Dan Gould Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 We talked last year, rather late in the season, about trying to do a "Secret Santa" gift exchange last year but it never came together. So, since its a week into November, maybe its time to put it back out there and see what we can do. Here's the way I would set this up: 1. People sign up on a Secret Santa thread. 2. Jim Alfredson (B3-er) gets to be the organizer. When you sign up, send Jim a PM with your particulars-mailing address and regular email. 3. At some point, maybe no later than December 15, Jim matches up the people who have signed up so that A is Santa to B who is Santa to C, etc. and sends out the personal info he has received. I imagine the most popular gifts will be gift certificates at Amazon or the Bastards or somewhere like that, though its possible you'll actually want to buy something for someone and ship it. Normally I hate dealing with the holiday season this early, but with Thanksgiving not much more than two weeks away, I guess its time ... What do y'all think? BTW, 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox t-shirts can be ordered in XL. Quote
ghost of miles Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 BTW, 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox t-shirts can be ordered in XL. Yikes. The rest of it sounds like fun, though. Quote
BeBop Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 How 'bout using favorite CDs (presumably a purchased or duplicate copy - I'd rather not send/receive a CD-R) as a gift? I'm not hip to everyone's taste, but I could look over the recipient's posts and try to pick something appropriate. I suppose the hazard is sending someone a duplicate. One might minimize this possibility by picking something relatively obscure. I know this all received some discussion last year, but I thought I'd run it up the 2004 flagpole. Quote
BeBop Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 ...CDs or books. If people want to go with gift certificates, I assume there would be some guidance as to amount/value. If we all give one another $15 gift certificates (for instance), what have we achieved, other than moving a bunch of money between pockets? Heck, we could PayPal each other $15. I'm for something more personal. Quote
maren Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 (edited) Sounds like fun -- but a lot of work for the organizer. Couldn't it be handled by another volunteer? Jim's got baby's first Christmas and all... Edit: nothing like being quoted to make you notice your spelling mistakes, eh? Edited November 8, 2004 by maren Quote
Dan Gould Posted November 8, 2004 Author Report Posted November 8, 2004 Sounds like fun -- but a lor of work for the organizer. Couldn't it be handled by another volunteer? Jim's got baby's first Christmas and all... That's true, Maren. Someone else could certainly do it instead of Jim. ********************* As far as gifts/dollar guidelines, I think $15 or $20 is the max. If you get someone's name and get an idea of their tastes from their posts, great. But I don't think necessarily that passing around gift certificates is so bad, when you consider the number of hard core collectors there are here, it may not be at all easy to find something the person doesn't have or hasn't heard. So, yeah, it may be passing around $15 ... but isn't it the thought that counts? Quote
pryan Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 This does sound like a lot of fun. I'd definitely sign up. It might be tough, though, to not get someone something that they already have. Some people have very wide-ranging tastes also, but I guess that would make things easier for the giver of the gift. Keep me posted, Dan. I like the idea. Quote
Alexander Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 (edited) I was interested last year, and I'd still be interested this year. I agree that buying someone a duplicate of something they already own is a risk. Here's an interesting idea: We have to buy the person something that ISN'T a CD and has nothing to do with jazz. Edited November 8, 2004 by Alexander Quote
Dan Gould Posted November 8, 2004 Author Report Posted November 8, 2004 I was interested last year, and I'd still be interested this year. I agree that buying someone a duplicate of something they already own is a risk. Here's an interesting idea: We have to buy the person something that ISN'T a CD and has nothing to do with jazz. Well that just opens an even bigger risk of not giving something that's desired! So .... as long as people send receipts ... maybe. Quote
pryan Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 I was interested last year, and I'd still be interested this year. I agree that buying someone a duplicate of something they already own is a risk. Here's an interesting idea: We have to buy the person something that ISN'T a CD and has nothing to do with jazz. Well that just opens an even bigger risk of not giving something that's desired! So .... as long as people send receipts ... maybe. I agree. Maybe the "Santa" could subtly ask the receipiant if he/she has a particular disk. Or the person could always send it back if they already have said disc. Quote
BeBop Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 For some people, this would seem to be a supplemental benefit: it's a means by which to get another CD into the collection without worrying about spousal objections. Quote
Peter Johnson Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 A receipt should solve any concerns! I mean, a quick look around will demonstrate that lots of us are into lots of different stuff...Indian cooking, for example! (<-- Maren!). Great idea, as with last year, Dan, and sign me on up! Quote
sheldonm Posted November 8, 2004 Report Posted November 8, 2004 Sign me up.....no thanks on the Sox shirt! Quote
Dan Gould Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Posted November 9, 2004 I was interested last year, and I'd still be interested this year. I agree that buying someone a duplicate of something they already own is a risk. Here's an interesting idea: We have to buy the person something that ISN'T a CD and has nothing to do with jazz. Well that just opens an even bigger risk of not giving something that's desired! So .... as long as people send receipts ... maybe. I agree. Maybe the "Santa" could subtly ask the receipiant if he/she has a particular disk. Or the person could always send it back if they already have said disc. The only problem is, its supposed to be a secret santa! Quote
Dan Gould Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Posted November 9, 2004 For some people, this would seem to be a supplemental benefit: it's a means by which to get another CD into the collection without worrying about spousal objections. Indeed! Quote
sheldonm Posted November 9, 2004 Report Posted November 9, 2004 Each person that signs up could post a small "wish list" or the style of jazz he/she prefers. The "santa" can always be original but the list may steer them in the right direction! Mark Quote
Dan Gould Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Posted November 9, 2004 Sounds good to me, Mark. As far as the organizer of this goes, have we considered the fact that either he/she shouldn't be participating or else will know who his Santa is? Anyone willing to step forward? Quote
BeBop Posted November 9, 2004 Report Posted November 9, 2004 As far as the organizer of this goes, have we considered the fact that either he/she shouldn't be participating or else will know who his Santa is? Anyone willing to step forward? I think the organizer should post an address and we should randomly and spontaneously send stuff. (No obligation; I imagine there will be plenty of stuff without compelling anyone.) Quote
sheldonm Posted November 9, 2004 Report Posted November 9, 2004 Sounds good to me, Mark. As far as the organizer of this goes, have we considered the fact that either he/she shouldn't be participating or else will know who his Santa is? Anyone willing to step forward? I would have no problem doing it but would really like to participate in the exchange as I have many exciting gift ideas . I guess as the organizer, everyone involved could send a little something my way! B-) Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted November 10, 2004 Report Posted November 10, 2004 I'm intrigued with the idea; however, I don't believe cds or gift certificates are appropriate. The gifts should have nothing to do with Jazz. It would be more creative that way. Books should be allowable. Quote
Dan Gould Posted November 10, 2004 Author Report Posted November 10, 2004 I'm intrigued with the idea; however, I don't believe cds or gift certificates are appropriate. The gifts should have nothing to do with Jazz. It would be more creative that way. Books should be allowable. Yes, but how well do you know everyone? Don't we all have trouble with a few people on our lists every year? Why add someone who is as likely as not you'll know less about than your average office mate, when you take jazz away? And if we're shooting for a $15 or $20 maximum, books won't exactly be easy to fit into that budget, unless its a paperback or found at a used book store. Quote
connoisseur series500 Posted November 10, 2004 Report Posted November 10, 2004 I'm intrigued with the idea; however, I don't believe cds or gift certificates are appropriate. The gifts should have nothing to do with Jazz. It would be more creative that way. Books should be allowable. Yes, but how well do you know everyone? Don't we all have trouble with a few people on our lists every year? Why add someone who is as likely as not you'll know less about than your average office mate, when you take jazz away? And if we're shooting for a $15 or $20 maximum, books won't exactly be easy to fit into that budget, unless its a paperback or found at a used book store. used will do. I don't know, Dan. We'll have to think this over as far as what would be best. I just don't think cds would be good as it would be just like swapping cds around. Gift certificates aren't really good for this sort of thing. I just think it would be fun to give another boardmember something that I personally enjoy; it would allow us the chance to express ourselves in another way besides our shared love for jazz. Quote
Dan Gould Posted November 10, 2004 Author Report Posted November 10, 2004 My answer, Paul, would be that its up to every individual Santa to pick whatever they wish ... gift certificates ... books ... whatever. In other words, no rules, other than a general guideline of $20 or less. Quote
Soulstation1 Posted November 10, 2004 Report Posted November 10, 2004 dear santa i've been a good boy this year. all i want for christmas this year is my money jungle. can you help a brother out? peace ss1 Quote
rachel Posted November 10, 2004 Report Posted November 10, 2004 dear santa i've been a good boy this year. all i want for christmas this year is my money jungle. can you help a brother out? peace ss1 For the lady in your life.... Quote
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