[dwerten]

Originally Posted by yorkiepuppie

wow, this is an interesting thread.

who knew that a simple idea of gift exchanging could get this complicated?

i think the idea/spirit of GE is simple. to get a gift for your SB and in return get a gift from your SB.

i have never participated in GE before, but i have seen the thank you thread and seen the numerous gifts that people receive from their buddies.

if the guideline says $20 is the min. than i would imagine that you get one or two items, but people are clearly spending more than that.

i think there is still a way that the GE can work and be enjoyable for people. maybe there can be diff. categories that you can sign up for price wise. if you want to spend $20, then you can get a SB who also wants to spend $20. and if you want to spend $100 on gifts, then you can get a buddy who also wants to spend that amount.

i don't know if that would make it super complicated or not. but i don't imagine it would.

as for people listing specific things that they want...maybe that's a little bit overboard? it's really not a surprise if you get what you asked for. (couldn't you just buy/order it yourself?)

just my suggestions, since i do think it is very interesting that a well intended activity can become so complicated

I agree as i never thought it was complicated in the past ones i did until this thread popped up - thought it was pretty simple a gift of $20 or more. Now i tend to go over board and probably will continue to do so as i have fun doing it and spoiling others babies and get great prices in california we have a ton of places to get for good prices as well as online and ebay. I shop all year round and save up for the exchanges. I guess we could add a line on our sign up that says do not spend over $20 on me as i only plan to spend $20 if that helps or the price amount and then admin can match the people up with each other - maybe that will work. There are also knock offs to things people want and by people stating what types of things they like you can see that and try to get things like that not necessarily that item. For ex. I like monkey daze items but that does not mean i will not like a $5 item on ebay that is a jean dress so the items people post give ideas what people like. I was on another exchange and the person said no long sleeve shirts, no treats, no toys, so i found things they would like. It really is not that hard or complicated and i have never seen anyone disappointed unless those people are not signing up either. I just think this whole thing has gotten way blown out of proportion sadly and quite frankly it is ruining it for the people that have done this for a long time. I have put in there that i like chloe bella, chattiesmom, tinkerbell's closet and go fetch as i like to support the people on this group so should we not do that as some of their items are expensive as well. Sorry to sound bad but I never thought me spending alot of money on gifts for other people would be so hurtful to others as I had a ge buddy die in january of liver shunt and i was so happy i could have spoiled him and made him happy his last few months here and the mom as well so i am glad i spoiled them as it was something they have to remember the little guy by so it is not always what it seems and i do not think anyone here is being mean or vindictive in stating what they like or dislike and think it is giving people an idea of what they will use and quite frankly i do not like wasting my money on things people will not use or will turn around and donate as i want them to enjoy the gifts i get.