Possibly, Secret Santa

November 26, 2007 12:08 AM

Pony request: For years, Thinkblank ran their great Secret Santa, where people would put in their wish list of <$20 gifts from a website and then a computer would randomly couple participants together and they would accordingly send gifts but wouldn't know who the giver was until six months later. But, sadly, Thinkblank is defunct. Possible to do a secret santa on Metafilter?
posted by parmanparman to MetaFilter Gatherings at 12:08 AM (281 comments total)

Usually I hate all forms of secret santa events, however since it is MeFi it would automatically be awesome.

In honour of our fallen comrades I move to have it renamed secret quonsar.
posted by public at 12:37 AM on November 26, 2007 [5 favorites]

I love it. Sign me up. You're all getting panties. I am so good at picking them out; you'll be ever so delighted when you open them. "What fine pairs of panties are these!" you will exclaim, reading the labels, to commit to memory their manufacture. You will pass them around the room to be admired. You won't wash them before wearing them. And once you wear them, you will be under my total power! For I killed her, and so now I wield... Victoria's Secret. Poison Panties! Mwahaha.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:47 AM on November 26, 2007 [8 favorites]

I imagine the following exchange when thinking of getting my own secret quonsar gift.

Well, don't you want to open your present?
If it's a severed head I'm going to be very upset
Open it.
What is it?
It's a gun rack.
A gun rack... a gun rack. I don't even own *a* gun, let alone many guns that would necessitate an entire rack. What am I gonna do... with a gun rack?

Happy Quonsar Day!
posted by Derek at 1:19 AM on November 26, 2007

ooo, count me in :)
posted by divabat at 1:38 AM on November 26, 2007

This sounds intriguing. :D
posted by Phire at 2:24 AM on November 26, 2007

Sounds cool, I'm in.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:41 AM on November 26, 2007

Let me see if I can think of something worse than this ....



Nope, sorry.
posted by dg at 4:03 AM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

If it wasn't for Secret Santa events, I'd never get to re-gift all the still wrapped crap I've held over from last year's Secret Santa events, in anticipation of this year's. Count me in.
posted by paulsc at 4:13 AM on November 26, 2007

This could only culminate in disaster. Sidesplitting, hilarious, heartwarming disaster. Sign me up!
posted by Faint of Butt at 4:23 AM on November 26, 2007

If there were a way of hiding mailing addresses, sure. There are a few people on MeFi who I'm fine with knowing where I live.. but the vast majority, being people I don't know? Not so much.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 4:31 AM on November 26, 2007

Metafilter: You're all getting panties.

No, this sounds great. Sign me up.
posted by jbickers at 4:32 AM on November 26, 2007

"What's in the box?!?"
posted by beaucoupkevin at 4:50 AM on November 26, 2007

Now is that going to lead to Dick In A Box or the end of Seven?
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 4:52 AM on November 26, 2007 [2 favorites]

I've never been in a position to take part in a Secret Santa event, and if this can fill that gaping void in my soul, then yes. Yes, I want.
posted by barnacles at 4:52 AM on November 26, 2007

That last secret santa swap I was in I got a smurf. That is all.
posted by srboisvert at 5:12 AM on November 26, 2007

I think elfster would be a good replacement for Thinkblank.
posted by Alison at 5:18 AM on November 26, 2007

This would be cool, transatlantic postage fees not withstanding.
posted by brautigan at 5:38 AM on November 26, 2007

OK, sure, count me in, too. (Unless, after I have coffee, I change my mind - I mean, I haven't even shopped for anybody I actually know yet.)

So, who wants sardines...in a can?
posted by rtha at 5:41 AM on November 26, 2007

Isn't secret a word too many? Unless you've ever seen Santa, then-
What? You've seen Santa? *dials number*
Don't be scared, dear, go for a walk with the good people in white shirts.

p.s. Imitations don't count.
posted by ersatz at 5:43 AM on November 26, 2007

Note to self: stock up on Chia Pets.
posted by scblackman at 5:43 AM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

I would like to do this. The online secret santas and craft swaps I've done before are run by someone with a spreadsheet who sends emails with addresses to the givers, if anyone is concerned about privacy.
posted by sugarfish at 6:04 AM on November 26, 2007

I have about a dozen pair of socks I can give to someone, as long as they wash them and send them back.
posted by The Deej at 6:11 AM on November 26, 2007

You just blew the lid off my plans to secretly visit the home of every mefite this winter and leave presents of a quality commensurate to their posting history.

Secret Quonsar sounds like a lot of fun to me, I'd love to send a present. I like the idea of combing through someone's history and trying to see if I can come up with something they'd actually like. Though I shudder to think of what someone might come up with based on mine.
posted by hermitosis at 6:22 AM on November 26, 2007

Yes please! Also, yes!
posted by Xoder at 6:27 AM on November 26, 2007

The online secret santas and craft swaps I've done before are run by someone with a spreadsheet who sends emails with addresses to the givers, if anyone is concerned about privacy.

I have also seen this done where one trusted facilitator is the depot for all the gifts, receives packages already franked with correct postage and remails to the recipient. Lotta work for someone, though.

If anyone is tallying interest, mark me as a no. I'm not opposed to the idea in general, but it's a function of time; like rtha said, I haven't actually shopped for the people living under my own roof, so.
posted by pineapple at 6:37 AM on November 26, 2007

That last secret santa swap I was in I got a smurf. That is all.

Better hope Gargamel doesn't find out where you live...
posted by inigo2 at 6:50 AM on November 26, 2007

I’ve been involved in other forum secret santas. They’re fun, but it always leads to bad blood. 10% of the participants get stiffed because 10% of the participants sign up without a) having the disposable income to drop $15.00 on a gift + postage or b) not being able to make any effort.

So then comes the inevitable after holiday “I got stiffed from the secret Santa!” thread where everyone complains about getting stiffed. Then people start posting personal information about the people who stiffed them (not even secret Santas remain secret after a while) and then people who did receive gifts complain that they didn’t get what they wanted or they got something shitty or they spent $20.00 on the gift they gave and only got a $2.00 gift.

Not to sound like a total curmudgeon, because it’s fun for the 80% of people who don’t take it too seriously, but it’s not worth the bad vibes that come afterwards.

I’d much rather someone organize a charity to donate to and after Christmas we all take pride in how much we collectively donated. Wouldn’t that be more productive than spending money on a bunch of Thinkgeek toys and pancake themed gifts?
posted by bondcliff at 7:06 AM on November 26, 2007 [5 favorites]

Nope sorry is such a silly thing to write in this thread. I just thought I'd mention that. I'd like to go into the reasons why but I'd hate to be obvious.
posted by h00py at 7:10 AM on November 26, 2007

Secret Satan! Bound to tempt someone.
posted by Abiezer at 7:15 AM on November 26, 2007

Screw charity.

I want to play secret santa.

I vote $5 gifts, maybe $10, shipping notwithstanding.
posted by craven_morhead at 7:21 AM on November 26, 2007

I know what I'm giving hermitosis. Oh yeah baby. Oh yeah. Chicka chicka bow wow.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:22 AM on November 26, 2007

Am I the only one who thinks bondcliff's scenario sounds like a plus, rather than a minus?
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:32 AM on November 26, 2007

Yeah, CL, I guess I sort of downplayed the entertainment value of the post-holiday clusterfuck.

Count me in!
posted by bondcliff at 7:47 AM on November 26, 2007

You're not the only one who feels this way, bondcliff. I was coming here to say the same thing. I really don't want to be that guy and I don't mean to pee on anyone's parade, but wouldn't it be better if the effort were spent accumulating less crap and doing something more meaningful?
posted by veggieboy at 7:49 AM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

wouldn't it be better if the effort were spent accumulating less crap and doing something more meaningful?

It's not like secret santa forecloses the possibility of doing something else. I never understand why people respond in this fashion. It's not zero-sum. Why wait to propose that MeFites do something "more meaningful" until someone else proposes doing something that is actually, you know, fun?

*opens umbrella to shield parade from veggieboy's pee*
posted by brain_drain at 7:58 AM on November 26, 2007

Sounds interesting. But do I have to sit on anyone's lap? Or to put it another way, do I get to sit on anyone's lap?
posted by The Deej at 8:01 AM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

I, for one, am a big fan of fun AND surprise non-gun-rack gifts, both given and received. Sign me up for Secret Quonsar.
posted by tigerbelly at 8:03 AM on November 26, 2007

We should do this after Christmas, in order to re-gift the stuff that my out-of-touch relatives send me.
posted by Balisong at 8:05 AM on November 26, 2007

I'll take the gun-rack.
posted by Balisong at 8:07 AM on November 26, 2007

Please sign me up immediately! I promise not to send a lame gift!
posted by misha at 8:07 AM on November 26, 2007

A lot of what bondcliff says here applies as well to the mix cd swaps that have gone on before, with pretty much the same mix of Hey Whatever running with it and little spikes of embitterment. Which is fine, if everybody going in more or less accepts the risk that they might get shafted.

It's a silly gift exchange, so not making a big deal out of it seems prescribed; and the fallout from the mix swaps has really pretty much been non-fallout, so if that's any indication there's probably not too much to worry about.
posted by cortex (staff) at 8:09 AM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

I never understand why people respond in this fashion.

I just didn't want the idea to get lost in the shuffle. Also, these kinds of things don't usually appeal to me and so my opinion is colored by that. But no one made me Judge Judy and executioner, so I'll just go back to knitting socks for orphans.
posted by veggieboy at 8:11 AM on November 26, 2007

I suddenly got a mental picture of Judge Judy as a wee little 4 foot tall executioner with a dainty lace hood.
posted by miss lynnster at 8:23 AM on November 26, 2007

But do I have to sit on anyone's lap?

The fish's.
posted by romakimmy at 8:32 AM on November 26, 2007

I'm down!

I figure I'll obsessively comb the person I'd be giving to's history and pick a gift based on their comments and questions.
posted by drezdn at 8:53 AM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

Oh, great. Stalker based gifts.
posted by Balisong at 8:56 AM on November 26, 2007

In!
posted by k8t at 9:04 AM on November 26, 2007

I wanna give a gift to Anonymous. That bastard needs some cheering up.
posted by k8t at 9:04 AM on November 26, 2007 [5 favorites]

I know what I'm giving hermitosis. Oh yeah baby. Oh yeah. Chicka chicka bow wow.

Great, you just ruined the surprise. I'm not supposed to know who it is or where I am until the blindfold is yanked away!!
posted by hermitosis at 9:05 AM on November 26, 2007

Is that $20 american, or $20 canadian, because there's a big difference.

MeFi Secret Santa: A festivus for the rest of us.
posted by blue_beetle at 9:14 AM on November 26, 2007

I'd be into this. We might want to keep in mind that people out of the US/Canada might have to wait 2-4 months for their packages to arrive from those countries, though.
posted by arcticwoman at 9:18 AM on November 26, 2007

i think this is an awesome idea. i'm totally in.
posted by kidsleepy at 10:12 AM on November 26, 2007

I created an Elfster group for the Secret Quonsar Gift Exchange.

I made the gift level US$10, but I guess you can go more if you are spendy...

The sign up deadline is Wednesday, December 12, 2007. Hopefully you can ship by the 14th.
posted by Argyle at 10:29 AM on November 26, 2007

OK, I guess I'm in, but I already bought a used car so take that off the list.

I promise not to shaft. Unless you want the Shaft DVD or a new golf club shaft.
posted by The Deej at 10:34 AM on November 26, 2007

... I don't mean to pee on anyone's parade, but wouldn't it be better if the effort were spent accumulating less crap and doing something more meaningful?
posted by veggieboy

But sometimes crap is meaningful. Especially if it comes from me.
posted by The Deej at 10:35 AM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

I created an Elfster group for the Secret Quonsar Gift Exchange.

OK, so is this the official way we are doing this?
posted by The Deej at 10:38 AM on November 26, 2007

From the Elfster page:

"Notify me when other's reply"
posted by arcticwoman at 10:42 AM on November 26, 2007

I'd do this.
posted by dead_ at 11:09 AM on November 26, 2007

Count me in. This will be a great opportunity to answer a bunch of questions that I've had over the years:

1.) Exactly how many pounds of ladybugs can I buy for $20?

2.) How many, of that original weight, will be alive after shipping?

3.) How badly does several pounds of dead ladybugs smell?

This is going to be so much fun!
posted by quin at 11:30 AM on November 26, 2007 [2 favorites]

Oh, this will be fun, I think. I had a great time with the Thinkblank Secret Santa's, so this will be a good time. But, I really want Secret Quonsar to bring me my gift himself. I promise to leave out the cheese.
posted by thatothrgirl at 12:14 PM on November 26, 2007

I participated in think blank's secret santa 3 years in a row, and it was a lot of fun. I'd be up for this.
posted by routergirl at 1:02 PM on November 26, 2007

Suggestion: Someone should put this on the sidebar. You know how soon it will roll into the oblivion of "not on the front page".
posted by Cranberry at 1:16 PM on November 26, 2007

quin: For the record, several pounds of dead ladybugs smell exactly like untreated raw sewage. Maybe worse. Don't ask me how I know. I just do and wish I didn't.

On the topic at hand, I may join in. I'll have to mull it over while trying to forget what several pounds of dead ladybugs smell like.
posted by Orb at 1:48 PM on November 26, 2007

So just to be absolutely clear on this, we are allowed to send a more valuable gift if we choose to?

Because the thing I am sending has a cash value of $25.
posted by Meatbomb at 1:52 PM on November 26, 2007

Question: the Elfster thing doesn't collect a postal address, so how does the actual mailing thing happen?
posted by Meatbomb at 1:58 PM on November 26, 2007

Thing is such a useful word.
posted by Meatbomb at 2:00 PM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

1.) Exactly how many pounds of ladybugs can I buy for $20?

From this, it looks like $16.50 gets you a pint of them, and according to this, that has a shipping weight of 1 lb. In case anyone else was wondering.
posted by teleskiving at 2:01 PM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

Oh,

Because the thing I am sending has a cash value of $25.

Suspiciously, this is the exact price of a quart of ladybugs.
posted by teleskiving at 2:03 PM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

I'm in! Thanks for suggesting it, parmanparman, and Argyle as well for pulling it together. Meatbomb, if you go to the "You" tab and select "Update your profile" you can add an address.

Also, if you get me, I like my ladybugs shined to a high glossy finish and trained to hum "When You Wish Upon a Star" on command.
posted by melissa may at 3:05 PM on November 26, 2007

The Elfster thing lets you add your address to your profile. It didn't ask during sign-up, I added it later.

Also, Praying Mantis >> Ladybugs
posted by Argyle at 3:12 PM on November 26, 2007

Oooo, yesplease!
posted by ersatzkat at 3:52 PM on November 26, 2007

Argyle, if your address is in your profile, it isn't visible to me.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 4:09 PM on November 26, 2007

Ambrosia Voyeur, I checked the box that said "When checked, people can only see the contact information of the person they are buying for."

It's just a little bit of privacy for those that don't want their addresses to be seen by everyone.

There is also a link to Ask Questions Anonymously.

Or it could all fail miserably and Matt will take me out behind the woodshed to adminster punishment...
posted by Argyle at 4:31 PM on November 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

OK, thought it might be something like that.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 4:41 PM on November 26, 2007

Stupid computer gave me the same person 2x in a row at Thinkblank. What's the chance of that? I'm in... and I better not be getting ladybugs. ;)
posted by bitter-girl.com at 6:46 PM on November 26, 2007

I volunteer to stuff people into cakes, and have them jump out of aforementioned cakes upon delivery to the address of your choice.
posted by Xere at 10:08 PM on November 26, 2007

OK. I am willing to risk re-experiencing pounds of dead ladybugs. I'm in. It'll be great to buy a gift for someone I don't personally have to hear groaning when they open it. :D

If I even have a flashback to dead ladybugs, someone will pay. Oh yes ... pay. But gun racks are always cool. ;)
posted by Orb at 10:42 PM on November 26, 2007

Great, thanks for setting this up, Argyle. I hope to be able to steal melissa may's idea and buy the item from a MeFite business too.
posted by paduasoy at 12:02 PM on November 27, 2007

I'm in. I love gift exchanges!
posted by cabingirl at 2:59 PM on November 27, 2007

I'm tempted to buy someone a bucket of ninjas.
posted by BrotherCaine at 4:43 AM on November 28, 2007

Is this gonna be a U.S. only thing then? Last posting date for UK-US Airmail is the 10th =(

Huh, maybe we'll start our own British Secret Quonsar page then. With better gifts, all of which you Yanks would love but will never get.

Which cranky quitter of a Mefite on this side of the pond we can name it after I wonder?
posted by brautigan at 11:16 AM on November 28, 2007

As an avid Anglophile, I would be only to happy to join in a Yanks/Brits version of Secret Father Christmas as well, with a sorting date prior to, say, December 7th, so we would have time to send gifts across the pond.

Should I start one up on Elfster, or are there too few Yank-loving Brits to reciprocate in kind? I know we aren't nearly so popular!
posted by misha at 3:32 PM on November 28, 2007

I was thinking/wondering if we couldn't move up the date on the one we have started, since we won't find out who we are trading with until two days before the mailing date, and well, doesn't leave much time to ask anonymous questions and maybe personalize the gift a bit. Would help with the problem brautigan and misha noticed as well.

Just an idea...
posted by Orb at 3:47 PM on November 28, 2007

I wouldn't have any problem if we scoot up the date a bit. No need to exclude anyone over on that side of the pond or anywhere else for that matter.
posted by thatothrgirl at 8:25 AM on November 29, 2007

Goodness, divabat - I thought I had a lot of stuff on my Amazon wishlist ...
posted by paduasoy at 11:39 AM on November 29, 2007

paduasoy: LOL! It is indeed a lot. My lists serve as a "books I would like to read at some point" list - once I've read them (buying the book themselves, reading them in the library, being gifted them) I take them off the list. I only really keep books I've read in there if I've read them from somewhere else and liked them enough to want a copy for myself.

There's also games in there, which don't ship internationally unfortunately :(
posted by divabat at 5:12 PM on November 29, 2007

Ooo, presents! I'm in!
(is it too late to be in?)
posted by casarkos at 12:30 PM on December 5, 2007

Don't think so - just sign up at Elfster (about halfway up the thread).

Oh mods, maybe we could get that link thrown up top somewhere too?
posted by langeNU at 12:33 PM on December 5, 2007

I'm not much of a joiner, but I just signed up. I will mention that if you want to sign up you should probably enter your MeFi user name as the "first name" since that is what shows up in the elfster list. This is assuming that the sidebar posting will lead to a deluge of new santas.
posted by shothotbot at 12:42 PM on December 5, 2007

I'm in. I've been saving my fingernail clippings for YEARS for this!
posted by dirtdirt at 12:45 PM on December 5, 2007

When are the names drawn?
Names are automatically drawn the day after the sign up deadline.
posted by smackfu at 12:46 PM on December 5, 2007

Wait wait wait. Now that I actually READ the thread it seems you are supposed to put a gift you want on your list and then we all buy each other crap off of our lists, and have it shipped? That sounds tautologically loathsome. No offense.

If that is the case I (and my satchel full of fingernails) will be taking our business elsewhere...
posted by dirtdirt at 12:56 PM on December 5, 2007

I was thinking/wondering if we couldn't move up the date on the one we have started, since we won't find out who we are trading with until two days before the mailing date, and well, doesn't leave much time to ask anonymous questions and maybe personalize the gift a bit. Would help with the problem brautigan and misha noticed as well.

I wholeheartedly second (or is it third?) this. Finding out who your giftee is just two days before the mailing date seems kind of insane to me.
posted by tigerbelly at 2:52 PM on December 5, 2007

Presents! Me too.
posted by rmless at 2:53 PM on December 5, 2007

So is this staying US-centric then??

Change the date or your all getting a lump of Scottish coal in the mail sometime around Hogmanay.
posted by brautigan at 3:42 PM on December 5, 2007

In defense of lateness, due to shipping and what have you, I'd think Secret Quonsar is a movable feast, like Easter, determined largely by men in silly hats and strangely alluring neckwear looking at the moon phases.
posted by cobaltnine at 5:11 PM on December 5, 2007

I promise not to stiff anyone, but if we are sticking with the name draw date being two days before the mailing date, I will tell you now, Secret Quonsor will be late in arriving. I'd at least like to try to come up with something the person will like, and I know that will take longer than a day or two (though not too long).
posted by Orb at 7:07 PM on December 5, 2007

Count me in. I'm a sucker for secret Santa exchanges.
posted by champthom at 9:45 PM on December 5, 2007

Can't wait! Love presents! Love getting mail!
posted by amtho at 11:55 PM on December 5, 2007

Well, I'm going in from Australia - I don't care if mine arrives late, and I apologize in advance for the present I send being late. I don't even know how long it takes to mail stuff.
posted by jacalata at 3:04 AM on December 6, 2007

i don't mind a late gift- it just makes the holidays last longer!
posted by kidsleepy at 5:48 AM on December 6, 2007

I checked the box that said "When checked, people can only see the contact information of the person they are buying for."

Where is this box? Am I crazy? I see no box.
posted by amarynth at 7:36 AM on December 6, 2007

Oh, wait. Never mind! I'm not crazy, just confused!
posted by amarynth at 7:40 AM on December 6, 2007

Wow. I go on a short business trip and when I return, the Secret Quonsar Gift Exchange is up to 50 people.

To make this work, you need to enter your mailing address into the system. It doesn't ask for it when you sign up. You can find the spot under You -> Update Your Profile.

As the admin, I have set things to only allow your Secret Quonsar to see your address after the matches are drawn. The matching is to occur on the 12th. At that point you should be able to see the name & address of the person you are sending something to as the gift exchange.

Of course there will be problems with addresses not being entered because MeFites are notorious slackers. On the Home page there is a link for Ask A Question Anonymously that you can use to ask your recipient to fill in their address without revealing yourself.
posted by Argyle at 8:50 AM on December 6, 2007

I checked the box that said "When checked, people can only see the contact information of the person they are buying for."

Foretheloveoflittlekittens! Where is that box!
posted by annaramma at 10:04 AM on December 6, 2007

I checked the box that said "When checked, people can only see the contact information of the person they are buying for."

This box is available to the person who created the group, who checked it for all of us.
posted by jacalata at 12:56 PM on December 6, 2007

Ah yes! Like amarynth, I'm not crazy, just confused!
posted by annaramma at 2:57 PM on December 6, 2007

I've just signed up and I admit to not having read the whole thread (I'm at work and my break technically ended about 10mins ago, ahem).

Many / most people seem to have signed up with their MeFi username, however not all have. Any chance this could be changed? (a message from the group admin reminding everyone to please do so?).

Afer all half the fun will be going through the poster's history and choose an "appropriate" (or shockingly inappropriate, muahaha) present...
posted by ClarissaWAM at 3:18 AM on December 7, 2007

I agree with ClarissaWAM, put your MeFi user name somewhere.
posted by shothotbot at 6:00 AM on December 7, 2007

Nthing usernames.
posted by craven_morhead at 6:30 AM on December 7, 2007

And by "somewhere", I think they mean as your first name. (You don't need to enter a last name.) I don't think other users can see your username anywhere.
posted by smackfu at 7:42 AM on December 7, 2007

random! fun!

tis the season to use google-fu/stalker-fu/mefi-fu to share holiday cheer!
posted by NikitaNikita at 1:03 PM on December 7, 2007

If we don't put our real names somewhere in the database thingy, will the post office hate us? I don't know if my mailman would deliver something just to "Lucinda" at my address.

/got burned on an online Secret Santa once, but willing to try it again
posted by Lucinda at 2:03 PM on December 7, 2007

You could change your address to have your name as line #1. If you're worried.
posted by smackfu at 2:10 PM on December 7, 2007

Looks like brautigan has found only silence - so just to say that if any of us UKers are matched with Americans, Australians, Malaysians, or whoever else is out there, items are likely to arrive late. Don't give up on us too early. And presumably this applies the other way around too.
posted by paduasoy at 4:44 PM on December 7, 2007

In honour of our fallen comrades I move to have it renamed secret quonsar.

Ironically, Quonsar would probably sign up for this gift exchange, but (based on his track record with cd swaps) probably wouldn't ever send anything out himself.
posted by Dave Faris at 4:47 PM on December 7, 2007

Oh, and I meant to say, is there any consensus about whether we should offer suggestions on our Elfster profiles, or let people flail about in our Metafilter contributions? Looks like not that many people have added wishlists so far. I'm happy to go with the latter, always enjoying some randomness.
posted by paduasoy at 4:47 PM on December 7, 2007

if any of us UKers are matched with Americans, Australians, Malaysians, or whoever else is out there

Yeah but isn't that going to be the same if, say, a Malaysian is matched with an American? Or is the UK post office the only one that traditionally has Xmas delays?

Anyway late Xmas presents are fun too! (and I am UK-based so will definitely be late)

PS I totally vote for randomness. Wishlists are boring for relatives.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 5:25 PM on December 7, 2007

I put my name in the mailing address, as I would rather not have stuff sent to craven_morhead.

That said, I put up a little bit of a "this is who you're buying for" in the wishlist bit. Otherwise I trust things to my posting history.
posted by craven_morhead at 8:46 PM on December 7, 2007

I used to truly enjoy ThinkBlank's Secret Santa-ing, so I'm in.
posted by grabbingsand at 9:53 PM on December 7, 2007

I'm in too because I love getting real, actual mail and also I love buying strange (but wonderful) things for strangers. Expect lots of cheap plastic things, recipient, but hopefully it will be amusing. Don't, for the love of og, put any of it in your mouth though (NOT CHINESE TOYIST).
posted by h00py at 3:57 AM on December 8, 2007 [1 favorite]

In, because posting things internationally is fun!
posted by Luddite at 6:32 AM on December 9, 2007

Okies, I signed up!
posted by IndigoRain at 12:45 PM on December 9, 2007

In. This ought to be pretty random.
posted by patr1ck at 4:21 PM on December 10, 2007

I'm in.
posted by amelliferae at 5:52 PM on December 10, 2007

Tomorrow is the draw. We are up to 69 participants.
posted by Argyle at 6:55 AM on December 11, 2007

Yay!
posted by caveat empress at 2:58 PM on December 11, 2007

Cometh the hour. Cometh the Santa.
posted by shothotbot at 6:42 PM on December 11, 2007

Woo. Just signed up. Didn't see this until a few minutes ago.
posted by Autarky at 9:49 PM on December 11, 2007

Dumb question: Under groups I'm in it has the secret quansar thingy, but when I look at the list of members I don't see myself. Anyone know why?
posted by Autarky at 9:52 PM on December 11, 2007

Clearly, you have been naughty.
posted by shothotbot at 3:06 AM on December 12, 2007 [1 favorite]

You're listed under what you put as your name, not your login. Is that different? Or were you able to leave it blank?
posted by jacalata at 4:58 AM on December 12, 2007

How do you find out who you're getting for? It says the drawing is the 12th, I'm assuming it's already been done.
posted by Autarky at 7:27 AM on December 12, 2007

was wondering the same thing myself Autarky. I'm thinking we'll get an email.
posted by iamkimiam at 10:10 AM on December 12, 2007

it looks like the date has been changed to friday, the 14th.
i'm using elfster for another exchange, and got an email the scheduled day with the subject line "Hey Secret Santa, we've drawn a name for you!"
posted by kidsleepy at 10:23 AM on December 12, 2007

Hmmm I just got mine. Anyone else?
posted by langeNU at 2:55 PM on December 12, 2007

The Draw is done. All participants should now be able to see the name under the See Your Draw link.

An email should have gone out as well.

My email is in my profile if you have questions/concerns.
posted by Argyle at 2:55 PM on December 12, 2007

Ok yeah, I got the email. Now to brainstorm.
posted by Autarky at 2:59 PM on December 12, 2007

May I now do an AskMefi about what to get "unknown person on the Internet" please?
posted by ClarissaWAM at 3:18 PM on December 12, 2007

Let the cyberstalking begin! Ho Ho Ho!!!
posted by Orb at 4:24 PM on December 12, 2007

Oh boy oh boy oh boy! Just found out who I drew. Yay!
posted by misha at 4:35 PM on December 12, 2007

Oh, and don't forget to add your snail mail address to your Elfster profiles, everybody, if you haven't already. I just put mine in (doh).
posted by misha at 4:41 PM on December 12, 2007

Man, WTF, it's the 12th and I went to sign up and it's already closed. Bad form.
posted by OmieWise at 6:13 PM on December 12, 2007

got my match! It may come a bit after the holidays, timing and all, but hopefully my target likes it.
posted by divabat at 6:34 PM on December 12, 2007

my person only posted their real name and not their mefi name, so everyone make sure you posted your mefi name or i won't know what to get you!
posted by kidsleepy at 7:13 PM on December 12, 2007

OmieWise, I set this up Nov. 26th. You had 16 days to sign up. I even waited until 3PM today to do the drawing.

Bad form is waiting until the last minute...
posted by Argyle at 10:19 PM on December 12, 2007

Hooray! I got one of my favourite people!
posted by paduasoy at 12:31 AM on December 13, 2007

Oooh, paduasoy got me!
posted by jacalata at 3:23 AM on December 13, 2007

Bad form is waiting until the last minute...

No, bad form is telling us we have until a certain day and then ending it early on that day. I'm not really all that upset, but if you want to give a deadline, give a deadline. If you set it up on the 26th of November and thought I shouldn't wait until December 12th to sign up, you should have said you were closing sign-ups on the 11th, or even on November 27th. The reason I wrote "bad form" was because there was, in fact, a deadline, and I was within the deadline but sign-ups were closed.

Are you suggesting I shouldn't have taken you at your word?
posted by OmieWise at 6:44 AM on December 13, 2007

That's the Christmas spirit.
posted by smackfu at 6:50 AM on December 13, 2007

Help, my person doesn't have an address listed; only an email. Now, if I send her an email asking for her address, she will figure out that I am her Secret Santa and I will not be Secret anymore, will I? What to do? No, I don't want to send an Amazon gift certificate.
posted by mygothlaundry at 7:09 AM on December 13, 2007

mygothlaundry, I think they offer a way to send an anonymous message through the site. I got a message from my secret santa.
posted by drezdn at 7:27 AM on December 13, 2007

Omie if you MeFi mail me your address, I'll send you something. MAYBE. It's a secret.

no, but I really would send you something.
posted by spec80 at 7:37 AM on December 13, 2007

Thanks, spec80, I'll send you my address if you send me yours.

To revisit my previous two comments:

I'm not very upset to miss the official swap, and I commented just to register my momentary disappointment. Sure, I could have signed up earlier, but not doing so, when there was a stated deadline, does not make me negligent.
posted by OmieWise at 7:52 AM on December 13, 2007

During my brainstorming, I thought, "Hey, I'll post on AskMeFi about what to get a secret santa who seems to like X and Y and Z...." Heh. Durrrrr.
posted by NikitaNikita at 10:31 AM on December 13, 2007

Oh, also: If mailing direct from home, are you revealing who you are in a card/on the package? Remaining anonymous forever?
posted by NikitaNikita at 10:34 AM on December 13, 2007

Yeah, that's another drawback of international swaps.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 11:22 AM on December 13, 2007

Anon for ever, I say.
posted by paduasoy at 1:31 PM on December 13, 2007

the original post siad that on the other site you found out who your Santa was after six months. I would prefer six weeks, but that sounds pretty good.
posted by shothotbot at 2:57 PM on December 13, 2007

whoops, I already signed and sealed mine.
posted by spec80 at 8:27 PM on December 13, 2007

To whoever drew my name: your thing is going to my technical Canadian address - it is unlikely I will lay hands on it for months or even years. So please, no cheese or perishables? And if you are the type who tends to stiff others, here is your perfect guilt-free opportunity to do so.

To the person I drew: something incredible and magical and very special is coming to you from Kabul, Afghanistan. That is very far away, so you must be patient. When it arrives, that will be a special golden lucky day for you!
posted by Meatbomb at 7:14 AM on December 14, 2007

Dearest Secret Santa Recipient

I missed the mailing deadline (because I'm a slacker of the highest order) but you are on my official 'People To Buy Things For For Christmas' list which I finally drew up tonight, so you will be getting something (lots of somethings and the package will be sent first class air mail so I'm not stinting).

Your mefi friend on the other side of the world (I thought of using that as an excuse but decided on honesty instead - whoo, new years resolution coming true early!)
posted by h00py at 7:40 AM on December 14, 2007

Oh, I said I wouldn't do it but please add a 'Regards,' and make the y lower case at the beginning of that last paragraph because without it, it looks silly.

Yours pedantically,

Me (I'd really like a little window of time in order to fix up stupid typos because now I can't help focusing on all the other fixup posts)
posted by h00py at 7:45 AM on December 14, 2007

Ack! To the person who drew me:
I hit "return" before finishing the address and Elfster closed the answer box! Can you shoot me another question so I can give you the address?
posted by Mamapotomus at 7:57 AM on December 14, 2007

Dear Secret Santa recipient: ditto, but my excuse is that I'm not used to juggling a fulltime job with doing anything else lazy and disorganised. I'm going to go shopping tomorrow, but you're probably best off if you expect an Epiphany present, instead of a Christmas one.
posted by jacalata at 8:20 AM on December 14, 2007

dammit! ditto to h00py's first post, not all the others that appeared while I went and had a drink.
posted by jacalata at 8:21 AM on December 14, 2007

I had the 'hit enter and *poof* you've submitted feature mess me up too. I just went back and resubmitted (several times, actually.)
posted by dirtdirt at 10:58 AM on December 14, 2007

HOLY CRAP! I just got my Secret Quonsar gift in the mail! THANKS to whomever bought me this! I love it. My cat just said to me,"J'amerais beaucoup mieux griffer le canapé!" and I UNDERSTOOD HER!*

*Granted, she said it with her paws, but it's her first attempt at helping me become bilingual.
posted by iamkimiam at 2:13 PM on December 14, 2007 [1 favorite]

See, I thought that shipping date was merely a suggestion - like speed limit signs. You know you are supposed to do that but everyone goes over it anyway. Esp since we missed the "shipping to Europe, get it there by xmas" date. If, hypothetically, my recipient might happen to live over there.
Seriously, tho, the power outages from the ice storm have thrown me off by about 3 days. Today is like Tuesday the 11th to me, so I really still have 3 days to get this in the mail.
posted by thatothrgirl at 2:34 PM on December 14, 2007

Soooooo...who is Vivien from Florida? A big thank you and virtual hug is in order.
posted by iamkimiam at 2:48 PM on December 14, 2007 [1 favorite]

Can I start complaining yet? It's just not December if someone isn't likkered up and whining about what they're (not) getting.

There's something weird going on with the address field on Elfster, and there's no obvious or less-than-obvious place to complaint to Elfster about the fact that's its no longer visible to the person who got your (or my) name in the swap. I only noticed the request for my address by accident this evening, so you might want to check your elfster page to see if there are any outstanding questions.
posted by julen at 3:19 PM on December 14, 2007

Holy crap, Mefites can even overthink a plate of gifts.

The shipping date is an attempt to get you into action. If you miss that date, do not fall into a shame spiral that must be explained endlessly in MeTa, just ship the gift as soon as you can.

People are spending more time posting about their motivational difficulties here than it would take to actually send the gift.

Get off the internet you damn slackers and send the gift...
posted by Argyle at 3:48 PM on December 14, 2007

I sent my gift today, exciting! I hope US Customs don't tear into it too bad.
posted by patr1ck at 4:21 PM on December 14, 2007

I just got my Secret Quonsar gift! YAY! Thank you so much! Pretty smart to look on Amazon since you had my name and all :D
posted by spec80 at 6:14 PM on December 14, 2007

My person suddenly removed all their contact details from their profile, so now I don't have an address for them. Help?
posted by divabat at 4:42 AM on December 15, 2007

I don't think they did anything, it seems to have just happened to a lot of people. I asked mine for their address in an anonymous question on elfster (and gave them an email address not linked to mefi for them to send it to if they didn't want to put it in the answer, but I think only the secret santa can see your answers anyway?)
posted by jacalata at 5:41 AM on December 15, 2007

Dear Person who I got:

I will send my stuff out on Monday. Promise.
posted by Lucinda at 10:16 AM on December 15, 2007

Same thing happened with my address - poof, it disappeared - Is seems like you can put your address up as a 'wishlist' and they will be able to see it. Conversely, you can ask a question of your quonsar-ee and hopefully get their address that way.
posted by langeNU at 1:18 PM on December 15, 2007

I got my gift today! Thanks secret santa!

Due to the need to go to the post office to send mine out though, it won't be mailed out until Monday. Sorry, you who don't know who you are yet.
posted by drezdn at 4:06 PM on December 15, 2007

My guess is that they removed access to the addresses when the swap was "over" on the 14th.
posted by smackfu at 8:02 AM on December 16, 2007

I went in and changed the exchange date. The addresses should be back. Sorry for the inconvenience.
posted by Argyle at 2:46 PM on December 16, 2007

Posted it today - hope you get it by Christmas, secret person.
posted by paduasoy at 11:15 AM on December 17, 2007

USPS Priority Mail flat-rate envelopes look large, but are impossible to close with anything not flat in them. By design, or government incompetence? Who can say.
posted by smackfu at 11:18 AM on December 17, 2007

Hooray, my secret quonsar emailed to check in and say that the standard shipping would probably take 1-2 weeks, etc. . . . so thanks, SQ, and now I have something to look forward to even after Xmas!
posted by oldtimey at 2:03 PM on December 17, 2007

Thank you, iamkimiam! I love the yarn! I am MeMailing you right now...

Secret Quonsar rules.
posted by sugarfish at 2:57 PM on December 17, 2007

Wait till you get to what's hidden in the center of it!
posted by iamkimiam at 3:29 PM on December 17, 2007

Thank you, Secret Quonsar!
posted by grabbingsand at 5:14 PM on December 17, 2007

sent! I ordered it online so it should be arriving within 24 hours, 3 days max. yay :D
posted by divabat at 5:27 PM on December 17, 2007

I ordered my Secret Quonsar gift a few days ago, and it finally shipped today...buuuut...I believe my Secret Quonsar identity is completely blown. It appears the otherwise lovely company from which the gift comes automatically prints the sender's name/billing address on the packing slip, and there's not a thing I could do about it. Alas. My secret is out! When it arrives, I must politely request of my giftee that you please do not take this opportunity to send the box of ladybugs back to my thus-revealed address.

/overthinking a plate of ladybugs
posted by tigerbelly at 8:11 PM on December 17, 2007

Does the post office even take packages without a return address?
posted by smackfu at 8:54 PM on December 17, 2007

I really want to send my present, but I still don't have an address to send to. So if you haven't gotten a gift yet and are feeling neglected, wondering if you got stiffed, log into Elfster and see if you have any questions lying around unanswered. And check whatever email address you signed up for Elfster with. You're thwarting my ambitions to be an elf!
posted by bassjump at 9:02 PM on December 17, 2007

Does the post office even take packages without a return address?

No, but various solutions in such situations are:
1. order gift, have the company you ordered from send gift
2. have someone else mail gift for you
3. use some form of return address that is not necessarily identifying (office address, apt building address w/out apt #, etc.)

Anyway, I realized the quonsar mystery is preserved after all. In my annoyance, I forgot that my mefi name is nowhere on the package or slip, and there's actually no easy way to match up the name/address on the slip with my mefi name. As the unveiling of this "secret santa" is based on mefi names rather than revelation of "real" names, secret quonsar lives on!

I'm sure if I were decently caffeinated, I would have remembered this earlier. Before posting, even.
posted by tigerbelly at 5:30 AM on December 18, 2007

I sent off my gift, and the postal service reports its successful delivery. I hope it is enjoyed by its recipient, whose MeFi history told me very little about them. I'm looking forward to whatever shows up here.
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:06 AM on December 18, 2007

I had the same (return address) issue when I sent my gift to my Secret Quonsar recipient, so now she knows who I am, but I had so much fun with this it didn't matter at all! Can't wait to get my own SQ in the mail, if only to discover what another devious MeFi mind came up with for me.
posted by misha at 9:37 AM on December 18, 2007

My Santee will get his/her gift in the next couple of days. I am psyched because I think they will like it. I also had it shipped direct, but I don't think there would be any way to trace MeMe and realMe.
posted by shothotbot at 12:51 PM on December 18, 2007

I really want to send my present, but I still don't have an address to send to. So if you haven't gotten a gift yet and are feeling neglected, wondering if you got stiffed, log into Elfster and see if you have any questions lying around unanswered. And check whatever email address you signed up for Elfster with. You're thwarting my ambitions to be an elf!

I am having the same issue!!! I have mefimailed, emailed and asked a question through Elfster and have had no luck.
posted by amelliferae at 1:57 PM on December 18, 2007

Next step is just to post it here.
posted by smackfu at 3:07 PM on December 18, 2007

so after reading the comments about people getting no response from their giftee, i decided to double check and see if i had any questions. and i had three! so sorry! i assumed elfster would email me if i got asked a question, since i did NOT check the box labeled "Elfster sends email notifications when you are asked a question, when a person answers a question that you have asked or when a suggestion is made for your wishlist. Check the box below to disable such notifications." so FYI, even if you think you didn't check that box, check again.
posted by kidsleepy at 6:54 PM on December 18, 2007

I sent off my gift, and the postal service reports its successful delivery. I hope it is enjoyed by its recipient, whose MeFi history told me very little about them. I'm looking forward to whatever shows up here.

Me too. Except in my case, their MeFi history was pretty good, so I'm just fishing for validation as a good-gift guesser. And renewed faith in the postal service.
posted by NikitaNikita at 7:24 PM on December 18, 2007

Gift has arrived! Thank you quonsar!
posted by craven_morhead at 5:06 AM on December 19, 2007

Dear Recipient

I have now stalked you sufficiently and I'm doing my Christmas shopping tomorrow. You're on the other side of the world but, as mentioned above, I'm not stinting on postage so you should get something in the next few weeks. Hope you like it!
posted by h00py at 5:18 AM on December 19, 2007

Expected Ship Date: December 25, 2007

With Expedited Shipping?! OI! One week later is NOT expedited!

Sorry, santa-ee.
posted by divabat at 8:28 PM on December 19, 2007

Let me tell you a story:

I came home last night to find a large and mysterious package on my doorstep. I didn't recognize the sender and assumed it was for a neighbor. Upon inspection, I discovered it was very clearly addressed to me. I opened it to discover several fabulous items.

Unfortunately, I am apparently dim-witted and suspicious in nature. My first thought was: "I didn't order this! Did I? Who is this on the packing slip? How did they get my address? Are they stalking me? Are they merely sending me wrapping paper before coming to my house to murder me in my sleep? Are they watching me right now?"

After some excellent Chinese food and a good night's sleep I took the dog for her morning walk. As we meandered through the neighborhood I briefly pondered my mysterious package. Then, just as my pup was relieving herself on my neighbor's flowers everything clicked. "Secret Quonsar!" I cried. No one heard me, but the dog shot me a disdainful look as she headed off to complete her rounds.

Thank you Secret Quonsar! Thank you Mefi!
posted by annaramma at 10:04 AM on December 20, 2007

Posterated! Oddly, that was the most satisfying gift of the holiday season. Not least because I doubt I'm going to get, in return, an email telling me that I've been bought an ethically dubious goat. (They eat babies.)
posted by Luddite at 12:51 PM on December 20, 2007

My Secret Quonsar is the greatest gift giver of all time!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
posted by Mamapotomus at 12:55 PM on December 20, 2007

You may think your gift was the greatest, but tell me, did your Secret Quonsar get you... Bacon Salt‽
posted by langeNU at 4:50 PM on December 20, 2007

It shipped! It should reach there tomorrow, yay :D
posted by divabat at 6:13 PM on December 20, 2007

thanks secret quonsar! what a perfect gift!
posted by kidsleepy at 12:36 PM on December 21, 2007

I got an awesome secret quonsar gift too - I've already used my chicken egg cups (and matching salts), and they're fabulous.

This has been an excellent swap experience for me. Thanks ParmanParman and Argyle!
posted by julen at 2:03 PM on December 21, 2007

My secret quonsar clearly did some research on me. The book looks fascinating; thank you!
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:28 AM on December 23, 2007

I'm all excited now, I am!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 10:38 AM on December 24, 2007

I already read my secret quonsar gift, although I'm just now catching up to being on a stable connection since I got home from my trip - late, and temporarily without my luggage. Amazon's been good to me this quonsarmas. Thank you!
posted by cobaltnine at 6:10 PM on December 25, 2007

I guess my secret Quonsar didn't like me cuz I didn't get anything. :(
posted by IndigoRain at 6:54 PM on December 25, 2007

No gift yet.
posted by bjgeiger at 11:47 AM on December 26, 2007

don't give up, IndigoRain! a lot of people didn't get their gifts in the mail on time (i didn't mail mine until the 20th). plus, this is an international swap, so that can add to the delay if your quonsar is in another country. just think of it as stretching out the holiday season.
posted by kidsleepy at 11:47 AM on December 26, 2007

Yay! I just got mine!! And it's perfect. Thanks, dreamyshade!
posted by mosessis at 2:56 PM on December 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

Thanks go out to wafaa for the awesome present :)
posted by divka at 3:28 PM on December 26, 2007

PaddingtonB is either an adept researcher, or bizarrely intuitive, or both -- I love the book! Thank you!
posted by oldtimey at 4:25 PM on December 26, 2007

Glad to hear it oldtimey! [amazon wishlist + e-mail address made my job surprisingly easy]
posted by paddingtonb at 5:24 PM on December 26, 2007

I got an awesome Texas chili set. Somehow my secret santa knew of my secret love of tabasco.
posted by null terminated at 7:07 PM on December 26, 2007

I hope I get one. :)
posted by IndigoRain at 8:06 PM on December 26, 2007

IndigoRain, chin up, I haven't gotten anything yet either.
posted by Lucinda at 7:14 AM on December 27, 2007

Hooray! My Secret Quonsar gift arrived yesterday, just in time for a pick-me-up from the exhaustion of family Xmas. Thank you, Secret Quonsar! I am terrifically excited to figure out how best to use all these crazy spices. Unfamiliar foreign foodstuffs, cooking-related, AND exciting experiments! All in one! Clever, clever Secret Quonsar.
posted by tigerbelly at 8:29 AM on December 27, 2007

Shoutout from last night's meetup.
posted by mosessis at 9:12 AM on December 27, 2007 [1 favorite]

I got a package today from England: thanks Secret Quonsar, you picked out a better book for me than my mom!

This has been super-fun for me, both finding something good for the person I gifted and anticipating a gift in return. Thanks everyone.
posted by shothotbot at 10:12 AM on December 27, 2007

USPS Priority Mail flat-rate envelopes look large, but are impossible to close with anything not flat in them. By design, or government incompetence? Who can say.

By design. They want those envelopes to go through the flats machines; anything not flat, they want you to use a box.
posted by inigo2 at 11:02 AM on December 27, 2007

Thanks go out to wafaa for the awesome present :)

You're welcome, hon. It was fun.
posted by wafaa at 3:22 PM on December 27, 2007

Hey, thanks divka! I can't wait to try that coffee, and my little brother is chastising me, convinced that I can't have sent out anything as awesome as a box full of lollies and have thus benefited unfairly :)

(My parents are busy going 'so....a group...on a website?')
posted by jacalata at 4:43 PM on December 27, 2007

Yay! I'm glad it got there!
posted by divka at 5:37 PM on December 27, 2007

Bacon plasters! Awesome! Now I have to go and cut somebody...

Thankyou secretish Quonsar! It's like the internet reached out and touched me (in a slightly different way to the usual...)
posted by Luddite at 5:41 AM on December 28, 2007

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got my gift today and whoever sent it really did research!!!!!!!! It's a hand-made rainbow kitty! And I love it!!!!!! :-D

Thank you whoever you are!!!!!!!!!!!

Apologies for the excessive exclamation points, but I really needed to be cheered up and this worked extremely well. :)
posted by IndigoRain at 10:19 AM on December 28, 2007

Mine has not arrived yet, but I refuse to give up hope!
posted by cabingirl at 2:34 PM on December 28, 2007

You're welcome, mosessis! Yay! (As for me, I asked for my gift to be delivered to my house, where I won't be for another week yet...)
posted by dreamyshade at 5:20 PM on December 28, 2007

Hooray IndigoRain! I'm so glad you like her.

Doh! My cover is blown!
posted by annaramma at 9:47 AM on December 30, 2007

Lucinda --I am blowing my cover -- I wanted you to know that I had an accident and had to get operated on, and all of my gifts and cards were send late this year. Your package went out on 12/28... but I did use Priority Mail... so I do hope it gets there soon! I sent a message to you through the elfster site, but it did not get to youl I gather.

Mine has not made it yet, but I am holding out hope as well!

Ho ho ho~
posted by caveat empress at 4:29 PM on December 30, 2007

Me too, caveat empress! I'm still hoping one day a card or something will show up at my door.
posted by misha at 4:55 PM on December 30, 2007

Me too - nothing yet, but who knows?
posted by paduasoy at 5:27 AM on December 31, 2007

caveat empress > I did get your elfster message! Sorry for not responding to it. I'm glad to hear you're okay now, and will let you know when I get your gift. :^)
posted by Lucinda at 9:52 AM on December 31, 2007

The gift was waiting for me when I got home! I know what I'll be having as my after-dinner beverage tonight.... thanks so much! yay quonsar!
posted by Lucinda at 11:12 AM on December 31, 2007

I guessed from 'getting to know you' based on your blog that you might like it -- SO glad you do!

And a Merry Quonsar was had by all ;)
posted by caveat empress at 1:52 PM on December 31, 2007

Yay! My Secret Quonsar present came today. It has so many tasty looking UK treats that I don't know where to start. I am pretty sure a monster has been created and I will now require a Secret Groundhog Day Quonsar shipment, along with a Valentine's Day, etc. I also got some neat little things for my desk, too. :)
OH - my favorite color (colour, in honor of my SQ) is BLUE!! Very nice stalking. Thank you so much!
posted by thatothrgirl at 5:42 PM on January 2, 2008

To my secret quonsar receiver. I SUCK. I know. but it's getting there. I promise. I'll even draw you a card to make up for my failure at timeliness. Lots of hugs?
posted by Phire at 9:38 PM on January 3, 2008

I got back from vacation yesterday and found a whole package full of little LED keychain lights and I love them! Thank you, secret quonsar from Hong Kong!

Also, I haven't seen my giftee say if they got their present - I didn't put a return address on it, just sent it through the machine at the post office and now I'm horribly afraid that Homeland Security ate it or something. If you got a secret quonsar gift and you haven't acknowledged it in this thread, it would rock if you could do that.
posted by mygothlaundry at 2:56 PM on January 4, 2008

Hooray! I received a gift for the Quonsar Epiphany! (Nevermind the magi, we've got the postal service. )

And Secret Quonsar -- you're right, it is cool. Thanks for parting with it! :)
posted by NikitaNikita at 4:27 PM on January 7, 2008

I just got two free magazines from Left Turn. I don't recall ordering them, so I'm guessing they're from my Secret Quonsar.

If they are, THANK YOU :D if they aren't...uh, thanks mysterious gifter XD
posted by divabat at 11:58 PM on January 8, 2008

My Secret Quonsar asked me a question, but so far, no gift! I'd love to hear how the one I sent was received, too... if it got through customs...
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 1:19 PM on January 9, 2008

I haven't received my Secret Quonsar gift yet either, and I too would like to know whether my recipient has received their gift (I was rather awfully a tad late sending it out and it didn't contain lots of little somethings, but I did do some stalking and I really, really hope it was to their taste.)
posted by h00py at 3:15 PM on January 9, 2008

I am still keeping an eye out as well for my secret quonsar gift, but I do know that my giftee got what I sent... and it felt really good to hear that she liked it!

This has been fun, I look forward to doing it next year... A Quonsar Tradition?!?
posted by caveat empress at 6:10 PM on January 9, 2008

I've been drinking tea with milk from my Secret Quonsar gift, and being stopped by everyone in the work hallway on how cool it is.

Thank you, secret Quonsar. You're the greatest.
posted by Gucky at 7:56 PM on January 9, 2008

I was really glad to hear my recipient liked her gift, too, and I never did get one, though quin cheered me up about it. :)
posted by misha at 9:08 AM on January 10, 2008

As the admin of the Secret Quonsar Gift Exchange, I can attest that people are still contacting me to get addresses. So there is hope.

Elfster was helpful, but it had a few quirks. Perhaps next year it will be easier.

I still haven't received one, but I think many people have.
posted by Argyle at 9:12 AM on January 10, 2008

I think the major issue with Elfster was that as soon as the exchange date passed, all the addresses went invisible.
posted by langeNU at 2:06 PM on January 10, 2008

:D

Thanks "bac", the flying pig is totally hilarious and rad! I'm gonna put it up in my new apartment.

Best secret quonsar ever!
posted by patr1ck at 5:55 PM on January 10, 2008

Hee hee, I know who my Secret Quonsor was, because ... it made it through customs! I got an awesome Stitch-n-Bitch daily calendar which I love! It has patterns every week! Now there's going to be even more stuff on needles sitting around mostly unfinished. Thank you so much Not-So-Secret Quonsor! In fact, I already have today's pattern out and have begun digging through my yarn stash. :D

And while I won't reveal who will be receiving a gift from me, I will say I am soooo sorry it is getting out soooo late. I had a cascade of crises the biggest of which was having to take my computer in and therefore not having the address (which was on the computer and, as I discovered, no longer on Elfster). I promise, promise, promise it is going out tomorrow, if not today. Once again ... sooooo sooooorrrrryyyyy!!! :(
posted by Orb at 6:16 AM on January 11, 2008

Orb, I hope you're not looking at me. Not it.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:22 AM on January 11, 2008

Nope, not you. :)
posted by Orb at 12:04 PM on January 11, 2008

Thanks Am Tho! Your gift arrived today and it's bee-autiful! (sorry, had to do it). It will be my new morning O.J. glass.
posted by amelliferae at 1:10 PM on January 11, 2008

Hooray!
posted by h00py at 3:07 PM on January 11, 2008

Oooh! Thank you, langeNU! Perfect book and I love the tiny sheep magnets. Haha. And yes, that is quite the appropriate card, especially considering the internet's predilection for silly cats.
posted by dreamyshade at 4:05 PM on January 11, 2008

No gift here.
posted by bjgeiger at 7:05 AM on January 12, 2008

Keep waiting, bjgeiger, I have a very special feeling that your gift is still in transit...
posted by Meatbomb at 8:50 AM on January 13, 2008

I hope my secret quonsar got her gift -- UPS said it was delivered the Friday before Christmas but I haven't heard anything.

So yeah, if you got something, post it!
posted by sugarfish at 2:20 PM on January 13, 2008

I'm definitely starting to worry about the package I sent...
posted by mosessis at 5:58 AM on January 19, 2008

bjgeiger, check your memail? Without your address, secret quonsar is experiencing a slight ogistical bottleneck...
posted by Meatbomb at 10:46 PM on January 19, 2008

logistical, even.
posted by Meatbomb at 10:47 PM on January 19, 2008

On my end Santa has yet to stop by... But I am still making milk and cookies everyday for him/her. Problem is I am consuming those cookies as well. I have put on a ton of weight during this wait;)
posted by caveat empress at 6:53 AM on January 25, 2008 [1 favorite]

SO lame, Phire, SO lame. Finally mailed it out today. Note to self, never get a pet. It would die.

But yes. It is MAILED. And let's hope the silly Canadian postal service doesn't lose it.

In the meantime: work on grovelling I'm-sorry-your-present-is-2-months-late-art.
posted by Phire at 12:17 PM on January 25, 2008

Was that grovel directed towards me???

if so:

I see it as being 10 months early! Let the celebration begin!!!

if not:

Yay for someone else! I am going to go bake cookies:)

Since I am unsure about the scenario that applies, I am going to simply go bake cookies and celebrate. Win/Win!

Rock!
posted by caveat empress at 12:35 PM on January 25, 2008

Sorry Empress, that's some other flake :D
posted by Phire at 1:07 PM on January 25, 2008

Call me the queen o' cookies ;)
posted by caveat empress at 6:05 PM on January 25, 2008

I have been gifted by Secret Quonsar - yay! She/he/they/it brought me a Mr Potato Head potato peeler, a minature sock purse, and sweets all the way from Oklahoma. Dear SQ, thank you for these splendid items, and thank you twicely for sending them twice. Looking forward to next year already, hugs all round (possibly).
posted by paduasoy at 4:12 PM on January 26, 2008

I just realized an entire month later that I completely forgot about the part where I'm supposed to get something too. Which I haven't.

Dear person who asked me a question on Elfster that I never answered because I never checked back in after the swapdate passed: I am so, so, so sorry.
posted by casarkos at 9:37 PM on January 31, 2008

Caveat Empress, THANKS so much for the Post-Secret-Quonsar gift! You rock! I love the note cards and you wrapped everything up so nicely. The cool box is a great idea. I was just thinking about how I needed to organize my stationery when your present came along! I feel very special now. : )
posted by misha at 8:59 AM on February 1, 2008

Yay!

For anyone who is interested:

Misha and I have started a "Secret Quonsarless Folk" side group -- if you did not receive anything from the Secret Quonsar exchange, you are welcome to join the 'Post Quonsar' group.

We simply exchange addresses between anyone who went ungifted and then gift away!

Send me a message with your info!

Glad you like it all Misha! I am stalking my mailman;)
posted by caveat empress at 6:13 AM on February 2, 2008

caveat empress: What if you're not sure if you've received a Secret Quonsar present or not?

I did get an unexpected package (the magazines) so that could have been my Secret Quonsar gift; however, because there wasn't any other indication of whom it came from or what the occasion was, I have no idea.

If the magazines came from you, please speak up!
posted by divabat at 7:29 AM on February 2, 2008

Dive, you are welcome to join the post-Quonsar exchange... It is a great way to make new friends. besides... who doesn't like getting snail mail?
posted by caveat empress at 11:50 AM on February 2, 2008

Nothing fishy about the sweet stationay set that just arrived from Misha - My not-so-secret post Secret Quonsar!

'Cept for the goldfish.

That I absolutely love.

WAY too much!

Thank you Misha - you rock!
posted by caveat empress at 5:29 PM on February 4, 2008

Has anyone gotten mine yet? *nervous twitch* Postmarked Ottawa, ON.
posted by Phire at 9:20 PM on February 25, 2008

My bad, Kingston, ON. (I always forget I live somewhere else for University.)
posted by Phire at 9:20 PM on February 25, 2008

Wow, the gift I sent was just returned from overseas. *ponders what to do*
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 12:36 PM on March 10, 2008

Send it to me! (My secret santa didn't come through).
posted by h00py at 5:51 PM on March 10, 2008