G&T Secret Santa 2008 planning phase

Captain K

I've run this the past two years, and I feel I did a pretty terrible job of it last time around. I'm more than ready to pass the torch to someone else and I'm sure nobody will miss me as the organizer.

Some other folks stepped in to help manage the fallout from 2007's G&T Secret Santa early this year, when I was busy dealing with personal shit--any of those folks feel like stepping up? Can the community agree on someone(s?) to take the reins?



Speak yo minds.

wasted pixels

I'd be more than happy to lend a hand in any way that might be helpful, but I don't know if I have the "brand recognition" and general forum clout to really step up and run/co-run the show. It seems like it almost needs to be a mod, not just Johnny Q. Regular (let alone a twice-a-day poster like me).

That said, if someone with more gravitas were to step up, I could provide them with awesome tools (a database driven app to track and automate the whole process!), brilliant ideas (splitting up the North American and European Santa pools to minimize shipping costs!), and grunt labor (PMing deadbeats to remind them that I have their address!).

Arikado

How about starting off by saying how you ran it last time and the problems you encountered? I participated but I rarely kept track of the thread (that thing grew fast) so I wasn't really aware of any issues that came up other than those who had issues shipping internationally or people not sending gifts at all.

Rook

I didn't realise there were many problems except for dead beats and shipping issues.

also, found this pic on my camera recently. fun times.

spookymuffin

I've participated in the past couple G&TSS and the last SE++SS, and I didn't see a whole lot going wrong. Then again, the thread did move rather fast, so it was hard to keep up with. My only suggestion for this year is to have a separate "Thanks for the gifts/Pics of the gifts" thread. I got confused last year, and I still don't know who sent me what.

SirUltimos

I agree that it would be best to explain what kinds of problems occurred so that whoever takes over will have some kind of idea of what to expect.

Either way, it's sad to see you pass along the torch, K. From where I sit you seem to have done a great job, and I still play the boardgames you got me last year.

Chen

Unfortunately, I can't think of someone who's been prominent in G&T for the last year. Last year ran rather smoothly from what I've witnessed, so I don't think people would protest if you run it again, Captain K.

bloodyroarxx

Last year was a nightmare for me personally but that's because somewhere between here and Europe my santee's gift went missing and he didn't get a replacement till after xmas, I felt horrible

maximumzero

I wanted to participate two years ago, by I have parents that are afraid of the internet and someone having my address, so I've had to pass.

But we must not forget about the Virtual Console Secret Santa.

Mr_Grinch

My secret santa present (or part 2 of it, part 1 arrived) to CallofCthulhu actually arrived back at my house about 2 weeks ago.

I was bloody confused when I opened it.

Zarcath

I've been eagerly awaiting the 2008 SS thread so I wouldn't be late signing up like last year. Let's get this going!

Captain K

Hmm, maybe it didn't go so poorly after all. I think the context is coloring my recall ability here--I was going through some seriously rough shit about the same time a few unlucky people were starting to realize they'd been stiffed, and I wasn't able to deal with the fallout, so I felt like I had totally dropped the ball. But if you all say it went pretty well, then I'll take your word for it. :P

Still, I'm really busy these days and I don't relish the thought of organizing Secret Santa again this year. Anyone who wants to take the reins, let yourself be heard, and we'll come to some kind of consensus as a group.

Impersonator

What is this Secret Santa?

as in: How did it go last year?

UnbreakableVow

This would be my first year participating, I can't wait.

Also, the Virtual Console SS that maximumzero mentioned; was that done in the past? It's a separate thing? 'Cause I'll do that too. Gifting is such a cool feature and I've only gotten to do it once.

vegeta_666

I can't participate due to various issues, but to throw my idea in, doesn't Steam have a gifting option as well? Just a thought.

Hardtarget

pft stop being lazy Captain K, last year was great.

woo captain k, captain k, captain k!

(mostly I'm just saying hi so you'll play Dawn of War 2 with me whenever it comes out, is everybody still waiting for bloodyroar?)

maximumzero

UnbreakableVow wrote: »

This would be my first year participating, I can't wait.

Also, the Virtual Console SS that maximumzero mentioned; was that done in the past? It's a separate thing? 'Cause I'll do that too. Gifting is such a cool feature and I've only gotten to do it once.

Yeah, we did the VC SS on my suggestion not long after the feature was first introduced last year.

It was a separate thread.

Evander

All we really need, I think, is an actual penalty for those who stiff others (and can't provide any sort of tracking number, to prove it got lost in the mail.)

edit: If you're really looking to relinquish the reigns, I'd be willing to step up to the plate. Whatever the connotation, my name is well known enough around these parts for folks to trust me.

UnbreakableVow

Who's Evander?

Just kidding

Evander

Plus the unspoken irony (which I promise will remain entirely unspoken on my part hereafter) is really too good to pass up, no?

Lindsay Lohan

Evander wrote: »

Plus the unspoken irony (which I promise will remain entirely unspoken on my part hereafter) is really too good to pass up, no?

I have to admit I came SO close to Christmassing up your gift last year - ornaments, santa, etc. If K wants to take SS off his plate, I would say Evander would be a good choice.

LewieP

But how will we do a Secret Santa without Katchem_Ash around?

Also, Secret Santa was brilliant last year.

Edit: Also, books are gay.

Edit2: Also also, my one suggestion for improving it, how about some mechanism for backup gifts. With something as big as this, no matter what some people will fail to get a present to their Santee (even if it's not their fault). Now last year, a bunch of people stepped up to offer gifts to those without, but maybe there could be a better way of organising it? I dunno, just a thought.

Hearthjaw

I participated in the secret santa last year and had a great time, as long as it stays pretty much the same I have no problem.

MichaelLC

I thought it went well last year, and my Santa was awesome. So much to the disappointment of everyone else, I'd be in again.

Only suggestion I have is to tighten the confirmations a little - so we know who has shit and who ain't got shit, as it were. Either a separate sub (Mmm...toasty)-board or a check-off on the OT.

ArcSyn

I thought it went pretty well last year, and the people who were without gifts I think were handled pretty well with the Secret Easter make-up. Though I suffered from a lost package my first time. ThinkGeek was awesome though and sent out another package that got through.

As far as the VC gifting, I think this year those who wish to participate should include, along with the normal stuff, their console IDs if they are willing to accept digital gifts, and include Steam IDs in that as well.

I'm looking forward to year 2 for me. Hopefully I won't have a problem this time. I'm fine with Evander taking the reins, and I would offer to help but I don't think I have the name recognition or knowledge of SS to really help much.

12gauge

Captain K wrote: »

Hmm, maybe it didn't go so poorly after all. I think the context is coloring my recall ability here--I was going through some seriously rough shit about the same time a few unlucky people were starting to realize they'd been stiffed, and I wasn't able to deal with the fallout, so I felt like I had totally dropped the ball. But if you all say it went pretty well, then I'll take your word for it. :P

Still, I'm really busy these days and I don't relish the thought of organizing Secret Santa again this year. Anyone who wants to take the reins, let yourself be heard, and we'll come to some kind of consensus as a group.

Speaking only from my own point of view (participating this year for the fourth time in GT and SE++ without ever getting burned) I'd say you did a good job except for putting some more pressure on the deadbeats completely at the end.
But if you don't want to do it I'd vote for Evander to take over the operation.

darleysam

After seeing how awesome last year's was (apart from the deadbeat side), I'm seriously considering signing up for this one.

Thetheroo

Man, I've always wanted to participate in this, but I think I've drifted away from posting in G+T as much as I used to.

Evander

MichaelLC wrote: »

I thought it went well last year, and my Santa was awesome. So much to the disappointment of everyone else, I'd be in again.

Only suggestion I have is to tighten the confirmations a little - so we know who has shit and who ain't got shit, as it were. Either a separate sub (Mmm...toasty)-board or a check-off on the OT.

What I would do/suggest is make tracking numbers mandatory, and have santas send those tracking numbers, upon shipment, to the folks running the show.



It'll make things simpler (even on the running end, with the proper data management in place) and hold everyone accountable for whether or not they've actually shipped out anything.

Rohan

Last year was awesome for the most part, and the part that wasn't was hardly your fault, K. Looking forward to the next one!

MinionOfCthulhu

Mr_Grinch wrote: »

My secret santa present (or part 2 of it, part 1 arrived) to CallofCthulhu actually arrived back at my house about 2 weeks ago.

I was bloody confused when I opened it.

Do you mean me? Because I could have sworn I was your Santa. I don't remember a second package though. o_O What was in it!?

Also nth'ing the thought that last year's didn't go badly at all, aside from some deadbeats. Did anyone actually get banned?

Cornell002

I'm excited for this year

DHS Odium

I participated last year and didn't have any problems. I think an issue for some (and me) is the international shipping. It becomes a pain to pay for the extra shipping costs, to make sure our packages can pass through customs without being held up and all of that. I understand we don't want to limit and seclude people, only allowing them to exchange with people in the same country, but maybe give the option for those that don't mind international Santa's and Santee's, and those that would rather not. It would be more work for the people matching others up, but maybe have a "We'll try our best" clause.

Forar

I participated last year, and intend to do so this year. There were some deadbeats, sure, but we'll see that with ANY system involving this many people.

I do really like the idea of requiring tracking numbers for the shipments. Yes, it increases the cost a little, but for peace of mind and an extra layer of insurance agaisnt asshattery (or a more clearcut paper trail for banning the shit out of deadbeat Santas). I'm not so sure they should need to be sent to the person in charge necessarily, but requiring that one exists and can be provided as requested sounds like a good idea.

Inzigna

I've been around for a while, but can someone please explain to me how Secret Santa works?

maximumzero

You know what, fuck it, I'm in.

Is there a limit set to how much or how little is allowed to be spent on someone or are you just free to do what you please?

LewieP

maximumzero wrote: »

You know what, fuck it, I'm in.

Is there a limit set to how much or how little is allowed to be spent on someone or are you just free to do what you please?

$10 minimum iirc

Rook

LewieP wrote: »

maximumzero wrote: »

You know what, fuck it, I'm in.

Is there a limit set to how much or how little is allowed to be spent on someone or are you just free to do what you please?

$10 minimum iirc

I think some people really go into it with the attitude that they ought to be getting something completely great, and it's not about that at all. It's really about the giving part. (Obviously, it sucks if you don't get anything, or someone sends you two litres of bleech).

PepperSinclaire

I'm all for making tracking numbers mandatory this time around, though I had no problems last year.

Judge-Z

Another vote of confidence for you, Captain K! Believe me when I say that having a lot of shit dragging you down can unfairly color perceptions of the things that went well - but really, SS went vey, very well last year.

That said, yes, the irony of Evander being in charge should you step down is so delicious.

Kyougu

Rook wrote: »

LewieP wrote: »

maximumzero wrote: »

You know what, fuck it, I'm in.

Is there a limit set to how much or how little is allowed to be spent on someone or are you just free to do what you please?

$10 minimum iirc

I think some people really go into it with the attitude that they ought to be getting something completely great, and it's not about that at all. It's really about the giving part. (Obviously, it sucks if you don't get anything, or someone sends you two litres of bleech).

I think as long as it shows that you at least put some effort into the gift, no one really cares how much you spend.

I will say, I have been a bit sad when it seems that people just grabbed things that where sitting in their garage and sent them as a gift.