And....presenting....the display of gift #8
Had 2 different days in this package, so glad I was told ok to open it...but if next one says drink me, I'm going to be concerned.
Based on second note, I'm thinking it's a giant pack of rolling papers....can those be used as bedding as well? 
Tune in tomorrow...
KIMG8961 (resized).jpgKIMG8962 (resized).jpgQuoted from pin2d:hopefully no gerbil looking things are harmed
That Applicator Tip looks kinda big for a gerbil...
So, I couldn’t resist and I had to open my enormous, heavy box. Well, I must say, I’m completely floored at the generosity and creativity of my Secret Santa! This badass lighted TMNT box is gonna go great in my game room next to my turtles machine!!! Wow! Wow! Wow!!! I guess my wife was wrong, I’ve actually been nice, not naughty this year!!! Lol!!
54DC3E81-DD1C-447A-94D8-0FCD5B48B39E (resized).jpeg69793AB5-90CA-4790-A0A2-7579A6418591 (resized).jpeg8D9B5738-F31D-4CF2-A951-C352EF543DF2 (resized).jpegQuoted from BlueIrocGuy:Yay! My secret Santa gift arrived today as well. Should I save it for Christmas or open it sooner? Will have to think about it for a bit....
[quoted image]
Rip it open!!! Everyone’s doing it!!! Lol.
Quoted from Jimmyhonda:Rip it open!!! Everyone’s doing it!!!
Not everyone. The first year of Secret Santa I waited until January 7th ( I celebrate the Orthodox Christmas ) otherwise I wouldn't have a gift to open.
If anyone wants to wait let them.
If anyone can't wait. Let them.
It's the holidays. Be merry and of good cheer !
LTG : )
Quoted from LTG:Not everyone. The first year of Secret Santa I waited until January 7th ( I celebrate the Orthodox Christmas ) otherwise I wouldn't have a gift to open.
If anyone wants to wait let them.
If anyone can't wait. Let them.
It's the holidays. Be merry and of good cheer !
LTG : )
I'm thinking USPS may make some wait lol
Yeah , I wanted to send mine all in one nice box with a note but the shipping has been so bad I had it sent directly .
Quoted from dondon4720:Mine just came today (apparently there is another part coming)
Thanks Secret Santa will post more when the other part arrives [quoted image]
I need to know where those shirts came from!!! Definitely gonna buy the money one haha!
Quoted from dc2010:I'm thinking USPS may make some wait lol
For what it’s worth I shipped my gift and UPS said it would be there OVERNIGHT and that was standard ground a few states away. And then it did arrive the next day. USPS said it would take 7 days and they still wouldn’t guarantee that and it was gonna cost TRIPLE what UPS charged.
Definitely would suggest UPS, faster, cheaper, just make sure your package can take a beating because those guys are usually ruthless lol
Quoted from Isochronic_Frost:I need to know where those shirts came from!!! Definitely gonna buy the money one haha!
For what it’s worth I shipped my gift and UPS said it would be there OVERNIGHT and that was standard ground a few states away. And then it did arrive the next day. USPS said it would take 7 days and they still wouldn’t guarantee that and it was gonna cost TRIPLE what UPS charged.
Definitely would suggest UPS, faster, cheaper, just make sure your package can take a beating because those guys are usually ruthless lol
100% I just sold something on Ebay and required UPS. UPS has been on the ball, USPS terrible. FedEx not as bad but still a day or two late.
this may be the greatest gift ever in the history of secret santas.. a full box of toilet paper! It's like I hit the jackpot!!
oh wait! it's actually a bunch of individually wrapped gifts! wooot! I will do my best to wait and open on Christmas.. but temptation is already there! thanks so much to my SS .. I have a feeling this is going to be one heck of a generous gift package! (pretty sure I know what present #2 is 
probably one of them inverted glass watering jugs for chinchillas)
20201216_133904 (resized).jpg20201216_134136 (resized).jpgJust now found this post for the year's Secret Santa.
I received my gift, and had mine shipped directly from Amazon.
Heavy snowfall prevented me from doing shopping in stores, so Amazon it is!
I ended up buying the same thing that I was going to buy from the store, so it all worked out!
I'll wait until Christmas Day to open mine.
A non-SS shipping tale... hobby company took my wife's order for a train set for me. Was supposed to be here today, in time for the last day of Hannucha. The order was accepted, with shipping to our PO Box. But they sent it UPS, who of course does not deliver to PO Boxes. It’s back in the truck. Go figure.
Quoted from LTG:While I haven't participated in the Secret Santa since the first year. It seems my dog Prada did this year.
She is sound asleep right now, so she asked me to give a big thank you to her Secret Santa and that she'll post pictures on Christmas when she opens it.
LTG : )
[quoted image]
You sure she didn't place an order and just pretend it was part of the Secret Santa program? Better check your credit card statement! 
Quoted from LTG:While I haven't participated in the Secret Santa since the first year. It seems my dog Prada did this year.
Is this an "Air Bud" scenario?
"Ain't no rule says a dog can't play Pinside Secret Santa."
Air_bud_poster (resized).jpg
Quoted from Fezmid:You sure she didn't place an order and just pretend it was part of the Secret Santa program? Better check your credit card statement!
I think I'm safe there.
If she ever learns to unlock the front door I'm a dead man. She'll be trading pinball machines for dog treats.
LTG : )
Time to stop by and do some training with her!
Quoted from LTG:I think I'm safe there.
If she ever learns to unlock the front door I'm a dead man. She'll be trading pinball machines for dog treats.
LTG : )
Here is what was in the box. A really cool metal sign from Bishop Cider Company, a project pinball T-shirt, a precious little Buc-ee's onesie for the new baby, a Buc-ee Beaver keychain and a bottle or Texas made BBQ sauce (I'll be smoking some pork for Christmas so I can't wait to use it) Thank you very much SS!
PS-SS GIFT 2020 (resized).jpgFor those who don’t know, Bishop Cider Company has Cidercade, a huge pinball and vid arcade. I haven’t been since last year, and I sure hope they are doing ok.
Quoted from undrdog:For those who don’t know, Bishop Cider Company has Cidercade, a huge pinball and vid arcade. I haven’t been since last year, and I sure hope they are doing ok.
The Cidercade is a 'must visit' if you're in the Dallas or Austin area (and hopefully soon in Houston). I cautiously visited the Dallas location about 1-2 months ago and enjoyed it as always. I got there when they opened to enjoy as long as possible before it got busy....on a Saturday that was about 3 pm or so, after which I kept having people step up to the pin right next to me...sorry, but too close for comfort. Owner is a super nice guy that's responded to emails himself when I had input.
Got my SS box in the mail today. The USPS just cannot deliver anything on time. you can see the expected delivery was 3 days ago. Anyways, thank you to my secret santa. He did some research and included a couple Spongy Mad Money Bear and Bull statues to help me with my Options trading. Included a Battery board for when I find my TAF pinball game. A handy ratchet MALCO tool, that will definitely come in handy! A PINBALL ADVENTURES book to read and pass on to a SS next year my secret santa... said its the most embarrassing pinball book he knows. LOL. AND some LED's to spruce up any game. Who cannot use a bag of LED's!
As I was getting my mail I was holding my SS box and a coin fell onto the street. I thought originally that it came out of my pocket then I realized it probably came out of the SS box. Now I wonder how many coins fell out along the journey and are spread out throughout the postal system. LOL
thank You Secret Santa
Oh yea, I am so bad at waiting until Christmas. Had to open all now.
IMG_1601 (resized).jpgIMG_1603 (resized).jpgIMG_1605 (resized).jpgSo I'm completely blown away. I absolutely love amazing artwork and my SS just killed it. (Not really "secret" anymore as he signed them lol)
Firstly, anyone that knows me even in the slightest IRL knows that Final Fantasy VII was a game that consumed my high school years. I only recalled ever making one post on Pinside in regards to FF7 but my SS did his due diligence and some mad-crazy stalking. Just blew my mind.
The pics tell it all. Thank you!!! These are getting framed and hung ASAP (minus the shirt and artbook book of course). Just thrilled!
If you don't know the creator of these amazing pieces, it is Joel de Guzman! Thank you!!!!
20201217_151333 (resized).jpg20201217_152014 (resized).jpg20201217_152038 (resized).jpg20201217_152054 (resized).jpg20201217_152108 (resized).jpg20201217_152348 (resized).jpgQuoted from FatPanda:So I'm completely blown away. I absolutely love amazing artwork and my SS just killed it. (Not really "secret" anymore as he signed them lol)
Firstly, anyone that knows me even in the slightest IRL knows that Final Fantasy VII was a game that consumed my high school years. I only recalled ever making one post on Pinside in regards to FF7 but my SS did his due diligence and some mad-crazy stalking. Just blew my mind.
The pics tell it all. Thank you!!! These are getting framed and hung ASAP (minus the shirt and artbook book of course). Just thrilled!
If you don't know the creator of these amazing pieces, it is Joel de Guzman! Thank you!!!!
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]
Amazing, unique pieces to have! That game room of yours will look fantastic, gj SS!
Blown away by my Secret Santa gift! (Yes, I couldn't wait to open it...)
SUCH cool AFM art and a keychain already installed on the coin door for my GnR LE.
Always can use some Novus too... I've got a job for over the holidays now (between plays).
Was so blown away by the generosity that I ordered another gift for my Secret Santee that I hope gets there in time!
So much fun...Gotta love SURPRISES! 
IMG_20201215_202223 (resized).jpgIMG_20201215_202054 (resized).jpgIMG_20201215_205548 (resized).jpgIMG_20201215_202356 (resized).jpgIMG_20201215_202417 (resized).jpgHo Ho Ho! Jolly 'ol Saint Nick stopped by JJP earlier this week, and dropped off my Pinside Secret Santa Gift. It's now at home, under the tree. Looking forward to Christmas Morning when many of us are simultaneously opening presents from our pinball amigos and amigas from around the world. What a cool experience to be a part of! Thank you for another awesome year, LesManley !!!!!!
photo_2020-12-17_18-37-34 (resized).jpgHeck yes! My SS package arrived today and it’s incredible!! Love me some micro center goodies, gift card, raspberry pi, and a Lego set (must have known it’s the best pinball theme not done yet
Thanks again!!!
Brad
A8BCF7C0-C81F-44EC-AC36-AAF3429F02E0 (resized).jpegQuoted from midcoastsurf:Heck yes! My SS package arrived today and it’s incredible!! Love me some micro center goodies, gift card, raspberry pi, and a Lego set (must have known it’s the best pinball theme not done yet
Thanks again!!!
Brad
[quoted image]
I guess stalking you helped them to realize you're a dork, so that's cool. Some good stuff there and a Micro Center not far away, but Elek-Tek off Route 83 is closed.
Quoted from pacmanretro:And....presenting....the display of gift #8
Had 2 different days in this package, so glad I was told ok to open it...but if next one says drink me, I'm going to be concerned.
Based on second note, I'm thinking it's a giant pack of rolling papers....can those be used as bedding as well?
Tune in tomorrow...
[quoted image][quoted image]
I got Cheech and Chong Los Chinchillos!!
I'll he spinning this album this weekend.
Thank you santa!
"...I loved my basketball. My basketball was like a basketball to me..." 
KIMG8974 (resized).jpgQuoted from pacmanretro:I got Cheech and Chong Los Chinchillos!!
I'll he spinning this album this weekend.
Thank you santa!
"...I loved my basketball. My basketball was like a basketball to me..."
[quoted image]
Basketball Jones... I've got a basketball Jones... I've got a basketball jones oh baby, ooh oh oowhooo...
Quoted from Murphdom:I’m getting very angry with USPS . It shouldn’t take several weeks to ship a package.
I am with you and am officially calling No Joy. What I have will be shipped out and what has been sitting in a USPS warehouse for 2 and a half weeks will have to be shipped when (and if) it finally arrives.
Quoted from pacmanretro:"...I loved my basketball. My basketball was like a basketball to me..."
[quoted image]
One more. Haha.
I'd take that basketball everywhere with me. I'd even keep it under my pillow. Maybe that's why I couldn't sleep at night.
Quoted from dirkdiggler:One more. Haha.
I'd take that basketball everywhere with me. I'd even keep it under my pillow. Maybe that's why I couldn't sleep at night.
Aaah...the classics.
Quoted from Hogbog:Ho Ho Ho! Jolly 'ol Saint Nick stopped by JJP earlier this week, and dropped off my Pinside Secret Santa Gift. It's now at home, under the tree. Looking forward to Christmas Morning when many of us are simultaneously opening presents from our pinball amigos and amigas from around the world. What a cool experience to be a part of! Thank you for another awesome year, lesmanley !!!!!!
[quoted image]
Bet it's a Led Zeppelin Translite!
Dear Secret Santa-
If your goal was to make me feel like a kid on Christmas day - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Your thoughtfulness and generosity has completely blown me away.
I posted pictures of my gifts earlier when they arrived; my curiosity got the better of me last night as I was staring at them under the tree, so I plunged in to them. Gift #1 was a Charlie Brown Christmas tree - complete with one red ball ornament and Linus' blanket to wrap around it. I have great memories of watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special with my family when I was a kid, and it was a favorite of my dad as well. Thank you, Santa!IMG_2387 (resized).jpg
Gift #2 was a beautiful glass icicle - I added it to the Charlie Brown tree for now, but it will go on my tree later. I really enjoy getting ornaments as gifts; every ornament on my tree has a story behind it, and I'll remember the story behind this one as well for years to come. Thank you Santa!
Gift #2.5 was a Titan Pinball post tool. This is useful to help keep hexagonal posts from spinning around when you want to remove a screw from them. A simple but incredibly helpful tool. Thank you Santa!
Now, the next numbered gift was 4, so I could only assume that the larger box was #3, so I opened that next - and I couldn't believe my eyes. It is a Lit Frame! It is absolutely beautiful and a completely unexpected and generous gift! I'm speechless - a simple THANK YOU seems inadequate, but THANK YOU SANTA! I have been looking at getting one of these- I had already picked out the perfect spot for it!
As if that wasn't enough - on to #4 - and it is the Brian Allen version of the Attack from Mars translite! I really like Brian's interpretations of the original Williams/Bally artwork and was thinking about getting something of his- Santa must be a great mind reader! It took me about 3 nanoseconds to put that in the new Lit Frame. It is simply amazing - the lit frame with the translite looks beautiful! Again, THANK YOU SANTA!!!!!
True to form (for me), the Lit Frame was mounted immediately with the translite in it. The Master Bedroom is behind this wall, so a few seconds with a drill bit and it is done (the dresser mirror is behind it so you'll never see the cord). I can't stop looking at it. The lighting is amazing, the artwork is amazing, and the generosity of my Secret Santa is just incredible.
THANK YOU, SECRET SANTA for making this the best Christmas for me in a long, long time! All my best wishes and thanks to my Secret Santa for hitting this one waaaaay out of the park, and Merry Christmas to all!
IMG_2377 (resized).jpgIMG_2378 (resized).jpgIMG_2386 (resized).jpgIMG_2388 (resized).jpgIMG_2389 (resized).jpgIMG_2390 (resized).jpgIMG_2391 (resized).jpgTHANK YOU to everyone who has sent me a note with their tracking information on their packages and/or has posted in this thread that your SS package has been received. It makes it much easier to keep track of everything and lets your SS know that you received their package ok.
With that said, today is the day. If you have been procrastinating on shipping out your Secret Santa gifts for whatever the reason, today is the day to make sure you at least send what you have. I know shipping has been crazy and slow from many places this year and some of you have shot me a message saying that you are still waiting on something to arrive. What others have done in this instance is to send what you have in hand with a note, or a card if you are still waiting on your items to arrive, and just let your SS partner know that there is more on the way and it will shipped as soon as you can. People are pretty understanding if they know the circumstances, so communication is key. If you have a shipping delay and have yet to contact me about it, please do so right away so we can make sure that your SS partner is in the know.
That's about it, we're in the home stretch now, so it's time to sit back and watch the package openings roll in. When that time comes for you, *please* do not forget to take a picture and post a thank you to your Secret Santa. That is a vital part of this process as many people enjoy giving more than receiving so they really look forward to seeing your pictures and reaction to your gifts.
**I will be sending out a shipping reminder e-mail today as well. The shipping reminder will not apply to the vast majority of you who have already sent your gifts, but I am going to send it to the whole group to make sure no one is missed that may need to see it. Please just ignore the message if your shipping is already done.**
Quoted from LesManley:THANK YOU to everyone who has sent me a note with their tracking information on their packages and/or has posted in this thread that your SS package has been received. It makes it much easier to keep track of everything and lets your SS know that you received their package ok.
With that said, today is the day. If you have been procrastinating on shipping out your Secret Santa gifts for whatever the reason, today is the day to make sure you at least send what you have. I know shipping has been crazy and slow from many places this year and some of you have shot me a message saying that you are still waiting on something to arrive. What others have done in this instance is to send what you have in hand with a note, or a card if you are still waiting on your items to arrive, and just let your SS partner know that there is more on the way and it will shipped as soon as you can. People are pretty understanding if they know the circumstances, so communication is key. If you have a shipping delay and have yet to contact me about it, please do so right away so we can make sure that your SS partner is in the know.
That's about it, we're in the home stretch now, so it's time to sit back and watch the package openings roll in. When that time comes for you, *please* do not forget to take a picture and post a thank you to your Secret Santa. That is a vital part of this process as many people enjoy giving more than receiving so they really look forward to seeing your pictures and reaction to your gifts.
**I will be sending out a shipping reminder e-mail today as well. The shipping reminder will not apply to the vast majority of you who have already sent your gifts, but I am going to send it to the whole group to make sure no one is missed that may need to see it. Please just ignore the message if your shipping is already done.**
[quoted image]
Communication is key! I think all of us totally understand any late gifts as long as we were informed! 
Again thank you John for all the leg work to get this going every year. And thanks to everyone participating! This obviously can't happen without everyone joining, but it is great seeing how people stalk and then find the unique gifts for everyone.
Happy holidays! Can't wait to see more get opened!
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Indianapolis, IN
Regina, SK
. It shouldn’t take several weeks to ship a package.