So besides a cap (at an unknown amount being the highest) and themes...any other suggestions...?

What about four per year being Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter themes ?

You mean each of the four being themed for that season?

I.e., November (packages received in December) = winter, February (packages received in March) = Spring, May (packages received in June) = Summer, August (packages received in September) = Fall?

I like that. Gifts can be enjoyed at the moment and for the upcoming immediate months AND for the following year. :) I.e., holiday specific items.

Yep that's what I mean !! :thumbup:

I think we are pretty clear on the majority here wanting a cap but the choices were too ambiguous or not enough of them. Do you think we should do a follow up poll now about how much the cap should be...give some various amounts..or even maybe ranges? what do you think?

Terri thank you for doing the poll, it was long overdue according to the numbers. I still think more people should have voted.

I think you were able to garner some valuable information here, and I think at this point I would leave it in the hands of Admin. who ultimately will decide the future of the GE. I really think you gave them a great foundation to work with.

or maybe pm admin Teri and ask for input? Thanks again!

Now that this thread is dead I will post.:rolleyes:

Never done a GE. Probably never will.

I know it is said over and over and over that baby talk, hint threads, smile boxes, and expensive packages are not heeded. But the fact is that people do get annoyed when others decide against these things. So it does not matter to me that most don't care. There will ge those that get upset and it is not worth it to me. I also know soe believe this is part of the fun and it should not stress one out even if they feel forced to do it. Um? There are so any things I am expected to do in a week whether stated or not. The last thing I will do it add on to my list f obligations (real or perceived) on a fun forum. Makes no sense r my lufestyle.

I chose that there should ge a dap, but I have no number in mind.
That said, I think it is crazy that we now need a cap. I think it is out of control. A cap would not be needed if people agreed to just cut way back.

I'd spend $200-$300 on my yorkie in a heartbeat...if it was necessary! She has never gotten $200 worth of things from me at once and I cannot imagine spending that on someone else's pup (or receiving so much from a random buddy)! It is sooooo generous, but way out of the comfort zone for some of us. Honestly, my dog ears rx food and hates clothes. I can't think of anything totaling $200 that we could even use!

i think these points have been brought up many times, but in the end 1) rice brackets are decided against or 2) some members (I think really it is a small minority) get upset that they would be limited on spending, so it ruis their fun.

I don't have the answer. I do think there should be a very good reason for someone to spend more than $75-$100.

Well said Crystal, I agree with you on many point and I am sure that the admids have a nice amount of input that will help them to come up with a proper solution to appease all of the members and their pups.

Thank you for your input, Crystal. Even if you don't ever do a GE, it is very much appreciated. I think it is pretty clear that the majority agrees that spending is out of control. And, believe it or not, I totally get that.

Hopefully, the delay in Admin putting up a new sign-up thread for a new GE is because he is mulling over a new format/cap/spending range. We shall see :)

When is the next one and the one after that ?

The sign-ups for the next one should be right now. I saw where Morgan sent a PM to admin to remind him so hopefully we will see it soon :)

k, thank you ! :)