stuff ,
You know Lj just likes to poke !!
Aliantha • Nov 23, 2007 12:39 am
yep I know. I don't think he took it personally anyway. Don't mind me.
LJ • Nov 23, 2007 7:13 am
I really wasn't trying to be rude at all, actually. I was just saying that it's not such a big deal if they get there a wee bit late. I actually like that one last present that you get from an out of town aunt or whatever.... sorry if i came off tersely.
Aliantha • Nov 23, 2007 7:19 am
I didn't think you were being terse.

I was just having a meltdown.

Things are better now. It's amazing what one nice big cuddle can do.
Cloud • Nov 23, 2007 5:24 pm
I will consider for next year. I'm too much of a noob now still.
monster • Nov 23, 2007 5:26 pm
Zippy: 12 or 13 I think.

1 Dec is plenty of time to buy and mail from UK and from US to all 3 continents (airmail), but I don't know about from Aus. Ali, I know you were concerned about mailing out and not the other way, but I didn't think I deserved that tirade, I was asking a straightforward question. Doesn't your post office issue last mailing dates? We are already way too late for overland mailing which is why I didn't consider that option and it never occured to me that's what you were thinking. Also, I have seen other international secret santas and far too many overland packages fail to turn up at all. Airmail is much more reliable and not too expensive if you shop with mailing in mind. Do you still want to be removed now you've calmed down?
Aliantha • Nov 23, 2007 6:41 pm
What tirade? I said take my name off the list please. Forget I ever entered into the idea.

I had a lot more to say here which would have looked a lot more like a tirade than what I'd previously written, which in my opinion was a person simply asking for some consideration. Obviously that's too much to ask in the grand scheme of things. Fortunately for everyone I decided to delete it before I posted it.
LJ • Nov 23, 2007 7:28 pm
maybe she's in her house....reedin o'er yer shoulder?
Aliantha • Nov 23, 2007 7:29 pm
nope...she's not.
richlevy • Nov 24, 2007 12:17 pm
I just want to say that it warms the cockles of my heart to see the members of the Cellars acting like a typical family gathering for the holidays. Adding the cousins in pointless argument over gift giving involving misinterpretation, suspicion of motives, defensiveness, and possibly guilt really just make the whole thing way too authentic.

Just as long as everyone makes up before the turkey gets cold.
LJ • Nov 24, 2007 1:44 pm
he said cockles

COCKLES OF YOUR HEART
[Q] From Craig Bodhi: “I’m curious about the idiom warm the cockles of your heart.”

[A] It’s one of the more lovely idioms in the language, isn’t it? Something that warms the cockles of one’s heart induces a glow of pleasure, sympathy, affection, or some such similar emotion. What gets warmed is the innermost part of one’s being. It’s not that surprising that it should be associated with the heart, that being the presumed seat of the emotions for most people. But what are the cockles?

We’re not sure. We do know that the expression turns up first in the middle of the seventeenth century, and that the earliest form of the idiom was rejoice the cockles of one’s heart.

Cockles are a type of bivalve mollusc, once a staple part of the diet for many British people (you may recall that Sweet Molly Malone once wheeled her wheelbarrow through Dublin’s fair city, crying “cockles and mussels, alive, alive oh!”). They are frequently heart-shaped (their formal zoological genus was at one time Cardium, of the heart), with ribbed shells.

It may be that the shape and spiral ribbing of the ventricles of the heart reminded surgeons of the two valves of the cockle. But I can’t find an example of the word cockle being applied to the heart outside this expression, which makes me suspicious of this explanation. It may be that the shape of the cockleshell, suggesting the heart as it so obviously does, gave rise to cockles of the heart as an expansion.

After this piece appeared in the Newsletter, James Woodfield pointed out that there is another possible explanation. In medieval Latin, the ventricles of the heart were at times called cochleae cordis, where the second word is an inflected form of cor, heart. Those unversed in Latin could have misinterpreted cochleae as cockles, or it might have started out as a university in-joke. Oddly, cochlea in Latin is the word for a snail (from the shape of the ventricles — it’s also the name given to the spiral cavity of the inner ear), so if this story is right we should really be speaking of warming the snails of one’s heart.
Aliantha • Nov 24, 2007 7:31 pm
Maybe it came from the fact that people loved cockles and to eat them, they're best warmed, so when you warm the cockles of your heart (heart meaning that which you love), you feel happier because you're about to eat what you love. The fact that love is generally associated with creating warmth as opposed to feeling 'cold and alone' is also implied.

Anyway, I don't know why people had to get shirty. I only asked for the date to be brought forward a week or so and someone didn't think it was reasonable to do that, so I simply asked to be taken off the list rather than bother arguing more.

Presumably that has occured and we can all just move on from here.
ZenGum • Nov 25, 2007 3:51 am
LJ, maybe you need to come out of your shell?
xoxoxoBruce • Nov 25, 2007 5:22 pm
Aliantha;409942 wrote:
.....so I simply asked to be taken off the list rather than bother arguing more.

And then made 6 more posts.
Aliantha • Nov 25, 2007 5:34 pm
In response to people's questions Bruce. Just like I'm responding to another one of your smart arse posts. Why bother? Because the arseholes of the world don't deserve to win. Also, it's a discussion forum so it's my right to respond.

You're on ignore now you stupid old shit.
xoxoxoBruce • Nov 25, 2007 6:58 pm
Seven.
bluecuracao • Nov 25, 2007 7:39 pm
monster;409323 wrote:
Cock theme optional


I would like some clarification on this.

The Secret Santas (i.e. gifters) are the deciders, correct?
monster • Nov 25, 2007 8:13 pm
bluecuracao;410122 wrote:
I would like some clarification on this.

The Secret Santas (i.e. gifters) are the deciders, correct?


yes
monster • Nov 25, 2007 8:22 pm
So far I have the mailing details for

Limey, BigV, Labrat, lookout123, bluecuracao, ducksnuts, clodfobble, jinx, case, zippyt, cicero, SundaeGirl and three anonymous but long term dwellars.

total 15. If you're not on the list, you're not in (yet). Any more?

The following expressed an interest but have not yet PMd me mailing details:

Richlevy, jester, SteveDallas
monster • Nov 27, 2007 12:56 am
http://www.cellar.org/showpost.php?p=410577&postcount=2
monster • Nov 28, 2007 9:43 pm
OK, the names are in, the randomizing is done, I will be sending out details this evening. Please follow these guidelines:

1) cost of gift and mailing should not exceed total $15US
2) Cock theme optional
3) Check last mailing date for your destination and mail well within that timeframe. International mailing should probably be done by Friday December 7th.
4) PM me or post in the thread when you have mailed your gift.
5) Keep the address you receive confidential. Do not pass it to a third party without permission.
6) Please remain as anonymous as possible so senders can be revealed (if they want to be) after the grand opening. This suggestion is optional, but it might be fun for recipients to guess who their Santa was.
7) Remember that it is not necessary to send a gift in return -someone else will have sent your Santa a gift. Thank you notes either in the mail or in the thread are sufficient. If we reciprocate it could escalate to the point where we rescue the US economy! :lol:
8) Vote in the "opening time" poll I will post later

We have 20 Santas, by the way :)
LJ • Nov 28, 2007 9:49 pm
monster;411539 wrote:

8) Vote in the "opening yime" poll I will post later

We have 20 Santas, by the way :)



opening yime? is that like yove your mother?
monster • Nov 28, 2007 10:38 pm
yeah.

moving on...

please also post or pm to let me know you have received your gift....

/santa dictator
monster • Nov 28, 2007 10:46 pm
OK, they're all sent! If you are a secret santa and do not have a PM about your intended in your inbox, PM me NOW!!!!!
BigV • Nov 28, 2007 10:50 pm
monster;411539 wrote:
OK, the names are in, the randomizing is done, I will be sending out details this evening. Please follow these guidelines:
Guidelines? Guidelines!? We don't need no steekeen "guidelines".

monster;411539 wrote:
1) cost of gift and mailing should not exceed total $15US
I'll try.
monster;411539 wrote:
2) Cock theme optional
I'm not going to try very hard on this one.
monster;411539 wrote:
3) Check last mailing date for your destination and mail well within that timeframe. International mailing should probably be done by Friday December 7th.
Definitely going to follow this one. Especially in light of guideline number 6.
monster;411539 wrote:
4) PM me or post in the thread when you have mailed your gift.
No problemo.
monster;411539 wrote:
5) Keep the address you receive confidential. Do not pass it to a third party without permission.
Guaranteed.
monster;411539 wrote:
6) Please remain as anonymous as possible so senders can be revealed (if they want to be) after the grand opening. This suggestion is optional, but it might be fun for recipients to guess who their Santa was.
I should write my return address in disappearing ink? I'm the only one in my freakin time zone, probably. For me to succeed here I need another address of a willing remailer.
monster;411539 wrote:
7) Remember that it is not necessary to send a gift in return -someone else will have sent your Santa a gift. Thank you notes either in the mail or in the thread are sufficient. If we reciprocate it could escalate to the point where we rescue the US economy! :lol:
Hmmm. You say that like it's a bad thing. For me, the pleasure truly is in the giving.
monster;411539 wrote:
8) Vote in the "opening time" poll I will post later

We have 20 Santas, by the way :)

:rolleyes:

Woo Hooo! I'm stoked!
LJ • Nov 28, 2007 11:13 pm
put the same address as the recipient on it as the return address
monster • Nov 28, 2007 11:38 pm
or put
dwellar
cellar
usa :p
Razzmatazz13 • Nov 29, 2007 12:05 am
are smilies allowed in postage?
monster • Nov 29, 2007 3:37 pm
Razzmatazz13;411595 wrote:
are smilies allowed in postage?


totally.


I need 7 more people to confirm they got their recipient details, and anyone who didn't get a recipient and was expecting one to contact me right now -I had a back up plan in case anyone was accidentally left out, but it involved delaying someone's message by a day or so and they are raring to go! :lol:
DucksNuts • Dec 4, 2007 6:09 am
Hmf....I apologise in advance for my wrapping.

T-man wanted to *help* and wanted the package to look like a spider...weirdo.

Oh and the Customs slip makes it hard to keep a secret.

Errr, there may be a few little dribble marks too...Addi was also helping by providing the Christmas cheer and singing " secret santa, ho ho ho'ed n so so so'ed till the wind blowed blowed blowed".
BigV • Dec 4, 2007 11:56 am
er... yeah. wrapping.

dammit! I **KNEW** I forgot something!
Cicero • Dec 4, 2007 12:03 pm
Mine is sooo goood. Well I would like it. I would be charmed....But people are so picky...ya just never know....It's still "in the shop" so I may have to mail it later- but I'll do it overnight once it's done...hopefully it will be there on time!!

Can it be a little late if it's awesome?
ZenGum • Dec 4, 2007 12:30 pm
DucksNuts;412897 wrote:
Hmf....I apologise in advance for my wrapping.

T-man wanted to *help* and wanted the package to look like a spider...weirdo.



DUCKS!!! :D Where you been, girl? everything ok?
BigV • Dec 4, 2007 2:42 pm
Cicero;412966 wrote:
Mine is sooo goood. Well I would like it. I would be charmed....But people are so picky...ya just never know....It's still "in the shop" so I may have to mail it later- but I'll do it overnight once it's done...hopefully it will be there on time!!

Can it be a little late if it's awesome?


Your "what" is soooo good? The wine or the bottle?
Sundae • Dec 4, 2007 2:46 pm
Cicero;412966 wrote:
Can it be a little late if it's awesome?

If it was me I would say "Yes, absolutely" but you might have to give up your Secret status and give the person a little warning. Otherwise you might see a lot of posts from your recipient saying,"Not, here yet. Am I the only one without one? Monster, where is mine?" etc etc
monster • Dec 4, 2007 4:12 pm
Cic, just get it mailed this week and you'll be good....
Cicero • Dec 4, 2007 4:16 pm
BigV;413015 wrote:
Your "what" is soooo good? The wine or the bottle?


My dear, the wine I choose and the bottle, are usually both better than good.......There's really no question of that...But I was referring to the present topic; the present and wrapping etc. etc. And I apologize if I left it (again not the wine or the bottle) so open to interpretation!
:p

Sundae, I have been made aware of certain facts, and although you made a good suggestion, at this point it isn't necessary to send a late notice....and that is where I have to shut my big......
:D

Thanks again, Monster!!
BigV • Dec 4, 2007 5:10 pm
Ok. Once more. Are you saying you picked a good present, or are you saying you wrapped it well? Or are you saying something else?
Cicero • Dec 4, 2007 5:20 pm
Well Big, I thought the present was going to be really good, and the wrapping was going to be ok....

But:

Upon further reading, the present is crap...:(
Not what this person wanted at all...but I made some effort so I'm sending it....maybe I'll have better luck next year when I have more money....

We have learned a lesson here about my choices in wine, self-pride, and how quickly it all can crash and burn!

Maybe someone could send me a fire-extinguisher.
monster • Dec 4, 2007 5:54 pm
Cicero;413079 wrote:


Upon further reading, the present is crap...:(
Not what this person wanted at all...but I made some effort so I'm sending it....




1) crap is in the eye of the beholder, so we'll be the judge of that......

2) It's the thought and effort wot counts

3) so shut up, wrap, send and be merry :)
BigV • Dec 4, 2007 6:24 pm
Relax, Cicero, relax. I'm not hassling you. I only asked if you were happy with your gift or your wrapping. I'm *SURE* your giftee will be pleased with what they receive from you. I only asked because my wrapping skills are zero. Literally. I'm all wine and no bottle.

Merry Christmas, Cicero!
Cicero • Dec 4, 2007 6:58 pm
BigV;413114 wrote:
Relax, Cicero, relax. I'm not hassling you. I only asked if you were happy with your gift or your wrapping. I'm *SURE* your giftee will be pleased with what they receive from you. I only asked because my wrapping skills are zero. Literally. I'm all wine and no bottle.

Merry Christmas, Cicero!


lol! Who doesn't love poorly wrapped presents?!? Now that's aaall heart right there!!
You can tell that the person took the time and effort to wrap it themselves! Don't worry about it!
:D

Merry Christmas/Humbug
Cicero
monster • Dec 4, 2007 9:43 pm
I've only received notice of 3 on their way, I'm told it will be 4 tomorrow..... any more?
zippyt • Dec 4, 2007 9:45 pm
due to arrive here Thursday and mail out Friday
busterb • Dec 4, 2007 10:44 pm
Out friday. Hope springs bla bla. bb
monster • Dec 4, 2007 10:54 pm
I'm taking it no-one's received one yet?
kerosene • Dec 4, 2007 11:47 pm
I sent mine today, too.
DucksNuts • Dec 5, 2007 4:59 am
ZenGum;412979 wrote:
DUCKS!!! :D Where you been, girl? everything ok?


Fucking work.

Fucking Silly Season.

Lack of fucking.

Do I need to elaborate more;)

Ali, still waiting that email luv.
Sun_Sparkz • Dec 5, 2007 7:00 am
awww damn im too late
this woulda been cool!!
monster • Dec 5, 2007 8:42 am
Sry Sparkz
jester • Dec 5, 2007 10:12 am
Mailing today
Aliantha • Dec 5, 2007 5:10 pm
DucksNuts;413302 wrote:


Ali, still waiting that email luv.


Have a merry xmas mate. ;)
DucksNuts • Dec 5, 2007 8:07 pm
No fucking way!
Aliantha • Dec 5, 2007 8:11 pm
Why not? Hasn't the christmas bug bitten you yet? Grumpy arse aren't you? ;)
monster • Dec 7, 2007 8:32 pm
Assuming Jester's went that's 6 mailed to my knowledge. 14 still to go! Let me know if yours is on it's way or I'll start sending the elves round...

Only one received so far, apparently -and that's not one I counted as sent! :lol:
busterb • Dec 7, 2007 8:45 pm
Sorry. I'll ship mine Monday. Got a package from WA. state late today. Humm must be from Bill Gates. Right?
zippyt • Dec 7, 2007 9:02 pm
sent out today
monster • Dec 7, 2007 9:10 pm
Wahay! The first real one has arrived! Are you going to open it now or save it, bb?

7/20 sent, 1/20 received......
busterb • Dec 7, 2007 10:30 pm
Save till X-mas. Sorry I'm kinda late getting mine in mail. Not great at baking.
busterb • Dec 8, 2007 1:28 pm
Wow the post office was opened till 10:30 this AM.








Of course I didn't know that till 10:40! :bolt:
richlevy • Dec 8, 2007 1:48 pm
I'm buying my first gift choice today if they still have any in stock. Since it's a discontinued item, I only know of one place that sells it so I waited until the weekend.

Hint: In the movie Semi Tough, Burt Reynolds' character must go to a motivational seminar famous for not allowing bathroom breaks. He goes to this musty old shop where a salesman hands him a dusty package. In the package is a 'hip flask' that straps to his leg and allows him to take a piss unnoticed except for a very loud noise.

I'm not promising it's something that cool:urinal:, but this item is almost that hard to find. I do have a cool backup gift idea that's unique but can be ordered off the Internet.

In any case, it will ship today or Monday.

And no, I don't know where you can actually buy the hip flash personal urinal.
Clodfobble • Dec 8, 2007 6:27 pm
Arg! I will ship it the minute it actually freaking arrives here in the first place. I'm still waiting! But don't worry, if it takes too much longer I'll pay for FedEx to make sure it actually gets there on time.
richlevy • Dec 9, 2007 9:37 pm
Shipped mine today.
monster • Dec 9, 2007 11:56 pm
8/20 sent; 1/20 received
monster • Dec 10, 2007 12:10 am
jinx;414944 wrote:
i have yet to buy mine. plan to tues or weds, and mail it immed. it doenst have all that far to go, so i'm not worried.



i'm not either -Tues is the last mailing date for UK from US, so should still give oodles of time for US
LJ • Dec 10, 2007 12:19 am
sorry,....that was me...jinx has had hers for a while.
monster • Dec 10, 2007 12:24 am
same diff, flower. had hers to send or received?
LJ • Dec 10, 2007 12:42 am
no...i'll send hers when i send mine....and we've not recieved our yet, either of us.
Cicero • Dec 10, 2007 12:23 pm
I haven't sent mine yet......plbbbtt...life got all screwed up. I think it will still be there on time for Christmas however....so please recipient (whoever you may be), be patient.
:)
busterb • Dec 10, 2007 3:01 pm
Sent this Am.
monster • Dec 10, 2007 10:20 pm
8/20 sent, 1/20 received
busterb • Dec 11, 2007 11:34 am
BTW The post office wanted a return address, per rules from DHS. Well lady you dream up one then, because this is secret Santa shit.
Said she would think of something. Right. Hope she does before X-mas. :offrant:
LJ • Dec 11, 2007 12:00 pm
once again....just put the recipient's address on the return address spot, too.
monster • Dec 11, 2007 4:21 pm
Anyone mailing internationally really should be done by now...... it's the last mailing date for US to UK.....
Clodfobble • Dec 11, 2007 5:32 pm
You can add another one to the "sent" count monster, mine went out today.
monster • Dec 11, 2007 6:23 pm
excellent 9/20, nearly halfway there...

2/20 received

1/20 opened
anonymous • Dec 12, 2007 8:10 pm
It was suggested I not do this, but without some humor, what would Christmas be like?

Dear Secret Santa Giftee. 12/7/8/9/07

Warning this product was processed in a redneck facility that might process nuts.
So be advised about the Pecans and Almonds. Some of the toasted pecan might be a little over toasted. Eat it or spit it out, and get over it.
Processor is in no way libel for use or consumption of enclosed crap. LLC and such crap.

(Note) Any dark spots in white candy might be from pecans, flyshit, or I spilled my snuff.
Rest assured that the pieces that fell on floor were not sent to you!

The "cock." I just ran into that, maybe cause of some post. Honest, I didn't go hunting one.

Gift wrap. Sorry your sol. Don't do wrapping, ironing, or windows.

Pay no attention to the age restrictions on the puzzles. Do your best. Should be two, but if cock is broken, just think of it as three. K?

No Nutritional Facts Sheet! I really hope the USDA doesn't hear about that.

Now that I'm over the BS. Maybe.

May I wish you and yours great holidays and a very large new year.

Secret Santa Giftor or Gifter?

PS! The picking up, cracking, picking out, and toasting the pecans put a serious dent in my beer drinking time. SO enjoy. Should I think of anymore BS, I'll PM ya as anonymous.:p
LJ • Dec 12, 2007 8:20 pm
hmmm...i wonder who could have written that? /sarcasm
LJ • Dec 12, 2007 8:26 pm
wait....was that posted by the anon recipient(quoting a note that was enclosed?), or in advance, by the anon sender(by way of explanation)? while the writer is obvious, i cant tell who posted it.
classicman • Dec 12, 2007 9:26 pm
That has to be one of the best disclaimers EVAAARRRRRR
xoxoxoBruce • Dec 12, 2007 11:55 pm
Agreed.
LabRat • Dec 13, 2007 9:58 am
My gift was ordered yesterday, has been processed, and should arrive on my recipients doorstep in 6-10 business days.
Clodfobble • Dec 13, 2007 3:16 pm
LJ wrote:
wait....was that posted by the anon recipient(quoting a note that was enclosed?), or in advance, by the anon sender(by way of explanation)? while the writer is obvious, i cant tell who posted it.


I would guess it is a quote from the recipient of the gift, because of this line:

anonymous wrote:
It was suggested I not do this, but without some humor, what would Christmas be like?


Anyway, I agree, that's got to be the best Christmas letter ever written, and I'm glad we were allowed to share in it. :)
anonymous • Dec 13, 2007 7:43 pm
Anyway, I agree, that's got to be the best Christmas letter ever written, and I'm glad we were allowed to share in it.

Thanks CF. I enjoyed pecking it out.
monster • Dec 13, 2007 7:57 pm
LabRat;416027 wrote:
My gift was ordered yesterday, has been processed, and should arrive on my recipients doorstep in 6-10 business days.



uh-oh, there's only seven business days until the 25th! Somebody better take a whip to rudolph.... :lol:
monster • Dec 14, 2007 9:21 am
So my super-conflabulated scientific gift tracking device tells me:

14 sent, 3 received, 1 opened.

That's 6 slackers! We know cic is one of them (;)) -the other 5 need to get a move on or I'll name and shame.....
LabRat • Dec 17, 2007 1:42 pm
Add my name to the gift received pile.

The box is re-closed with hot pink duct tape. That rocks.
zippyt • Dec 17, 2007 6:05 pm
received
monster • Dec 17, 2007 6:12 pm
So that's 15/20 sent :eyebrow:

6/15 received (is the post office or rudolph eating these things? some of them have been in the ether for some time......)

2/6 opened
monster • Dec 17, 2007 6:15 pm
BTW if you've been bad, maybe Santa is intervening and swapping out your cellar pressie for coal and onions and that's why they're delayed. And if you've been good, maybe Santa will send you a pressie even if you didn't ask for one. He's magic like that.
BigV • Dec 17, 2007 6:59 pm
The shipping and receiving department has screened the delivery of my gifts, with the utmost discretion. I didn't even hear them snickering.

Thank you, Santa!
monster • Dec 17, 2007 7:06 pm
in English that means yours has arrived?
BigV • Dec 17, 2007 8:33 pm
My gift has arrived.

It was received at my workplace. The shipping and receiving department, as a matter of course, opened the package. Despite the fact that part of the present was visible upon opening the shipping carton, there were no comments made to me. The package was reclosed, but not resealed, and delivered to me.

When I opened the box, I was highly amused and pleased. I am thankful to my Secret Santa.

/english
monster • Dec 18, 2007 7:58 am
If you've opened it, you have to share the contents -that was part of the deal. :mad:

Here's the thread, now hop to it!

http://www.cellar.org/showthread.php?t=16165
monster • Dec 18, 2007 7:59 am
OK, we're up to 18 mailed and 8 received -looking better
LJ • Dec 18, 2007 9:24 am
i got mine last night when i got home.....

an insult a day calendar form someone in NC? no idea who, other than onyx cougar lives down there?
LabRat • Dec 18, 2007 10:35 am
My recipient's gift should be delivered in the next few days, so says the magic package tracker. :D
lookout123 • Dec 18, 2007 11:19 am
received mine from tejas. someone in tejas rulz! pics will be posted ASAP.
monster • Dec 18, 2007 4:14 pm
LJ;417558 wrote:
i got mine last night when i got home.....

an insult a day calendar form someone in NC? no idea who, other than onyx cougar lives down there?


Maybe it was ordered online? Looks like someone thought you needed help. :lol: I hope you will take care to use each one in the cellar on the appropriate day.
monster • Dec 18, 2007 4:19 pm
19 mailed, 11 received, several opened -we need more pics!
Clodfobble • Dec 18, 2007 4:46 pm
Dammit, I was so excited! I got an unmarked package from Pennsylvania, and I thought for sure it was my secret santa gift! Then I opened it and thought, "How strange, my secret santa gave me things that I also am giving to other people..." Turns out Firebox.com ships out of PA, and this was just another of my many online purchases being delivered. How dare they toy with my emotions like that!
SteveDallas • Dec 18, 2007 8:04 pm
monster;417681 wrote:
Maybe it was ordered online? Looks like someone thought you needed help. :lol: I hope you will take care to use each one in the cellar on the appropriate day.

Maybe they were intended to be directed AT LJ?? :headshake
LJ • Dec 18, 2007 8:38 pm
maybe someone is trying to tell me that i've become too nice lately....that i should be more insulting as i go about my days.


is there some point where we find out who the SS was? or are we left in the dark? I've never done this before.
bluecuracao • Dec 18, 2007 8:46 pm
It's supposed to stay secret, as far as I know. But it would be fun to guess...
monster • Dec 18, 2007 9:13 pm
I think you should guess and it's up to them if they want to own up
monster • Dec 18, 2007 9:17 pm
I have to confess i mailed one of them and gave up on the anonymity because the post office woman was being a witch about accepting a parcel with a different address sticker to all the others it just wasn't worth it.

Sorry recipient (who already knows who they are seeing as I had to clarify it because I did not declare my involvement in the first place.... :rolleyes: :lol:)
jinx • Dec 19, 2007 12:30 pm
I am very happy to be the recipient of the green wind-up dancing robot dude from monster - I haven't taken his picture yet but I will. I ate the chocolate bar immediately (so no picture) but haven't listened to the cd yet.
Thank you secret santa monster!
LabRat • Dec 19, 2007 5:11 pm
Well, here we go! The box, complete with pink duct tape. Obviously my sender has a sense of humor...
LabRat • Dec 19, 2007 5:13 pm
The contents, an 8" cock!!! Yes, I measured it. :D

Just what I told Santa I wanted for Christmas. And the day after. And the day after that. And...
monster • Dec 19, 2007 7:11 pm
jinx;417848 wrote:
I am very happy to be the recipient of the green wind-up dancing robot dude from monster - I haven't taken his picture yet but I will. I ate the chocolate bar immediately (so no picture) but haven't listened to the cd yet.
Thank you secret santa monster!



well the thing about the CD is 1) the title and 2) the cool cause (free writing workshops and tutoring for kids). But the musicians are all pretty cool dudes too.
richlevy • Dec 19, 2007 8:06 pm
via Royal Post, addressed to my real name. (I'm guessing postal regs required this).
An 8x12 (roughly) painting.
monster • Dec 19, 2007 9:01 pm
So come on, all those who don't know... guess your SS
zippyt • Dec 19, 2007 9:23 pm
Jinx
limey • Dec 20, 2007 2:42 am
richlevy;417912 wrote:
via Royal Post, addressed to my real name. (I'm guessing postal regs required this).
An 8x12 (roughly) painting.



That's great!
Razzmatazz13 • Dec 20, 2007 4:54 am
I loooove that painting! Good work SS person!
monster • Dec 20, 2007 8:21 am
more pics here:

http://www.cellar.org/showthread.php?t=16165
kerosene • Dec 20, 2007 10:30 am
Rich, that is a nice painting. Good work, secret santa.

I know who my secret santa is. Should I mention it or will it make it too easy for others to eliminate and figure out their own?
Cicero • Dec 21, 2007 3:38 pm
Gift finally sent today. I broke some rules....Like....gift minimum..(this is a special case) and date to send...way late. But screw it. I made up for being late which means I am a good santa sending a gift to someone who has been good this year.
I'm so busy aaaah! Bye!!
:)
(I am a procrastination artist) Watch how this unfolds.
Mockingbird • Dec 21, 2007 5:20 pm
I shipped mine a few days ago, but we've had a lot of ice storms around here so the mail has been really sluggish. I keep tracking it but it hasn't gotten there yet. I hope it gets there before christmas!
anonymous • Dec 21, 2007 8:38 pm
Ordered gift to be sent to Tulsa on 12/9. On 12/13 I got a message that my order had been shipped and delivered. I'm assuming delivered meant 'delivered to post office for shipping'.

I'm concerned about shipping to 'Cellar Dwellar' and not 'Cellar Dwellar or Current Resident'. I hope the post office didn't return it. It's a small US Mail letter or package.

Post when you get it.
Clodfobble • Dec 21, 2007 10:28 pm
As an example of how fast regular US mail is moving right now... my most recent paycheck was mailed on Dec. 7th, and it arrived at my house on the 18th (i.e. 7 business days)--and that was within the same city.

So something mailed on the 13th might in theory get there on the 24th, but since it's going to a different city than the retailer's shipping location, all bets are off. Unless of course it was sent "Priority Mail," that goes faster.
Sundae • Dec 24, 2007 6:52 pm
I think I know my SS. I've PM'd just in case - I may be wrong.
But I am sure it is a woman, and a kind and clever one at that.