Like I said .. the people posting here are not the problem.

I would add, the most disappointing part of the last ge to me was the HOURS I spent trying to find my sb to find out she never ever posted a clue!! I know I am being silly..sorry.

I guess we all have to look at why we enter the ge.. if it is to have fun with clues and making a box that is great!! If it is based on what we get them we will never have a guarantee on what we get and may be disappointed. Raising the limit will only help if there is a way to enforce it

I agree with this, Shinja. I've been in two GEs (with FANTASTIC buddies, BTW), and it appears almost all boxes are "worth" well over $100 (I refuse to incriminate myself as to how far over that I've enjoyed going! :)). It's not the money, though. It's just so much fun reading, planning, hinting, hunting, finding, and making or picking up unique things that fit into a "theme" for our buddy. Envisioning each pup loving their loot, hoping that the "moms" feels loved and special is the best part! The minimum is tricky, because I can imagine someone spending less, yet leaving their buddy feeling very special and loved and with treasured items.
Overall, it seems like a $50.00 minimum would still be far below what most spend, but would dissuade a person or two from participating just to "receive".
Maybe along with a $50 min. a new "Statement" that encourages people to give in the spirit of the GE...with care and kindness, and with the knowledge that the whole point is the fun and friendship of it. And, not to ONLY just throw together a random, "minimum" box. To be that kind of a buddy...well, it would just show blatant and unattractive greed, and leave behind disappointment and resentment...as we know. :thumbdown
Here's to future GEs full of fun and care! :)

i have heard talk in the past about everyone submitting a fee too YT or Admin of say $25.00 and if they flake out on the GE gift they are banned and the money is used to provide a nice gift to the person from YT. The only problem is getting everyone's $25.00 back to them after the GE when they do send their gifts out....

I think a $50 minimum is fair. I think if you send out teasers you will end up spending the $25 any way. And I only have one home made gift I can make. So I have to depend on others! I do appreciate those who offer the GE discounts! The only problem with a cap Shinja is how can you put a price on the items you make? You are sooooo talented and to me some of those items are priceless. I understand the cap but just not sure how it would work.

I guess the handmade items would be the cost of what you sell them for. But yeah, handmade things really are kind of priceless.

That makes sense. But I don't know if everyone sells the stuff. I make a no sew blanket but have never sold one. Sometimes I think time has to be taken in to consideration too. Shinja made me a blanket that is amazing. I really don't think I could have ever paid her what it was truly worth. I think I got a steal!! :D But I guess you would just have to "guess" what its value would be.

I couldn't agree with this more! So well said and exactly what I have tried to convey previously and not quite as well. I have always said it's not the dollar value on the gifts but all the fun and thought that goes into the GE. Before we get our buddies we should be excited not dreading who we might get or who might have us as a buddy. It's no fun even on the giving side to give to someone who only does the bare minimum knowing they will be screwing over another generous GE participant. We want to see all participants have a fun experience but that is impossible when some that participate for the wrong reasons. All of this makes the GE stressful and not enjoyable. :thumbdown

I'd also like to see some of the former GE participants come back to play. It's a shame they left after being on the receiving end of a few. :(

Warning..long rambling post.. if you want the short version just read the highlighted part!

ok..I am a bit embaressted that my name in on so many replies:cool::rolleyes:
but I am glad that it is good - I think.

I guess you all are right, the cap would not really work. After reading all the post I think you all say what I am trying to say better:D
I think Jen is right.. maybe it is just making a very clear statement about what the ge is about.. maybe each person who enters "signs" and returns to admin or have a "I agree" button before their form is accepted??? It would be away of making each person who enters aware of what is required.

I know my first ge.. I was so nervious that I would do it right. I kept asking a friend (Lisa) is this ok? over and over. I hope Cathy was happy, if not she had the grace to make me feel great !! I so wanted her to like her box. oh.. but the way.. the box I got from Teddy was amazing!!

I have such fond memories of clue and hints with Rhonda and Jen (man.. she is like a dog with a bone when she thinks you are her sb lol). I love the box I received from Rhonda.. the pictures, the cd and the blanket. It is funny because I know she spent a lot on the dresses, the bows and the madin brush.. but what do I remember? The stuff from her heart!!

Little Kami is so beautiful, it was such fun planning her box!! Her mommy - Nicki- is a sweetheart.

Now.... that is the memories that we all should have. I laughed until I cried reading the clues and hints that Jodi and Karen were posting. It was the highlight of my day.

Sorry-- talking too much!! But the point I want to make is it is a shame that the negative actions have to spoil that. Don't get me wrong, I was upset and I do understand why people drop out. I honestly think some of the people who have sent what some other member think are "bad" boxes know that is how they are viewed. I don't have an answer for that either. Others are just.. well.. don't have a word for it.

Rasing the min will help in that it makes a "statement". I also hope just having this thread and having people post will show all what it is about.
Please let's not lose the sprit of what the ge is.

I think the minimum should be raised to $50. I don't care if there is a cap or maximum, it doesn't matter to me, I am going to spend what I think makes the box look good, and I make a lot of items so don't count them in my spending.

Although I have never participated in a GE I have to agree about increasing to $50. I love buying things for my baby and it's hard to find more than a couple of things for $25.
Every time the GE comes around, I think I would like to try it but don't know how it works or anything about it. How does one know what their SB likes. Seems to be a lot to learn about a GE:) I just know that by reading some of the posts, that it seems like a lot of fun.

LOL!!! I did the same thing to Lisa (Sugarmamma) as the last GE was our first. I sent her countless texts and pics of each thing as I finished it begging her advice :D I would say do you think this is ok, do you think Sherry will like this, do you think I have done enough??? I wanted so badly to make sure my buddy was pleased and I really had a ball with our first GE.
I agree that the $50.00 minimum should be put in place. Heck I had a blast just reading the clues every day.

This was my first GE and I was a basket case. I almost died when I got Shinja. I kept thinking ....what in the world can I do for her? I was so scared because she is so talented. I must say, I did have so much fun making the CD, blanket and scrapbook. The other stuff was just stuff. But I felt the stuff I made was things that could be kept forever. Even though they were not that expensive as far as value goes. After getting past my nervous issues, I loved that we had Remy. Her and Rosie were already KB buddies which made it so much more fun. But keeping it a secret was hard to do. Shinja was quick on her toes when it came to the clues. I on the other hand was completely clueless who Rosie's SB was until she revealed herself!

And the gifts I got in return from my SB were great too. Two favorites of mine is the personalized picture frame and the coffee mug with Rosie's picture on it. Both of these items are things that I will be able to keep forever. :)

I think raising the amount to at least 50 is a good idea, i just didnt want it to scare off 1st timmers that wnted to join in but couldnt afford that much, so maybe 2 different ges is the answer. there have been alot of good ideas brought up here so hopefully admin will be able to decide based on our comments. Ges should be fun for all with no stress. ;)

I like the idea of two GEs. But I think to keep the confusion down and less work for admin, maybe they could switch off, like one month do a $50 min GE, and the next month do a $25 min GE. I think it's kind of hard to do the GE every single month anyway, it's financially and mentally draining LOL, so whoever would want to do the $50 min GE could have a month break inbetween before they do another one and vice versa.

On the receiving end of the GE - what matters as much to me as the physical presents is the fun and thoughtfulness in the selection process and the love packed with the gifts.

When I am on the sending end, I generally start with an empty large flat rate box and then start sewing and shopping. When the box is jampacked full and nothing else will fit, then it's ready to ship. In preparation for gift giving, anytime I find neat stuff I generally buy two or three and add them to my "gifting" stash. That way if I need fillers I can usually find something in a hurry.

I love GE's but the "hint" threads and pm's really stress me out. I am generally so busy sewing during GEs that I don't have a lot of time to devote to that aspect of the GEs. I start off gung ho with the hints and then fizzle out fairly quickly. Then I have a guilt complex, so I have resisted joining in on GE fun. I know the hints, aren't required, but they are a large part of the fun and I certainly wouldn't want my buddy to feel neglected.

With all of this said and done, it is hard to buy a few nice gifts for $25 or even $50 that's why I voted for raising the minimum to $50.00 to put the GE gift giving on a more even keel.

Cindy does this mean youre going to join the fun this time? I think it would be just what you need a little light hearted fun to put a smile on your face!

Now, don't worry...I'm sure we could allow for YT Vendors who join in on the G:2puppy:E's a special pass on the "Hint Threads" cuz, we all know you're very busy :sewmachin making goodies for everyone!

Come join us for some fun!:thumbup::):thumbup:

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: VERY VERY well said!!! :D

I didn't read through this whole thread but I think increasing the limit would be good. I know the two I participated in, I could not stick with the limit and went over by a lot. If I spent $25 I would have sent 1 or 2 things to my buddy. I think some people just want to send a HUGE box and just buy the cheapest things they can find with no thought. I said once before to someone that I wouldn't care if someone sent me ONE thing- if that one thing showed me that they had tried to find something they thought my dog would like. It is kind of disappointing to put time and effort into finding the perfect gifts for your buddy and then getting a bunch of items in your box that have dollar store tags on them, are blatantly used, or are specifically on your list of items your dog cannot have. I don't know if increasing the limits will change this or not. I quickly scrolled through this thread just looking to see who replied- and to me it seems like all the people who did reply to this thread are the ones that are already spending way more then the limit anyway and are really putting thought into their boxes.

I know this is a old thread .. but I had a though. It is "tacky" to ask someone how much they spend but maybe a vote on how much we have spent.

If it is a vote the information would not be connected to a name. The vote could be 1.) how many people spend between $150.00 and $200.00 2.) between $100.00 and $150.00 ... 3.) $75.00 and $100.00 4.) $50.00 and $75.00 5.) $25.00 and $50.00

I bet it would be interesting to see the results if people were honest, and with the voting no one know who vote what. I bet there are more #1 and #2 then most realize!!!

Just a thought

Great idea!!!

That is a really good idea.

I agree...good idea. :thumbup:

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

The poll doesn't show who voted. I purposefully selected to not show how members were voting.

We're just using this as a tool to decide whether or not the spending limit will be changed.

yes... that is my point!! Sometimes people are more likely to vote and to tell the truth if they know it is anonymous. I think it would be interesting at how many people are amazed on how much people really do spend on the ge boxes. Then the decision to raise the limit may make more sense to others.

I'm really new here and not trying to get into anyone's business as I really don't know much about this yet, have never participated in one ever, and won't be able to this year due to serious financial problems, but it sounds like everyone has some great ideas and it does sound like fun with clues and hints and all. I'll sure be willing to participate in future if funds are better for me and it seems like raising the limit is a good idea with the cost of things these days. How about this idea? Why not a master list of guidlines for the gifts? Maybe the requirement for a homemade item, so many store bought items at min-max prices for each, etc, and then maybe last thing on the list say: YOU CAN DO MORE, ADD MORE, MAKE MORE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE AND ADD TO YOUR SB BOX, BUT NOT REQUIRED.THE SKY IS THE LIMIT! Who can put a cap on someone's generosity? Everyone has different opinions on how much is enough. The only things I can home make sometime takes months to do, like cross stitching. Then have this list out each year sometime in Oct. so everyone has time to make their items. If someone can't home make an item, have alternatives for them listed. Don't know if home made goodies to eat are included, but if so, maybe cookies or something, if not, why not a home made card? If there is already a master list like this, please ignore my post,hehehe, but if everyone knows ahead of time what is required to join, it will help them make the decision wether or not to participate. Some people don't have the time during the holidays to home make items or just don't know how. I know you can't MAKE people buy things for certain prices, but just looking at the master list may cut out some of what I've read has been happening. It also sounds like most people here have the most fun picking things out for their buddy and isn't that what Christmas is all about? Thinking of others? Sounds like everyone posting here does this and MUCH MORE already. The only way you can ever make sure people don't get a box that is full of thoughtlessness is either to stop doing it, or ban them for the following year for participating, or maybe have a master gift list, and it all sounds like too much fun to me to stop it!!! Sorry if I've over stepped my bounds, only wanting to help out. I know the written word can sound all wrong, so I'm very sorry if I said anything that comes off wrong., and like I said, just ignore if I'm way off base or there's a list already,hehehe. Happy Turkey Day PEEPS! :)

I had no idea what I got into until I got our SB. lol. I have gone way past the limit my DH set (shhhhh dont tell! lol) and still have more I want to put in my box before it goes out! :eek:

I definitely agree in raising the minimum. There is so much that goes into these boxes! I have spent so much time and thought into every single part of it. I wouldn't trade any of it though. Bella and I have had such a great time doing this and will definitely be signing up again......but next time we are going to be more tricky with our clues!!!! :p

This is also our first GE. It was a learning experience for us but, we have had a wonderful time with all the planning, shopping, and thought that has gone into this. We will deffinately be in another one. It was a lot of fun. But, I am glad I met some wonderful people that gave me the "inside" news of how the GE works. I would like to also see the poll regarding money spent as this would let newbies have an understanding of how it works.

I couldn't even tell you how much I have spent so far but I will say it is wayyyyyy over $50. I think the first 2 or 3 things I bought put me over the limit. I had to charge a toy on my credit card but it was SOOOO worth it because I know my buddy is going to freaken love it! :) Then the boyfriend gets mad that Geno is going to get upset that all these things are getting bought but not for him so then I go and buy a bunch of things for him on top of that hahah Geno is impatient so I have to keep him happy in the meantime before he gets his own box :)

It is really hard to put a limit on people's generosity and obviously the limit is there for a reason. This is my first GE and I feel like everyone involved in it is going to go above and beyond for their buddies. I wish every GE would be like that but obviously nothing is perfect. I like the idea Lil Sis gave about doing a poll to calculate how many people spend between this and that amount. Definitely puts things into perspective.