Sounds like fun!
 

I've been reading in this forum and it seems like this is a really fun place to be! I "think" I have figured out that SB means "secret buddy." What I have "for sure" understood is that this involves shopping and opening presents which are two of my favorite things and no doubt will influence Taffy's excitement!

I still have a couple of questions that I couldn't find answered in the FAQ's nor the other threads I've read in this section. Is this a month-long surprise event building up to the grand event of the big package or is the exchange the only time a surprise is sent? (Not trying to reinvent the wheel here...just don't want to slight our buddy. The only time I've ever done a secret pal was for a whole year so of course it meant more than one surprise. However, I think I'm understanding that this is a one-time, major package and the match-ups of buddies are redone each quarter, right?)

The other thing I'm not clear on is the mention of "hints." Could someone please explain that, please? I'm game for anything and look forward to the fun it will be to make a goody box for a secret friend but I don't want to reveal something by mistake that I shouldn't. I'm guessing that the secret buddy does not know until the package is received but is it revealed then or in a separate way such as on this board or in another mailing?

How soon after the sign-up deadline do you usually get the name of your secret buddy? Also, how is it told...private message? (I'm asking about the time line to try to figure out if there will be time to order something personalized.)

One other thing...who should be getting the thanks for the setting up and notifying? I know this is an undertaking and I appreciate the effort and time put into it!

Taffy and I are both excited about participating in the Sweet Sixteen!

Part I
 

In only :animal-pa:animal-pa:animal-pa:animal-pa days, I get to meet our :dogsm5: that I've been :dreaming: about for months.

I am so :yay_jump: that I can't even :dogzzz:these days.

Part II
 

To think that in :animal-pa:animal-pa:animal-pa:animal-pa:animal-pa days our :angel2: will be in our

:doghouse: is almost too :cool: for school!

Part III
 

I could be :( because no one has replied, but I guess others

are :confused:, too. This must be one of those learn-as-you-do experiences.

I'm :thumbup: with that! :)

I have no answers for you but id like to add a couple questions if ya dont mind...

Have signups started yet? And if not when are they????

Does anyone know what the rules are yet? When did you have to join YT to be able to participate??

Part IV
 

I'll let you in on a little :secret: though.


Even while I am waiting for :Pawprint: on my :love:, I'm already

planning :exclaim: for our secret :hug:.

Part V
 

Just you wait :wavey: ....

Well, maybe you should :bee: prepared....


You are going to be so :woof:, you are going to


think that :birthday2

Who'd have thought there was a limit on the icons you could use in a post? I won't even address the time I've "wasted" playing with this..LOL

As far as I can ascertain...

1) Sign-ups appear to be starting on April 1.

2) I think you have to have 100 posts, be a donating member, and have to have been a member for one month prior.

3) The only rules I've been able to figure out (except for what I put in #2) is that there is a deadline date to mail the gift and that the minimum is $20.

Of course, since I'm totally new at this, too, any or all of the above responses could be incorrect.

Now to prevent a divorce before we even get our puppy, I've got to get off the computer and "pretend" to be Suzy Homemaker seeing as how our house is not yet puppy-proofed.

thank you !! I cant wait... :) so how much money do most people spend?

Sorry, that I can't even begin to guess. From looking at some of the packages, I'd say quite a bit! However, some of the gifters are very artsy and crafty and possibly make their own special gifts.

Although I want so badly to be an artist or craftsman, the only talent I have ever discovered is talking....LOL

I just love words.....whether I'm reading them, saying them, or typing them!

yah i was gonna say... those gifts i see on here look a LOT more expensive then 20 bucks.. I wish a veteran would add some input!

Well I'll just tell you what I've done....lol and it's probably not what you wanna hear...I OVERSPEND every single time!!! LOL

BUT that is NOT REQUIRED!!! The minimum is like 20-25.00.. That is ALL you are required to spend. No ONE expects that you break yourself...and like I've said other places...ALOT of people are very creative...and make gifts for their little buddies!

However, if you aren't talented, like me.....surely you can find a BARGAIN...hehe that's my talent!! Bargain shopping!! That way you don't have to break yourself...but you can get several things for a reasonable cost! And remember....you will have someone out there shopping and possibly even making your baby something special!!!

GOOD LUCK!!! And let the games begin!!!

:grin2: :sidesplt: :laugh: You've surely got the gift of gab...what I'm so curious abut is...how does admin select our SB...does anyone know?:D

I have heard that it's completely random!!

LOL...I have heard that before...LOL

I don't know how they are chosen but I would imagine it would have to be just a random match-up. More than likely it's like we used to draw names at school in the "old days" before girls brought girls' gifts and boys brought boys'. They'd only have to be sure that a Yorkie didn't get matched to him/her self. (Of course, they may sift out those with certain factors trying to prevent as many international swaps as possible since shipping is so expensive.) For their sake, I would hope there is some program that makes the match-ups easier than what I visualize.

Yep, the rules say randomly by computer.

I would really like to know the answer to that one too. I found where the question has been asked but no one has really answered. I did read on the rules that $20 is the minimum and people are free to go over that but no one should expect it. Yet, I see by the sign ups people are asking for items that individually cost $30-$50 and then several items are mentioned. I don't want to short-change my SB but I can't put together any $200 package either.

I had ordered a couple of items that I thought were cute for a GE when I got some things for Ben last week. But with people being so specific as to what they want and what they don't want, I don't know if I can even use them. It looks like the first-timers are less picky. We just want to play! LOL! And we are going to have fun doing it!

No, don't worry, you're not the bearer of bad news. I wrote Admin and explained that we owned our Yorkie but had been delayed in picking her up due to NASCAR races near our breeder. We were unable to get lodging and we are 6-7 hours away. Admin is graciously letting us participate.

I agree! I just think it will be a really fun thing to do. It's always fun to create a surprise for someone else. As far as specific things, there are a few limited things that I don't want (like snakes) for strictly personal reasons but I know the process will be fun. I don't have a problem with others enjoying/liking those cross and skullbones garments, etc. but I can't get past the old mentality of them being the symbol for poison...LOL (I know I'm weird like that...thoroughly modern in some things but so "backwards" in others.) My extra info will be things I "please" don't want rather than do want. I;ve been doing like you...when I order our Yorkie something, I've added another (if affordable) but I'm waiting to see who we get before picking a garment. I've primarily bought non-gender toys so far but I've noticed some don't want toys either...LOL If I get someone who doesn't want toys, I'll just be that farther ahead on the next gift exchange. Sooner or later, it's bound to even out...LOL

Meant to add...

One of the things I have enjoyed in the past threads of the GE's is the post about the packages. I really enjoy seeing the creative graphics and such of the recipients showing their presents.

I'm thinking (and hoping...LOL) this will give me that added push to finally learn how to use my digital camera (Christmas gift) and camcorder. I look at the directions and then put it away again so maybe this package will give me the extra nudge I need to learn to use them...LOL

From what I have surmised already...the camera will take videos and the video will take still pictures so it already looks like I didn't need them both! Who knew????

Can't wait to get our SB!
 

Glad you owned your yorkie in time! -- Just boarding him a little longer! I was thinking you were going to hate hearing that. Now, no worries!

I am with you on the skull and crossbones thing. I have not quite got into it either -- reminds me of death. Guess I should have mentioned that in my GE listing. I don't mind the ones saying they don't like something in particular or the ones that their yorkies can't eat some things. But I priced a couple of the designer outfits that were asked for and WOW! (example: Could not find one Monkey Daze item of clothing for less than $30. Monkey Daze sleeper -- $49.95, Monkey Daze Vest --$65.99, MD denim skirt $49.95).

It would be nice if we had a price range to stay within. I do want to put together a great package with some variety, one that the SB and SB parent will both love and still put beans on the table at home ;). I think I am getting a pretty good idea by looking through past packages though. It won't be a problem once I find out who to buy for.

I wish we didn't have to wait so long to get our SB. I stopped by Petsmart today and it was hard not to buy a bunch of extra things. But I decided to wait in case I do get one with specific desires. Maybe Admin could go ahead and match people up after every 20 or so signups, then we could get busy buying. (Hint,hint!) I would love to get a SB puppy, ... or a girl, ... or a boy....lol! It will all be fun!

Our take on it
 

I suppose you could call Tucker & I veterans. We have done quite a few years of the GE. We will offer our opinion on this topic, but keep in mind everyone views this differently. As far as price goes, most people expect more like $50 worth to be honest. This is what most spend, and then it usually goes up from there. With the price of yorkie items, $20 wouldn't amount to much, maybe three items. Even though the rules say no one expects more, I don't think this is true. I wouldn't feel good about spending only that amount knowing from experience that we are likely to get a package worth much more. Sometimes I think it would be a good idea to segment the exchange into different categories to make it more likely for buddies to get gifts closer to the ones they send out, but that's another topic.

If you are on a budget, the best strategy is to put more time into your package, like looking for items on sale/clearance, or using your own creativity to buy materials and then make things that would be more expensive if purchased at a retail store or online. You will see that a lot of the venders on yorkie talk have sales for the GE too. The trick is to give your buddy a package with a lot of value, but not spend as much money because you spent the time to either make the items or find them on sale. Let's say instead of buying a topknot bow for $2 or $3, you buy $1 worth of material and look online for guides on how to make bows and then do it yourself. You only spend $1, but give you buddy $3 worth of a gift. See? I usually spend about $50-$60, but the value of the package is closer to $100 or so if my buddy would just walk into a boutique and purchase the same items.

So in conclusion, if you use creativity, and do a bit of searching, you can give your buddy a great package on a budget. What really matters is that your heart is in it. Tucker and I have never been disappointed, because we could tell from every gift we've ever received that a lot of effort and love was put into our gifts. I always set aside extra money in my "entertainment" budget for the exchange, cause it really is a lot of fun!!

Hope this helps! :)

Yes -- thank you, that does help. That is about what I figured but it took a lot of combing through old GE threads to see examples of GE packages, nice to see someone post it. I sure did not want to send a "puny" gift. But once you start buying a few things, it is easy to see that there is NO WAY you can stay in the $20-30 range. There are just too many things that "have" to go in the package. :) I already have several really cute items, that any Yorkie would love, and I haven't even got a name to personalize the gift yet!

Question though, why don't they just up the GE amount to something like $50-$100? Just an idea. But maybe I had just better enjoy the GE as it is and shut up. :D I am already having fun -- just the anticipation of who we're going to get and what else we can buy is fun enough! The gifting is just icing on the cake.

I liked that you said: "What really matters is that your heart is in it." That is what's important!

I have looked at the thread where people post about what they got...Most of those gift packages looks like alot of money and time went into making them. I won't be able to do it this time around. However i hope to next time. Im gonna start keeping an eye out for stuff tho :-) It sounds so fun and exciting.

I admit I always go OVERBOARD....I worry my HUBBY will eventually BAN me from the GE's..LOL but they are a BLAST.....hopefully you can join us next GE....in July I think!!!:D I'm planning on making something this time for my buddy...LOL sorry buddy if it isn't the best!! LOL