Secret Santa 2013

[Cornish Cream]

Sorry to hear your SS experience wasn't a happy one Suzanne.I hope you do participate this year

[Amy :-)]

Suzanne I'm so sorry Please play again this year, I promise it will be better

Cookie and Snappy, the disappearing members was the main problem. I got very frustrated because I tried sending PM's but got either no response or a very vague response, and I knew I had made a mistake in letting those members join in when we knew so little about them. I also knew that other members, like Suzanne, would be the ones to be disappointed and disheartened by the lack of sportsmanship displayed by the disappearing members. It just wasn't fair and I'm not making the same mistake this year.
I felt that those members used the forum and it's members like we were just any random strangers. I didn't appreciate the lack of consideration they showed for us as a forum family.

Okay, rant over, back to happy Amy now

I might be making the rules more strict this year, but it will make it a lot more fun because it will be fair for everyone

[judydawn]

Yes you have to be tough Amy, we are a very close knit group here and welcome people with open arms.  If they abuse that, it leaves a very sour taste in your mouth.  Sorry to hear your story Suzanne, I completely understand how you must have felt as part of the excitement was waiting for our recipient to post receipt of the parcel we had sent them.

Let's hope it all runs smoothly this year - its not fair on you either Amy.  It took up a lot of your time and you did a super job.  Shame on those people.

[SoBlessed]

Great idea Amy, as my experience was similar to Suzanne's.

[mcmich]

So sorry to hear of the disappointing experiences, as on the whole everything went really well, thanks to our Amy. 

Obviously Amy is ironing out the wrinkles and this year should be just as much fun for everyone. 

You are a star +++ Ames 

[fundj&e]

So sorry to hear of the disappointing experiences, as on the whole everything went really well, thanks to our Amy. 

Obviously Amy is ironing out the wrinkles and this year should be just as much fun for everyone. 

You are a star +++ Ames 

[*suzanne*]

Please don't think I am blaming Amy just thought I would let you know how it was for me.
I had fun picking out my gift and anxiously waited for mine so it wasn't all bad and I lived through you all opening and posting what you received ;D;D

[mcmich]

We see what you are saying Suzanne and hopefully Amy will be able to tweak the very few problems that happened last year. 

[Amy :-)]

Thanks so much for the support ladies, I couldn't ask for a more lovely bunch to play Secret Santa with

Suzanne, of course I don't think you are blaming me, and I'm glad you and SoBlessed have been so open about your experiences from last year. It helps us make changes for the next one so it won't happen again

I'm going to tweak this thing until there's not a tweak left in me

[kt2]

You did a fantastic job last year Amy!  It's a shame to hear that there were some members who were let down by others not playing fair 
I had a ball participating and can't wait for this years! 

[Kimmyh]

Me too. Absolutely loved it last year. You did such a great job Amy.

[Amy :-)]

Thanks girls

[Wonder]

Such a shame that some members were let down, there always seem to be a few people who don't play fair. I had a great time participating and will look forward to participating again if Amy is up to organizing it. Great job and thanks in advance Amy.

[Amy :-)]

I'm glad you had a good time Wonder and I'm very much looking forward to organizing it again when we've got these rules in place

I've just been going through the list of participating members and I have given everyone a number so we can keep track of how many are playing. There are a couple to whom I'll be sending PM's because we haven't seen them around for a while. RhubarbWhine hasn't been active since February.

[jo_nz]

Only 7 mths to Xmas!!!!    Yippee!

Another forum I'm on has quite strict criteria for people wanting to join swaps - a minimum time joined and post count, or you can get someone else to vouch for me.  Not that I want to make it too strict - I've only been around here 6 mths, and no idea what my post count is - I know I'm on here a lot, but post relatively infrequently! 

I'll send you my address Amy! (but a little later - Mum's just arrived)