anyone else concerned about the next GE??

[mizzwanned]

i can't wait for the next GE! I guess everyone should just be very specific in what they want and don't want and it will be fine.

[Jenn218]

Originally Posted by yougetthesmiles

I wish we could know who are buddy is so we can get to know them before we buy for them. make it more personal.

I think that is a GREAT idea.......BUT a lot more work on Admin.

It would be WONDERFUL to know ahead of time who our buddies are, so we can skim thru their posts and get pictures and if we all want to be creative, have that much more time to get something made.

If we all got a PM (like we do know) with our buddies names, but just early, no one would tell ----- would they???

[Jenn218]

Marci - I think added a list to your GE info sheet is fine.....in fact, many of us already do that........afterall, there is a section on the sign up just for this purpose (I believe).

I don't think anyone would think anything of it if you were to put what was not needed or what Layla can not have. I think most do it for rawhide and greenies...why not add toys or toys made in China, etc.

I wouldn't be bothered by it at all. In fact, I will more than likely add to my list of can't haves on our sign up sheet this time too.

I think most GE buddies read and try to go off our lists as good as they can (I hope anyway).....

I know when I worked at our local university, we would do GE (like Boo-Budies for Halloween, and well, something for each holiday). Everyone who partcipates fills out a list (much like we do) and go off that list. I guess that is our getting to know our GE buddy list....so maybe I shouldn't have posted my post above?

Anyway, check out this post on the topic.....

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95260

GE's are fun and I thank ADMIN so much for allowing us to do fun things like this.

[Roxanne_mi]

I would rather know what the puppy I would be buying for can't have or won't be able to use. I would want my gift to be able to be used. I would hate to buy treats and find out their dog can't have it or like aurora won't keep her hair up so I had to cut her hair so bows are useless. I see nothing wrong at all with having a list of not allowed items on there.

I been watching the threads and everyone puts so much thought into the gifts. I want to take part for the fun, not worried about if I get a buddy that spends alot. Personally I would love a buddy that makes the homemade items, but I understand not everyone has the time or talent fot that.

I am just hoping I can donate b4 the time to sign up.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Jenn218

I think that is a GREAT idea.......BUT a lot more work on Admin.

It would be WONDERFUL to know ahead of time who our buddies are, so we can skim thru their posts and get pictures and if we all want to be creative, have that much more time to get something made.

If we all got a PM (like we do know) with our buddies names, but just early, no one would tell ----- would they???

I'm new to this so I'm not really sure how it all works, but I thought we signed up in October and sent the gift in November? So does that give us a month to buy and send?

[twalla]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I'm new to this so I'm not really sure how it all works, but I thought we signed up in October and sent the gift in November? So does that give us a month to buy and send?

I dont think its a full month but I could be wrong.

[admin]

Thank you for the suggestion. We are opposed to gift cards, as they are not very personal, and we do not want to turn the YT Gift Exchange into something like a "Money Exchange". And since there are members from all over the US (and there are Canada and UK participants in the GE too), not all stores are in all cities where members may live.

There still are things that you can make yourself (whether it be treats, clothes, or crafty things) for your secret buddy or things you can buy that are not treats, or clothes, or toys.

Some ideas may be:

Pet or Yorkie picture frames, with a printed out picture (or Photoshopped picture of your Yorkie with their Yorkie)
Personalized US Postage Stamps (at www.stamps.com)
Paintings or sketch drawings or other artistic endeavors you may know how to do
Painted treat jars
Custom Yorkie greeting cards

Some of the best gifts are personalized and not necessarily store bought items. We know YorkieTalkers are very creative and there's a lot more creative ideas that can be thought of that do not involve clothes, treats, or toys. And the Gift Exchange is of course optional for all Donating Members.

We only set a minimum amount of a $20 value, and participants should NOT expect anything more than that. Some members may want to spend more, and that is perfectly fine, but the Gift Exchange is to get members to get to know one another better, and not to show off how much a person spends or receives.

It is perfectly fine to list items that your Yorkie can and can't have, but please do not make it just a shopping list of things you "want" and make it within reason. Writing in the GE form that you want a $100 carrier is just not what the YT GE's are all about (not that anyone has done that).

[admin]

Members usually have THREE WEEKS after they find out who their Secret Buddy is to send out the gift. That should be plenty of time to find or make or purchase the items you want. We may push it to FOUR WEEKS depending on feedback from GE participants.

[yougetthesmiles]

Originally Posted by admin

Members usually have THREE WEEKS after they find out who their Secret Buddy is to send out the gift. That should be plenty of time to find or make or purchase the items you want. We may push it to FOUR WEEKS depending on feedback from GE participants.

I would like to see others input on how they feel about knowing who are gift buddy is before hand. This way we can build a more personal relationship with are buddy. Not only will we know what are buddies likes and dislikes are, we are building a new friendship.

Just a suggestion and maybe something we could try in the future.

[chattiesmom]

Admin -- It seems appropriate here to giive you a HUGE THUMBS-UP and THANK YOU for allowing and making our YT Gift Exchanges possible. I would really truly appreicate that extra week to get my package ready.

Keep up the good work!

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by yougetthesmiles

I would like to see others input on how they feel about knowing who are gift buddy is before hand. This way we can build a more personal relationship with are buddy. Not only will we know what are buddies likes and dislikes are, we are building a new friendship.

Just a suggestion and maybe something we could try in the future.

I'm not quite sure I understand. We get our GE buddy and then have three weeks to get to know, and take care of making/buying the gift items. Hopefully Admin will push the amount of time to 4 weeks. I love the excitement of doing some "snooping" on my GE Buddy by reading past threads and contacting people who seem to have a close relationship to tease and play with my Buddy and maybe get some ideas that aren't posted. What a neat surprise to get exactly what you want, but forgot to post.

I can say for sure 100% that I do not want to know the identity of my GE Buddy (the one who is shopping for me) BEFORE I open the box. I love the fun of buying and selecting gifts as well as the suspense of waiting.

[daisy mae06]

Originally Posted by admin

Members usually have THREE WEEKS after they find out who their Secret Buddy is to send out the gift. That should be plenty of time to find or make or purchase the items you want. We may push it to FOUR WEEKS depending on feedback from GE participants.

I personaly have not had any problems getting my gift out on time. But it does seem some do.
not sure if they are just waiting till the last minute or have to wait for a item they ordered.
3 or 4 weeks it really does not matter to me other than that maybe one more week my pup has to wait.... as to knowing who has us as there buddy. No I wouldn't want that I love to get the surprise.

[s13silviagirl]

I like the idea of 4 weeks. Maybe move the sign ups a week sooner? hehe. I would love to have more time to shop and get to know my buddy more.

Plus, moving it up a little will not put it too close to the holidays vs having it a week later.

[Izzy Princess]

This will be our first GE (yay! we are so excited) and since I do a lot of on-line shopping and will be using my fellow YTers to buy from - I think the 4 weeks will be needed - to make and for delivery. Especially if you are using YT vendors - they most likely will be getting slammed with orders and will need the time - plus get their own GE ready if they are participating and it's the holidays - they also have a life outside of YT (how dare they!..hehehe ). So I'm hoping dear Admin that you will allow 4 weeks.

[Shadow]

I agree and IMO I think it has become to competitve.

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.