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Secret Santa

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Posts posted by Secret Santa

  1. Posted

    With all the SS exchanges I do every year online like this, we always started early - we got the announcement about the event on the day after Thanksgiving, sent our information in and got our assignments the first week of December, and most of us had the stuff mailed out by Dec. 10.

     

    I am probably in the minority here anyway as I am in the UK, but getting a list the first week on Dec is leaving me with a very tight dealine. Sometimes I have to get things shipped over from the US before I can sortout and then mail on to the final destination, which could be the UK or even Europe is some cases, that with the increase in Xmas mail doesn't give me much time...

     

    Since the idea was presented late in the season - (mid to late NOV.) there wasn't much time to plan the event either. I understand it was difficult for people with long distances to ship. Next year if there's another event, I am sure more time would definitely be given. :)

  2. Posted

    I hope for the most part the members who participated did have "happy endings" and that this event was for many a positive experience.

     

    Kudos to secret santa as that person had a lot of work to do and did all that work alone.

     

    Thank you very much for the kind words. :)

     

    While I may have had a lot of work to do and a few late nights, there were quite a few 'elves' that helped a great deal. And I also have to send a big THANK YOU to them as well! (They know who they are. ;) ) And of course an extra large thank you to the moderators for their patience and all those participating members.

     

    Thank you also for the good suggestions! If we have a 'secret santa' type of event here next year, I had a few similar thought as well. And I am sure we can find ways to make it "bigger and better" then ever. :)

  3. Posted

    RJ posted: Some of you will interpret this the wrong way, but the Secret Santa concept involves giving AND receiving (yes, I understand that's not what it's all about). Personally I'd be a bit miffed if I took part & got passed by in return, & I dont think MMF was wrong to feel/mention it, nor was I wrong to bring it into the open.

     

    The point is that he did/does have a gift on the way, he just didn't receive it by Christmas, and sadly New Year. :|

    There are a few members that are still waiting very patiently I might add for gifts. One member's gift has been hard to find and backordered since the holidays. Another member's gift took until Christmas for it to return to stock. Some members dealt with shipping internationally. There are also a few members who shipped within the time period yet the post office was horribly delayed and where priority mail is supposed to take 2-3 days or so it took 6+ days to deliver. Priority mail, I have also found out is guaranteed only to get there in 21 buisness days, no less. Some post offices even sent back mail 'NSF' which they themselves stamped. :?

     

    MMF's gift was delayed by inclement weather. As far as I know no one can control that, not even me. :wink:

     

    Having to wait a little longer certainly doen't mean someone was "shortchanged". It just means that some things are beyond individuals control.

    Everyone involved, including myself have felt very horribly about what has happened and have tried our best to 'make things right'. When a certain situation is being brought up repeatedly, it's not being "let go" and this situation was constantly being updated via PM the entire duration of the event.

     

    RJ posted: MMF- you WEREN'T wrong about wanting an Atari-themed gift from an Atari site- made sense to me too! You had the right idea. IIRC we were to pick from our own collection/stash. That's the true meaning of giving- of what we already have.

     

    Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 7:26 pm Santa Posted:

     

    I hope everyone is enjoying themselves making out their secret "Wish Lists". I am happy to see so many members getting into the spirit of things!

     

    You don't 'have' to include video game related items in your lists or if an item would need to be purchased via an auction site there most likely wouldn't be enough time to have everything shipped in time for the holidays.

     

    I actually asked for a variety of gifts to be included, not just atari ones as well as not purchasing from an on-line auction site. The gifts weren't being sent from AA but from individuals availability. Not everyone has local access to thrift stores. Sadly there isn't a shop at the North Pole even I am unable to find the particular items locally. We're working on that one. :wink:

    And we did not have to pick from our own collection to give the gifts.

     

    Whether it's not wanting to shop, using what we had, or taking the extra step and hunting around for that "perfect" gift even if it took a little longer it's still giving.

    Giving is giving, whether it's what we have, or giving what we may not be able to afford, or finding something we don't have.

     

    RJ posted - I'd also like to know/"meet" my SS to match a name to the gift & give proper thanks TO them instead of AT them, but that's not happening either, I guess.

     

    Santa posted in Initial Rules and Guidelines:

    The individual Santas will never be revealed by me and kept confidential as the secret part is the most fun.

    :)

     

    Hopefully this clears up any remaining questions. If there is a need for this discussion to continue, I would prefer it to be via PM again so that the members involved are properly taken care of and individual issues are addressed privately.

    Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

     

    I do thank everyone who participated. Although there have been some on-going issues, over all it was a fun and busy holidays season. Although there are quite a few questions as to whether the event will be returning next year, I would like to thank the members participating for their generosity and good spirit and making this a memorable first indeed.

  4. Posted

    I actually notified and corresponded with Mr. MMF quite a few times during the process as well as his santa.

    His santa had a very difficult time trying to find the patches and manuals he wanted but did not want to give up.

    Between bouts of extreme inclement weather and the post office his gift has been on the way and he has not been forgotten in any way. We have made sure that no member participating has been forgotten either. :)

  5. Posted

    Things have been just a little hectic here over the last week. I wish everyone received their gift in time for Christmas but they should be on the way.

    Here is the list of those who haven't gotten them yet:

     

    - Kepone

    - Moses

    - Tempest

    - Stingray

    - MegaManFan

    - Papa Charlie

    - Doctorclu

    - Binary Goddess

    - Bad Panda Bear

    - Joesmooth

    - Sku_u

    - Superpsycho

    - Chairmonkey4406

    - Atari-dj

    - David Calgary29

     

    Since shipping is so bad hopefully you will receive them this week.

    Also, some of you did go away for the holidays so please post as soon as you get back! Hopefully everyone has had a safe season and a great vacation. :)

    If anyone has any information or concerns please send me a PM and I will do whatever I can to help.

     

    Thank you once again, Santa

    ps- please don't forget to check your inboxes regularly

  6. Posted

    BTW, Secret Santa, I think I may have misunderstood something. I put my AA name on the message with the gift. Is that a problem?

     

    Not a problem at all. Whatever each member wanted to do in that regard would be ok. Secret is nice sometimes too. :wink:

    Glad You recieved your gift and it's even just in time for Christmas. :)

  7. Posted

    May Secret Santa print out a list of people who is still waiting. Maybe their SecretSantas may check the status of delivery.

    This is a very good idea - Thank you! I will work on that tomorrow since today is very busy for me. :wink:

     

    Also, if you or someone you know have received their gifts but have not posted to let us know, please ask them to. It will be easier to finish a list of those who are still waiting this way.

     

    Have a very Joyous Holiday everyone! :D

    ~ Santa

  9. Posted

    I can now breathe a little easier. I have heard from all participating members and either they are waiting for the gifts to arrive after ordering them or have shipped them out! Santa is very happy indeed as there were a few moments when I was quite worried.

    If anyone has any questions about the status of their gift please send me a PM and I will check on everything for you. :)

    Thanks again to everyone who has made this a very memorable event indeed!

  12. Posted

    Just posting to ask those who haven't shipped their gifts yet to please send me a PM letting me know the status of your mission since tomorrow is the final 'Official' day to ship packages out.

    I don't think any of us want anyone to be dissapointed this holiday season as all AtariAge members are special people! :)

    Thank you, Santa

  13. Posted

    According to my list there are 18 AA members who have not sent out their gifts yet. Some have contacted me and are waiting on deliveries themselves. I had asked that all gifts be mailed by December 17th so that there is a chance for arrival before the holidays. For anyone who has yet to send a gift, using expediated delivery would be a good idea and make sure to get a tracking number.

     

    If anyone has recieved their gift and not posted in the thread I again ask you to do so we can keep track of who has recieved theirs already. :)

     

    Also, for anyone waiting on their gift please be patient since the post office can't deliver them all in one night. :wink:

  14. Posted

    I had 10 "Gift on the way" messages to deliver today. So, Check your inboxes. 8)

     

    Please after shipping don't forget to pass on the details Via PM to me so I can pass it along to the appropriate person. :)

    There are also quite a few people who have let me know the gift has been ordered and they are waiting to receive them before sending them along. Please let me know when you do get them!

     

    This has been a very wonderful "Secret Santa" season so far - thank you to everyone who is help making it possible!

  15. Posted

    For anyone that has any questions or would just like to say "hello". I have now gotten one of my elves to set up an account on AIM for me.

    I will try to be on as much as possible but please still send "Mission Accomplished" messages via PM and post in the thread when you recieve your gift.

    Hope to hear from you soon! :)

  16. Posted

    I am glad people are happy and getting what they want!

    Thank you to everyone for sending out gifts so quickly - you've really kept me and my elves on our toes! About half of you already have sent them out. Try to do so as soon as possible so packages don't get backed up.

    Don't forget to PM me when you send your gift out and post a short note in the thread so we know your recieved it.

    I am trying to reply to everyone's questions, comments and concerns as quickly as I can, so thank you for being patient as well. :)

  17. Posted

    Since we have had quite a few people sending out gifts already, please keep an eye on your mailboxes after receiving the "Gift is on the way" PM.

     

    Please remember to post in this thread when you recieve them.

    You don't have to post what it is - that's just your treat!

     

    There are also a few people who have not picked up their people's lists - please check your PM's. Santa doesn't want to list names on the "Bad" list just yet. :)

  19. Posted

    Just a reminder to everyone please send me a PM with the subject title "mission accomplished" including the person's name, method of shipping,tracking number and gift (if you choose) after shipping out your gift.

    I will then let the recipient know via PM only that "there is a gift on the way" and method of shipment so they can keep their eyes open for it. We don't want any gifts getting lost.

     

    I am just about finished sending everyone their lists - only a few more to go and a big Thank You to those who have finished shopping already! I would love to hire you for gift deliveries next year!

     

    You don't have to use your own necessarily,lol.  :ponder:  

     

    I think we should all use CPUWIZ's address as the return address. :P

     

    Good idea, I've sent it to Secret Santa so he can give it to everyone. :D

     

    ..Al

     

    Thank you Albert for the information, I have recieved it and will use it properly. :)

  20. Posted

    I just recieved this urgent news!!!

     

    ....sent out my package to XXXX a few minutes ago. You might want to give a heads up that the USPS will be randomly flagging parcels that do not have a proper address including city state and zip on them.

     

    They won't accept parcels at the post office that don't have a return address, or have addresses like north pole on them, and if someone tries to get around that by dumping the parcel in a mailbox, there's a good chance the parcel will be destroyed and never reach the recipient.

     

    This happy news came to me by way of the regional postmaster of my area who happens to be a friend of mine. Chances are there are at least some people here who know each other pretty well and to get around that might try leaving off the return address. You CAN leave your name out, but not your address.

  22. Posted

    Just a reminder for everyone. :party:

     

    - Look for a private message titled "Secret Santa Mission" by no later than December 4th including the person's Name, Address information and their Wish list items.

     

    - All you have to do is choose one item only from the person's wish list to purchase and surprise them with.

    (If for some reason you can't find any items, don't worry. You can purchase up to a $20 gift certificate good for anything at the Atari Age store as a last resort only.)

     

    - Please ship your gift as soon as possible. Shipping is very slow during the holidays! Put the name "Secret Santa" for the sender.

    It's important to keep your reciept in case there are any problems, please use delivery confirmation (if using USPS) or package tracking.

     

    - Upon shipping your gift, send me a PM with the subject title "mission accomplished" including the person's name, method of shipping,tracking number and gift (if you choose).

    I will then let the recipient know via PM only that "there is a gift on the way" and method of shipment so they can keep their eyes open for it.

     

    - After receiving your gift, post a quick message in the thread letting us know it arrived safely. Please don't post what you recieve, it's a gift just for you. :wink:

     

    The individual Santas will never be revealed by me, or any of my elves involved and kept confidential as the 'secret' part is the most fun. :)

     

    If for some reason you are unable to participate, please post a message in this thread no later then December 5th so that no one will have an empty stocking this year.

  23. Posted

    Here's a final list of all Good AA boys and girls who will be participating this year. If you didn't make it, next year will be more exciting and I'll look foreward to seeing you all then. :)

     

    128Bytes Gamesnat PapaCharlie
    Adams_ale Gannon Pmpddytim
    Albert Geosteve Rick Weis
    Atari aaron Gospeedde RJ
    Atari-dj Inky Rogueleader
    ATARIeric JagMX Sauron
    Atwwong Joesmooth Shep
    Bad Panda Bear Kepone Sikor
    Bcprs Kielbaca Simon Templar
    Binary Goddess Liquid Sky Sku_u
    Burgel Lost Monkey Stingray
    Cassidy Nolen MegaManFan SuperPsycho
    Chickybaby Miker Tempest
    Classics Moses The Sage of Sega
    Cvo Mr.FoodMonster X6d696168
    Davepesc MrsMegaManFan Xot
    Davidcalgary29 Mustardseed Z28in82
    Doctorclu PacManPlus
    Donkeykong1 Paolo

  24. Posted

    Only 1 hour left to sign up and send in lists!

     

     

    The following people signed up but have not sent in their lists:

     

    -Susuwatari

    -Spirantho

    -Rob Mitchell

    -Curt Vendel

    -klove

     

    If you still want to be part of this, please send in your lists. No more lists will be accepted after 12am central time.

     

    Also if anyone is still interested and hasn't signed up, don't delay you still have time and are of course welcome to join us!

     

    Happy Holidays!

     

    ~Santa

  25. Posted

    Santa would like to remind everyone that ALL sign-ups and Wish Lists must be completed and submitted by the deadline of midnight tonight Central Standard Time!!!

     

    The private raffle will be tomorrow afternoon. Look for a message from me by December 4th letting you know who you will be buying a gift for.

    I will post more information later and remember the "Secret" part is what makes this so great! :)

     

    Happy Holidays everyone and let the fun begin!

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