Next Gift Exchange - When?? - Page 10 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

LilAnnCamp · 06-18-2013, 07:54 AM

Everyone please check out Terri's poll..... I really want all those folks who have spoken with Lynzy but don't/cant/wont't talk about the GE to vote.

LilAnnCamp · 06-18-2013, 08:12 AM

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/pol...-spending.html

Please vote!

chachi · 06-19-2013, 01:57 AM

f there were a cap on the gift exchange I would consider participating. The problem with it right now is I dont make anything handmade and Im saving for My daughters college so there is only so much I could spend. If my gifts were viewed as inadequate I would feel bad,

DBlain · 06-19-2013, 05:07 AM

wow lots of discussions and different views on this. I was only in one but followed about 4 I really think while a cap is good for some it will not insure a bunch of new people jump in. Plus for me and other a cap will be hard to figure out. I sew now, and I have accumulated a lot of material, some outfits cost me just $5.00 to make, so what's the value of that is it $5.00 or $20.00 or more because that of what I would pay if I bought it. I have nice things that I have been given or won them, or bought years ago but did not use it, so how do I value that? Some of us are smart shoppers, some of us are able to buy wholesale or are clever crafters so for me truly knowing how much I spend is hard.

no matter how much or little the limit is, the pool of people that would be interested in doing this in the first place is not huge, so combine that with the opportunity to choose from four a year, that dilutes the pool even further. Then since lots of people from the pool have done it several times they often wind up thinking about the downsides which of course is the money, but often the time and energy as well, so those people that were in the pool before, might not want to jump in again, or at least not right away.

Then there is the time constraints, there seems to be almost 3 months wrapped up into the GE, the month of the sign up, the month of shopping, clue giving, guessing, teasers, wrapping, and sending. Then the picture taking, the smile box creating and commenting on everyone else's thread, all I know is that for the 3 months surrounding the GE I was in I was very busy with it. Of course lots of that was my fault since I was learning to sew and craft at the same time. But I think a lot of us that join the GE like to be a bit creative and make or personalize things we send. So for me it's more about the time and energy rather than the money.

In the past I looked backed on about 3 years worth of GE threads and most of the problems and issues seemed to be with someone not getting a box on time or at all or not getting a proper thank you, I did not find posts were people came right out and felt they got cheated, but I would assume that would be behind the scenes in private messages among friends. No one will ever be assured you will get equal to what you give, it's like an office holiday secret santa, some give better gifts than other, it's like a pot luck party, some bring an elaborate prepared casserole while others bring chips and store bought salsa. Some people talk behind the scenes and are not happy if they don't get as good as they gave and to some it does not bother.

I guess the only reason for my post is that I feel there are lots of issues regarding the GE and putting a cap on it does not insure suddenly a bunch more people are going to jump in the pool

DBlain · 06-19-2013, 05:34 AM

I was just thinking about this topic further, to me no one should enter the GE if they are first thinking about what they will get. Because if to you are I can almost guarantee you will be disappointed. And I don't mean that is because you will not get a good buddy it's just honestly no one can shop for you and your dog like you can, no one has the same exact taste as you do. While I am sure most have loved their boxes if truth be told they probably could still do a better box for themselves if they had to. So if that's what you are in it for, save your money and buy your own things you will be happier in the long run.

But if you are someone that likes to shop and surprise others more than yourself then you would have a lot of fun in the GE. I know from being on YT that there are many members that like to give more than get. Morgan sure has shown that a ton, so have others, and Shinja and Dawn got to see first hand how much happiness one gets from giving.

Anyway sorry for another post but I thought it might help some people understand what the spirit of the GE means to most of us that participate

lynzy420 · 06-19-2013, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

This has been a sensitive subject for a long while now. By 'this', I mean the current spirit of the GE (as compared to what it originally was) and the amount of money that is now spent.

I can lend a bit of perspective on the $$ side of it bc I hear from others behind the scenes regarding this very subject (people who don't want to speak out publicly). It is indeed a fact that many people no longer participate and/or won't start participating for the first time bc of how extravagant the GE has become. There are a few reasons this prevents participation: 1) some simply can't afford it, 2) some are against the excessive spending on principle, 3) some don't support the (perceived) competitive nature of the gifts, and 4) some don't want to risk the fallout if their giving doesn't measure up to others. I'm sure I'm forgetting other reasons, but that's what I hear in a nutshell regarding the GE.

In the beginning, the GE was a fun, inexpensive gift exchange where people got to know each other and where the fun was in the not knowing, the guessing, the wait. That's still part of the fun now, of course. But back then, the GEs were HUGE....soooo many people participated bc everything was very easy and consistent. For sure, as more and more money was spent, less and less people participated. I think that's too bad, bc I really dislike thinking that people are priced out of participating, ya know

? That's no fun.

In these last couple/few pages, I'm hearing some people say they'd *really* appreciate a cap on spending. Like, "you must spend at least $40 and are welcome to spend only that; if you spend more, you must keep the limit under $100" (or whatever amount). Personally, I think there is too big of a disparity btwn $40 and $100....so if it were up to me, I'd put a cap at $80, but that's just me....I think $80 gives off an easier perception of 'doable' than $100.

If people truly do want a cap, then please speak up...and offer what you think is good amount for a potential cap. I'm not saying we'll do a cap for sure, but it's certainly worth discussing.

At the end of the day, the most important aspect of the GE is its spirit - it should be a fun way of giving and receiving.

Hopefully those people who really want to be in it that have talked to you behind the scenes will be heard...I can't seem to get to those I talk to behind the scenes to budge...with a couple of exceptions anyway...oh well you can lead a horse to water but.....As long as those who are in it enjoy it, thats all that counts.

DBlain · 06-19-2013, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynzy420

Hopefully those people who really want to be in it that have talked to you behind the scenes will be heard...I can't seem to get to those I talk to behind the scenes to budge...with a couple of exceptions anyway...oh well you can lead a horse to water but.....As long as those who are in it enjoy it, thats all that counts.

Tessa327 · 06-25-2013, 10:46 AM

When and if there is one, someone please let me know. I plan on signing Tessa up for one this year.

MandiesMom · 06-25-2013, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tessa327

When and if there is one, someone please let me know. I plan on signing Tessa up for one this year.

Woot!!!

brezofleur · 06-25-2013, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tessa327

When and if there is one, someone please let me know. I plan on signing Tessa up for one this year.

There will be one in just a few days! At least, the beginnings of the signups. It'll be July 1-31.

She's going to get spoiled!

GeorgiesMomma · 06-25-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tessa327

When and if there is one, someone please let me know. I plan on signing Tessa up for one this year.

Yippy Thuy and Tessa!!! Georgie and I are doing a happy dance

Tessa327 · 06-26-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiesMomma

Yippy Thuy and Tessa!!! Georgie and I are doing a happy dance

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

Woot!!!

Oh yeah.. do the happy dance

Will Georgie & Mandie be signing up?

Quote:

Originally Posted by brezofleur

There will be one in just a few days! At least, the beginnings of the signups. It'll be July 1-31.

She's going to get spoiled!

That's awesome. I do have a certain GE month in mind but if the fun, crazy members (*ahem* you, Morgan, & Terri) joined. We may just do it sooner. Guess I'll wait and see who all signs up!

GeorgiesMomma · 06-26-2013, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tessa327

Oh yeah.. do the happy dance

Will Georgie & Mandie be signing up?

That's awesome. I do have a certain GE month in mind but if the fun, crazy members (*ahem* you, Morgan, & Terri) joined. We may just do it sooner. Guess I'll wait and see who all signs up!

Oh yeah Georgie is signing up

MandiesMom · 06-26-2013, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tessa327

That's awesome. I do have a certain GE month in mind but if the fun, crazy members (*ahem* you, Morgan, & Terri) joined. We may just do it sooner. Guess I'll wait and see who all signs up!

Did you just say i was crazy? I resemble that remark

LOL!!

GeorgiesMomma · 06-26-2013, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandiesMom

Did you just say i was crazy? I resemble that remark

LOL!!

She called me crazy too!!! Lol Hey if you put me in the same category as 2 of my fav people Heather and Terri then I am good with that

06-18-2013, 07:54 AM	#136
LilAnnCamp LovingLifeWithAnimals Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 2,048	Everyone please check out Terri's poll..... I really want all those folks who have spoken with Lynzy but don't/cant/wont't talk about the GE to vote. __________________ Ann & Milo, Buttons, Dooley, Mr. Bigglesworth, & Crimson The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10

06-18-2013, 08:12 AM	#137
LilAnnCamp LovingLifeWithAnimals Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 2,048	http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/pol...-spending.html Please vote! __________________ Ann & Milo, Buttons, Dooley, Mr. Bigglesworth, & Crimson The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Proverbs 12:10

06-19-2013, 01:57 AM	#138
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	f there were a cap on the gift exchange I would consider participating. The problem with it right now is I dont make anything handmade and Im saving for My daughters college so there is only so much I could spend. If my gifts were viewed as inadequate I would feel bad, __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

06-19-2013, 05:07 AM	#139
DBlain Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oakland County MI Posts: 6,190	wow lots of discussions and different views on this. I was only in one but followed about 4 I really think while a cap is good for some it will not insure a bunch of new people jump in. Plus for me and other a cap will be hard to figure out. I sew now, and I have accumulated a lot of material, some outfits cost me just $5.00 to make, so what's the value of that is it $5.00 or $20.00 or more because that of what I would pay if I bought it. I have nice things that I have been given or won them, or bought years ago but did not use it, so how do I value that? Some of us are smart shoppers, some of us are able to buy wholesale or are clever crafters so for me truly knowing how much I spend is hard. no matter how much or little the limit is, the pool of people that would be interested in doing this in the first place is not huge, so combine that with the opportunity to choose from four a year, that dilutes the pool even further. Then since lots of people from the pool have done it several times they often wind up thinking about the downsides which of course is the money, but often the time and energy as well, so those people that were in the pool before, might not want to jump in again, or at least not right away. Then there is the time constraints, there seems to be almost 3 months wrapped up into the GE, the month of the sign up, the month of shopping, clue giving, guessing, teasers, wrapping, and sending. Then the picture taking, the smile box creating and commenting on everyone else's thread, all I know is that for the 3 months surrounding the GE I was in I was very busy with it. Of course lots of that was my fault since I was learning to sew and craft at the same time. But I think a lot of us that join the GE like to be a bit creative and make or personalize things we send. So for me it's more about the time and energy rather than the money. In the past I looked backed on about 3 years worth of GE threads and most of the problems and issues seemed to be with someone not getting a box on time or at all or not getting a proper thank you, I did not find posts were people came right out and felt they got cheated, but I would assume that would be behind the scenes in private messages among friends. No one will ever be assured you will get equal to what you give, it's like an office holiday secret santa, some give better gifts than other, it's like a pot luck party, some bring an elaborate prepared casserole while others bring chips and store bought salsa. Some people talk behind the scenes and are not happy if they don't get as good as they gave and to some it does not bother. I guess the only reason for my post is that I feel there are lots of issues regarding the GE and putting a cap on it does not insure suddenly a bunch more people are going to jump in the pool __________________ Lola my amazing little yorkie-pom Donna Last edited by DBlain; 06-19-2013 at 05:10 AM.

06-19-2013, 05:34 AM	#140
DBlain Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oakland County MI Posts: 6,190	I was just thinking about this topic further, to me no one should enter the GE if they are first thinking about what they will get. Because if to you are I can almost guarantee you will be disappointed. And I don't mean that is because you will not get a good buddy it's just honestly no one can shop for you and your dog like you can, no one has the same exact taste as you do. While I am sure most have loved their boxes if truth be told they probably could still do a better box for themselves if they had to. So if that's what you are in it for, save your money and buy your own things you will be happier in the long run. But if you are someone that likes to shop and surprise others more than yourself then you would have a lot of fun in the GE. I know from being on YT that there are many members that like to give more than get. Morgan sure has shown that a ton, so have others, and Shinja and Dawn got to see first hand how much happiness one gets from giving. Anyway sorry for another post but I thought it might help some people understand what the spirit of the GE means to most of us that participate __________________ Lola my amazing little yorkie-pom Donna Last edited by DBlain; 06-19-2013 at 05:36 AM.

06-25-2013, 10:46 AM	#143
Tessa327 No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: N/A Posts: 3,692	When and if there is one, someone please let me know. I plan on signing Tessa up for one this year.