Who's in Who's thinking????

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by jencar98

I've thought about joining and decided the entire process requires more than I can give. Things have changed so much with the GE, the fun is lost for me now with all of the expectations. What used to be a simple, fun exchange of a couple of gifts, and getting to know another member, has turned in to a cumbersome, almost competitive event, that caused me more stress than fun. Between the shopping, wrapping, packing, mailing, hint and thank you threads, thank you Smileboxes/videos, pictures, overall costs, doubting I've been generous enough, and finally the inevitable "someone not being done right" and subsequent complaint threads, the magic of the GE is gone for me.

I know the first couple were so much fun.. then they became stressful.
I was one of the members who did not receive a box.. well it came very very very late.. I was hurt of course but the generosity of everyone else more then made up for it.... I cried a lot from how wonderful everyone was. There were a lot of hateful comments made toward my sb..I guess this was a common practice for but admin took care of it.

I thought about it and I was in the last ge because.. well I could not control what others did or didn't do.. just what I do. So I was determine to have fun and not stress... well until I got one of my bff on yt as my buddy I did go a little overboard because I WANTED to and because she has done it for me so many times.

I will be in another ge when the time is right for me. I will go in and I will be me and I will have fun! I do like to spoil and I agree sometimes the pressure is on to do too much -- but I have decided if I do the ge it is because I want to spoil someone else the minute I think about what I get back it becomes different. That is my opinion

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

I know the first couple were so much fun.. then they became stressful.
I was one of the members who did not receive a box.. well it came very very very late.. I was hurt of course but the generosity of everyone else more then made up for it.... I cried a lot from how wonderful everyone was. There were a lot of hateful comments made toward my sb..I guess this was a common practice for but admin took care of it.

I thought about it and I was in the last ge because.. well I could not control what others did or didn't do.. just what I do. So I was determine to have fun and not stress... well until I got one of my bff on yt as my buddy I did go a little overboard because I WANTED to and because she has done it for me so many times.

I will be in another ge when the time is right for me. I will go in and I will be me and I will have fun! I do like to spoil and I agree sometimes the pressure is on to do too much -- but I have decided if I do the ge it is because I want to spoil someone else the minute I think about what I get back it becomes different. That is my opinion

I always joined because I love to shop and spoil someone, it was never about what gift(s) I received. Although, I am sure not receiving a box would be very disappointing. A big part of the stress for me was the time consumed with all of the details and expectations of others (or my perceived expectations of others).

The hint threads although fun for some, require a lot of time if you're to participate with all threads. When I didn't have time to participate on those threads, I felt like I was letting down the others. Then I would feel inadequate with a thank you thread containing a few pictures when others were making elaborate Smileboxes. So, I would make a video, purchase music, spend hours editing and get stressed out because I was taking too long and not getting my thank you posted in a timely manner.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by jencar98

I always joined because I love to shop and spoil someone, it was never about what gift(s) I received. Although, I am sure not receiving a box would be very disappointing. A big part of the stress for me was the time consumed with all of the details and expectations of others (or my perceived expectations of others).

The hint threads although fun for some, require a lot of time if you're to participate with all threads. When I didn't have time to participate on those threads, I felt like I was letting down the others. Then I would feel inadequate with a thank you thread containing a few pictures when others were making elaborate Smileboxes. So, I would make a video, purchase music, spend hours editing and get stressed out because I was taking too long and not getting my thank you posted in a timely manner.

I hate that you have felt that way. . They should be fun and not stressful. In my opinion, it doesn't matter if there is 50 pictures or 5 pictures. I think doing the basic Smilebox is just fine. As far as the hint threads, it is nice when there are lots of hints, however, I think it is just fine if there is not. I think we are putting too much on ourselves trying to make everything perfect. I think the goal needs to be to make it fun! Not strive for perfect. Just my opinion. Another thing I have thought would be good is a cap on the spending. That might take the pressure off on some as well. I know it s hard when gifts are homemade but maybe count them as what you would sell them for. Again, just my opinion.

[jadabug]

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

I know the first couple were so much fun.. then they became stressful.
I was one of the members who did not receive a box.. well it came very very very late.. I was hurt of course but the generosity of everyone else more then made up for it.... I cried a lot from how wonderful everyone was. There were a lot of hateful comments made toward my sb..I guess this was a common practice for but admin took care of it.

I thought about it and I was in the last ge because.. well I could not control what others did or didn't do.. just what I do. So I was determine to have fun and not stress... well until I got one of my bff on yt as my buddy I did go a little overboard because I WANTED to and because she has done it for me so many times.

I will be in another ge when the time is right for me. I will go in and I will be me and I will have fun! I do like to spoil and I agree sometimes the pressure is on to do too much -- but I have decided if I do the ge it is because I want to spoil someone else the minute I think about what I get back it becomes different. That is my opinion

Originally Posted by jencar98

I always joined because I love to shop and spoil someone, it was never about what gift(s) I received. Although, I am sure not receiving a box would be very disappointing. A big part of the stress for me was the time consumed with all of the details and expectations of others (or my perceived expectations of others).

The hint threads although fun for some, require a lot of time if you're to participate with all threads. When I didn't have time to participate on those threads, I felt like I was letting down the others. Then I would feel inadequate with a thank you thread containing a few pictures when others were making elaborate Smileboxes. So, I would make a video, purchase music, spend hours editing and get stressed out because I was taking too long and not getting my thank you posted in a timely manner.

I think these are all great points and I agree with all of the above. I just love spoiling our GE buddies and it is so much fun. I think we all need to relax and have fun, be yourself and send a box for your buddy from your heart. We need to enjoy the fun that comes along with participation, without worrying if you can meet or beat what everyone else does.

I don't think that getting big elaborate boxes are what makes the GE fun...simple, thoughtful and from the heart gifts are the ones that are the most memorable for me.

[jencar98]

I would actually love it, if I could just send out a box to someone, spoil them and then, have to do nothing more. I wouldn't want nor expect a gift in return. lol...guess it wouldn't be a gift "exchange" then, hmm?

[jltwigg10]

Originally Posted by jadabug

I think these are all great points and I agree with all of the above. I just love spoiling our GE buddies and it is so much fun. I think we all need to relax and have fun, be yourself and send a box for your buddy from your heart. We need to enjoy the fun that comes along with participation, without worrying if you can meet or beat what everyone else does.

I don't think that getting big elaborate boxes are what makes the GE fun...simple, thoughtful and from the heart gifts are the ones that are the most memorable for me.

I really liked what you said. We need to just have a good time. Get to know another member that loves the same Angels we do.
I actually got to meet our SB face to face one GE. That was awesome.
I had her open one gift in front of us but that was just because it was breakable and I wanted to make sure it had not gotten damaged. I guess I wanted to see her face too. The rest of it I saw in the Smile Box and was thrilled.

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by jencar98

I would actually love it, if I could just send out a box to someone, spoil them and then, have to do nothing more. I wouldn't want nor expect a gift in return. lol...guess it wouldn't be a gift "exchange" then, hmm?

Jen, when you get that urge, you have my address!

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Jen, when you get that urge, you have my address!

lol......you just hush up and get busy making treats!!

We changed our mind and joined (thanks to some encouraging behind the scenes banter!)

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by jencar98

lol......you just hush up and get busy making treats!!

We changed our mind and joined (thanks to some encouraging behind the scenes banter!)

Thank you for joining - it makes my heart happy

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by jencar98

lol......you just hush up and get busy making treats!!

We changed our mind and joined (thanks to some encouraging behind the scenes banter!)

Good for you!

[Deadbug]

This will be my first GE and I admit, reading this thread I'm wondering what I got myself into. I already have a basic idea what I'm going to do for my SB, but I can't promise I'll be able to post hints every day. I'm still struggling with the smilebox thingy. I've never played with that before so that'll be a new thing for me.

I'm a little worried because I work like a frantic animal, running 2 companies, taking care of 3 kids who are engaged in every sport imaginable, and finding time for my 2 spoiled Yorkies.

While I'm looking forward to getting my SB so I can let the shopping begin (I've actually already begun), I hope I don't let them down in the event life catches up to me and I slack off on posting hints.

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by Deadbug

This will be my first GE and I admit, reading this thread I'm wondering what I got myself into. I already have a basic idea what I'm going to do for my SB, but I can't promise I'll be able to post hints every day. I'm still struggling with the smilebox thingy. I've never played with that before so that'll be a new thing for me.

I'm a little worried because I work like a frantic animal, running 2 companies, taking care of 3 kids who are engaged in every sport imaginable, and finding time for my 2 spoiled Yorkies.

While I'm looking forward to getting my SB so I can let the shopping begin (I've actually already begun), I hope I don't let them down in the event life catches up to me and I slack off on posting hints.

Please don't worry. I joined this GE because it was smaller and because of that it's going to be almost impossible to "give hints" without giving yourself away. I'm thinking maybe one hint a week at the most is what can be expected from me

A lot of what you are reading comes from long time members who participated in early GE's which were fun and low key. As YT grew the expectations of the GE participants became greater and new things that were meant to be fun were introduced, such as hints and sending teaser gifts. The idea of giving a hint and/or sending a teaser gift is a fun idea until it became an unspoken mandatory. Unfortunately, I let the stress of trying to keep up with all the hints take the fun away so I took a long break from participating in the GEs.

I can't wait to get my buddy's name. I think we are all going to have a blast!

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Please don't worry. I joined this GE because it was smaller and because of that it's going to be almost impossible to "give hints" without giving yourself away. I'm thinking maybe one hint a week at the most is what can be expected from me

A lot of what you are reading comes from long time members who participated in early GE's which were fun and low key. As YT grew the expectations of the GE participants became greater and new things that were meant to be fun were introduced, such as hints and sending teaser gifts. The idea of giving a hint and/or sending a teaser gift is a fun idea until it became an unspoken mandatory. Unfortunately, I let the stress of trying to keep up with all the hints take the fun away so I took a long break from participating in the GEs.

I can't wait to get my buddy's name. I think we are all going to have a blast!

You have such a positive attitude toward being in this one! I hope more people see this positive and are influenced by it!

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by BabyGirl Rosie

You have such a positive attitude toward being in this one! I hope more people see this positive and are influenced by it!

It worked for me

I may not be able to do hint threads, but I can still spoil someone's baby!

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Originally Posted by jencar98

It worked for me

I may not be able to do hint threads, but I can still spoil someone's baby!

And someone's baby will be VERY happy!