Welcome to the 2019 Edition
of the
(Un)Official Secret Santa Extravaganza!
Yes, it’s that time once again: Stale fruitcake, wayward elves, drunken relatives, family fights and Secret Santa 2018! The event you’ve slowly, reluctantly come to regard as "Mostly Enjoyable", over lo these many years.of the
(Un)Official Secret Santa Extravaganza!
I know that I'm a little late getting things going this year, so I've pushed the schedule back a bit. That means that there's less time to sign up, so...do it now!
Also, I'm really pleased to announce that Ashdigger will be co-piloting the Secret Santa this year, He's the one that finally lit a fire under my ass to get this going again, and you'll be seeing him on this thread a lot. Welcome aboard the sleigh, Tim!
For those of you who are new to the concept, Secret Santa is an online pipe tobacco gift exchange held every year, since 2011, here on PipesMagazine.com. Organized and supported by the members of PipesMagazine.com/forums, it is not in any way affiliated with the ownership, management or sponsors of PipesMagazine.com. This is strictly a volunteer effort that is successful only because of the forum members who participate. If you want to get a feel for what it is, take look back at past year’s events:
Secret Santa 2018
Secret Santa 2017
Secret Santa 2016
Secret Santa 2015
Like all good things we have a couple of
The Rules
You Must:
- Have a minimum of 75 legit posts by October 23, 2019, or be vouched for by a member who has at least 300 posts. No exceptions.
- Agree to send a gift of two (2) sealed tobacco tins, pouches, etc. of 50g each (or the equivalent volume of tobacco in sealed condition), incurring costs for the present and shipping. Please limit your gift to just two tins.
- Post to this thread when you have shipped your present to your target victim giftee.
- Post to this thread when you have received your present from your Secret Santa.
- Enjoy what you receive, in the spirit of camaraderie and fellowship that guided your Secret Santas selection of a gift to you. (Seriously? We need a "no complaining" rule?)
- Post pictures or at least a summary of the goodies you received from your Secret Santa to this thread.
- “Favorite” this thread so that you can keep up with the adventure!
- I'll think of something.
We welcome your participation. I will make every effort to match you with someone from your country or trade bloc so as to minimize your potential customs fees, however that may not be possible. If you sign up for the Secret Santa exchange, and you do not live in the US, you agree to accept your gift package from another country and pay whatever customs fees may be charged to you.
The Long Form and Fine Print
After talking with a few forum members, I’ve decided to request that we limit our gifts to two 50gr. Tins (or the equivalent). Although it’s generally true that More Is Better, gift inflation can be intimidating to other potential Secret Santa participants. If you want to send along some pipe cleaners or other small pipe ephemera, that’s cool, but let’s try to keep it on an even keel.
Registration for this year's Secret Santa will close on Sunday, November 17th. I will send all participants the name and mailing address of their intended target by Monday, November 18th. Once you have received the name and address of your giftee, please take a second to look on this thread for any of their pipe-smoking particulars updates and then send your present tout de suite so that it arrives before Christmas.
It's up to you to decide when, where and how to open your present, but I thought that it might be cool to do the UnBoxing Day Event online again . So be sure to tune in and chime in on Christmas Day and show us all what you found under the tobacco tree. Either way, if you just can’t wait until Christmas, please be certain to come back here and post some pix of your bounty.
Participating in this thread is half the fun of Secret Santa, so be sure to stop by early and often.
The FAQ, Ma'am, Just the FAQ - Answers to Common Questions
Question - Hey Dan! So two tins is the recommended size of the present. Can I send more than that?
Answer – In past years, the sky was the limit, and some of us felt that things got a little out of hand. So we’ve been holding it to two tins.
Question - Hey Dan! Something unexpected/bad/sad/financially-debilitating just happened and I can't honor my commitment to send out my present to my giftee. What should I do?
Answer - Hey, we totally get that life happens and that sometimes the unfortunate unexpected happens, prohibiting us from honoring our commitments. IF THIS HAPPENS PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY.
Question - Hey Dan! It's Christmas Day (December 25th) and I have not received my present from my Secret Santa. What should I do?
Answer - If you do not receive your gift by December 25th LET ME KNOW.
Question - Hey Dan! I don't like (enter tobacco product name here). How do I let my Secret Santa know what my likes and dislikes are?
Answer – Include it in the sign up form, but I'd also use this thread right here to advise folks what your likes and dislikes are. I can't guarantee that they'll be respected, but at least you will have made your desires known.
And, finally, I would be a total putz if I didn’t acknowledge the great Santa’s that came before me: Duncan started this whole thing back in 2011 (I think). Mrgunnar177 picked up the reins after that and Pruss honed it into the fine running machine that is now.
The Signup
CLICK HERE and fill out the Online Secret Santa Signup Form.
Then post your Secret Santa tobacco preferences and other musings here on this thread.
Ho, Ho, Ho... Here we go!
- Santa Dan
