Baywind Secret Santas - Santas out for delivery all over - watch your mail :~)

[WashingtonBay]

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5704&stc=1&d=1257981810


OK everyone, it's Secret Santa time on BaywindForum!

We're far from having old tried and true ways of doing this... but I borrowed some ideas from how it was done last year, listened to the suggestions offered so far, and have added a few ideas of my own. I hope everyone who wants to participate can and will, and most of all that we all have a good time doing it!

Rules:




Only members in good standing who have been members at least six months, or have at least five hundred posts may participate. I may make exceptions to this rule for trusted and well known members, but there are reasons for the rule that are paramount in any waivers: We don't want people to sign up just to receive a present, and we do want to be careful who we give out our private information to. I am the sole final decider on who participates and those priorities will be paramount in my decision!
Your Secret Santa gifts should cost about $20 in value (not including shipping), not much more or less than that, so everyone has a fair expectation, and a fair level of giving. It's not about trying to get off cheap, and it's not about trying to outdo each other with extravagant spending... Try to stay in that range!
If you want IN - answer the poll at the top of the thread. Don't answer till you're sure! Discussion within the thread about being "in" or "out" is not official! I will use the answers in the poll as the basis for my official list! Don't make me hunt for answers on the thread. If you answer "Yes I'm in!" Follow that immediately with a private mail to me with your name and mailing address where you would like your package shipped. If you don't do this, I can't include you. If you need to change your answer after you vote, PM me.
If you want IN - answer the poll before Nov 30.
If you are under 18... Have your parent email me a permission note saying they approve of your participation before Nov 30. emails can be sent to WashingtonBay(at)baywindfarm.com.



I will give each Secret Santa their chosen member on Dec 1.Note: I'm not handing out any cheat sheets or questionnaires here to help people know what to buy because I don't think we need to! I think we're all more familiar than that! I think part of the fun will be in all the Secret Santas being secret spy to their chosen recipient, and figuring out what to buy all by themselves. Of course, people are welcome to drop hints in their posts between now and Christmas, but I think subtlety is the better part of sportsmanship here. If you don't know your selected member well enough to know what they might like... then maybe this is a good time to pay more attention to their posts and find out about them! :cool:

You should ship your Secret Santa gift by Dec 15. If at all possible, ship your package with a tracking number, and send this tracking number to me! If I can, I will do "Secret Santa Sightings" on this thread, as we go... Letting people know that a Secret Santa gift has been spotted in route. Whether you ship direct from a shopping site or from your home address, keep your identity secret as best you can.

We will reveal who everyone's Secret Santa was on Dec 31.


Go forth! Have fun! Be of good cheer!

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5705&stc=1&d=1257981821

[WashingtonBay]

Oh - and because we talked about it at length on the other thread, I decided to do one group, not split it up with an adult group and a kid group, primarily because most people supported the idea, both adults and kids, many of the "kids" from last year have grown up, and others just haven't been around lately, and my rather unscientific poll count determined there would not be very many participants in the kid group if we split it.

So that's why... Hope that makes people happy enough! I'll take care to see that any minors who do participate have parental permission, and are assigned to only trusted members, just like I'll do for everyone else. :)

[WashingtonBay]

Dang... had to fix my cute pictures! Do they show up now? :)

[dame_wolf]

I see Santa! I love this time of year!!! Now I want Christmas Music!

[dame_wolf]

How long will the poll run/when will we have our names?

[WashingtonBay]

You see the Santa but not the twinkly lights? :huh:

In answer:



If you want IN - answer the poll before Nov 30.

I will give each Secret Santa their chosen member on Dec 1.





:)

[dame_wolf]

I see lights! Guess I missed the Dec 1 line (I'm supposed to be working so I skim and not really read sometimes, sorry. Don't tell my boss on me :innocent:)

[WashingtonBay]

Well, maybe my making it red, I actually made it harder to see! People actually go to school to learn the hidden pitfalls of too many color and font changes in readability. I haven't taken that class ;)

[dame_wolf]

hahaha! We'll we've got it now! :cool:

[WashingtonBay]

Those of you voting "IN" - Don't forget to PM me your contact information!

[Deserae1114]

are the gifts to be "horsey" for people, for the horses, or neither? just want to make things clear....

[WashingtonBay]

I don't think it's a set rule... Something horsey would probably always be good... but depending on who you get and what they like, maybe something else! :)

[FatSpottedAppy]

I'm definitely in. (: Can't wait..

[Fork]

So excited! :D

[Dakota Sunrise]

Hehe, I love the Santa and the Christmas lights, WB!:D Very cute.xD

[Equine_Woman]

Horsey stuff is always good!!! I'm excited too! I've never participated in a Secret Santa!! I can't wait to get my person and get to shopping!!

[sugarsgirl]

I'm so excited ! :D

[HeartofSteel]

Maybe I misse this somewhere but I know last year we made a thread about things we like or wanted for out ponies to give our secret santa a better idea of what to get us, will we be doing it this year?

[WashingtonBay]

haffie... I did sortof address it in the op ;)

Note: I'm not handing out any cheat sheets or questionnaires here to help people know what to buy because I don't think we need to! I think we're all more familiar than that! I think part of the fun will be in all the Secret Santas being secret spy to their chosen recipient, and figuring out what to buy all by themselves. Of course, people are welcome to drop hints in their posts between now and Christmas, but I think subtlety is the better part of sportsmanship here. If you don't know your selected member well enough to know what they might like... then maybe this is a good time to pay more attention to their posts and find out about them! :cool:

[HeartofSteel]

Lol thanks wbay :) I just went back and read that too :doh:

[WashingtonBay]

It's OK! :) You'll all find out your matches on Dec 1. Then you'll have two weeks to figure out what to buy :D

[Vegashorselady]

Thanks for taking the reins on this WB! I posted my thread because I really wanted to participate this year, for whatever reason I didn’t sign up the previous years. Can’t wait to find out who I’m shopping for. Guess we’d better all start posting and dropping hints!

[Steelhorserider]

Can't wait for December 1!

[PaintedDreamer_0110]

My mon will email you asap WB :). I can't wait! So is it going to be alot of gifts or one or two. Or what? lol

[Dakota Sunrise]

My mon will email you asap WB :).

Wow, I'm really glad you said that because I totally forgot about my mom having to send a permission email!:innocent: Lol, thanks for the reminder, PaintedDreamer!:D

WB, I'll ask her to email you tomorrow.:) Or I might be able to get my dad to do it tonight.

[PaintedDreamer_0110]

No problem Dakota :). Hah I'll be 18 right after the secret santa deal ends cus my bday is in January :p

[Dakota Sunrise]

I had my daddy email you tonight, WB.:)

[WashingtonBay]

Yup I got it! :)

[Dakota Sunrise]

Ok, great.:)

[Horseaholic]

I just want to say I'm already shopping and i dont even know who I'm gonna get!! hahah

[Dakota Sunrise]

I'm anxious to start my shopping too!:D It's going to be fun!:D Can't wait to see who I get!

[Fork]

Hey WB, what if we have an odd number of participants? Does this mean you or WashingtonBoy will help even it out? :D

[WashingtonBay]

It doesn't matter if it's odd or even... it's not reciprocal. The person you have will not be the person who has you. :) It's more like a random shuffle. :)

[palomino]

Im all over this!!! I only have one other person in my life I can get horsey stuff for! This is so much fun! I LOOOOOVE the holidays!
*I already have my xmas stuff up* LOL

[Kara]

Can I join in this. I was a part of the horse.com ss. Once or twice forgot

[FoxFireEMT]

This is my fav. part of the year & I loved my gift I got last year. Best gift I got all year!!!

[PaintedDreamer_0110]

Hey WB I'v been busy lately and so has my mom. I will have her email you tonight! lol

[FatSpottedAppy]

Do we get our people today? :)

[WashingtonBay]

Yep... I've got it all done I think, though I'm still waiting on a couple of addresses. I'll be sending out what I have this morning. :)

[FoxFireEMT]

woot woot can't wait... :)

[Dakota Sunrise]

Hehe, so exciting!:D Can't wait to see who I got and then start shopping!:p

[farmers_wife]

Well I got my name and I am so excited. But Now the decision to what to buy.:eek: Can we give anyone any clues?

[WashingtonBay]

:) That's half the fun :D

[WashingtonBay]

OKAY - All the PMs have been sent, and you should all have your Secret Santa "pals"!

We've got 32 people participating this year!

[MontysGirl]

Well I got my name and I am so excited. But Now the decision to what to buy.:eek: Can we give anyone any clues?


yes,we should do clues:)

[dame_wolf]

Now that the Secret Santa names are out I want to remind everyone that the Rhythm Beads and Mane clips make great gifts and I will mail them directly to your person if you wish! Just send me a PM!

[Fork]

My gift is already sent out (or will be this week!) I left it down south. :)

[RipSpark]

How do I keep missing this??? I always seem to come on a few days after it has ended, darn!!!!

[WashingtonBay]

Rip... I'll hold you in a 'on call' status, how about that? If someone doesn't show up or can't, can you be ready to act quickly? :)

[RipSpark]

okay thanks!!! :) I am ready if needed, lol

[Fork]

*whistles* This I have to add. :(

Apparently he has horse-sized head, even though he's a pony.

[TheBadLands]

I got my victim! lol Watch out! You just NEVER know. bwhaaaa haaaa haaa

[WashingtonBay]

Wow, Santa is BUSY tonight! Sightings confirmed in Florida, Kansas, Nevada and California! There are packages on the move, watch for deliveries :)

[cyb]

Anymore Secret Santa sightings? :)

[WashingtonBay]

Yes there have been, as a matter of fact! Santa has been seen en-route in Texas this morning... Unconfirmed report of a sighting in Idaho, and I think yesterday he was spotted in California!

[FoxFireEMT]

O secret Santa!!! I got my gift today!! Thank you so much. You did an excellent job at your gift! I needed a new blanket for at work when (if) I ever get to sleep! The new horse blanket will be great, now hopefully they'll stop making fun of my "fire truck" blanket! ha ha. Love the candle warmer, and that is all I use, candle warmers! You did such a great job! I have a sneaky idea that my secret santa is of the younger generation! :) O yeah & Legend is gonna love you for her treats too!

[WashingtonBay]

There are secret santa sightings and deliveries taking place all over this morning... too many to list them all! Keep an eye out if you don't have yours yet!

[TheBadLands]

mine should show up no later than Tues.. it's heavy ;)

[PaintedDreamer_0110]

I got my gift yesturday and I sent my secret santa's off yesturday....I know it was late but I had absolutly no spare time to get into the post offiice. I didn't come home yesturday so I haven't had time to open my gift yet. I'm going to do that right now...:) I'm excited!

[PaintedDreamer_0110]

OMG Thank you soo much Secret Santa I love it! I will take pictures of them on Strikes....THANK YOU :)

[rocknK]

Dear Secrect Santa, You are hilarious, thank you very much. Only complaint, nothing to put in it!!!:p

[FatSpottedAppy]

Got my present today! Not opening it though until x-mas. :) Can't wait!

Mine is going to be shipped out tomorrow-- late, I know!

[Vegashorselady]

To my Secret Santa: I got your gifts last night. I love them and can't wait to take them to the barn tomorrow and take pictures!

[Toodlestoo]

I got my presents today and I love them!!! Don't have a clue who sent them. I'll take a picture and show you all when I have time. I goofed when I sent mine out--I put a card in with my name. I'm such a dork!:doh:

[cyb]

Thank you Secret Santa! I loved my gifts, they are wonderful!

[Equine_Woman]

I wanted to say it again here, I love my gift SecretSanta. And I have an idea who it is. . . ;) but I'm not certain! I'm ready for the gift thread so I can show it off!! In fact I wearing it right now!! I think I'm going to try and find spurs to match it. . .lol.

[Deserae1114]

I get a text from my sister and mom today when I got off work... they were all excited that I got a package. They insisted that I came home right away to open it! I couldn't resist so I had to open it with all of the peer pressure!

I love it and I am excited to stop out to the barn tomorrow morning! I am sure they will love it!

[TheBadLands]

I got mine today! It's from Texas! I haven't opened it yet.. wanted to wait til Christmas.. But it's just staring at me :(

[livaward]

Priority Mail®
Service(s): Delivery Confirmation™
Status: Electronic Shipping Info Received

SS receiver it says you got it but you ain't said so!

[Horseaholic]

I didn't keep my identity secret either! lolol

[Dakota Sunrise]

I haven't gotten mine yet- I can't wait!:D

[Suzi]

Thank you Secret Santa! I wasted no time opening my box last night. I really love the book. Since I am snowed in for the next few days, its perfect. Merry Xmas to you and your family and Horses!!

[TLC97]

Just got mine today. LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Horses will be happy and I know I am.

[MyMia]

I got my gift today! I love them, and I'm going to have to take a picture of Mia with the flymask on--so funny!

I think I know who my SS is....and I think we had each other (or a very close relation!);)

[Horseaholic]

Got my gift today!! Thank youuuu :)

[BlessingInDisguise]

Got mine today...Dan and Mo took it and RAN...lol...I guess I'm not opening it until Christmas,,,,

[HeartofSteel]

I got mine saturday!! Thank you to my secret santa, I really like it :) I have an idea who it is

[WashingtonBay]

And there are still a few Secret Santa sightings happening and gifts that were a little late in shipping! So even though lots have gotten their gifts already, at least a few I know of are still in transit...

[livaward]

I just got mine and my SS was smart! I love the presents!!!!

[MontysGirl]

I havent gotten mine yet, any sightings in michigan yet:p

[WashingtonBay]

Even if I knew for sure where he was right now, I'd never tell! :innocent:

[Dakota Sunrise]

Are any of the gifts on their way to PA?:innocent: ;) :p lol

I can't wait, the suspense is killing me!:p

[dame_wolf]

Killing me too D.S.!

[IrisGreen]

My Secret Santa is awesome!!! Muffin and Matty got there own stockings with peppermint treats and there names on the stockings Plus some home made horse cookies. I got a Dressage book that I'm already reading and a donation was made in Muffin and Mattys name to the True Innocents Equine Rescue and I got a gift hat with there logo on it. I also got this awesome picture of Muffin that's made to look like he's standing on some rocks out at a lake! It's beautiful and really well done!!

Thank you so much Secret Santa!! :) I was thinking about getting Muffin and Matty stockings but hadn't gotten around to it. There really cute and I'm sure they will love the peppermint and home made treats! :) The book is a fun read, very easy to understand and I like how the tone of the book is so supportive and informative with out being over my head or losing focus. I'm going to enjoy reading the rest of it and learning what I need to know to help me ride Matty better. It's truly a beginners Dressage book and that's what I needed to get me started:) It couldn't have come at a better time, I can finish the book and be ready to use the techniques when I start taking lessons after the 1st! I also love the photo manipulation, it looks real, like Muffin was posing just for that picture. The artiest Ashen Sorrow did an amazing job with it and I love the colors and theme.

Thankx so much for the gifts and the donation to the rescue. I was so happy to show Hubby what we got and how nice the photo was and the new stockings:) He liked the stockings:)

[Chenoasgirl]

Hello!
Just wanted to let my Secret Santa know that I recieved my gift and I love it!! Its Beautiful thank you!!

[Dakota Sunrise]

I think I got my present last night!:D I don't know who else would be sending me an awesome bracelet!:p;) It came straight from the company it was ordered from I think, but there is a name on the invoice receipt thingy.:innocent: But I am terrible with names and I know a lot of the forum members by username only, so I'll have to do some snooping to figure out who my Secret Santa is!:p

Thanks you so much, SS!:D I really love it, the bracelet is beautiful.:)

[Fork]

Got mine in the mail today. :D I will post pictures with Mitch and his new halter on. I love the colours! I'm sure he's never seen a Likit in his life, but I'm sure he'll love it.

I'm so ecstatic right now. I actually ran around the house in circles!

[TheBadLands]

I cheated and opened mine! I got a Dena ornament!!!! Treats (I have pics to post of the gang assault and battery that insued when I tried to share them lol) Cowgirl spread and a great weekly planner. Thanks!

[dame_wolf]

Hope mine comes soon! Everyone is getting such great gifts!

[MontysGirl]

Got my gift on monday, thank you sooo much i love it:)

[FatSpottedAppy]

I get to open mine tomorrow.. I'm so excited! :)

[luckydoublesranch]

Dear Secret Santa
Thank you so very much for my BEAUTIFUL present. I opened it, saw Peyote and began crying immediately before I even got it out of the bubble wrap. It is PERFECT!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[Equine_Woman]

I think it's time for a thread with pics!! Anyone else? Should I start one?

[Dakota Sunrise]

I think it's time for a thread with pics!! Anyone else? Should I start one?


I say go for it!:)