Why does this bother me so much? Vent...

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by txrosegirl

i have never joined a GE (yet). was going to after i first became a donating member but honestly, i got overwhelmed with looking over the thank-you threads i would DEFINITELY participate if there was a maximum spending limit in place but there is only a minimum. i know i would not be able to spend hundreds of dollars in gifts and i see all these wonderful and exciting gifts and i just feel like my GE buddy would be very disappointed but too polite to say anything and i would feel about an inch tall

i know this is *my* personal issue and may be unwarranted considering i have not yet participated but i have yet to see a thank-you thread where i think the person has spent less than $100.

and i really think this may be why less and less people are participating. the GE gifts have just gotten so wonderfully extravagant.

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!

[txrosegirl]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

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!

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

[twalla]

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.

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by twalla

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.

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

[LDandPasquale]

Originally Posted by twalla

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.

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

[twalla]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

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

how funny, ive not seen this thing. Interesting!

Originally Posted by LDandPasquale

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

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!!

[admin]

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

I guess I am a bit of a hypocrite, as I have often thought the same thing but end up listing the things my Yorkie "can't" have or "can't use". I think this is more of a question for admin, as to the purpose behind the following question in the sign up thread:

"Anything extra I want my Gift Exchange Pal to know about my Yorkie (please mention anything your Yorkie doesn't like or doesn't want or can't eat) -"

If it is not considered politically correct to list the "doesn't like or doesn't want or can't eat" then why include the question?

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!

[chattiesmom]

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!!!

[linda44]

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.

[TOY]

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

[yoon714]

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

[yoon714]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

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!

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

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by TOY

Granted this is my first GE but I have had secret pals in other settings before and have had a career of guiding kids in their giving gifts to the person whose name they've drawn.

My theory in giving gifts and receiving gifts from others is quite simple. Realize that you are not going to get the gift of your wildest dreams...it simply isn't possible with financial limitations. Likewise, you are not going to be giving your person the gift of their fantasy. Once you "accept" that philosophy, you are freed to enjoy the process of both giving and receiving.

I think of it more as a chance to spread a little sunshine in someone's daily life. The thrill of the gift is primarily the surprise. It's that unexpected random gift of kindness that makes the impression not the cost of the gift nor even its uniqueness.

I've never gone into any secret pal type experience expecting to be blown away with what I received. As an adult with my own income, I pretty much buy what I want whenever I want it. I suspect most of us do regardless of our finanacial status or the state of the economy.

The true excitement and fun in any of these type activities I have done has been in the planning and plotting to "make someone's day." I've truly better understood the adage that it's more blessed to give than to receive when I've participated in something like this GE.

When I first saw the lists I must admit I did a double take but then I realized that we are all strangers to each other. In any other situation, we would know things about each other just from general contact. Here we rely on a few likes/dislikes shared in writing with no facial expressions or tone/inflection to offset the words.

I have no doubt that anyone participating will be gracious and thankful in what they receive. I base that expectation on the fact that we are all adults. I hope that it encourages us to "play it forward" in other aspects of our lives by doing unexpected, nice surprises for others. Therein lies the true value of an experience like this...

You have a way w/words...

Originally Posted by Wabbit

I was actually only speaking OF ONE person that I thought was being unnecessarily rude...LOL (emilyann)

Sorry that all you others took my comment personal!!

About the Hint threads...who cares...do it ...don't do it...what's the big deal really? Takes too much effort to overlook them??? LOL

I think the reason this thread had bothered me..is that the ones being the most critical aren't even participating....And (Chattiesmom....I was never referring to you) so I ask again......while not joining the GE......why sit around talking about everything you don't like about it?

If you don't like it...don't join...but it still feels like people are raining on our parade...now I'm starting to think I don't want anything to do with the dang thing myself.....
Thanks.

Oh no! Tammy, you mustn't...what if you get Mimi & me?

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.

[Hotel4Yorkies]

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

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by Hotel4Yorkies

I think you should give from the heart and recieve with graciousness.

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?