anyone else concerned about the next GE??

[Dior'sMom]

This will be Dior's first GE and we are excited

[KathyinCali]

Lucy and I are going to participate. Any excuse to buy cute furbutt toys and such is good enough for us! Lucy is a "one for you-one for me" kinda shopper so we shall see how well she controls herself and spends her allowance

[pepe mint]

we are excited about the next one. I love shopping for others and receiving is pretty fun too LOL But I do agree that if there is something you do not want your baby to have...definitely do not hesitate to list them. I do not care for bully sticks, so that is something that would be on my "do not buy" list so i say..enjoy the GE and go with your gut

[ladybugg74]

I was just getting ready to post something like this. This sure is going to put a damper on buying toys. I have already purchased some and gotten them in the mail last week. Guess what...they are made in China. I sent an email back to them to see if I can return them. Waiting on response.

[MyFairLacy]

I want to start buying stuff, but its hard when I don't know if it'll be a boy or girl

[diggy4]

Originally Posted by simonandhallie

WOW! I'm a little surprised where this thread has gone. I believe Marci was just talking about the recent scares with toy recalls and certain treats that aren't good for Layla. It's getting fairly hard to trust anything anymore, especially for our babies. I think it's ok to make a list of things your baby can't have, that way you are sure to get things they can use.

I happen to agree with yorkiedaze on this one. The gift exchanges have gotten so expensive that I'm afraid if I don't fill up a box with expensive things and a ton of gifts people will judge me and compare with those that can afford more.

I've been thinking about these GE's for awhile now and I think it's great that people love them it just seems that it might be fun to try something new like having to make gifts and getting creative or donating items to those that really need it (like the shelters).

We all have our opinions and the exchanges are not going to change so there is no need for panic here.

I too found myself wondering if I had gotten my GE buddy enough and got all worked up about that instead of enjoying the shopping and thrill of it all....

[SevenGirl]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I want to start buying stuff, but its hard when I don't know if it'll be a boy or girl

We want to start buying too!

[KathyinCali]

Originally Posted by diggy4

I too found myself wondering if I had gotten my GE buddy enough and got all worked up about that instead of enjoying the shopping and thrill of it all....

Well just for the record and speaking for ourselves, Lucy would in NO WAY be disappointed in ANYTHING that was sent for the simple pleasure of giving no matter the size and cost. We plan to enjoy the thrill of it all and enjoy the fact that someone was thinking nice thoughts when choosing whatever gift she receives. That is our attitude going in to it and we're sticking to it

[chattiesmom]

I love the Gift Exchanges. Admin has set forth the official GE Rules which seem to be very fair and reasonable and make Gift Exchanges affordable for most of us. When we sign up, Admin reminds us of the GE rules, so there are't any surprises. All we should "expect" is for our buddy to spend a minimum of $20 on a gift -- I thought the real point behind the GE was building relationships and having fun. Anything above the the $20.00 is a bonus. I have received some boxes filled with expensive items and I have received boxes filled with hand made items -- I loved them all. The thing that amazes me most is the amount of love that popped out of the box when I opened it. Maybe I'm wrong here, but I thought the whole point of the gift exchange was to have fun -- both with sending and receiving a gift.

I would like to see one gift exchange a year where it would be REQUIRED that the gift items be HAND MADE by the sender. Every one of us can come up with SOME type of creative idea. If some chose to "opt out" of a Made With Love GE, then they could always participate in the next one.

[chattiesmom]

I just re-read the OP's question and realized that I was totally off topic in my post above. I won't add a lot of "Please Dont Send" items on my information sheet. If my kids receive something that I don't want them to have I will graciously thank my buddy and then handle it quietly. I would hope that everyone who participates in future exchanges will be very sensitive about the recalls and dangerous toys/treats. For me it is the thought behind the gift as much as the gift itself.

[s13silviagirl]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

I just re-read the OP's question and realized that I was totally off topic in my post above. I won't add a lot of "Please Dont Send" items on my information sheet. If my kids receive something that I don't want them to have I will graciously thank my buddy and then handle it quietly. I would hope that everyone who participates in future exchanges will be very sensitive about the recalls and dangerous toys/treats. For me it is the thought behind the gift as much as the gift itself.

Well said! I couldn't agree more! I mean, it IS the thought that counts! I can totally understand everyone's feelings on items made in China. I fear that myself, but I think with everyone being up front and honest is the best way to prevent unwanted gifts and or hurt feelings. I personally can't wait to do this next GE, and well, I hope that everyone else can enjoy it and not have a nagging fear of things made in China.

Hand made items are great, but to me, it is the thought that counts and the love that was put into it.


Lisa & Turbo

[Amber_lv]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

I just re-read the OP's question and realized that I was totally off topic in my post above. I won't add a lot of "Please Dont Send" items on my information sheet. If my kids receive something that I don't want them to have I will graciously thank my buddy and then handle it quietly. I would hope that everyone who participates in future exchanges will be very sensitive about the recalls and dangerous toys/treats. For me it is the thought behind the gift as much as the gift itself.

I think that is exactly the point of the GE Cindy! It's not how much you spent it's not who gets the best box it's the thought of the whole thing. This is a wonderful oppertunity for us all here not only do we get to send others a fun gift but we get to know a lot about them. Atleast i do i love to research my buddy i read their old posts and i look at thier babies and i get to know them before i send things to them. I love to make them something special so they remember me by . On my last GE(not the last one but the oneBefore) I had Omega and it was so much fun for me. I wanted something personal so i put together a DVD slide show of all of her babies and it made me cry so i could only imagine how it made her feel. If i was to get something with a personal touch it would mean way more to me then every toy at petsmart. Peanut was my Ge buddy and she was the sweetest person and now we are friends and i might never of had that happen if it wasn't for the GE (so many people here) .I knew she packed my box with so much love! when i opened it i could feel her love and generosity it was wonderful! I think everyone should be grateful for what ever they recieve whether it is the $20 limit or your buddy spends $100 it's the thought that they took the time to go out and buy or make something for you and your baby that counts!

I will be in this GE and i am so excited to meet another member and get to know them in a more personal way. Please remember to thank your buddy when you get your package i know we get busy and forget but it means a lo0t to be agknoledged for your efforts.

[MIZBROWN]

Good idea... There are so many creative YT'rs, that I think it would be fun!

[KathyinCali]

When will the sign up begin? I'm going to be out of town the first few days of October and don't want to miss it!

[daisy mae06]

I agree with alot I just want to say that We have been in Three exchanges And Have loved all that we have gotten and I love to give also. Shoot the last one a member had to back out at the last minute due to personal reasons so I had to surprise her and send a little love her way too.. I don't think it is how much you send or Spend it is that you Give with you heart and not because you are worried if they'll like it or not.

Sorry it was a little off topic but I had to say this