The Secret Santa thank you thread, and other comments

That's fine by me Glenda if Laura is game!!  I need her address again though.  I'm all thumbs and deleted a lot of stuff from my inbox that I shouldn't have accidentally.  Thanks for doing this for us.  We hope it's not too much work for you!!

Lori

 Horray!! (does happy dance).

I am assuming I'm the only Laura, right? Lucky will be thrilled, and I'm sure Willow will be too! Lori, I just sent you another PM with my info.

Yea, it wont be "secret" santa, but the pups will still get presents just the same, right? 

Yay!  I'm glad that the two of you are partners.  

My presents are purchased!  I'm wrapping them tonight and sending them out tomorrow. 

Laura, we are excited too!!  I send you a new PM. 

Lori

 I forgot to post these pics! Erica also got Willa a cute bib. It says, "I've been good... mostly." :D

It's secret from the DOGS you guys, so that's what matters.  I'm glad that you two are hooking up.

Anyone else?  Is there anyone who got shorted and still needs a partner?  There are some great folks here who would be happy to fill in for the deadbeats, so just let me know.

I've been giving this some thought guys.  Should I maybe post next years assignments publicly?  It takes the Secret out of it, but, at this point, I'm pretty fed up with deadbeats.  I'm not going to post the names of said people NOW, but maybe if I just post a list of who is to send to whom next year it'll have the "public embarrasment" affect if the recipient doesn't actually RECIEVE?

Last year we only had one deadbeat, but this year is just ridiculous.  It wouldn't be so bad if folks had stuff happen and couldn't participate, or couldn't participate fully, and just emailed the waiting family, or me, and let someone know, but just to blow it off.......

I haven't hit the lottery yet, or I'd just hve a big stash of stuff waiting to send.........

Max and I will be happy to do another swap if there's someone who got left out.   I think it would be OK to post a list of who gets who.  It was done that way for *Happy Mail* and it seemed to work out OK. It seems like it would make your job a bit easier for sure since getting this organized must be a monumental task.

Joyce

 I like things being kind of secret. It makes it more mysterious! :) Can you use swap bot next year to take the pain out of it for you? I think that there will always be a deadbeat or 2. I don't know how many deadbeats there are this year but if last year there was only 1, I think that's awesome. Pretty good for an anonymous website where people don't really know each other. It's a big leap of faith to spend money and send something out to someone you hardly know. I would not let a few deadbeats ruin it for everyone else. We have great members that picked up the slack so it's all good.

I like the idea that you have to be a member for 6 months. 

the only totally newer people who were included actually DID send their gifts, it was folks who've been here closer to a year.

And actually, I have a great spread sheet that I use for SS, but, when folks don't follow directions and I've got stuff coming at me from everyplace, it's harder.  Or, if all the info isn't included and I have to combine several emails to get all the info.

There were several deadbeats this year.  At least four. And I'm not sure that I've heard from everyone yet who got cheated.  As I said, if our financial situation weren't so bad, I'd have sent out stuff to everyone who was left out myself.  This isn't an official forum thing, so mods actually shouldn't become involved.  It's basically up to me to be sure I keep a clear list of who doesn't get to play next time.  So, since I've already done that both on the puter and in an envelope with my printed lists, I've got a backup either way.

Keep letting me know how you guys feel about posting the "list".

 Well I just have to say that I think you do a great job. So thanks!

I will volunteer to handle the single-tons next year, if you need the assistance.

 I like shopping for doggie stuff. A little too much if you look at Joker's toys. He's the first dog that I actually have owned that likes to play with toys so I've gone over board on toys with him. So buying toys for someone else's dogs that I havent ever met is no biggie for me. I look forward to seeing pictures of them eating and playing with the goodies they will be getting!!

And I think you have a done a great job also. You didnt put a gun to anyone's head and make them sign up so it's not your fault when they didnt go through with their promise. 

Thanks for doing the SS!!

I really enjoyed the SS.  I love shopping for doggie toys, I spent more time deciding what to get my SS than I did for some of my humans!  It's a shame that a few have to be slackers or worse but maybe, just maybe they have a legitimate excuse.  I like the idea of keeping it secret, now that I know how it works. LOL at my dumb self.  But I would enjoy it even if the list was posted.  As far as becoming political, as Becca said happens on another forum, I don't know the answer to that problem. I guess that means that people who are on opposite sides of an issue don't want to send a doggie gift to someone who holds a different opinion??  Sighs. Please tell me that is not what she meant.

I think a private message to the person would be more appropriate telling that they will not be able to do it next year.  And, then next year, a message up front that if you don't send your package as promised or at least give some sort of explaination to the person who is receiving that you will be unable to sign up the following year.  And, then follow up PM's to those people or maybe even not a PM and just keep your list.

I guess I'm just thinking it's best to keep the negativity private as the forum normally does.  If that makes sense.