The Syndicate

Posted: **Sun Nov 13, 2016 2:29 pm**

It's that time of year again!

The holidays are around the corner, and I thought the Holiday Goodie exchange should be revived! I'm going to quote SVS's orginal post to outline what it is. Remember that you would have to be willing to share your address, so if you sign up you need to be ok with giving me your address and I will ONLY be sharing it with the person who gets your name. That way you won't know in advance who you are getting your Holiday Goodie from until you receive it.

S~V~S wrote:Years back, on the Lostpedia forums, we had a Christmas Candy Exchange. We drew names from the people that signed up, and sent them some local flavor for the holidays. The year I did it, I got a box full of English chocolate from a young lady in the UK, and I sent her a box of Montana Huckleberry Candies & Cowboy Chocolates. Then, after the holidays, we went back to the thread and showed off our loot

I am gauging interest in a concept like that for this group. If we have enough interest it might be fun And it does not have to be candy; it can be any locally made food (that travels well, of course) that you think your person may like. For instance, i have an awesome loose leaf tea shop near my house, with a helpful proprietress, and I know a few people might like a gift like that. Or perhaps you have an amazing home town hot sauce, or local wildflower honey, or an amazing coffee roaster, or whatever else.

If I get enough interest in this, we can get this going with a target mailing date around the US Thanksgiving, which is November 27 this year.

This would, of course, involve revealing your address and real name to someone else (only the person you are exchanging with; names will be picked via the ever popular Random.org ) So make sure you are comfortable before signing up for this.

We could kind of agree on a $$ limit so no one feels pressured. I was thinking $10-$20 US (not sure how that translates)

So anyone interested, please PM me directly. Helps keep it a surprise who you might get a gift from. Who's in?

Posted: **Sun Nov 13, 2016 2:36 pm**

Clearly we are starting this a little later than the first round, as such I'll give you all until end of November to sign up with me. I'll get the names and addresses out to everyone on Dec 1 and then it's up to you to mail it in time for Christmas.

Posted: **Sun Nov 13, 2016 3:22 pm**

To be clear, just because it's a goodie exchange doesn't mean it has to be food, if you aren't comfortable with a food type item that's ok. You can send whatever you feel comfortable with, the idea being it is unique to you or your area. Just stay within the limit. If you want to fix something yourself, you can. If you want to purchase some candies or goodies, you can. If you have another gift idea that stays within the limit, that's cool too.

Posted: **Sun Nov 13, 2016 10:28 pm**

I would be interested in doing this!!! It sounds like fun!!

Posted: **Sat Nov 19, 2016 7:16 am**

Bump as a reminder of Daisy's proposition.

Posted: **Sat Nov 19, 2016 7:32 pm**

bumping again to remind everyone

Posted: **Thu Nov 24, 2016 11:37 pm**

Just a reminder guys, six more days to sign up if you want to participate in the goodie exchange!

Posted: **Wed Nov 30, 2016 12:14 am**

Last call! tomorrow will be the final day to sign up for the Holiday Goodie Exchange if you haven't already! We currently have fifteen people participating. :yay:

Posted: **Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:44 pm**

Ok, I have the list in hand, I'm going to send it out now to everyone!

So the 2016 Holiday exchange is officially closed to new participants. Sorry to any late comers.

Please, please make sure you send the person you get a gift. Nothing stinks more than not getting a gift.

Who has your name is a surprise, part of the fun this year. So don't tell anyone in thread if you've got their name.

As such, when you get your gift make sure to come into the thread, share who sent you something and what you got! That way they will know your gift reached you, and we can all be envious of the goodies you got.

Posted: **Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:26 pm**

Alright, all the names and addresses are out! I am so excited!

Someone asked if we are imposing a rule that gifts can't be opened until Christmas. What do you all think? Should we all wait until Christmas Day to open them, or open as they come in? My only concern is some of them might be baked goodies or such, and in that case it would be better to receive them as fresh as possible. Thoughts?

Posted: **Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:28 pm**

Spacedaisy wrote:Alright, all the names and addresses are out! I am so excited!

Someone asked if we are imposing a rule that gifts can't be opened until Christmas. What do you all think? Should we all wait until Christmas Day to open them, or open as they come in? My only concern is some of them might be baked goodies or such, and in that case it would be better to receive them as fresh as possible. Thoughts?

I'd vote that we open them as they come in precisely for the concern you addressed (perishable items), but it doesn't matter to me. Whatever you all think is best.

Posted: **Thu Dec 01, 2016 8:14 pm**

Spoiler: show

Posted: **Thu Dec 01, 2016 9:11 pm**

Posted: **Mon Dec 05, 2016 11:08 am**

I'm sending fresh deviled eggs with an iguana.

Posted: **Fri Dec 09, 2016 8:11 am**

We're posting pictures again, right?

Posted: **Sun Dec 11, 2016 3:55 pm**

MovingPictures07 wrote:
Spacedaisy wrote:Alright, all the names and addresses are out! I am so excited!

Someone asked if we are imposing a rule that gifts can't be opened until Christmas. What do you all think? Should we all wait until Christmas Day to open them, or open as they come in? My only concern is some of them might be baked goodies or such, and in that case it would be better to receive them as fresh as possible. Thoughts?
I'd vote that we open them as they come in precisely for the concern you addressed (perishable items), but it doesn't matter to me. Whatever you all think is best.

PLEASE open items as soon as you get them. There will most likely be perishable items inside. Just most likely

Posted: **Sun Dec 11, 2016 6:35 pm**

Whoever was given my name, feel free to take your time sending your gift (if it's perishable). I'm leaving town in 3 days, and I'll be gone until January 5th (over three weeks).

Posted: **Sun Dec 11, 2016 7:56 pm**

Metalmarsh89 wrote:Whoever was given my name, feel free to take your time sending your gift (if it's perishable). I'm leaving town in 3 days, and I'll be gone until January 5th (over three weeks).

*Stops eating a high fiber diet*

Posted: **Tue Dec 13, 2016 10:28 pm**

I got my package yesterday!!! I was so excited to see that it was from Eloh!! I also forgot to post in here last night from sheer tiredness. I had to get some things ready for school today, a teacher's job is never done. I was so happy to finally be able to sample some baked goodies from Eloh, and I was not disappointed at all. I ate 2 of the truffles right away

Thank you Eloh for a lovely surprise!!! May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!!

Posted: **Tue Dec 13, 2016 10:38 pm**

I love seeing this stuff! It's so cool that you all do it. I wish it was possible for me to take part.

Posted: **Wed Dec 14, 2016 2:19 am**

Those ornaments are really creative!

Posted: **Wed Dec 14, 2016 3:24 am**

Whoa, nice!!! Those truffles look amazing.

Posted: **Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:42 am**

leggyorlyb wrote:I got my package yesterday!!! I was so excited to see that it was from Eloh!! I also forgot to post in here last night from sheer tiredness. I had to get some things ready for school today, a teacher's job is never done. I was so happy to finally be able to sample some baked goodies from Eloh, and I was not disappointed at all. I ate 2 of the truffles right away Thank you Eloh for a lovely surprise!!! May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!!

YAY! I'm so glad you got it. I enjoyed doing it for you. The kids helped me pick out what characters to put on the ornament. Had to have a dark side and a light side

Posted: **Wed Dec 14, 2016 11:36 am**

"A dark side and a light side."

Yeah, those Storm Troopers sure know how to rock the Force!

Posted: **Wed Dec 14, 2016 12:09 pm**

Epignosis wrote:"A dark side and a light side."

Yeah, those Storm Troopers sure know how to rock the Force!

Posted: **Wed Dec 14, 2016 1:13 pm**

Epignosis wrote:"A dark side and a light side."

Yeah, those Storm Troopers sure know how to rock the Force!

Looks like Darth Vader to me.

Posted: **Wed Dec 14, 2016 10:22 pm**

Elohcin wrote:
Epignosis wrote:"A dark side and a light side."

Yeah, those Storm Troopers sure know how to rock the Force!

Trained in the ways of the force you are not Epi. Darth Vader helmets those are. Eloh is wise and one with the force.

Posted: **Wed Dec 14, 2016 11:11 pm**

leggyorlyb wrote:
Elohcin wrote:
Epignosis wrote:"A dark side and a light side."

Yeah, those Storm Troopers sure know how to rock the Force!

Trained in the ways of the force you are not Epi. Darth Vader helmets those are. Eloh is wise and one with the force.

She told me she was doing the Storm Trooper and Yoda. You notice she didn't actually correct me.

Posted: **Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:18 am**

Epignosis wrote:
leggyorlyb wrote:
Elohcin wrote:
Epignosis wrote:"A dark side and a light side."

Yeah, those Storm Troopers sure know how to rock the Force!

Trained in the ways of the force you are not Epi. Darth Vader helmets those are. Eloh is wise and one with the force.

She told me she was doing the Storm Trooper and Yoda. You notice she didn't actually correct me.

The pictures weren't pulling up on my computer and I figured I had just made a mistake. Thank you all for sticking up for me

Posted: **Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:10 pm**

Something came in the post for me this morning.

Spoiler: show

Posted: **Sat Dec 17, 2016 12:40 am**

What? I want everyone's tells! Should've given myself Jay!

Posted: **Sat Dec 17, 2016 12:44 am**

Wait I said that wrong, I meant I should've given my own name to Jay. I ALMOST said I should've given myself to Jay, but I quickly realized that would make it even worse...

Actually, as the only person who knows who has my name (and it was randomly assigned btw), I'm sure I will enjoy whatever they come up with because they are a pretty stellar individual.

Posted: **Sat Dec 17, 2016 8:54 am**

As for whoever has me. I will have a new address after Wednesday!

Posted: **Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:49 am**

Elohcin wrote:

As for whoever has me. I will have a new address after Wednesday!

Holy crap! What a coincidence!

Posted: **Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:52 am**

Epignosis wrote:Something came in the post for me this morning.

Spoiler: show

JaggedJimmyJay sent me a sign I can hang outside to make people think our house is the new stadium where the Carolina Panthers play. Clever prank, Jay!

And he sent me two little jackets to keep my beers warm in the winter.

Finally, in that envelope is a list of everybody's mafia tells. Thanks Jay.

Epi, that pennant would look good in your new "Epi cave" in your new house! (I don't know if a room that's upstairs can be called a cave but that's what I'm calling it for lack of a better name.)

Posted: **Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:54 am**

Elohcin wrote:

As for whoever has me. I will have a new address after Wednesday!

Congratulations, Eloh, Epi & Simon

Posted: **Sat Dec 17, 2016 10:49 am**

Having been on break a while, I am out of the loop on the new home. Congrats! Same town? Bigger & better?

Posted: **Sat Dec 17, 2016 11:02 am**

S~V~S wrote:Having been on break a while, I am out of the loop on the new home. Congrats! Same town? Bigger & better?

It's a house on a cul-de-sac in a much nicer neighborhood. Same town, yeah. Here's a summary of why we're leaving this one.

Posted: **Sat Dec 17, 2016 12:05 pm**

Glad to see the shipment wasn't gobbled up by the mail gremlins.

Congrats on the new pad y'all. Live the dream.

Posted: **Sat Dec 17, 2016 2:37 pm**

Spacedaisy wrote:Wait I said that wrong, I meant I should've given my own name to Jay. I ALMOST said I should've given myself to Jay, but I quickly realized that would make it even worse...

Actually, as the only person who knows who has my name (and it was randomly assigned btw), I'm sure I will enjoy whatever they come up with because they are a pretty stellar individual.

Jay is obviously sending epi slightly wrong so he can dominate him for 2017.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2016 2:54 pm**

My goodies came yesterday! Thanks SVS for all the awesome stuff.

Here is the beautiful box that it came in.....

Open it up and there's a Long Island calendar so, as SVS says in her card, I can think of her year round

And under that was all this stuff!

Top row: Wildflower Blossom Honey from Southampton, NY. An ornament from Gilgo Beach which is the local beach SVS went to as a girl.... and is also the dumping ground for the Long Island serial killer

Then Elizabeth's"Psychedelic Sunday Mix" is SVS's favorite trail mix for hiking.

Front row: An NYPD coffee mug because she remembered that my brother is a cop. And some chocolate coins and dreidel because Channukkah is popular this time of year in NY also.
All this is sitting on a Happy Camper reusable shopping bag because SVS remembered that I love camping.

Thank you so much Sherry! This was so thoughtful, I love all of these gifts and I'm touched that you remembered those things about me! Best Secret Santa ever!

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2016 5:21 pm**

Wow! That's some amazing gifts right there Sorsha! Kudos SVS.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2016 6:02 pm**

Oh good, I am glad you liked it! I was going to send a bottle of wine (Long Island, while not really known outside of the immediate area, has a pretty robust group of wineries) but I was mailing it when we had a big cold snap in the teens, and you live in a cold place, and wine can pop corks even if it may not freeze through, so you wound up with trail mix instead, lol.

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2016 6:17 pm**

Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift(s) from Sherry, Sorsha. I'm so enjoying looking at what people got!

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2016 8:55 pm**

Metalmarsh89 wrote:Wow! That's some amazing gifts right there Sorsha! Kudos SVS.

I have to concur with my learned colleague - who'd have thought a 'secret Santa' gift could be so considerate and thoughtful?

Posted: **Wed Dec 21, 2016 9:30 pm**

I got a package from nutella today! I took a picture but I'm having some issues uploading. I'll try to get it up as soon as I can, but for now I will share she got me the most amazingly delicious dark chocolate covered blueberries, some local coffee (which I am waiting on MP to get home before I taste, but I LOVE coffee), some toffee hazelnuts and a little jar of preserves. All kinds of Oregon goodies! So excited to try it all! Thank you LA!!!

I'll get the pic up as soon as I can!

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2016 12:34 am**

Yay, glad it arrived!

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2016 6:08 pm**

I got a package from Australia today

It came with a really lovely cut out pop up card.

And it had two of my favorite food groups (Glorfindel, how did you know?? I could LIVE on mustard and honey, and these all look so wonderful!)

I am having Christmas this year, and was trying to decide what to make, and this has opened up some interesting possibilities for me

Thank you so much, Matty, my friend

I feel like I won the Christmas Secret Santa lottery. I got a package from a foreign land, and it had things I love in it!

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2016 6:10 pm**

Wow, matty took part all the way from Australia? That's amazing. Maybe I should do it next year.

Posted: **Thu Dec 22, 2016 6:13 pm**

Well, he IS an Elven Lord. Maybe he has special powers.

The Syndicate

Holiday Goodie Exchange [2022]

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange

Re: Holiday Goodie Exchange