I am NOT bringing up negatives to discredit any member and/or the GE activity itself because I LOVE GEs. Sometimes we have to study history and the way an activity has evolved to determine the best way to steer the activity for the future.
I'm a YT oldtimer who started doing GE's in 2006 and have at least 10 GEs under my belt over the years. I've watched the GE activity progress from a simple gift giving exchange where a minimum amount of $$ was spent in return for a maximum amount of joy to a time where way too many members have had hurt feelings, frustration and ultimately quit doing GE's because they became too complicated.
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Originally Posted by MandiesMom  As for the clues, teasers, Smileboxes.. I wish this wasn't even a part of the discussion because it shouldn't even be an issue. NONE of that is required. NONE of it. It is done for FUN by those who want to and have time (like Rhonda said..some of us who are on here everyday all day anyway...it is fun..not pressure). I hope everyone realizes these are not even requirements. Pictures are requirements for thank yous...not smileboxes. |
Clues and teasers and Smileboxes are a HUGE issue because of the huge disparity among YTers regarding these activities. At one point it was discussed that those of us who didn't like doing clues and teasers SHOULDN'T participate in GEs at all because these activities were a part of the GE fun. And although Smilebox thank you's aren't required by GE rules, they have become the standard for thanking our buddies and are expected by most GE participants.
I like the K.I.S.S. method of doing most things. If it were just up to me, I'd set the cap at $35.00 plus shipping. You'd be surprised at what you can do with 35 bucks if you are creative and shop wisely. A low limit would open the GE up to almost ALL YT members and eliminate all of the hurt feelings that have occurred when one member chooses to spend a bundle on the gift they are sending and the gift they receive comes from a buddy who stuck to the minimum. It is reasonable to believe that gifts would weigh less, cost less to ship, and would make it more practical to include ALL YT members world wide.
So, in my mind, the real question isn't necessarily about a spending cap, it's about making the YT GE activity fun, affordable and practical for the vast majority of YT members, worldwide.