Secret Santa 2014 input wanted

[Kelli]

I really liked Babs and Jess throwing out questions to the group to get the conversations flowing and how that morphed into other participants asking general questions to the group as a whole. It was a fun way to get to know everyone and get more info from your partner.

I like people making getting to know you/wishlist threads and linking them in their signature.

Summerswap is my first time doing this and it's not over yet, but those are the two things that so far I have thought were the most helpful and fun.

 

[trekkersangel]

I think my favorite part so far has been being a roadie/fairy.  I thought that was a great idea (we used elves for the last secret santa exchange) & it really helped people out.  I got a kick out of asking people questions for other people.  

The random questions in the thread was great too.  It gave me an opportunity to not only learn about my swap buddy, but I got to know a lot of gals on here.  I really enjoyed that.

 

[bonita22]

I liked the separate threads, especially the thread with all the wish list and surveys. I really enjoyed reading everyone's surveys, so i really liked that they were public. During SS, all the survey questions got a bit hard to keep up with. Having participants fill out a survey at the beginning was a lot better. Since people are busy and surveys can take a while to complete, maybe we can make the survey due with in a week of assignments going out. 

The random questions were great, it helped with my shopping and it was very entertaining. Personally I think it adds to the fun of the whole experience. I also really liked the random stories people shared.  

I loved the Elves/Roadies/Fairies. It's a great way to get any unanswered questions asked and i know that it helps a lot. Especially if you get someone that might be busy or doesn't post as much. 

I also think a private acknowledgement is fine. However, at least to me, a public acknowledgment would be ideal even if its nothing more than "I got my gift! Thanks X." It helps the people who are keeping track of reveals.  Either way if it could be acknowledged as soon as possible that way the sender doesn't go crazy. Maybe within 48-72 hours?

ETA:

I know it's a lot of work for everyone involved especially the mods, so thanks for making it possible.

 

[lovepink]

I am the one who ultimately decides the rules. I have been watching the thread and will take all the comments and recommendations into consideration because to me a community only works when the leader(s) of the community listens to said community.

Some rules might change, some might not. The original intent of Secret Santa - before I became a member, moderator or CM - was for members to swap an item or two in order to get to know each other. When I took it over and created the SS area it became more of a box of gifts with a maximum threshold so more members could participate. It has evolved to where it currently stands and it may evolve even more. As I said the suggestions made are taken into consideration and the moderators and I are discussing certain changes, which at this time I will not discuss with the community until we figure things out more. Once we've discussed the situation I will make the final decisions as I have in the past. Obviously not everyone is going to be happy because as the old saying goes you can't please everyone all of the time however any changes made, if there are drastic changes, will be for the benefit of the community as a whole rather than a few individuals.

Now that we have the ability to pin posts - the old Huddler platform did not give us that option - that should be an easy thing to implement.

I will state one thing that I WILL be implementing this fall for Secret Santa - Secret Santas will be asked to use their forum name on the package or in a note so the giftee knows who it came by. While the package may say "Jane Smith" sent it to "Jill Jones" Jill may not know that Jane is really "Candygirl 205" on the forums. It'll make it easier for people to know who sent them the gift that way.

The requirement to have your screen name was used in the Midsummer swap.  Can we adjust this to state your username has to be INSIDE the box (like on a card or something).

My legal name is not lovepink and I did not feel comfortable having to post my user name on a box that is being handled by various entities and people.

I put my real name on line 1, my screen name line 2, then my address, then city state and zip as I did not want to get in trouble for not following "the rules."  I also made sure to write my screen name under my real name on the card.

 

[tacehtpuekam]

The requirement to have your screen name was used in the Midsummer swap.  Can we adjust this to state your username has to be INSIDE the box (like on a card or something).

My legal name is not lovepink and I did not feel comfortable having to post my user name on a box that is being handled by various entities and people.

I put my real name on line 1, my screen name line 2, then my address, then city state and zip as I did not want to get in trouble for not following "the rules."  I also made sure to write my screen name under my real name on the card.

LOL is it horrible that I helped coordinate this and didn't know that was a requirement?! My bad guys. 

I didn't put my username on the outside either, but it was on my note which was on the very top of the box. 

I'm not really sure I'd feel comfortable putting my username on the outside of the box either..especially with how picky my mail people can be. I use my dogs name sometimes when I make multiple accounts and I actually had an item returned to sender once because my mail lady didn't recognize the name & thought it was incorrectly addressed!

 

[lovepink]

LOL is it horrible that I helped coordinate this and didn't know that was a requirement?! My bad guys. 

I didn't put my username on the outside either, but it was on my note which was on the very top of the box. 

I'm not really sure I'd feel comfortable putting my username on the outside of the box either..especially with how picky my mail people can be. I use my dogs name sometimes when I make multiple accounts and I actually had an item returned to sender once because my mail lady didn't recognize the name & thought it was incorrectly addressed!

I put my note on the top of the box too!  So that way if they opened it could scan to the bottom find out who it was, then tear through the gifts!  I, too worried about it being rejected or sent back or something.  

 

[meaganola]

I think one of the reasons why there was a requirement to put the name on the outside was specific to Secret Santa:  A lot of people were saving their packages to open until a specific day.  They were not just not unwrapping the contents but the outside shipping boxes as well.  Depending on what you have going on, it's entirely possible that someone wouldn't even realize it was a MUT package, and they wouldn't report back that they had received their package.  How about a requirement that you either put your name or an easily-found and easily-removed gift card/envelope containing your secret MUT identity, either one on the outside of the package (or, hey, both, if you really feel like it)?  Then the information is on the outside of the package, so the recipient wouldn't have to open the package to know who it's from if they were saving it for gift-opening day, but the sender's information would be protected if they so desired.

 

[lovepink]

I think one of the reasons why there was a requirement to put the name on the outside was specific to Secret Santa:  A lot of people were saving their packages to open until a specific day.  They were not just not unwrapping the contents but the outside shipping boxes as well.  Depending on what you have going on, it's entirely possible that someone wouldn't even realize it was a MUT package, and they wouldn't report back that they had received their package.  How about a requirement that you either put your name or an easily-found and easily-removed gift card/envelope containing your secret MUT identity, either one on the outside of the package (or, hey, both, if you really feel like it)?  Then the information is on the outside of the package, so the recipient wouldn't have to open the package to know who it's from if they were saving it for gift-opening day, but the sender's information would be protected if they so desired.

As long as putting it on the inside fulfills the requirement that is ok by me.

I for one find it hard to believe that people can get a package and not know where it came from.  I keep a list of all things I am expecting in the mail (trades, Sephora, Ulta, UPS etc) and even though it is the holidays and people are likely to get gifts I think if I got a gift from someone in a state like New Hampshire where I do not know a single person I would assume it would be the MUT holiday gift exchange.  

Would not have to consult with spouse on if it came from someone he knows because keeping track of family/friends etc falls into my department.

I could see how if people are in mulitple forums or exchanges it could be complicated.  Maybe you could put Jane Smith, MUT after your name so someone would know it was from Makeup talk.  And put that is the abbrieviation in the FAQ.  This way it looks like you have fancy credentials and is a secret code to other beauty lovers/participants!

 

[zadidoll]

Thank you ladies for the suggestions on the usernames. So long as there is something on OR in the package identifying which MuT member the gift is from then that'll be fine. Either way works for me just so long as the gift recipient knows who it's from.

 

[elizabethrose]

A note on usernames - as someone who had a ridiculously hard time shipping my box this time (USPS can really go take a hike.. they just decided my person didn't live at her house anymore..) I know that there are a lot of USPS postal workers who WILL NOT DELIVER boxes unless they are the same name on the mailbox. May seem ridiculous, but it's true.

I kind of believe that the box wasn't delivered the first time because it had my giftee's cats names on there too. Who knows. The address was right.. anyways. I guess what I'm saying is that legal names are kind of important on the outside of the box :/ And additional names make some USPS workers do weird junk.

 

[Babs28]

Another option instead of putting your username on the outside is putting "MuT Member" in the from under your name or in big letters on the side of the box you can put "MuT Member" or something like that.  This way no one's name is on the outside if they aren't comfortable with it but it will indicate that it's from a MuT member.  

 

[JC327]

So is shyness the reason people can't even be bothered to post a thank you reveal??

People put a lot into their gifts.  I think EVERYONE wants to see reveals.  

Maybe you can't force people to be active participants but you can make them post a reveal or be disallowed further participation.  

My ss never posted a reveal.  Everyone knows I crochet and I had 4 or 5 people ask me if I had taken pictures of what I made her so I could show them.  I don't think my person was shy.  I think she didn't give a crap.

Sorry to hear that! I would have definitely posted like a million pics if you had made me something.

 

[marigoldsue]

I really wish more people would post pictures of themselves.  I know that we can't really "require" that, as many people would feel very uncomfortable.  But I found it kind of odd to be purchasing make-up products for someone that I had no idea what they looked like.  Would it be possible to give people who don't want a picture of themselves posted on the internet the OPTION of attaching a picture to their address information that goes to the organizers and then send it on to whoever gets their name?  Not only does it feel more personal to be able to put a face with a name, but it really can help us pick products that fit the recipient better.

 

[Kelly Silva]

I really wish more people would post pictures of themselves.  I know that we can't really "require" that, as many people would feel very uncomfortable.  But I found it kind of odd to be purchasing make-up products for someone that I had no idea what they looked like.  Would it be possible to give people who don't want a picture of themselves posted on the internet the OPTION of attaching a picture to their address information that goes to the organizers and then send it on to whoever gets their name?  Not only does it feel more personal to be able to put a face with a name, but it really can help us pick products that fit the recipient better.

I didn't find it odd until you mentioned it, but maybe it would be a nice optional thing to add to the private survey.

 

[tacehtpuekam]

I think a lot of people are probably uncomfortable with posting pictures (privacy concerns or other reasons), but maybe we could add a general description area to the survey? I know in my wishlist I made sure to include my foundation shade, hair color, eye color, etc.

 

[kawaiiwoofs]

I think a lot of people are probably uncomfortable with posting pictures (privacy concerns or other reasons), but maybe we could add a general description area to the survey? I know in my wishlist I made sure to include my foundation shade, hair color, eye color, etc.

i would love if that was part of the "official" survey! knowing those descriptors was really helpful when shopping for my peeps over the past few swaps. As much as it would be so easy to shop for other bold lip-loving, medium with yellow undertones, and dark dark brown hair girls, that may not always be the case!

 

[lovepink]

I think a lot of people are probably uncomfortable with posting pictures (privacy concerns or other reasons), but maybe we could add a general description area to the survey? I know in my wishlist I made sure to include my foundation shade, hair color, eye color, etc.

I did the same.  I think you can describe yourself in your wish list (I know the one for Midsummer Night did) but I would not feel comfortable sending a picture of myself to essentially a stranger.  I have all my privacy settings on my social media set to private.

I have been a member on this forum for 2.5 years and still have not shared a picture because I do not feel comfortable doing so.  It is a contradiction because I have meet people from here in real life and am friends with people here on social media, but I think this requirement could be satisfied in the survey.

 

[meaganola]

I have to confess that I don't even like my family taking pictures of me. I wouldn't let my aunt take one of me for my entry in her phone's directory.

 

[Lolo22]

I think a survey question would be nice (if it's not already there?) and people can include whatever they want. Also, as far as I know there's no way to PM a picture unless it's a link to the site (which means everyone would be able to see it).

 

[lovepink]

I think a survey question would be nice (if it's not already there?) and people can include whatever they want. Also, as far as I know there's no way to PM a picture unless it's a link to the site (which means everyone would be able to see it).

I think people (from what I gathered at least) that you would send it with the google doc that you complete.  but then 2 people see it (whoever sees all the google docs, who I assume is mod, then the person who has you).  I could be wrong.  heat and humidity and vacation in 3 days, brain fried!

And why is it you cannot put a picture in a PM?  It is so annoying when you want to show someone you are trading with a sample size or something and you put the pic in there, press send and it disappears!