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

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

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."

To specifically answer your question -- I won't start nosing through my "hoard" until after Admin gives me my buddy. At that time I will shop through my personal items and depending on who my buddy is I may make a few items and then it's off to the online stores for more shopping.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by amandawash

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

I'm not really sure what to say. Maybe I could have asked the question in a better way, but to be honest, I've found several of your posts on this thread to be pretty brusque as well. I've only participated in one GE, why not just take it as a real question?

It's certainly not my intention to keep anyone out of the GE, and I hope everyone who wants to signs up and has a great time.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

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.

You know I love you , but didn't this whole thread get started because of questions? People were saying on page 2, let's just keep it positive and think the best of everyone. Maybe I misunderstood AmandaWash's post, but presumably the whole "we are all entitled to share our opinions" works for everyone, not just the people whose opinions you (generic you, not specific you) happen to agree with.

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by amandawash

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

Amanda, please don't give up. We can have a tremendous amount of fun, participating on the level that we feel comfortable. Please take your que from Admin and the rules that have been set forth for the GE's. In fact, I can't wait for my buddy's name and I haven't even signed Emmitt up yet -- working on that.

[LilMissy]

Originally Posted by amandawash

I have gone to sign up for the GE probably the last four times. I haven't done it yet. I always read through the sign-up thread, get really irritated reading seeing a huge list of instructions, for lack of a better term, and never end up signing up. I feel so offended when someone says "don't buy this, this, this, this, this and this." I only feed holistic, natural treats. I don't like certain toys, and there are some styles of clothes I don't care for. However, I can't imagine signing up with a huge list of "dont's." I am afraid I would end up getting a SB who has made such a list, and I wouldn't have fun shopping because it just seems really ungrateful.

I understand the food allergies, Ranger has an intolerance to turkey, but some of these are just extreme. Really makes me not want to participate To me, if you get something you don't like, donate it to a shelter or re-gift it to someone who will use it. I just don't see the need to be so picky for something that is supposed to be so fun.

There's my vent of the day. Does anyone else feel like this or do I just need to get over it?

I have to admit that I find that all a bit overwhelming too. I thought maybe it was just because I'm new to being a "donating member" and just started looking into all the perks.

[FlDebra]

Originally Posted by amandawash

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

Don't give up Amanda. I hope you sign up and I thank you for getting this topic on the table too. At least I know I am not alone in some of my concerns. There seems to be plenty of others, both first timers and those who used to participate, that have been a little put off by some of the lists too -- and all have said we understand the ones with health concerns, that has never been a problem for anyone to understand. But directing brand names, big ticket items, stores to shop at, etc, was a bit much for me. I think of shopping for others as part of my "gift" because I enjoy it so much. I guess that is part of why the precise lists hit me wrong. But what is presumptuous for one person is obviously okay for another.

Maybe your thread is at least making some think about what message they have sent, maybe when they did not mean to. Some may just have seen other lists and thought they were supposed to be extensive too. Maybe it has made some not take the list as a strict directive and still realize we can buy what we want and take ideas from the list to use as works for us. Maybe it has made some feel easier about participating. I know this has taken some apprehension off my mind. Some have responded that they don't really expect the items they listed, which confuses me but I will take them at their word because I have said things that confused others and never got my true intention across -- so I know it happens.

I, too, have bought a few things that I thought ANY yorkie would want (one is so cute, I keep wanting to post about it, but I won't yet). I can think of lots of items that I used to think any Yorkie would want. But now I see there are some who don't want any toys, or any treats, or any blankets, or any beds, etc. -- just clothes and other high ticket items. So, I may not get to use the few items I pre-bought, and that is okay because, I bet I will get to use them within the next 2-3 Gift Exchanges. So, no harm done.

We will never all agree on most issues here, but I think there are enough people here who do think just as you do, that you will have a ball with the Gift Exchange. That is the way I am looking at it. I am looking forward to putting together a package that my SB will love. I have already done mental shopping for half the people signed up on the list, googled some things and checked the online stores. I am really looking forward to this. I hope you participate -- we'll have a great time!

To show you how different we all are, my 17 year old son thinks this whole idea is crazy and he loves all of our pets as much as I do. He said, why don't you just go out and buy Ben the stuff you want. I told him that would be no surprise and I want the fun of buying for another Yorkie family too.

[Breeze]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

Don't give up Amanda. I hope you sign up and I thank you for getting this topic on the table too. At least I know I am not alone in some of my concerns. There seems to be plenty of others, both first timers and those who used to participate, that have been a little put off by some of the lists too -- and all have said we understand the ones with health concerns, that has never been a problem for anyone to understand. But directing brand names, big ticket items, stores to shop at, etc, was a bit much for me. I think of shopping for others as part of my "gift" because I enjoy it so much. I guess that is part of why the precise lists hit me wrong. But what is presumptuous for one person is obviously okay for another.

Maybe your thread is at least making some think about what message they have sent, maybe when they did not mean to. Some may just have seen other lists and thought they were supposed to be extensive too. Maybe it has made some not take the list as a strict directive and still realize we can buy what we want and take ideas from the list to use as works for us. Maybe it has made some feel easier about participating. I know this has taken some apprehension off my mind. Some have responded that they don't really expect the items they listed, which confuses me but I will take them at their word because I have said things that confused others and never got my true intention across -- so I know it happens.

I, too, have bought a few things that I thought ANY yorkie would want (one is so cute, I keep wanting to post about it, but I won't yet). I can think of lots of items that I used to think any Yorkie would want. But now I see there are some who don't want any toys, or any treats, or any blankets, or any beds, etc. -- just clothes and other high ticket items. So, I may not get to use the few items I pre-bought, and that is okay because, I bet I will get to use them within the next 2-3 Gift Exchanges. So, no harm done.

We will never all agree on most issues here, but I think there are enough people here who do think just as you do, that you will have a ball with the Gift Exchange. That is the way I am looking at it. I am looking forward to putting together a package that my SB will love. I have already done mental shopping for half the people signed up on the list, googled some things and checked the online stores. I am really looking forward to this. I hope you participate -- we'll have a great time!

To show you how different we all are, my 17 year old son thinks this whole idea is crazy and he loves all of our pets as much as I do. He said, why don't you just go out and buy Ben the stuff you want. I told him that would be no surprise and I want the fun of buying for another Yorkie family too.

Great post!

Amanda I hope you sign up too.

[annamalyssa]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

"But directing brand names, big ticket items, stores to shop at, etc, was a bit much for me"

NOW THIS I AGREE WITH! We did the last GE it was our first and to be honest, I was a bit annoyed with those requesting specific carriers, clothes and other items that were as much $160 .. I personally, WOULD NEVER EVER TELL SOMEONE WHERE TO SHOP for my baby.. or WHAT to buy.. Just Guidelines and things he doesn't use or won't use.

We loved EVERYTHING we got from Linda & Kissy in the GE.. & I will say I do Wish that people wouldn't list specific high ticket items... It just isn't polite.

[QuickSilver]

One thing to keep in mind is that the person asking may not know how much the item costs. They might have seen one in passing, or heard about it, and thought it sounded neat. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this, but I asked for a travel case for Thor on our first GE, because I thought that airline-approved meant one of those $20 plastic beige cages with a swing wire door. Now that I've done research, I see that "airline-approved" means a lot of different things and the price of carriers is all over the place.

Anyway, I am not a mind reader and can't say for sure this is what happened, but it's a thought.

[annamalyssa]

Oh no, I wasn't speaking of that at all, I remember in particular a Designer carrier being "mentioned" in the list of wants I meant that type of thing not asking in general but basically saying ...

" I WOULD REALLY LOVE THE Kwigy-Bo Pamela Carrier in Black you can get it here ... http://www.Kwigy-Bo.com "
That carrier retails for $160 and you would have to know that if you are referring people to the site to buy it at.. I find that being inconsiderate as your buddy may be on a budget and feel as if their gifts aren't good enough

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

One thing to keep in mind is that the person asking may not know how much the item costs. They might have seen one in passing, or heard about it, and thought it sounded neat. I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this, but I asked for a travel case for Thor on our first GE, because I thought that airline-approved meant one of those $20 plastic beige cages with a swing wire door. Now that I've done research, I see that "airline-approved" means a lot of different things and the price of carriers is all over the place.

Anyway, I am not a mind reader and can't say for sure this is what happened, but it's a thought.

[yorkiepuppie]

wow, this is an interesting thread.

who knew that a simple idea of gift exchanging could get this complicated?

i think the idea/spirit of GE is simple. to get a gift for your SB and in return get a gift from your SB.

i have never participated in GE before, but i have seen the thank you thread and seen the numerous gifts that people receive from their buddies.

if the guideline says $20 is the min. than i would imagine that you get one or two items, but people are clearly spending more than that.

i think there is still a way that the GE can work and be enjoyable for people. maybe there can be diff. categories that you can sign up for price wise. if you want to spend $20, then you can get a SB who also wants to spend $20. and if you want to spend $100 on gifts, then you can get a buddy who also wants to spend that amount.

i don't know if that would make it super complicated or not. but i don't imagine it would.

as for people listing specific things that they want...maybe that's a little bit overboard? it's really not a surprise if you get what you asked for. (couldn't you just buy/order it yourself?)

just my suggestions, since i do think it is very interesting that a well intended activity can become so complicated

[dwerten]

Originally Posted by yorkiepuppie

wow, this is an interesting thread.

who knew that a simple idea of gift exchanging could get this complicated?

i think the idea/spirit of GE is simple. to get a gift for your SB and in return get a gift from your SB.

i have never participated in GE before, but i have seen the thank you thread and seen the numerous gifts that people receive from their buddies.

if the guideline says $20 is the min. than i would imagine that you get one or two items, but people are clearly spending more than that.

i think there is still a way that the GE can work and be enjoyable for people. maybe there can be diff. categories that you can sign up for price wise. if you want to spend $20, then you can get a SB who also wants to spend $20. and if you want to spend $100 on gifts, then you can get a buddy who also wants to spend that amount.

i don't know if that would make it super complicated or not. but i don't imagine it would.

as for people listing specific things that they want...maybe that's a little bit overboard? it's really not a surprise if you get what you asked for. (couldn't you just buy/order it yourself?)

just my suggestions, since i do think it is very interesting that a well intended activity can become so complicated

I agree as i never thought it was complicated in the past ones i did until this thread popped up - thought it was pretty simple a gift of $20 or more. Now i tend to go over board and probably will continue to do so as i have fun doing it and spoiling others babies and get great prices in california we have a ton of places to get for good prices as well as online and ebay. I shop all year round and save up for the exchanges. I guess we could add a line on our sign up that says do not spend over $20 on me as i only plan to spend $20 if that helps or the price amount and then admin can match the people up with each other - maybe that will work. There are also knock offs to things people want and by people stating what types of things they like you can see that and try to get things like that not necessarily that item. For ex. I like monkey daze items but that does not mean i will not like a $5 item on ebay that is a jean dress so the items people post give ideas what people like. I was on another exchange and the person said no long sleeve shirts, no treats, no toys, so i found things they would like. It really is not that hard or complicated and i have never seen anyone disappointed unless those people are not signing up either. I just think this whole thing has gotten way blown out of proportion sadly and quite frankly it is ruining it for the people that have done this for a long time. I have put in there that i like chloe bella, chattiesmom, tinkerbell's closet and go fetch as i like to support the people on this group so should we not do that as some of their items are expensive as well. Sorry to sound bad but I never thought me spending alot of money on gifts for other people would be so hurtful to others as I had a ge buddy die in january of liver shunt and i was so happy i could have spoiled him and made him happy his last few months here and the mom as well so i am glad i spoiled them as it was something they have to remember the little guy by so it is not always what it seems and i do not think anyone here is being mean or vindictive in stating what they like or dislike and think it is giving people an idea of what they will use and quite frankly i do not like wasting my money on things people will not use or will turn around and donate as i want them to enjoy the gifts i get.

[twalla]

Ive done a few GE's and it looks as if I spend a load but I dont. I am a good shopper and as I find things on sale, I stock up when I have the extra funds. Somethings that retail for $15, I may have paid $1 for, if that!

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by twalla

Ive done a few GE's and it looks as if I spend a load but I dont. I am a good shopper and as I find things on sale, I stock up when I have the extra funds. Somethings that retail for $15, I may have paid $1 for, if that!

Twalla, will you be my Personal Shopper

[twalla]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Twalla, will you be my Personal Shopper

Give me your cell phone and when I come across deals, I will call you and ask if you want me to pick you up some!!