Keeping it real...

[brezofleur]

Originally Posted by dawn27

OH.... that makes scence. Cant you tell I dont do this stuff much or at all ...

That's ok! You'd automatically think it'd have to be even but not the case.

Is it Feb 1 yet??

[givemecouture]

My little 2 cents

This will be my first GE on YT and depending on who I get as my buddy to buy for I could Definietly find myself going way over the limit. However, I've never really paid attention to the GEs in the past so I don't really know how things are talked about, but I was always raised to appreciate ANY gift and when gifting never discuss dollar amounts. Some people are able to do more some can not but everyone's heart is in the right place.

I for one will be excited by whatever my buddy gets me AND will enjoy giving even more. However I think it is a bit tacky to discuss how much one spends (not saying any one here is tacky I LOVE EVERYONE this is just how I was brought up).

That would be like my boyfriend leaving the price tag on his gifts or showing me a dinner/vacation bill before he pays.

Just my 2 scents....or 25scents lol I'm long winded

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by givemecouture

My little 2 cents

This will be my first GE on YT and depending on who I get as my buddy to buy for I could Definietly find myself going way over the limit. However, I've never really paid attention to the GEs in the past so I don't really know how things are talked about, but I was always raised to appreciate ANY gift and when gifting never discuss dollar amounts. Some people are able to do more some can not but everyone's heart is in the right place.

I for one will be excited by whatever my buddy gets me AND will enjoy giving even more. However I think it is a bit tacky to discuss how much one spends (not saying any one here is tacky I LOVE EVERYONE this is just how I was brought up).

That would be like my boyfriend leaving the price tag on his gifts or showing me a dinner/vacation bill before he pays.

Just my 2 scents....or 25scents lol I'm long winded

I am so glad to see that Strudel has joined the GE .... !!
I think regardless of how much any one of us spends it will be a great experience. Ruby and I are looking forward to it.

I so want to know who our GE buddy is so that I can go shopping already!

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by dawn27

I am so glad to see that Strudel has joined the GE .... !!
I think regardless of how much any one of us spends it will be a great experience. Ruby and I are looking forward to it.

I so want to know who our GE buddy is so that I can go shopping already!

I agree so glad Strudel signed up I am excited to find out who our SB is too!!!!

[givemecouture]

Thanks guys!!! We are really happy to be a part of GE! Strudel is suler hyped to find out who his buddy is and shop for buddy and mommy. I love giving gifts. Its like I want to be oprah just so I can give thibgs away!

[Ellie May]

Keeping it real..this is my 0.02...

A lot more people used to sign up which tells me it is no longer fun or doable for the majority. Whether or not it matters to the people who spend more if they get a lot in return doesn't matter bc the majority are spending more. Very few spend close to the minimum. That is automatically going to make members who spend less feel weird.

We all have financial priorites. That said, I cannot imagine sending 1/3 grand on a pup from an online forum unless I reallllly knew the owner. It sounds extreme and is over my head. The same goes for $150. I don't think this was the original intent of the GE. It used to look more manageable by far.

Honestly, I've never spent $150 on my dogs at one time except necessary expenses. Not even sure what I'd buy for that that wouldn't just sit around? Mine rarely wear clothes, etc. But they aren't lacking anything. And the things that can be a bit spendy (kennels, baby gates) aren't GE material.

You all have fun.

...and the baby talk, almost expected smile box, expected hint participation...sounds like a big chore to some of us.

[GuinnessStout]

Originally Posted by GeorgiesMomma

Oh I so hope you join the GE Luma! Maybe your Mommy can teach mine how to type Yorkie talk

Your friend,
Georgie

I just let SIRI speak for Guinness... He might spell right but there is no telling what words he might use

[MandiesMom]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Keeping it real..this is my 0.02...

A lot more people used to sign up which tells me it is no longer fun or doable for the majority. Whether or not it matters to the people who spend more if they get a lot in return doesn't matter bc the majority are spending more. Very few spend close to the minimum. That is automatically going to make members who spend less feel weird.

We all have financial priorites. That said, I cannot imagine sending 1/3 grand on a pup from an online forum unless I reallllly knew the owner. It sounds extreme and is over my head. The same goes for $150. I don't think this was the original intent of the GE. It used to look more manageable by far.

Honestly, I've never spent $150 on my dogs at one time except necessary expenses. Not even sure what I'd buy for that that wouldn't just sit around? Mine rarely wear clothes, etc. But they aren't lacking anything. And the things that can be a bit spendy (kennels, baby gates) aren't GE material.

You all have fun.

...and the baby talk, almost expected smile box, expected hint participation...sounds like a big chore to some of us.

I think the last few things here is just for fun, but I guess it is sort of expected (I'm thinking if the hints weren't given or smilebox wasn't done, the buddy's human might feel sad/disappointed). Therefore, you have a very valid point that if it's a chore, rather than fun, for someone - that person is probably going to shy away from doing the GE.

As for the rest of your insights, I think we all agree it's kind of out of control and puts people in a position of not feeling like they can participate. That's exactly why almost all of us agree - there really should be a spending limit set in the rules. It should be "minimum = $x; maximum = $x" and then that would pretty much settle the issue.

[brezofleur]

Actually, the smilebox is required, not expected. This is because the buddy needs to see that it arrived at the expected house/was received but it's also fun to show everyone else what they got.

[MandiesMom]

Oh, I thought a Thank You thread was required, but a smilebox was just a plus.

[normarae63]

Originally Posted by brezofleur

Actually, the smilebox is required, not expected. This is because the buddy needs to see that it arrived at the expected house/was received but it's also fun to show everyone else what they got.

This isn't exactly accurate...the requirement is to post pictures; it's just gotten to be that so many use Smilebox.

[KendraE]

I still also agree that a maximum would bring in more participants!! And keep me in line!

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by brezofleur

Actually, the smilebox is required, not expected. This is because the buddy needs to see that it arrived at the expected house/was received but it's also fun to show everyone else what they got.

And a smilebox is what exactly ?

Thanks for starting this thread Kendra. It may help the admid see that if some changes were made, and possibly a max limit set that maybe it would allow more members to participate.

[brezofleur]

Quote, Admin, Rules and Regulations: "We also require members to post at least three pictures in the Thank You thread as well, as members like to see the gifts being received, as some say that's the best part of our Gift Exchanges. "

I SWORE it said SmileBox! HA HA

[brezofleur]

Originally Posted by dawn27

And a smilebox is what exactly ?

A SmileBox is a slideshow of images. Invitations, Collages, Slideshows and Scrapbooks – Smilebox

You can go through the past thank you threads and get an idea! They're really easy to make.