lookout, see your Gilroy thread. I found one.

I have 9 sets of details so far.

having found out what a weirdo I really am......

Feeling postal monster?
Uuuugh...sorry guys...
I'm sorry...oh jeez.
:)

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.

So...you're warming to the cock are ye Sundae?

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?

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?

Now there's a philosphy to live by :P

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.

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.

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.

When is your last posting date, then?

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 ??

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

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?

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.

would the world end if you didnt get your pressie before the 25th?

the world wont end either way. to be honest, I really don't care anymore.

Just take my name off the list please monster.

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.

Now don't get all mad and stuff ,
You know Lj just likes to poke !!

yep I know. I don't think he took it personally anyway. Don't mind me.

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.

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.

I will consider for next year. I'm too much of a noob now still.

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?

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.

maybe she's in her house....reedin o'er yer shoulder?

nope...she's not.

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.

he said cockles

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.

LJ, maybe you need to come out of your shell?

And then made 6 more posts.

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.

Seven.

I would like some clarification on this.

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

yes

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

Ready to go....
 

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 :)

opening yime? is that like yove your mother?

yeah.

moving on...

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

/santa dictator

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!!!!!

Guidelines? Guidelines!? We don't need no steekeen "guidelines".

I'll try.
I'm not going to try very hard on this one.
Definitely going to follow this one. Especially in light of guideline number 6.
No problemo.
Guaranteed.
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.
Hmmm. You say that like it's a bad thing. For me, the pleasure truly is in the giving.
:rolleyes:

Woo Hooo! I'm stoked!

put the same address as the recipient on it as the return address

or put
dwellar
cellar
usa :p

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:

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".

er... yeah. wrapping.

dammit! I **KNEW** I forgot something!

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?

DUCKS!!! :D Where you been, girl? everything ok?

Your "what" is soooo good? The wine or the bottle?

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

Cic, just get it mailed this week and you'll be good....

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!!

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?

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.