YT's GE's minimum spending limit

[linda44]

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!

[miabellaamoure]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

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.

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

Come join us for some fun!

[MadDeDo]

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

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
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
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.

VERY VERY well said!!!

[ArmaniMan]

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.

[Lil Sis]

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

[jadabug]

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

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!!!

[capt_noonie]

That is a really good idea.

[Bitsy]

I agree...good idea.

[Jinger]

Originally Posted by Bitsy

I agree...good idea.

[JMuedog]

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.

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by JMuedog

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.

[Evenflo09]

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!

[Danirenae]

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!

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!!!!

[dkcombs]

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.

[courtney1121]

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.