crispino
Posts: 532
Joined: 3/8/2012
From: Allston Rock City (Boston), MA
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It’s Back! Secret Santa Time!
Hi! This post represents the official start of the U.S. Chapter of Secret Santa 2014. Returning for another go-around as whipping posts Head Elves are yours truly, crispino, and the King of Yakima Valley himself, ChrisinSunnyside. Looking forward to another great year of SS shenanigans!
If you’re new to Secret Santa, welcome! This post is quite long, I know, but it should give you all the info you need to decide whether you want to participate. For those already familiar with this game, you can skip down to the section below entitled “The Secret Santa Process”. Enjoy and let the madness begin!
INTRO: WHAT IS SECRET SANTA?
For the uninitiated (or for those who want a refresher): Secret Santa is a round-robin gift exchange. Legends tell us that the ritual was started long ago, circa 2009, by Jedi Master Hollowine. The way it works is this: you are given a name from a list of participants, and you buy that person a bottle of wine valued at 50 dollars (before taxes, shipping, etc.). Many people will peruse their recipient’s CT cellar to find something they think their recipient will like, but you can also give them something you really like yourself, ask your wine store clerk for recommendations, etc. While you are doing this, someone else on the list is doing the same for you, and sends you a bottle, and someone else sends that person a bottle, and so on. Everyone opens their package on a prearranged date (the Reveal Day, to be determined later this year, but usually in early December). A new forum thread is started on Reveal Day, and everyone posts what they received. Then you try and guess who your Secret Santa is. More often than not – okay, always – hilarity ensues! Many thanks are exchanged and everyone goes home happy. In short, it’s a great way to meet new people on the forum, and to give (and get) a tasty bottle to enjoy.
SPLITTING OF GROUPS
It seems pretty clear that last year worked quite well overall with the decision to split the pool into two groups, so we are going to stick to that format this year, assuming we get similar participation. If so, then crispino will be the Head Elf for one group and ChrisinSunnyside will be the Head Elf for the other. Group 1 will exchange wines only amongst themselves, and likewise with Group 2. Practically speaking, it won’t be any different for participants until Reveal Day. We will all stay as one big happy family in this initial discussion thread, as we normally do, until then. But on Reveal Day we will start TWO SEPARATE new threads, one for each group, and you will only be discussing and guessing amongst your own group as to who your potential Secret Santa is, although you can of course follow both groups. Any questions on this, post in this thread and/or send crispino a private message (PM).
THE SECRET SANTA PROCESS:
Following are the nitty-gritty details. Whether you are brand new at this or have done it since the beginning, please read everything.
1. REGISTER FOR SECRET SANTA
To register for SS, you must copy and paste the following “Information Form” into a PM, fill it out, and send the PM to crispino. The deadline for submissions is Saturday, November 1st, 2014, 11:59 PM (EST). There will be NO submissions accepted after this.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Information Form
1. Your exact CellarTracker user name (not your forum user name):
2. Your real name:
3. Your preferred SHIP TO address:
4. Is the above address a residence or business address?
5. A contact phone number (most carriers require this, therefore you must provide one):
6. Any dates on which you cannot receive your wine (e.g., because you are on vacation, out of town on business, etc.):
7. Any other pertinent information (e.g., type(s) of wine you would prefer or prefer not to receive, any carrier restrictions, special instructions, etc.):
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Items 1-5 must be filled out in order for your form to be accepted.
I will start a list of SS participants in the second post of this thread. If you see your name on the list, it means I have all your info and you are registered. If your name’s not on the list, you’re not registered. If you think you should be registered but don’t see your name, it’s your responsibility to PM me and follow up. I will not be chasing down people looking for additional info.
Pro Tip! Unless you really don’t care what kind of wine you’re getting (which is fine), include a little preference info in #7. Most people find it helpful.
2. PICK A WINE FOR YOUR RECIPIENT
2.1 Receive Your Recipient’s Name and Info
Once registration closes, I will put all the names into the proverbial hat and we will assign everyone a recipient. It is at this point that we will split the party up into two groups. Don’t worry, though; as far as the discussion goes, we will all stay in this initial thread until Reveal Day. As in past years, the matchups will be done randomly, although there may be some minor re-drawing of names to avoid past matchups. There will be no considerations given to geography; you might wind up with someone in the same city, or it could be someone on the opposite coast!
ChrisinSunnyside and crispino will distribute the names and info of recipients to everyone by Monday, November 3rd, 2014. Whoever you get your info from, that’s your Head Elf! That will be your point of contact throughout the rest of the event. If you don’t get your info from either of us by Monday the 3rd, PM crispino with questions or concerns.
2.2 Do A Little Research (a.k.a. “Time to make the doughnuts!”)
For many people, this is one of their favorite parts! When you receive your recipient’s name and info, it’s time to start sleuthing. As mentioned above in the Intro, it’s often helpful to browse your recipient’s cellar contents and/or forum posts to get an idea for their likes/dislikes. Ultimately, this step is not strictly necessary – some people don’t have oodles of time to spend perusing someone else’s giant cellar – but if you can put at least some time into it, it’s sure to be appreciated by your recipient. When researching a wine, be sure to take into account any “other information” your recipient has provided in their Information Form, particularly about wine likes/dislikes, etc.
Some people have their cellars marked as “Private,” which means that you won’t be able to view their inventory. If this is the case, send your Head Elf a PM to let him know. Your Head Elf will PM your recipient and ask him or her to make “CT Santa” a CT Friend. If your recipient agrees, then your Head Elf will give you the login information for CT Santa. You can then log in to CT as CT Santa and view your recipient’s cellar.
Pro Tip! It’s always a nice touch to try and include some sort of note/message in the package explaining why you picked the wine you did. If you are shipping the wine yourself, this is easily done; if you use a retailer, you can ask them to include a message for you. Most are quite accommodating. Sometimes people will also include a subtle clue or hint as to their true identity – or even, if they are feeling particularly dastardly, a piece of misinformation – in the missive as well. Any and all are fair game.
2.3 Obtain The Wine
You can either buy a bottle or give your recipient a bottle from your own cellar. In either case, the value of the wine should be at least $50.00, before taxes and before any shipping costs. The value can be more but should not be less. Sending someone multiple, cheaper bottles is not “against the rules,” per se, but generally people opt to send one $50 bottle as opposed to two $25 bottles. Sometimes people will send something with a cool backstory, will include a homemade liqueur, etc. This is definitely fine and Christmasy and warm and fuzzy. Feel free to be creative! Whatever you decide to do, please just bear in mind the general value rule of $50.00 so that it’s fair for everyone.
Pro Tip! Often, you can order a wine from a retailer who is local to your recipient. This can cut down on your shipping costs, and is an exceedingly effective way to conceal your identity, which makes the guessing part of the game a lot more devious and fun.
3. SHIP THE WINE TO YOUR RECIPIENT (and receive a shipment of your own!)
3.1 Make Your Shipping Arrangements
Choose a shipping carrier to send the wine on your behalf. If you are shipping through a retailer, ask the retailer which shipper they will be using. When making shipping arrangements, please be mindful of any unavailability dates, shipping restrictions, or any other pertinent information specified by your recipient on their Information Form. Then, stick that puppy in the mail!
Pro Tip! Try to avoid shipping late in the week when the package might spend a weekend or an extended weekend in a non-climate controlled warehouse. Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the best days to ship. Also, be mindful of the weather to the extent possible, and try to ship when conditions are favorable.
3.2 Ship Before The Deadline
The shipping deadline is Monday, November 17th, 2014. Seriously people, you must have your package shipped by this date. This should ensure that everyone gets their package by Thanskgiving (Nov. 27th). That gives you two weeks between the assignment of recipients and the shipping deadline. So no excuses! Get those happy packages sent!
3.3 It’s SECRET Santa, Remember?
To the extent that you can, conceal your identity on the shipping label and inside the package. For a lot of people, the guessing game part of the event is the most fun, so keep your real identity a secret! Again, ordering from a local retailer can often accomplish this. Just make sure they don’t include your name on any receipts or shipping manifests.
Pro Tip! People get devious with this. It is not uncommon for people to give (or even ship) their package to a friend, relative, or even another CT member and potentially even another SS participant, and have that person ship it to the recipient. That can sometimes be a serious curveball! In any case, again, do whatever you can to keep it a truly Secret Santa.
3.4 Get A Tracking Number
It bears repeating, so I will. Get a tracking number. This is the only way to find out what happened if something goes wrong and someone doesn’t receive their wine. It’s very important that you not ship without a tracking number, so please, once again, make sure to get a tracking number.
3.5 Send A PM With Your Shipping Info
Once you have shipped your wine, send your Head Elf a PM with the following information:
1. The name and vintage of the wine you’re sending
2. The carrier you’re using
3. The tracking number for the package
4. The date you shipped the package
Posting in the forums that you’ve shipped something doesn’t count. There are a lot of people participating in this thing and the forum posts move quickly. There’s no guarantee that your Head Elf will see that you shipped something, and in any case we need your shipping info. So you have to send your Head Elf a PM.
We will compile all the wines that people have sent into a Secret Santa 2014 cellar on CT.
3.6 Receive Your Own Package
When you get your own delivery from your Secret Santa, do not open it. Wait! Not yet! Instead, send your Head Elf a PM letting him know that you got your package and the date it arrived. Then, stare longingly at that box for days on end, stretching on interminably, even more interminably than this post, until at last Reveal Day comes.
4. REVEAL DAY AND THE GUESSING GAME
4.1 Reveal Day
Reveal Day will be Saturday, December 6th, 3:00 PM EST.
When the appointed time comes, open your gift! Merry Christmas everyone!
4.2 The Reveal Day Threads
On Reveal Day, as mentioned previously, a new thread will be started for EACH group. The first post will likely have a list of who’s in each group. We’re going to ask that you please, please, do your utmost to post only in your own group’s thread. There is a lot of posting traffic and the threads move very quickly. Feel free to follow the discussion in both threads, but we are asking that you exercise as much restraint as you can muster from hitting the “OK” button on that super-witty rejoinder you were just about to post in the other group’s thread.
When the Reveal Day threads open, you should post what wine you got and send out some thanks to your Secret Santa, whoever he or she may be. It’s by no means necessary that you drink your wine right away; however, if you do decide to drink your wine, feel free to post a tasting note in your thread too.
Then, it’s time to...
4.3 Guess Your Santa!
People will start trying to guess who gave them their wine. People will use shipping information, will try to analyze clues others have dropped, will look at other people’s cellars, will look at past years’ threads... whatever it takes, man. Whatever it takes. Sometimes a Santa will post a hint if they see their recipient struggling. You as a recipient may also ask for a hint, and hope that your Santa takes pity on you. In any case, as a common courtesy, if someone guesses you as their Santa, please post whether or not they’re right. It will help make the guessing game go a lot more smoothly. Also, if someone guesses you, please post the true answer (i.e., don’t lie to try and confuse them further).
Note: Some people really LOVE the guessing game part; others are more into this event just to give and get a new bottle of wine in a fun way, and don’t follow the guessing game antics much. Both approaches are welcome! But, please, at least check in on the threads periodically to provide hints, confirmations, denials, etc. if they’re being requested of you.
As guesses are made and people are identified, the Head Elves will update the initial posts in their respective threads with info on who’s been ID’ed, much like we did last year.
When all the smoke clears, everyone will be a bottle of wine richer, and will hopefully have a nice story to attach to it!
CONCLUSION
So, that should just about cover it. If there are any questions, nuts and bolts issues, etc., feel free to PM crispino. I’m really looking forward to helping with this event again, and I hope everyone enjoys the continuation of this fun and unique tradition. Thanks to the genius of ChrisinSunnyside, you can peruse previous years’ threads in one place here (thread name: CT Secret Santa Compendium), for ideas and/or for a stroll down memory lane. Above all, have a good time with it, and all the best to everyone!
- Chris (crispino)
< Message edited by crispino -- 11/19/2014 3:52:02 PM >
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