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

[JMuedog]

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...

Very nicely put!

[emilyann]

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.

This thread was created for VENTING about the GIFT EXCHANGE. It has been asked before WHY people don't sign up for it, I was stating why I don't sign up for it anymore. If you'd rather not see "sitting around talking about what we don't like about it", why do you keep coming back and reading this thread? Not comprehending.

Now to answer your initial reply, I wasn't rude but I can be... I'm tired of you complaining every single time I reply to this darn thread.

Try re-reading where I just quoted you then practice what you're preaching.

Takes too much effort to overlook my opinion? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!111!

I'm out of this thread for good, way too immature for my liking. No way to be civil and give my opinion if I'm just going to be considered "UNNECESSARILY RUDE" for it.

[Breeze]

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.

Many of us that are putting our opinions in this thread "have" been in the GE before, we can have our say too. Don't like it ? Then I guess you can use your own advice and "lookover" our replies.

Maybe if some members thought about other people's feelings as well as their own more would participate and return to the GE's. I think all YT members should be able to have a voice in how they feel about the exchange. Also not all YT members here can be apart of the exchange for various reasons and their feeling should also be taken.

[linda44]

Well I just have to say, Im sorry you guys have negative feelings about the GE, not that your not intitled, I just think its a fun way to do something nice for someone for absolutely no reason other than you want to. As for the hint threads, some do some dont and for me personally, the teasing makes it even more fun, the anicipation isnt for what Im going to recieve but to figure out who the SB is. Anyway like I said, Im sorry you have negative feelings about it, I guess with a forum this large you just cant please all, its impossible.

[Tcarnagie]

Originally Posted by linda44

Well I just have to say, Im sorry you guys have negative feelings about the GE, not that your not intitled, I just think its a fun way to do something nice for someone for absolutely no reason other than you want to. As for the hint threads, some do some dont and for me personally, the teasing makes it even more fun, the anicipation isnt for what Im going to recieve but to figure out who the SB is. Anyway like I said, Im sorry you have negative feelings about it, I guess with a forum this large you just cant please all, its impossible.

I agree with you regarding the hint threads. I have so much fun doing them and love to read and try to guess who has who. I think that also helps add to the excitement.

[piptickle]

LOL! I'm totally NOT fussy about about what Mika can and can't have! Sometimes I feel people might think bad of me because I DON'T have a huge list of DON'TS!!! I still have'nt come across anything Mika can't have, plus since I have two bigger dogs I figure they can finish off anything she's not fussy on. Mika does'nt really wear a huge amount of clothes so I usually put that in because I don't want someone spending loads of money on clothes to sit in the cupboard! And if there's something she needs then |I'll include that in the thread but I always say that we will be happy with anything and we love surprises-and its true!!! It would'nt be much of a "gift" exchange if we all knew what we're getting in advance, might as well just buy it ourselves

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

To continue on my own vent, I hate when you see distant relatives for the holidays, and you both get each other gifts that neither particularly wants. It's like what was the point of that, to keep mediocre gift companies in business?

Last GE I received a bed for Thor, which actually I didn't ask for. It would never have occurred to me to buy something like that for him. Naturally, it is now his favorite place to sleep, and he also uses it to get himself on the couch. It was great to get something he loves so much that I never would have figured out on my own.

_____________


ETA: Don't be sad, Wabbit! You know we're going to have a great time.

Awwww......we are thrilled Thor loves his new bed so much. And, I just love it that something not expected at all is so appreciated!

We had a great GE this last time and would be joining the current GE except with an upcoming Florida trip we're trying to limit our unnecessary spending.

I honestly do believe the sign-up sheets help in guiding GE purchases. Some lists were more specific than others, that really didn't bother me.

[fufufashions]

We have particpated in a ton of GE's and LOVE them!!! I personally don't mind the "don't" list. That way i don't get something the baby can't use or eat. I prefer the don'ts on a list for that reason. Anything else is fair game and i can go shop, shop, shop!! I figure if it isn't on the don't list, i can get whatever i want to get. This makes it easy for me to get whatever i want. I also shop all year long and stock up on generic items that can be used by either male or female so i always have a stash here to pick from. When i see a sale, I stock up even for next year if it is seasonal. I just bought some Easter items for next year. I just keep a box, well, several boxes now, full of special GE items so i shop at home at each GE!!
We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE hand made items from the heart!! My girls aren't picky about much so they are easy to buy for. With 5 all the gifts get used and well loved on!!
IMO, i prefer the don't list. The want list puts a little more pressure as i feel i have to go find whatever is on that list and i would rather pick out those myself to make it a surprise. Like someone said, there is no surprise if they know they are getting their "list". I like to give hand made and/or very unique gifts.
Just have fun!! My girls will go bonkers over anything...even the packaging!

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by emilyann

This thread was created for VENTING about the GIFT EXCHANGE. It has been asked before WHY people don't sign up for it, I was stating why I don't sign up for it anymore. If you'd rather not see "sitting around talking about what we don't like about it", why do you keep coming back and reading this thread? Not comprehending.

Now to answer your initial reply, I wasn't rude but I can be... I'm tired of you complaining every single time I reply to this darn thread.

Try re-reading where I just quoted you then practice what you're preaching.

Takes too much effort to overlook my opinion? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!111!

I'm out of this thread for good, way too immature for my liking. No way to be civil and give my opinion if I'm just going to be considered "UNNECESSARILY RUDE" for it.

This made me laugh....

I've browsed the GE threads and am a little amazed at some of the expensive items requested and I personally hate the hint threads...that seem to comprise the new threads links for a couple of weeks. So I just put those on personal ignore.

Btw whoever suggested a limit...there is one....it's 20 bucks.

[RebelBelle]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Btw whoever suggested a limit...there is one....it's 20 bucks.

I think the poster was suggesting a Maximum spending limit since $20 is the minimum.

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by RebelBelle

I think the poster was suggesting a Maximum spending limit since $20 is the minimum.

Oh I see....

[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?

Yes, I have had buddies with very stringent "can haves" and "can't haves". I found it a lot more expensive to shop for them. So, I went and shopped, had fun, and hoped my buddy understood when the box did not contain a huge number of items.

This is about the fun, and the thought, and we all need to remind ourselves of this.

[Gracie2006]

Originally Posted by JMuedog

Ok, on this subject.... I noticed a couple people don't want toys made in China, but I can't find toys NOT made in China...

Anyone have any idea of what toys are not made in China??

I really want to start shopping!

We have a local Mom and Pop pet store that sells nothing but organic, made in the USA and things made by local people. They are three times more expensive. You know what? I'm happy to shop there and support our local businesses. My GE box just contains fewer items due to the increased cost.

[RebelBelle]

I try not to be too particular when filling out our GE questionaire. However, there are some things that I don't let Jamie have. When we've received those things in the past, I've passed them on to someone who would use them. I do tend to overspend but that's just in my nature. That's why I've tried to limit myself as to how many I sign up for. My 2nd GE was less expensive than my first because we bought some fleece and handmade the bed and blankie. The bed turned out to be our buddy's favorite thing! In my first GE I shopped for a longtime member and in my second I shopped for a new member. I had so much fun both times and really tried to make it special for each of them. For me, getting something in return for Jamie was just the cherry on top, because the real fun was in the giving.

I think that as long as everyone goes into it with an open mind and an open heart then it can continue to be an event that everyone enjoys.

[txrosegirl]

Originally Posted by RebelBelle

I think the poster was suggesting a Maximum spending limit since $20 is the minimum.

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.