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.