How do you feel about the gift exchange?

[carmengamble]

Hey everyone, I am so excited about yorkietalk and when I found out about the gift exchange I was even more excited! I love this idea! How do you guys feel about it? Do you like it? Have you had good experiences with it? How much do you normally spend?

I am really bad when it comes to shopping. For example, for Christmas shopping this year, I started in October. I was probably done by the end of the month, but I keep on buying things that I find cute or that the person would like. Prepare to be spoiled by me if I am your buddy!

Let me know what you think! I've been looking at gifts people have received, everyone is so thoughtful, people are so generous!!

[piptickle]

I love the GE I've only done 2 so far but now I've started I can't see me missing one ever!!! Because I'm in the UK postage is HIGH! The last 2 GE's have cost me over $300 including P+P (about half is postage) But I just love shopping! I have a GE box full of stuff and I keep adding to it, once I find out who my buddy is I go shopping for more personal stuff to add to it and if theres things that are no good to them then I leave them in my box for future GE's.

Oh, I'm sure you already know that you will need to become a donating member before you can participate but I thought I'd mention it just in case!

[kathrynS]

I have been in one so far. It was Great giving and getting. But I cannot afford it now. Everyone gives the greatest gifts and I don't want to look cheap staying at the $20 limit. I love looking at all the stuff they get though. Besides it was $14 just to ship it. It's ok though, maybe I can start saving up for next year. Start looking for things on sale.

[Ellie May]

I think it is an awesome idea but it's not for us right now.
All you have to do is donate and have 100 posts to participate, so anybody could join and I'm uneasy about that. I also have sooooooooo many rules for the things Ellie can and can't have and her buddy would get really frustrated I'm sure because I do. I know it has been said in the past that the gift exchange is special and why not just make acceptions and allow your Yorkie to have whatever they receive but I'm not comfortable with that at all. We don't do any dog food or treats, she has allergies, we limit the toys from China, she can't have any type of bones or chewies and she doesn't like clothes. Obviously that wouldn't be fair to our buddy...

For people less picky than me, it is an awesome thing.

[marcerella02]

Layla and I have been in many GEs and we had a lot of fun. However, there can be pressure to spend a lot because many people buy things on sale or "stock" up so it looks like they have spent a lot of money, and whether they have or not, we always felt like we didn't spend enough. Now that we have been in the GE 5 times- we won't participate anymore I don't think- Layla is a very lucky girl and doens't need anymore toys so next year we will probably donate the money we would have spent on gifts and send it to a yorkie rescue.

Also, like Ellie May said, we can be picky with what Layla is allowed to have and not allowed to have- soI feel bad saying- we can have this but not this and this.

The GE is a great time overall- you will love it!

[Suzy]

We did a few GE's, and most experiences were wonderful! We had so much fun buying for our buddies-though it is hard to stay within the limit-and we received some really fun, creative things too! I love homemade gifts-it is nice to see something that someone put time and effort into rather than just money. To be honest, we had an experience with a GE a few months back that put a bad taste in my mouth, so I am not planning on doing another one for awhile. Instead, we send Christmas cards and occasionally a few goodies to our YT friends

[Erin]

Yeah I'm with Marci and Crystal. Mine have each participated and it was fun but also frustrating because you never know if you've gotten enough or if you got the right things. Everyone loves sending and receiving clothes, but what if they don't fit? Sammy is in between sizes in most brands and I know which brands she can wear. I would hate for someone to go out and buy shirts that don't fit, I would feel terrible. And then "all natural" means different things to different people. So if you exclude food and clothes you have what, toys and blankets? Maybe we should do a blanket exchange! Now that would be fun and a lot less pressure!

Also, it makes a difference who you get. One of Loki's buddies was a long time member so we knew her and there were lots of posts to go back and see what she liked. That worked out great! But then Sammy got someone who I don't think ever posted again after the GE and had barely 100 posts all in the showing forum - no fun posts about her dog. We had no idea what to get and we missed out on getting to make a friend. Some people spend hundreds of dollars and others stock up all year. We liked shopping specifically for our buddy instead, which meant they got less "loot". Others put no effort into it (very rare, but it happens) - I remember when one person ordered her entire GE package from like WalMart and had it shipped to her buddy. I mean, half the fun is wrapping and decorating the package and writing the card! I know that YT vendors will send packages to GE buddies, but they are in on the fun so that is different!

I don't want to discourage you though. Gosh some people participate every time and can't wait until the next round! You should definitely do it once and try it for yourself. I'm glad we participated. I just think I would like it better if we toned it down a little Maybe we should do themes... or say it has to fit in a certain sized box... something like that.

[ARCHIE]

I think the initial idea is a good one, however, IMO I believe it just got
out of control in the way of $. We were in one and I was so excited to
shop for a little girl. I wrapped each package, bows, toys and a little t-shirt, with Mommy's girl on it. I spent $32.00. I was nervous about going over,
didn't want the receiver to think I was showing off, so to speak.
When Buddy received his package I was shocked. There had to be at least
$60.00 worth of goodies plus the s/h brought it up to $68.00. I was
mortified that I did not spend as much! I was very confused. Plus I never
got a thank you from the receiver. Instead of thinking I was showing off
she probably thought I was cheap! I followed the rules and thought
it was so cool to do this. I never went back into one. Bud is bigger
and can't eat just any treat and hates clothes so it didn't matter.
I think to receive one gift from a YT friend is exciting but I think the
whole thing just got carried away.

[Txgurl06]

i think you guys are all over analyzing the GE! lol its for the fun. I know i did one last november/december and it was great!!!! i didnt buy as much as i received but it was awesome and i know my buddy loved their stuff. I can say i did go over the limit but didnt care if i got that much in return or not. since skoshi passed i have not done another one but am going to next one. Custom items you can make yourself are not all the expensive but can mean a lot to the receiver. I dont know but i think everyone should do it and just have fun.

[Jenn218]

Gift Exchanges are all meant for fun and a way to get to know one another, in our YT family.
The limit $ is set (which does not include shipping)...as a way to be fair for everyone - kind of like when you draw names at work, you have a set amount to spend......but (here) many people go over that...BUT you do not have to. You just should not go below the limit to make fair...and if others want to go overboard, that is up to them, but please do not ever feel that your gift is not "worthy" if it doesn't match what your buddy sends to you (in the way of $ spent).
AND everyone should post a thank you thread - in fact, that is in the rules....if no one says thank you, please let admin know!

[RebelBelle]

We LOVE GE's! Since I do tend to go a little overboard with presents, I only sign Jamie up for every other one. When I'm putting together our gift for our buddy, I just put in what feels right + a whole lot of love. I handmake several things and handpaint the boxes to add a little something extra special. It never feels stressful to me because I'm too busy being excited! Plus I love everything we get from our GE Buddies. It does help that Jamie wears clothes and eats Yorkie Yummies. AND I post alot so our buddies can always get a feel for Jamie's/My personality.

P.S. We're definitely doing February's and we can't wait to start shopping!

[Erin]

I like the way the buddies are paired up for the Valentines one. I actually think it makes it MORE fun that way.

[chloesMama]

I fairly new here so I have never been in a GE , but they do look like fun. I enjoy looking at the cute pictures of the furbabies modeling what they received. I may do one eventually , but I feel I need to be around the site more to get to know everyone and let them get to know us better first . It would just feel weird to me right now ....but that's just me . For now I'm happy to read about everyone else's happy gift day.

[marcerella02]

Originally Posted by Txgurl06

i think you guys are all over analyzing the GE! lol its for the fun. I know i did one last november/december and it was great!!!! i didnt buy as much as i received but it was awesome and i know my buddy loved their stuff. I can say i did go over the limit but didnt care if i got that much in return or not. since skoshi passed i have not done another one but am going to next one. Custom items you can make yourself are not all the expensive but can mean a lot to the receiver. I dont know but i think everyone should do it and just have fun.

you are right they are definitly fun! But i think. like most things in life, it just takes one person to kinda put a bad taste in your mouth you know? I LOVE watching the GEs and seeing how happy everyone is giving and getting!

[mkawczak]

I really enjoyed the GE. It was our first one. Although I think if you ship to Canada it should be re-emburssed ( the 20.00) just like any other foreign country. It cost me over $30.00 just to mail it,but seeing the pictures and reading the posts and Thank You overall the GE SB exchange is alot of fun.