(Topic ID: 202432)

Official 2017 Pinside Secret Santa Participants Thread

By LesManley

6 years ago


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  • 73 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 5 years ago by Pinzap
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    There are 484 posts in this topic. You are on page 1 of 10.
    #1 6 years ago

    Welcome everyone to the official Secret Santa thread for 2017! We ended up with 61 participants! I decided to close the old thread since registration is now closed and open up this thread to keep things clean and streamlined. We can use this thread to post announcements, questions, updates, ship dates and of course to show off all our ill gotten booty that we receive from our secret santas.

    Here's how things are going to go. This weekend I will assign everyone a number and go down the list and randomly draw a secret santa for every participant. I should have everyone's e-mail address, so I will send an e-mail to each person with the name and information I have for who you are to buy gifts for. If they gave me any gift ideas or a list of the games they own that they don't display to the public, I will include those as well. If you don't receive an e-mail from me by Monday, Nov. 13, please PM me. You then will have about a month to purchase gifts and ship them out to your SS. The cut off date will be Dec. 12th for shipping so all items have a chance to get there by Christmas Eve. You can wrap the gifts if you want and send them or even have them directly shipped to your SS if you want to save some money that way. Please do not include your name on the return address no matter what method you choose, use the name "Pinside Secret Santa" instead. That way everyone will know when your package arrives, but won't know who it is from. When you do send your gifts, please post in this thread saying so and send me a PM with the tracking information so I can add it to my sheet and cross it off the list. When your SS package arrives, please post in this thread too so the sender knows you got it safe and sound. And of course, after you open your SS package, post the money shots of all your goodies here and give a proper thank you shout out to your Secret Santa for doing their part to spread a little holiday cheer.

    Now, I wish it went without saying, but we need to cover some ground rules just in case...

    *First off, this will be as fun as we make it. If we put in some effort, everyone should have a good time. Please check your SS's public game list on pinside and the ideas they included (if any) and do some creative investigation. You are free to buy what you want, you don't have to get anything that your SS may have suggested for gifts, but please just put the same amount of thought into your gifts that you would want someone to put into the gifts for you and things should be fine.

    *On that note, no public bitching on pinside about what you receive, that isn't the point of this. This is supposed to be about giving, spreading some joy and adding a little of that childhood magic back into the holidays again. If you really wanted an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle...but got a football instead...be thankful for what you received, or at least fake it like you would with your in-laws.

    *The dollar amount you should aim for when buying gifts is at least $30. That is not a hard cap by any means. Tis the season, so you can spend as much as you feel comfortable with, but please at least hit that number value wise so no one is short changed from a dollar standpoint.

    *I will keep track of who shipped packages and when they were shipped. I will send out a reminder to anyone I haven't heard from 1 week before the deadline, but PLEASE, be responsible and buy your gifts and ship them out before the deadline so we don't run into issues with having to track people down and recipients not getting packages in time.

    *No dead beat Santas. If you don't think you can fulfill your end of the bargain for whatever reason, please contact me and I can remove your name from the list now no questions asked. Nothing would be worse for this than someone not following through and leaving someone empty handed. By participating, you are agreeing to be responsible and fulfill your obligation to the recipient. I know unexpected things can happen, so if a Santa runs into any issues, notify me immediately please. The sooner I am made aware, the sooner I can figure a solution to the issue. Once again, if a Santa fails to follow through, and does not contact me ahead of time (to solve the issue), I will have no problem outing them to the pinside community and we all know how merciless this community can be. This is the only warning you will receive for this, so please let's not have to go there.

    Any other questions, feel free to post in this thread or PM me and I would be happy to help. That should just about cover it, so put on those Santa hats and get ready for the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny #%&$@ Kaye!

    Secret Santas for 2017:

    Aflacjack
    anthonyk
    Artimage
    Astropin
    Ben1981
    blondetall
    Brypten
    BubbaBeast
    Capinball
    Charliew65
    chippe01
    Clnilsen
    Dexter
    docquest
    EEE
    Ericc123
    EvanDickson
    Fezmid
    fiberdude120
    flashinstinct
    Gexchange
    gliebig
    Gundam_Pilot
    Haymaker
    High Protein
    High Voltage
    HighNoon
    Hogbog
    HotPieceOfSass
    Insane
    Isochronic_Frost
    j_m_
    jeffc
    joefox22
    Lame33
    LesManley
    ltg
    Mank
    Matesamo
    modfather
    northvibe
    Ns2973
    pacmanretro
    Pdxmonkey
    Pinballlew
    PinballSTAR
    PinZap
    pmWolf
    RobertWinter
    RyanClaytor
    SarverSystems
    stpcore
    suave84
    TaylorVA
    the96stang
    ULEKstore
    wdpvideo
    Whysnow
    Wolfmarsh
    ypurchn
    ZEN

    25giftCertificate224x224 (resized).jpg25giftCertificate224x224 (resized).jpg

    #2 6 years ago

    One other thing before I do the random draw this weekend. We do have 1 person from Austria that is participating. I know international shipping can be more expensive and take longer to arrive to the destination, so I wanted to ask if there anyone that would like to volunteer to be a Secret Santa for this person? Please send me a PM so we can keep you secret. Thanks!

    #3 6 years ago

    Can I add something to my gift wish list? I mean I really want a TNA Pinball Machine....I hope I get a rich Santa...lol.

    Seriously I am looking forward to doing this and can’t wait to give some cool gifts

    Thank you for organizing everything!

    #4 6 years ago
    Quoted from Pinballlew:

    Can I add something to my gift wish list? I mean I really want a TNA Pinball Machine....I hope I get a rich Santa...lol.
    Seriously I am looking forward to doing this and can’t wait to give some cool gifts
    Thank you for organizing everything!

    Lmao i would really like a TNA too. In all seriousness though, thanks OP for all the effort you're putting into this. Really looking forward to it!

    #5 6 years ago

    rookie ? here, do we not put the return address on the package? sorry......

    #6 6 years ago
    Quoted from Charliew65:

    rookie ? here, do we not put the return address on the package? sorry......

    You should put the return address in case something happens with the package you want it returned, just use the "Pinside Secret Santa" as the name on it and that will keep it anonymous enough. If you are worried about someone recognizing your address, use the return address of your work or your parent's house or something.

    #7 6 years ago

    download-2 (resized).jpgdownload-2 (resized).jpg

    #8 6 years ago

    I sticked this thread so it will not get lost, but I think it's just on the subform and only Robin can stick on the main forum, so I'll see if he can do that.

    #9 6 years ago

    I cannot participate this year. But next year. I'm in.

    #11 6 years ago

    Ok, I sent out all the Secret Santa information via e-mail so EVERYONE should now know who they are buying for. If you didn't get an e-mail from me, please let me know right away. Otherwise, everyone is now on the clock for the Dec. 12th deadline so...

    !ugh (resized).JPG!ugh (resized).JPG

    #12 6 years ago

    I will give it a go next year as well, have fun everyone, would be interesting if people share what they got around Xmas.

    #13 6 years ago

    I received my email, however the one thing that would have made it one step easier would have been to include their pinside handle in the email as well

    (fortunately, I was able to figure it out as to whom my recipient is and to be able to look up their profile

    #14 6 years ago

    pinside handle was included in mine

    #15 6 years ago
    Quoted from LesManley:

    You should put the return address in case something happens with the package you want it returned, just use the "Pinside Secret Santa" as the name on it and that will keep it anonymous enough. If you are worried about someone recognizing your address, use the return address of your work or your parent's house or something.

    Last year my ss used my address for the return address. I wasn't smart enough to think of that.

    #16 6 years ago
    Quoted from j_m_:

    I received my email, however the one thing that would have made it one step easier would have been to include their pinside handle in the email as well
    (fortunately, I was able to figure it out as to whom my recipient is and to be able to look up their profile

    I was doing this super late last night and I must have cut off that field to a few people when I sent the e-mail. For anyone who didn't have the username in your original e-mail, you should have a follow up e-mail with that information now. If anyone else is still missing their person's pinside username, just let me know. Thanks.

    #17 6 years ago

    Who got me? Who got me?

    #18 6 years ago
    Quoted from gliebig:

    Who got me? Who got me?

    We had a late entry participant, so I matched him up with you. He's outside the US, so the package may take a really long time to arrive...if ever. His pinside username is "dagrinch" and here's his profile pic...

    25giftCertificate224x224 (resized).jpg25giftCertificate224x224 (resized).jpg

    #19 6 years ago

    Well hopefully his heart will grow 40x and I'll get a pin from wishlist.

    10
    #20 6 years ago

    So did everyone else get Les Manley too?

    #21 6 years ago

    Package sent. Figured i’d do it early.

    #22 6 years ago
    Quoted from EEE:

    So did everyone else get Les Manley too?

    #23 6 years ago

    Dumb question, but why keep the SS identity secret?

    Gonna be hard to hide that one when they open up that autographed 8x10 of me...

    This is the first SS thing I’ve ever done, so I guess I’m new to the various protocols.

    #24 6 years ago
    Quoted from pmWolf:

    Dumb question, but why keep the SS identity secret?
    Gonna be hard to hide that one when they open up that autographed 8x10 of me...
    This is the first SS thing I’ve ever done, so I guess I’m new to the various protocols.

    Just for the fun of it. That's the way it is usually done since it is called "Secret" Santa. It helps to take a little of the pressure off of people too. Sometimes people put more pressure on themselves then they need to and don't want to participate because they don't want to let someone down or they are afraid they might do a bad job with gift buying. Keep in mind, for all your gift recipient knows, their Secret Santa could have went out and got the signed 8x10 from you and then shipped it themselves, so it isn't always as cut and dry as it may seem. It leaves a little mystery and that's fun.

    #25 6 years ago

    Might be a dumb question, but do we open the gift(s) whenever we receive the package, or do we wait until Christmas? Or is it personal preference?

    #26 6 years ago
    Quoted from Fezmid:

    do we wait until Christmas?

    December 25th or January 7th ?

    Or if someone is celebrating Yule December 21st, or Hanukkah December 12th to December 20th ?

    LTG : )
    Disclaimer : Unless the box has air holes and something running around inside.

    #27 6 years ago
    Quoted from LTG:

    December 25th or January 7th ?
    Or if someone is celebrating Yule December 21st, or Hanukkah December 12th to December 20th ?
    LTG : )
    Disclaimer : Unless the box has air holes and something running around inside.

    I was hoping to have gotten Lloyd... was planning on a lifetime supply of nacho cheese for the cheese pump.

    #28 6 years ago
    Quoted from Fulltilt:

    I was hoping to have gotten Lloyd...

    I was hoping to get j_m_ to counter the My Pony present someone will get from him.

    LTG : )

    #29 6 years ago
    Quoted from Fezmid:

    Might be a dumb question, but do we open the gift(s) whenever we receive the package, or do we wait until Christmas? Or is it personal preference?

    It's totally up to the individual. I like to wait until Christmas morning so I have one more fun gift to open but that takes a little self-control and I'm not always the best with that.

    #30 6 years ago

    it's a shame that you didn't get me lloyd, but don't you worry your little head, your box of my little pony stuff is all boxed up and on the way
    (ps I threw in an autographed 8"x10" glossy of pmwolf too!

    #31 6 years ago

    Just placed an order for an eclectic gift based on my favorite band who my match seems to like as well!

    1200x630bb (resized).jpg1200x630bb (resized).jpg

    #32 6 years ago

    Anyone else click on the alien refund thread and pinside keeps directing to this thread?

    #33 6 years ago
    Quoted from Whysnow:

    Anyone else click on the alien refund thread and pinside keeps directing to this thread?

    No, but I was trying to click on this thread and kept getting redirected to the NYC Championships thread. Something must be wonky on the backend.

    #34 6 years ago
    Quoted from Whysnow:

    Anyone else click on the alien refund thread and pinside keeps directing to this thread?

    Yep same here.

    #35 6 years ago
    Quoted from Whysnow:

    Anyone else click on the alien refund thread and pinside keeps directing to this thread?

    Is it perhaps a sign that it’s gonna take a Christmas Miracle or a truly wealthy Secret Santa to get some of those refunds back?

    #36 6 years ago
    Quoted from Whysnow:

    Anyone else click on the alien refund thread and pinside keeps directing to this thread?

    Will call to Robin's attention in the am. Received a couple reports so it's not just you.

    #37 6 years ago

    I already contacted robin about the issue (yesterday afternoon), and it should be corrected now. there was a glitch for a 10-15min period and pointers to thread topics got messed up. they self-correct once you re-visit the [correct] threads

    that being said, I think that I'll post my SS recipient's gift this weekend. they're either going to be really happy
    mlp (resized).jpgmlp (resized).jpg

    or
    rip xmas (resized).jpgrip xmas (resized).jpg

    edit:
    btw, does sending someone $50 worth of packaging peanuts to ensure that they have a white christmas count as being a great guy or what?

    #38 6 years ago

    Kidding of course...

    images-6 (resized).jpgimages-6 (resized).jpg

    #39 6 years ago
    Quoted from pacmanretro:

    Kidding of course...

    hahha. how about just pinball stuff

    always works well digging through their post history and trying to find out things they like, need or enjoy.

    #40 6 years ago
    Quoted from northvibe:

    hahha. how about just pinball stuff
    always works well digging through their post history and trying to find out things they like, need or enjoy.

    I've been stalking my person at near-creepy levels in an attempt to find something acceptable to send.

    #41 6 years ago

    "it's away"
    its away (resized).jpgits away (resized).jpg

    actually, it's going out tomorrow. do I get bonus points for spending more than $30 on shipping alone?
    (who knew that a box of porn could weigh that much and incur dimensional weight shipping charges?

    #42 6 years ago

    hat's off to lesmanly for running this.

    the only thing that's a bummer is that his secret santa's identity is known (on the plus side, apparently he's going to be the recipient of 50+ extra presents on xmas

    #43 6 years ago
    Quoted from j_m_:

    "it's away"

    actually, it's going out tomorrow. do I get bonus points for spending more than $30 on shipping alone?
    (who knew that a box of porn could weigh that much and incur dimensional weight shipping charges?

    More than $30 on shipping alone? Note to self, give j_m_ my name in the random draw in next year's Secret Santa 2018.

    Quoted from j_m_:

    hat's off to lesmanly for running this.
    the only thing that's a bummer is that his secret santa's identity is known (on the plus side, apparently he's going to be the recipient of 50+ extra presents on xmas

    You're guys are all welcome. I really hope this goes well. I've been really encouraged by some of the PMs I've gotten where people have really done some creative investigation to find good gifts for their recipients. Hopefully we have some pleasantly surprised people this holiday season. pmWolf and northvibe I would recommend you stop looking in people's windows and going through their trash though.

    #44 6 years ago

    My wife said I was being creepy because I tracked my person and found their Facebook account that has lots of public information (including pictures). I told her it helped me pick my gifts! The items are on their way so I can wrap them and send them - I hope they are well received.... everyone keeps talking about porn, but my stuff is all rated G - hopefully that won't be a disappointment! Lol

    I second the thanks to LesManley for setting this up. It was fun looking for (what I hope are) the perfect gifts!

    #45 6 years ago
    Quoted from LesManley:

    More than $30 on shipping alone? Note to self, give j_m_ my name in the random draw in next year's Secret Santa 2018.

    You're guys are all welcome. I really hope this goes well. I've been really encouraged by some of the PMs I've gotten where people have really done some creative investigation to find good gifts for their recipients. Hopefully we have some pleasantly surprised people this holiday season. pmwolf and northvibe I would recommend you stop looking in people's windows and going through their trash though.

    especially after they run their pinball league nights! Best trash finds ever!!

    #46 6 years ago

    Damn I'm gonna feel horrible when everyone is posting pictures of boxes full of gold bars, rubies, diamonds, priceless works of art, ect that everyone seems to be sending out, and my poor guy is getting a handful of knick knacks Seriously though, I am trying to put a lot of thought into my gifts and hope they find a good use, just realize I am not a huge baller like some folks on here, and I think you're gonna like your present(s)!

    #47 6 years ago

    you don't have to be a huge baller to send a great gift. creativity makes the gift (that or a gift wrapped in huge wad of cash money

    and if that fails, I hear that you can get a pretty good chunk of change for a kidney (come on now, you only need one) or you could sell plasma

    I think that my secret santa recipient is going be "over the moon" with their gift of the demonte's canned vegetable of the week club (membership valid for at least two weeks

    edit:
    I'm going to keep coming back and editing my reply over and over to make les look like he's crazy quoting something that I obviously didn't say

    #48 6 years ago
    Quoted from Haymaker:

    Damn I'm gonna feel horrible when everyone is posting pictures of boxes full of gold bars, rubies, diamonds, priceless works of art, ect that everyone seems to be sending out, and my poor guy is getting a handful of knick knacks Seriously though, I am trying to put a lot of thought into my gifts and hope they find a good use, just realize I am not a huge baller like some folks on here, and I think you're gonna like your present(s)!

    hahha. F money. It is all about the feels, thoughts and effort put in I'd rather have a hand made item that someone put time/effort into

    #49 6 years ago
    Quoted from j_m_:

    you don't have to be a huge baller to send a great gift. creativity makes the gift.

    ^^^This totally. It isn't always the big price tag that makes something cool. Don't stress over it, just put as much thought into it as you can and get what you are comfortable with.

    #50 6 years ago

    lloyd:
    you're in luck. they do have a my little pony, my pony of the month club. I've signed you up so you'll receive an armful of fluffy goodness each month for the next year!! I think that you get a bonus grooming kit with your first pony too!!!

    edit:
    and for those of you that think I'm kidding
    http://mlpbox.com/
    and
    https://www.cratejoy.com/subscription-box/my-little-pony-box/
    mlp cratejoy (resized).jpgmlp cratejoy (resized).jpg

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