i ditto this admin love this group and i tell everyone every where i go about yorkietalk if they have a yorkie so thanks for all your had work and we LOVE the GE met a ton of new friends and always look forward to it and always have a blast :)

woo hoo we will have fun we always do - so glad you are joining in this time - you will not be disappointed :)

I've just sat here and read this entire thread. :eek: It was a long read :p but even through the drama it was an interesting and pertinent read. Even though I've been on YT for about a year I am not yet a donating member, and therefore have never done a GE. (GE seem like a TON of fun and I'm always a little saddened when one passes, and we aren't able to participate, and I see how excited people are.) I've struggled with wanting to sign up, only for financial reasons. (Though GE or not I want to eventually donate since I really appreciate YT as the AMAZING resource that it is).

As a grad student living solely off of student loans (and about to move, so I need to find the money for moving costs and things) adding the numbers up is daunting. $25 to donate, $20 (min) of gifts, and then shipping the box (probably $15+), for some one in a tough financial position like myself $60+ (especially all at once) is A LOT OF MONEY!

That said, I completely understand both sides of the spectrum on this.

There is a min. spending amount and the GE is done on good faith, without the assumption that your GE buddy will spend as much as you. But I'm sure it would be really difficult to get a box and see that it is clear your GE SB only spent the minimum, while you spent way beyond that. It's not technically part of the GE but I would imagine it would be disappointing if you put in a lot of time and money to your SB and in return your SB was unable to do the same for you.

I know that if I were able to find the money to donate and then sign up for the GE I would automatically feel bad because all my gifts would HAVE to total under $25! And no matter how you swing it there are far more people that spend WAY beyond the limit than those that spend right around the limit. And I'd hate to be the one SB that did my best but that my package would be lackluster!

So it is daunting to read the "do's" and "don'ts" in the sign-up thread. Sometimes I contemplate being able to make this GE work, and then I read the specific requests (beyond just health limitations) and I fear that for a lot of these potential SB I wouldn't really be able to give them a package they would be happy with, as it just couldn't be overflowing and/or super amazing (I would try my best though). And yet even as I say this I desperately want to donate and sign-up, as this GE falls right around Zoe's first birthday, so while I can't get her that much, whatever her SB would get her would be birthday presents. (But then I think, $60+ to donate and participate or $60 towards a washer/dryer that we'll need in the new place, etc....)

In the end, it is important to get both sides of a story/issue. I too had been overwhelmed and a bit upset at some of the specifics in the sign-up thread but reading through why people have listed what they have sheds new light on things!

I hope all those that are signed-up have an amazing experience! (If I'm lucky enough Zoe will in this GE, I just don't know if I can make it happen this time.)

-Vicky

I think the concept of a GE is a wonderful idea. The excitment of receiving
as well as giving to someone you don't know is adventurous.
I have only been in one and that one didn't turn out too good.
I followed the rules and was mortified when our package arrived.
It was so loaded up with goodies I was embarrased that I only spent
1/2 that amountbutover the amount required. Plus I never got a thank
you. I guess I didn't spend enough for the receiving party! Although I
purchased the colors and things her little girl requested.
Personally I think too much is spent on gifts. One special gift is enough
to get excited over IMO. One specific item, color and size is enough
IMO for a successful exchange. It's fun shopping for the opposite gender
as well. We don't go in it any longer. I think it's just gotten out of control
in the way of spending and requesting items. Food allergies of course
need to be told to prevent receiving items not usuable.
I am glad so many still enjoy the exchange.
I wonder just how many no longer do it for the reasons mentioned above.

Just to be clear, and I believe I'm speaking for most people who have signed up already, I would love to get something I specifically asked for, or something similar, but I would never expect it. And when I list a lot of stuff, I assumed that someone would take one or two items from the list and use that as a starting point for things to make/buy. I listed a couple of things I liked from go-fetch, so maybe someone will see that and get some belly bands, but from a different vendor. Or they do something completely different. It's all good. I would feel terrible if someone spent money they didn't have buying Thor an expensive gift.

I don't want to squash the people who do love putting together incredible boxes... maybe we can make a collective pact to oooh and aaaah over EVERY gift box and appreciate the thought that went into it?

I can see also splitting the GE ranges, maybe from $20-$50, and $50+. Assuming that's not too much of a headache for admin.

As for me, I am not creative, and can't make anything. All I can do is spend money. :p

Archie, isn't it against the rules not to thank your SB? I mean, the SB who didn't thank you?

that is too bad as i have put both of my yorkies in each time and have done 4 or 5 times and have never been disappointed and do not think i disappointed anyone else so really too bad and have had such a great time with the threads and made some new friends I would have never met before and have a ton of laughs each time. I just feel bad for the ones that had a bad experience as luckily I have not at this point and why i continue to do them.

I've been reading this thread and wondering where it would all lead.

First, thank you Admin for all that you do to keep both this site and the various things we do here running. I'm sure the GE is a lot of work. I don't think we can tell you often enough how much your hard work is appreciated.

Second, I , loved, loved, loved participating in the gift exchange in the past, and both times spent more than the minimum $20. I loved shopping for someone elses furbutt, posting pics of the bounty we received each time, and hoping our SB liked their gifts. But in all honesty, I have more recently been a little deterred by the amount of money that is being spent. I would NEVER want to try to stop those who can afford to do so from spending as much as they want...but I do like the idea brought up in the previous post of splitting the GE into ranges. I don't know how much work that would create for admin, but it seems like a viable alternative that might allow more to participate.

i am not creative either but i am a good shopper lol - I think it would be too hard to do the two exchanges and people should just do what they can do and what might look real expensive may not always be if people are finding real good deals. I think the whole idea is for it to be fun and to meet people we normally would not meet and have some laughs and try to be creative and I know for me i like buying doggy stuff and love to spoil the fur butts. I am always amazed at all the creative people. I have had a great experience each time. I would be hurt too if someone did not post a thank you as that is just disrespectful but most people always post a thank you thread. No one should feel pressured to do it as it is suppose to be fun and only if you are in the place financially to do it as this is a hard time for alot of people and this is one of those extras so if it is not the right time then there is always other exchanges when times are better.

Aww how sweet!!! I just know somewhere someone is going to find them OR someone is going to give up their used ones!!! :D

Thank you for looking!!

lol i was so bummed as tried so hard - i am not giving up though :)

Amanda, I sincerely appreciate you starting this thread. It has been a wonderful sharing of information and I sincerely appreciate Admin for his/her:confused: contributions and clarifications. Since reading Admin's post it has really encouraged me to think about doing this exchange.

GO FOR IT, GIRL! :p

One of the reasons why I don't do the GEs is that we do have a long list of don'ts and I feel like it would just be too hard for our buddy. At the same time, I am not willing to compromise on what Ellie gets and if it is all going to end up being donated anyway, I'd just go to the petstore and fill up a box to send. If I am sending a box to someone for their Yorkie and the understanding is that in return we get a box for Ellie, I wouldn't want to just go and donate all of the stuff.

I kind of like seeing long don't lists because I like that people are picky about what their dogs get. Now in Ellie's case I just feel like it is way too excessive and unfair because we do no food, treats, chews, etc. and the rest of what she does get I am very picky about.

I will tell you that the long lists intimidate me, and it makes me uncomfortable to get a name where they have listed specific expensive items. When I started doing the GE's the intent and purpose was for people to send small fun gifts (remember the suggested $20.00 spending amoung) to someone you don't know. This isn't a direct quote from Admin, but close.

So with the original intent of the GE in mind, I have decided that I will most definately participate this go 'round. :D I sincerely hope that who ever receives my gift will be well pleased and will understand that I had a BLAST shopping for them.

LOL I hit submit too soon and didn't have time to "edit'.


I just wanted to add that I hope that EVERY member who wants to participate do so at the level they feel comfortable participating. Those who like to make lists and do hint threads should have a ball doing that..... and those who don't should also be welcomed to participate as long as they adherre to the GE guidelines setforth by Admin.

Great posts chattiesmom! :goodpost: I want to second what you said! Reading through everyone's responses left me feeling encouraged, so much so that I signed Zoë up for the GE! Like you said, I just hope that whoever we get knows that I had fun putting everything together and I hope they enjoy it and appreciate that if nothing else a lot of love was put in to it! :)

you should not feel this way at all as there are alot of things you can do for people who have don't lists and maybe if someone has a sick baby as i have two and deal with ibd, pancreatitis, allergies, mvd and hypothyroid they would understand more so just as i do when someone has a don't list. I think you should definitely join as it is a lot of fun and i am never offended by don't and do lists and would feel bad that someone who has a dog with health issues such as mine do cannot join in a fun part of having their yorkie. This has definitely taken the pressure off of me with mine and i refuse to not join just because my dog has health issues and has do's and don't for them as that is not right as this is alot of fun and for people who deal with sick yorkies it adds some laughter and fun into the day to day health issues we deal with. I think those that have dogs with health issues can better understand that I think.

If you do not want to read the posts then you can go into the picture section, sick and health section, etc and not just new posts or pm admin to remove you from exchange posts as stated by admin. Why ruin it for the people who do hint threads and have alot of fun with it during the exchange as that is part of the fun of the exchange. Glad admin has an option for those individuals.

good for you as you will have a lot of fun as we always do :)

Thanks! That's what I'm hoping! :woof: (We're really excited!)

I am glad that I started this thread. Yes, there were some not-so-nice comments, but I'm a big girl and can take it. We ALL have opinions and should be allowed to express them regardless of whether or not we have done this or done that. I think that there are very constructive comments on this thread and if anything, it has let everyone see different sides to this. Like I said before- I have absolutely no qualms with the don't in relation to health issues. We too deal with food intolerances and allergies. They are not fun and it is very important to stay on a strict diet. For those of you who have long lists of dont buy's in regards to health concerns, I say for all means post them!

I am still considering joining, and hope that the gift exchange will maybe be re-focused on the giving part instead of the recieving. I know I was excited to join, and already had a plan for exactly what I was going to purchase for my SB. But then when I went through the sign-ups and I did get frustrated because I felt like I was being told what to buy.

Soooooooooooo. What I have learned from this thread: Buy what you want to buy and be thankful for whatever you recieve, eh? ;)

:goodpost: I sincerely hope that I see your name when I sign up late late tonight or in the wee morning hours. I agree with you 100%. I have always focused on the giving and have been grateful for all of the gifts that I have received.

I don't want you to spoil the surprise, and maybe I'm not all that imaginative, but what gift would be perfect for every single yorkie in GE? I don't want to start this whole debate all over again, but just as people shouldn't be rigid in what they expect to get, it would be a shame if someone buys a gift with no thought about who they are giving it to. I mean, I could buy a bunch of bows and send them to a dog that doesn't wear them, and expect them to be grateful that I sent anything at all... but that doesn't seem to be in the spirit of giving.

...WOW

There are several members who participate in the GE and have gifts already bought months before. They send great boxes too.

Sheesh, I'm just asking. Please help me in my ignorance, what have some of those gifts been?

In the spirit of receiving, please understand that most of us have signed up for the GE with the intent to purchase items that our buddies will enjoy. There are a lot of gifts that are fairly generic - blankets, bows, etc. and I cannot imagine a gracious member not being happy with a gift sent "from the heart" as long as it fulfills the requirements set forth by Admin :) .

I, hope that we can focus on the GIVING - that each member can be allowed to GIVE according to their budget, and shop according to their style and time constraints. I have a huge box of brand new goodies that I purchase when I find "good deals" and I will be doing a lot of shopping from my own personal Treasure Chest.

I have participated in 7 or 8 GE's maybe more and this has always been my style. I have yet to have a receipent that wasn't THRILLED with the gift they received from me.

Add me to this list. I have most of my shopping done - I have several boxes of BRAND NEW ITEMS that I purchase and stash away for the sole purpose of giving ......

Never mind.. I give up. You guys will have a great time though and I will look forward to seeing all of your surprises.

That makes perfect sense to me. Way beyond my planning abilities, so my hat is off to you. :) I'm sure your gifts have been lovely.

Maybe I misunderstood, but presumably you are still looking through your box of goodies with an eye on the actual yorkie in question, not just saying "I'm sending bows and that's that."

At the risk of sounding rude, why can't we just have faith and believe in our fellow members that they will "do the right thing" with the gift exchange and not question. Let's maintain a positive attitude and ass/u/me that everyone who signed up did so to have fun and participate at a level they feel comfortable with.