LOL. I know that I would be thrilled to get one $20 item, and I would definitely not feel disappointed. But I know what you mean, my thing is my SB posting a thread saying that Quicksilver got them... dog biscuits and wipes. And everyone reading that thread thinking wow, what crappy gifts!

LOL! exactly what i worry about! :yelrotflm :D

and i would be thrilled with anything too! ;) my kids, other than miss b, are not picky eaters and i think even a treat or toy i normally would not buy for them would be exciting and fun for them

I figured I would wait to the last minute to decide if I want to sign Sam up.

I am pretty sure if Sam received some smoochie lips that he would be fine. As long as they make those smoochie lip sounds, he doesnt care if they are from China, rubbed down with rawhide, or dipped in pork juice, he just would like some new smoochie lips. :D

Omg...we have a potato looking toy...she makes that sound then squeals I love you, I love you. It drives mine insane.

LoL i'll have you know i tried searching for those smoochie lips...and i dont think they make them anymore!!! Poor sam :(

how funny, ive not seen this thing. Interesting!

Aww ty!!! I called my Petsmart, they are going to send out an email to see if ANYONE has any more in stock. I showed him Sams sad lil face ha ha.Thats very sweet of you to look!!

The YorkieTalk Gift Exchange was created for the sole purpose of having FUN with our Yorkies. There are gifts and products that a YT member in California may be able to get, that a member in Wisconsin could not get. Members thought it would be fun to get new gifts and different gifts from other Yorkies.

The YorkieTalk Gift Exchange is completely optional. No one is required to participate in it. If you don't like the GE, or don't agree with the rules, feel free to not participate. The YorkieTalk staff spends many hours coordinating and running the GE, it does take a lot of time and effort for us to do. We are happy to do it for our members and will continue to do so as long as there are willing participants.

The main rules of the YT Gift Exchange are: signing up for it, putting together a gift box (with a minimum of $20 spent), mailing the box to your Secret Buddy (with confirmation), and then posting a thank you thread after you have received the gift. Anything above and beyond that is completely OPTIONAL. Buying gifts for the member (not their Yorkie) is also completely optional as are threads regarding gifts for members. If a member posts something their Yorkie "would like" that is completely up to the gift giver to decide whether or not to purchase it for their buddy, it is not a requirement of any sort.

While some members may spend a lot on their buddy, no one should feel required or obligated or expect to receive a gift worth $100 or more. We have seen plenty of thank you threads with gifts totalling less than that, which should be normal and acceptable.

Posting pictures (while we are sure the gift giver would appreciate them) are currently not required. But posting a thank you thread in the GE forum is required, a Private Message only is not sufficient.

We will not force people to participate in hint threads or in anything else related to the Gift Exchange. There are many different kinds of members of YorkieTalk, some may visit daily, some may just visit once a week. However, if members want to create hint threads or participate in them, that is completely fine. Other members are free to read them or not read them. No one should be made to feel bad if they are not participating in a hint thread.

We are always welcome to suggestions regarding YorkieTalk Gift Exchanges. Some ideas we have been thinking about are a maximum amount of money allowed to be spent for the Gift Exchange gift, not allowing lists of items that a member or their Yorkie wants, or requiring pictures in thank you threads. We have seen some "want" items listed, some which may be over $100 alone, which is a bit extreme.

The "(please mention anything your Yorkie doesn't like or doesn't want or can't eat)" line in the signup thread was included by us because of health concerns, as we have heard there were Yorkies that got treats they were either allergic to. We also thought it would give a better understanding to their Secret Buddy what things to avoid or toys the Yorkie has too much of.

We have now done 15 YorkieTalk Gift Exchanges, and our proudest fact about them is that each and every participant in our GE's has gotten a gift. Our goal is to let a member and their Yorkie have some "unexpected" fun from a "stranger" by participating.

If you do not wish to read about the YT Gift Exchanges or any threads in the GE forum, we can block the YT GE forum from your account and any threads in that forum will not show up for you. Just let us know and we will set up your account that way.

We want to keep the YorkieTalk Gift Exchanges a FUN part of YorkieTalk and we welcome your participation!

Admin, thank you so very much for your post and clarifying some of the questions that have been floating around. I sincerely appreciate everything you and the Moderators do for YT and especially for the Gift Exchanges. I'm not sure if I will be able to participate in this exchange, but I will certainly look forward to future ones.

To everyone who hasn't yet participated...... they are a tremendous amount of fun!!!

I also thank you Admin. Ive only been in one and we had so much fun and made alot of friends. I totally appreciate everything you do to not only make the GE work, but the calendars, and YT in general. I thank you for all the work and hours I know you must put in.

Admin, I can only imagine the amount of time and energy invested in making a GE successful. I cannot wait for the excitement of planning and plotting a surprise gift box for another Yorkie and its human. It is a great idea and while constructive criticism can be helpful, I hope you do not take the posts with such personally. I sense that perhaps in the excitement of the moment, the hard work done behind the scenes may be forgotten. Please know that all of you orchestrating this are appreciated!

Now....it's been many a year since I've been involved in anything assocaited with Sweet Sixteen...let's get the party started...LOL

Well I can see your point of view on some people who write these long lists or don'ts but I also see it as like if they don't like it I rather not get it and get something else that they will like. For example, if they don't like rawhides or something I wouldnt want to waste my money getting it you know? But GE is fun and I am sure YT members will appreciate all the gifts. =D Don't be mad okay? Hope you join GE =D

yes i totally agree thats why i am hesitating if I should be passing GE this time and sign up next time..

:thumbup: You have a way w/words...
Oh no! Tammy, you mustn't...what if you get Mimi & me?:D

A huge deciding factor of donating to YT was just so I can participate in the GE. Yes, please just overlook posts & threads you dislike...that's what I do...makes life simple.:p

I completely understand where the comments are coming from. I am fairly new to YT and was so excited to sign up for the GE. Then I read the sign up threads and became a little intimidated. I am one of those that am not picky about anything that I might get. If one of my own can't use it, I'm sure one of my fosters will. But I must say I was intimidated by the do's and dont's, only because I thought maybe I just don't know enough about all of this. And intimidated thinking I might not spend enough and then I would look like a bad SB. Then I didn't know which one of my 2 to sign up. Both of mine are rescues that I adopted and special needs so I think they would like and need anything they got...but which one do I pick to sign up? Oh my!!! Then after all of this worrying I had the thought that maybe I shouldn't sign up (then I would miss the fun) and just spend what I would on the GE on my fosters as they come to me (which I spend alot anyway) or maybe I should donate what I would spend on a SB to my rescue to help them save another. Oh Geeze!!!!!! This is just almost too much! :) I'm still struggling with myself on what too do.

But I do believe that this all started for fun & to make new friends from what I have read. I think you should give from the heart and recieve with graciousness. IMO in this day and time it is better to give than receive and I think maybe we should all remember that and have fun in the giving. And if you do get something that isn't for your beloved furbaby pass it along to a shelter, rescue or another furbaby that passes you way.

Have fun and enjoy!
Kathy

Very beautifully put. I really hope you decide to join, Hotel4Yorkies! I remember when you were working to get your post count over 100, you wouldn't want all that hard work to go to waste, would you? :D

I think it is unfair of those who have never even participated in a GE to talk negative about it. You might be more into the hint threads and knowing exactly what your buddy wants if you were participating.

Personally, this is our first GE and I am very excited for it. I appreciate knowing what my SB prefers and that way I am not spending money in vain. I would much rather my SB tell me what they have been REALLY wanting that way when the gift comes they are super excited!!!

Wabbit, don't get discouraged. I am very excited too, and don't want anyone raining on our parade! I feel like it is uncalled for that those who are not planning on participating are talking about the bad when they have never even given it a try!

Let's have a fun GE :)

***WARNING*** this is suppose to be funny!!
 

This is exactly how I feel.

I'm going to be a big girl and apologize if I got any panties in a wad. However, I was just jumping on the wagon and stating my opinion about the GE and why I'm so hesitant on joining AGAIN, YES I HAVE DONE ONE BEFORE, THANK YOU. ;) (Those who are saying that the people with opinions on the GE aren't entitled to them because they haven't been in one before, are you actually going through EVERY Gift Exchange to see who has and hasn't been in them?)

I also did join in on the hint threads and posted one of my own. I, however, did NOT try to pick out the people who hadn't posted hint threads as in my opinion that is rude.

If I was considered as sucking the fun out of the GE, I also apologize for you feeling that way. I even stated that I loved sending and receiving gifts when I was in a previous gift exchange but as a previous member that was in one, I am entitled to stating my feelings on the GE.

I appreciate the GE and all of the hard work that goes into it. However, what I don't appreciate is someone having a fit over my opinion and pointing me out.

I hope everyone in this current GE has loads of fun and it's everything you expect it to be and I'm sure it will be.

Just wanted to let you know that my comment was not directed towards you :)

I agree... everyone is entitled to their own opinion... lets just have fun!!

Everybody's Got One
 

:thumbup:I am very grateful for all Admin does to keep this site up and running and the GE coordination which must be a pretty awesome task! I hope some of the comments are not misconstrued as criticism on the Gift Exchange itself. I don't think anyone has disagreed with the rules or had anything but gratitude for Admin's amazing job of coordinating the GE. In fact the rules do say that no one is to expect gifts over $20. So, when someone questions a list with several items way over $20 a piece, they are still in support of the rules. I had made similar comments over concerns like the extensive lists in another thread. I am in no way complaining about the GE and the lists won't keep me from participating because I am psyched up -- I already have several gifts even though I don't know my SB. Some of the SBs may not want what I bought and that is sad because they are terrific gifts. But I will just save them for another time. I still had fun buying them and I can't wait to personalize my package to the SB I get assigned.

Since Admin wrote: "Some ideas we have been thinking about are a maximum amount of money allowed to be spent for the Gift Exchange gift, not allowing lists of items that a member or their Yorkie wants, or requiring pictures in thank you threads. We have seen some "want" items listed, some which may be over $100 alone, which is a bit extreme. " -- so, it appears all of the concerns previously listed that people are taking heat for are already on Admin's own list of concerns. Not criticism of the GE but ways it may evolve over time to be even better. Not really changing the rules but adding guidelines.

I think people are all entitled to write about their ideas and opinions. Admin says the suggestions are even welcome. Other people can disagree without always thinking it is some sort of attack. My main concern with the costs was to not shortchange my SB. We had talked in another thread over what is really the average spent. I don't want to send a $20 gift when most are getting $100 gifts. I want my SB to feel good about what they got even though I know most won't pull out an adding machine. They will be grateful no matter what -- but I still don't want my SB to be shorted.

I support the OP's right to post about their ideas and concerns. They are concerns shared by many other members and now we know -- also admin themself! They are just concerns though, not some attack on a truly awesome Gift Exchange! I know it is going to be a lot of fun to finish shopping once I have my SB. To find just the right things for another Yorkie has to be a blast! If I get one that has pretty much eliminated my own creativity with a detailed list, I will just use my creative flow to decorate the box or something. One way or another, this is going to be a JOY! I can't wait! I was even trying to fanaggle Admin to give out some SB names early, that's what a goof I am. LOL! :D

I am actually glad we do not all agree all the time -- how boring would that be? But when we do disagree, we need to take it less personal and allow that everyone is entitled to an opinion. This is JMO! ;) Don'tcha get annoyed when people write these long winded posts like mine? :rolleyes:

I loved the first GE we did, Gucci got some wonderful personalized gifts and toys that he adores to this day! He also uses a blanky he got with his name EVERY NIGHT. It was very special for us...

I am a DON'T LISTER... Simply because I'd hate to spend my money on things your baby isn't going to use, is afraid of, allergic to, has too much of, or simply doesn't like. I really don't want to "waste" my time buying gifts you are going to "donate" or give away. That would make me sad :(. I feel that the vast majority also DON'T ENJOY wasting money or time so I like to let you know what Gucci does or doesn't need that way he WILL USE WHAT HE IS GIVEN ... Just because I am saying DON'T BUY HIM BALLS, doesn't mean he wouldn't love a Bargain Toy from the Clearance rack.. it just means he DOESN'T LIKE BALLS and he is TERRIFIED AND TREMBLES WHEN THEY ROLL NEAR HIM.. I wish others wouldn't read so much into the Don't list. They are just Guidelines for most of us.

I think some people list expensive things their Yorkie would "like" because they may very well get a buddy that "WANTS" to buy them something extravaggant .. I personally don't list super expensive stuff.. but for those that do.. I am sure "MOST" of them do it for Ideas NOT because they are expecting to get a $100 Fur Coat for their dog :rolleyes:. If they are EXPECTING IT, well then yeah it's rude but I highly doubt that, that is the case.

I just hope we can all have fun, like said Many times here..

THE GE IS A CHOICE, you have a CHOICE TO SIGN UP OR NOT.. I really don't think that complaining about why you don't is necessary .. Just "DON'T" Sign up simple as that.

When you donate to a forum though and that is one of the main plus' to donating, I think you have a right to voice what you dislike about it. Obviously people WANT to sign up (brings me back to my first sentence) or they wouldn't be even taking the time to post a thread or a reply so I don't think it's fair to just say "just don't sign up, simple as that".

I think every concern should really be taken into consideration (it seems it is) and I really think everyone needs to stop being so immature over others opinions.

To each their own but in my opinion "complaining" about little mundane things that aren't going to stop is immature. Why complain about people listing Don'ts ? it isn't going to make anyone go back and NEVER post a don't list is it? It is just going to cause conflict and endless bickering, as proven with this 6 page thread. This is supposed to be fun.. I for one don't have ANY plans to scratch my don'ts from my list as I don't want people to waste time or money. I also don't see anything wrong with people listing don'ts.. because I ultimately "choose" if I will sign up and "what" I will buy... and I say Simple as that because really it is "SIMPLE AS THAT" we are all adults here...

All I know is if someone wants to voice their concerns over certain things, they should be allowed to without being told they need to stop or basically being told they need to get over it. As an adult, shouldn't you listen to others opinions and respect them? You don't have to agree with them, THAT IS OKAY but to tell someone to get over it and don't sign up, ha! This forum has TONS of people on it, from everywhere, they're going to not like things that you like or the other way around. It would be different if the ones giving opinions weren't donating members and hadn't ever been in a GE but they have, so they have that right just like you do.

The endless bickering could have been prevented if people were more open to other opinions and other thoughts besides their own. If that were the case, it'd be amazing how well everyone on this forum would get along. Just sayin'.

you should join gf as most of us are great shoppers lol and i totally understand allergies etc as my baby has it and i have one that had pancreatitis so i always say no treats. I never take offense when someone wants something or doesn't and i try to find what they will like. I find it a challenge as i love to shop and most that join are shopaholics too lol but it is a lot of fun - I have always had a blast with it and tend to go over board but it is fun for me and love spoiling the fur babies. I feel sad that some feel this is negative as I have to put do's and don'ts for mine and like to give pointers on what we use, etc - i have never been let down yet and hopefully would never let anyone down as it is suppose to be fun and the hint threads are hysterical

I think this thread is a classic example of "it's not what you say, but how you say it." Saying that people who listed do's and dont's seem ungrateful, or that hint threads annoy the heck out of you, is naturally going to make the people who have done these things feel defensive, and less open to hearing how perhaps the GE could be improved.

no way wabbit you better join !!! you are a blast and we have alot of fun - actually I look forward to this every 3 months and I laugh alot over the whole hint threads and it is half the fun and it is creative what people come up with and it takes the stress off me as i deal with yorkies with health issues so to me this is a whole lot of fun. There is a reason why there are different threads so you can read up on what you want to read up on so hitting new posts is not the only way you can see new posts so you are not bothered by those of us who post hint threads and having a blast during the ge. I am quite shocked at this whole thread myself as this has been so much fun for me and others and has provided income for alot of vendors here on yt during a difficult economic time from those that can afford it. I have personally recieved two of chatties mom's harnesses from the ge exchanges as i wanted them and was so thankful. I had no clue people were offended by all this as I have had so much fun with it. I guess i was just clueless to all this

I agree as i have made some great yorkie friends from the ge so it is not all about the gifts as i have continued friendships from it so it is not always what it seems. I have made friends from the hint threads as well and getting to know them through them so why this saddens me that people cannot see the fun and friendships that can occur from an event like this. I have also helped my ge buddy with health issues, etc so this is an opportunity to get to know people as well.

i have been looking for those dang smoochie lips for the past 2 weeks since you posted on the other group -lol i have hit every petsmart and petco in southern california -lol but no smoochie lips :(