Dear QT3 members! Guess what! It’s that time of year again when we set aside our creative differences and (at least somewhat) Internet anonymity to give each other something truly special: the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with opening an unidentified package from a stranger. Wait, that didn’t come out right (but I think you know what I mean). QT3 Secret Santa is a non-denominational gift-giving game in which you are secretly paired with another QT3 member to whom you are tasked with giving a gift, and paired with someone who sends you one, too.
For reference, here are the previous years’ compilations of Secret Santa:
2007 The Qt3 Secret Santa Thread
2008 Qt3 Secret Santa: The Return (deadline to register: October 15th)
2009 QT3 Secret Santa Part III: Better Than the Last Sequel
2010 QT3 Secret Santa: Episode IV: A New Hope
2011 QT3 Secret Santa: Episode V: Santa Strikes Back
2012 QT3 Secret Santa: Episode VI: Regift of the Jedi
2013 QT3 Secret Santa: Episode VII: What’s in the box?
Assuming we have critical mass of at least 10 participants, let’s play!
Rules:
Deadline: The cutoff date for participation is Friday, October 31, 2014. After this date, I (fire) will post all of the participants’ handles and begin matching Santas with Santees (secretly, of course).
Personal information: Please note that the exchange of personal information with any other QT3 members is not required, and that any information you send to me (the organizer) will remain strictly private. I will not disclose personal information to anyone other than your Santee unless you expressly give me permission. In previous years, there were some QT3 members who were asking for other people’s addresses to surprise them with gifts. Please understand that in order to protect people’s privacy I simply can’t do this.
‘In!’: To participate, fill out the Google Form and post in this thread to indicate you’re in! Participation includes a) being a Secret Santa for someone, and also b) being someone’s Santee.
Here is what I’ll need from you:
[ul]
[li]Your mailing address. You can use your QT3 handle or a pen name if you prefer.[/li][li]Your shipping preference. The choices are: Domestic (to your home country), Continental (in your continent); International (anywhere in the world). If you have no preference or don’t mention your preference, you will be placed in whichever bucket I find most convenient for me.[/li]li Your wishlist, if you have one, or want to share one with your Santa. You can also post your wishlist in the thread (publicly) if you like. Having (and sharing) a wishlist is not required.[/li]li Any special requests (relatives, roommates, allergies, etc.)[/li][/ul]
Getting a Santee: After the deadline, I will send you (by e-mail or PM) your Santee’s address and wishlist, if provided. You will be responsible for getting a gift to your Santee. If you are shipping internationally, plan ahead, and get your gift out at least three weeks early. International shipping (especially around the holidays) can take extra time. Your gift should arrive in time for Opening Week. No freeloaders! If you don’t give a gift, we’ll know.
Giving a gift: There is a $20 minimum gift value; no maximum. You can send gifts directly from a retailer, or from your home.
Receiving a gift: When you receive a gift from your Secret Santa, it’s helpful to post in the thread saying you got it – it puts your Santa’s mind at ease. Or you can e-mail or PM me, and I’ll do it for you.
Requesting a gift: You can subtly or not-so-subtly talk about things you’d like to get in this thread, although that in no way means you’ll get what you ask for.
Keeping track: We’ll keep track of who is participating at the top of the thread. The list will be in alphabetical order. After the exchange, fire will post a summary of the Santa to Santee pairings, and links to the opening posts.
Opening Week!: On the week of December 22, 2014, we begin opening gifts. Have a camera ready so you can snap a picture and get it in the thread!
Previous offenders: If you have participated in QT3 Secret Santa in the past and did not send a gift, you are ineligible for participation this year. Sorry.
Problems: If you encounter any difficulties, or have any concerns during the process, please e-mail (fire.qt3 at gmail) or PM fire.
Checklist:
____ Post in the thread!
____ Fill out the Google form with your information (by October 31, 2014)
____ Receive Secret Santee information (by November 9, 2014)
____ Send gift to Secret Santee (International: by December 10, 2014)
____ Send fire.qt3 at gmail shipping confirmation (optional)
____ Receive Secret Santee gift (before week of December 22, 2014)
____ Post in the thread about gift received
____ Take pictures of opening gift, and post them (Week of December 22, 2014)
____ Have fun!
Finally, a shout-out to Ryan Markel who was the previous years’ chief organizer for QT3 Secret Santa I-V.