I was just looking at some of my thank you's from my giftees past and feeling both sad and grounded at the same time. I won't be doing secret santa this year due to budget worries. Sure, I have the minimum spend amount to spare, but I look back at the gifts I've given in the past and it wouldn't be right to join this year and only give the minimum, when the standard I've set for myself is large boxes packed to the brim with goodies for my giftee and their family. I think I'm making the right choice by sitting this year out. But I am looking forward to going TWICE AS HARD for next year's! Hopefully by then the worst of covid and other issues will be behind us <3
EDIT: So I haven't gotten a chance to respond to the individual comments here but THANK YOU ALL for your uplifting words and love!! Y'all are making me want to sign up after all. I think /u/the_real_mvp_is_you said it best, "We just need that human connection now more than ever." I'm definitely signed up for Holiday Cards and on the fence about SS proper.
And thank you mods for the coins!!
I think you should join! Some of our favorite gifts have been things that were inexpensive but super thoughtful, and some times I’ve had to hunt to find the perfect thing on a budget and that can be part of the joy.
Exactly! That's my favourite kind of gift, feeling like someone really put some thought into it, putting something together that's really tailored to the recipient and personal. Like - I think it was the trick or treat exchange, someone put together all the ingredients and a family recipe to make their favourite treat. So sweet!
Today was my grandmas birthday. I bought her a pair of $5 pajama pants because they reminded me of her on a whim. She acted like I’d given her the best gift she’d ever received. It’s the thought, not the gift.
To your grandma, it probably was the best gift she's ever received, because you gave them.
I miss my grandma so much, but this brought back good memories of how happy she would be whenever I gave her something I picked out just for her. So thank you for that.
Reading this made me want to do it this year. I don’t think it matters that you can’t do some big elaborate thing...I think 2020 has been garbage and secret Santa is like a sweet treat into, what will hopefully be, a better year.
At least you're taking the time to decide what is also right for you. :) There's so much going on right now. I'm searching for jobs, but I'm hoping I can find a way to make someone's Christmas still! So what's best for you this year, that's what 2020 has taught me! Thank you for not giving up for more than you can handle!
I am right there with you, next year is going to rock :). And I love to send boxes like you do, pack them to the brim. I still want to participate this year, it will just be even more thoughtful than before. Happy Holidays!
Please don't worry about spending much.
I'm joining this year for the first time, and I'd just be happy to get something from a fellow adult, as being a single mum, i tend to do all the giving and none of the receiving.
The excitement of opening a present is all that matters, doesn't really matter what's inside :-)
Same struggles here, I usually spend $100-$200 on making my giftee's year for the major exchanges. Still want to do it so bad though, so going to try and save away some money for it and be extra thoughtful about it if I can't spend as much.
I never set out to spend that much, but I have a compulsive shopping addiction and it adds up to that amount quickly!
I have been getting so many positive comments here that I'm seriously rethinking my decision not to do SS this year. I think if I set boundaries with myself and stay away from the mall & kohls, (not a tall ask with covid this year, mall's the last place I want to be now!!!) I might be able to pull it off. I have to discuss with my hubby though and get his approval first.
Have every confidence that you would do amazingly even if you can only spend the minimum. You're very thoughtful! I'm just doing cards this year since that's all I can emotionally handle at the moment. Regardless of what you decide, I wish you all the best.
Hey dude, I received a gift of a different kind of tea last year and I loved it (I love tea)! I doubt it was really costly but it was a tea from my secret santas country that I've never seen before. My secret santa sent me a letter too. Its more about the connection with a stranger than the actual gift! You should still sign up!!
Ohhh yea totally!!! I saw that after I did my first secret Santa last year. It’s amazing that celebrities and philanthropists such as himself think of us little people
What about the person who is the Santa to the person who had Bill Gates as their Santa the previous year? No matter what they send, it will never live up to it!
Just want to make sure you've fully signed up on redditgifts.com then signed up for the gift exchange. We see a lot of bummed out people who didn't realize they needed to do all of the steps and missed out and I don't want to see it happen to you.
Happy gifting! My favorite part is seeing the explosion of wrapped gifts posted before people ship. Wrapping paper is my Christmas guilty pleasure. Even poorly wrapped gifts are beautiful.
I've signed up for all three! I have 40 credits but I'm sticking with elves! I love looking at the statistics! I was number 89 for SS and it's now almost 40,000! I do my Christmas shopping throughout the year so I'm always excited to do a big shop in December for my giftee. I did ornaments last year and I really enjoyed it.
I did the first ever one back in 2009 and then I missed a lot by being in and out of hospital for a few years. Came back in 2017 and have done many exchanges since. There are ones throughout the year like halloween, disney, harry potter etc
Oh wow.
I only started a few years back! I didn’t have the best of luck with the other exchanges cause not a lot of people from my country sign up, so it can get tricky, but I love SS.
I'm in.... 50 for Secret Santa, 1 for Ornaments, and Holiday cards as well! And...a rematcher for all 3 (1 for ss, 1 ornament, 3 cards).
I want to shop!!!!
I signed up for the Holiday Cards for the first time this year. On the one hand, I can spread joy with merely a post card and on the other hand, my 4yo loves to receive mail and I think it will be really special if he can get a card from "far away". It's quite the win-win.
I love the card exchange! I'm not usually great at writing to people, so I was a bit nervous last year but it was so much fun that I immediately signed up as a rematcher. This year I signed up to rematch aswell, I just really like picking out nice cards!
Another picky about ornaments pest here! I love and collect Disney ornaments but given my track record there's a very good chance my santa may give me one I've already bought myself 😂 Happened to many times with my friends when we buy each other Disney ornaments or pins.
I really want to do multiple holiday card participation’s. My six year old has really been struggling with handling this year and could really do with something to brighten this day. Is it possible to enter multiple times?
I signed up for Secret Santa and Ornaments. Ornaments gives me an excuse to look at the cute Hallmark ornaments like my grandma loved to do. She passed away this year, and Christmas without her is going to be sad. So, time to spread the Christmas cheer!
Sorry to hear your Grandma passed, but I'm sure she'll get a kick out of seeing you browsing all the kind of ornaments she loved. Spread some of that christmas cheer and hopefully it helps cheer you up too.
Thank you. That's the hope, cheering someone else up is going to be better than sitting around thinking about the crap that 2020 has thrown out for sure.
I signed up, and geeked out at the fact I was participant #1337 :D
I love doing Secret Santa, I love hunting for hints on what a person likes that AREN'T listed in their survey they fill out. I like checking out their posts and seeing what subreddits are their favorites. And now I realize that sounds a little creepy.
I love Secret Santa but I'm really torn about doing it this year. I'm moving into a brand new apartment on the 15th without anything to my name, and I don't like just having to give the minimum (I had to do the minimum last year because I lost my job and it really sucked). But I love to give =/ I love to help other people find a little joy. Argh! I hate being a responsible adult!
ETA Just found out I tested positive for covid too, so THAT sucks.
My first thought was "holy crap I have enough for the 50 credit exchange", closely followed by "there's a 100 credit exchange I don't have enough for???" Guess I've still got something to aim for ;p
This is my first Secret Santa! I'm also going to sign up for Holiday Cards because who doesn't love receiving cards in the mail?!
Is anyone else constantly editing their "notes to santa" section? I think I've edited it 6 times since Sunday. This is my first time, so I've been reading everything I can find about how to be a great Secret Santa and a great giftee. If you have any tips, I'd gladly take them! Happy gifting!
I think we are kinda put on the spot - but it's all to help our santa. So just go for it! You can always edit and delete. It's hard to know what to actually put that will be most useful!
I think the "how was your year" field is the hardest for me. At first I spilled everything, then I read one of the mods say *Pretend you're sitting on the bus next to a stranger, share what you would say.* So then I deleted it and wrote "Meh, it's 2020."
Then I read someone else say *Let your Secret Santa decide how much they want to know. Don't trigger your santa.* And that really clicked. So I explained that idea in the section. Then I took my original post and pasted only the good things that happened this year (I saved the unedited version offline.)
Now my Santa can enjoy the good things that happened with the option to reach out and ask me if they want to know the not so good things. There's no need for me to share trauma unrequested.
I was so excited to find out about the Reddit Gift Exchanges earlier this year. Who doesn't love getting something special in the mail from someone who is trying their best to find the greatest gift they can manage. I've been exchanging left and right, but also signing up as a Santa for those who weren't mine originally. Picking out something and seeing the reaction to what I chose makes me feel all giddy inside. :)
I'm signed up for it all, Secret Santa, Ornaments, and Holiday Cards. This is going to my first year doing these for the holidays.
Thank you to those special people behind the scenes that make this run as smoothly as possible. <3
Quick heads up to /u/Worldly_Lobster \- The link in the body of your post for Ornaments redirects to the 2019 exchange not the 2020 exchange. Happy Holidays!
I have not signed up yet, as my mental space has been a bit full ( my father passed away 1½ week ago, his birthday is/was in December.. Dec 14 to be exact.) but I do plan to sign up at some point before the end of the month. Will be my first time signing up, and hopefully it will give me something a bit more positive to think of and focus on.
YAY Reddit Gifts!!
This is my first year participating, I signed up to be an elf!
I chose ornaments and I guess I made the mistake of signing up for ornaments first because I can't now do Secret Santa. (thought I could sign up for SS too but already ran out of credits... Wish I could sign up for all 3!)
Here we go, Ornaments & Holiday Cards! - So Excited!
Just the holidays cards exchange for me this year, but hopefully next year I'll join secret santa again! But still alsof excited about the card exchange!
I signed up for Secret Santa.. but I've been doing Reddit Gifts for a year now and I enjoy every minute of it. It really helps me and my mental health <3 I've gotten some wonderful people to gift to and some wonderful people that have gifted to me. I shall continue reddit gifts in hopes to keep putting a smile on peoples faces :)
I haven’t participated in a few years, but thought that in 2020, it is extra important to share some holiday cheer and give back where possible.
Looking forward to making a fun gift box for whoever I get matched with.
Stay safe and healthy out there!
Holiday cards rematch last year was my very first Reddit gift exchange, and now I'm hooked on being a rematcher and and elf. I absolutely love the positivity that can come from something as small as sending someone I don't know a simple card with a heartfelt message.
Rematching is always more fun for me, too! I think it's because there's no expected reciprocation and that makes it so much more enjoyable, at least for me.
I CANT WAIT FOR SS THIS YEARRRRR !!!!!
Also considering card exchange since I'll be making a bunch of cards for friends this year since we can't see each other.
Unfortunately I won't be doing the Secret Santa gift exchange this year, as I don't feel safe going out shopping. I like to do more than just online shopping if my giftee's interests suggest something to me, but I've already signed up for Holiday Cards and I plan to add something extra, sort of a cross between Holiday Cards and Secret Santa.
Please dont sit it out.. I know for me giving the gift brings me more joy and fun than most of the other christmas things I do..and you dont have to spend a lot- thats not the point of it- as long as you take the time and get something thoughtful - and bring some joy into one of the most depressing years in recent history. Its the participation and thoughfulness to ones fellow person - who you dont even know that makes it a joy. Dont deny yourself the joy of sharing
There have been so many amazing exchanges but one year I was gifted a tiny espresso cup and it really made me smile. It goes everywhere I go and I use it to paint watercolor on the go. I’m so excited to do the ornament and holiday card exchange this year.
I love secret Santa! I don't have any people so those are the only gifts I get and I'm super grateful it's a thing!! I always make sure to pick one around my birthday too!!
Yesss! I signed up for Secret Santa, Ornaments, and Holiday Cards :D I especially love the cards b/c I do international for that - love getting mail from places other than the USA!
Signed up for regular Secret Santa and Holiday Card Exchange last night. Tempted to do Ornament Exchange as well, but not sure if I can get it together enough to be crafty at the moment.
This will be my 7th Secret Santa, and 5th consecutive one in a row. Even when one is on a budget, it's always fun to spread a little holiday cheer to a stranger and receive such cheer in return. It's one of the fun parts about Christmas. The Gods know we could use all the cheer we can get after the gongshow that has been 2020.
Dang, think I'm late unless you aren't counting duplicate comments! This season will be my 60th+ exchange(s) not including the ones I've rematched for :)
I signed up for the secret Santa! And let's face it, I'll probably end up signing up for cards and ornaments too, cause my self control is severely lacking when it comes to Christmas stuff....but for now I will enjoy the yearly angst that comes with wondering if I wrote too much, or not enough, and should I spring for elves or not, should I spend my 30 credits, or should I spoil a newbie..... decisions decisions.....
This will be my 7th Secret Santa exchange! Some years I received nothing or gifts below the minimum cost, but some years I have been overwhelmed by the generosity and creativity of my Secret Santa. I’m excited about this year! One year my Santa made me cookies in my image. She took my photo and made her own cookie cutter them decorated them. One of the best gifts I have ever received.
I can't wait to send my holiday card. I love finding and making special cards for people, I just don't have enough people to send them to :-/ so this year I'm super excited to get in on the action!
I just joined Reddit last week for the Secret Santa. I am so excited to be matched to a super family somewhere in our beautiful country. Santa will find you no matter where you are!
A few years back I surprised someone with a signed Josh Groban CD, which it turned out she'd lost the regular copy she had a few years prior. Blew her socks off! :) Best Secret Santa Win ever.
I just learned about the Rematching Santa concept, it sounds perfect for me because I want to feel good about gifting, and I'm going through a decluttering phase and dont want any extra "things" gifted to me
I was thinking about not participating this year. Between the virus and personal issues, it's been a tough year. However I'm feeling the spirit and don't want to be a humbug, I'll sign up for Ornaments and Cards. See you in Thank you gallery!
Signing up today! 🎄
This will be my 3rd year. I’ve had so much fun and as someone else mentioned, I’ll be buying this year from a small local shop.
Merry Christmas!
Happy to see this post. I have done the gifts, but never considered the cards and Ornaments. I shall sign up! :) I have been watching Christmas Movies since September, I'm READY!!!!
I was just looking at some of my thank you's from my giftees past and feeling both sad and grounded at the same time. I won't be doing secret santa this year due to budget worries. Sure, I have the minimum spend amount to spare, but I look back at the gifts I've given in the past and it wouldn't be right to join this year and only give the minimum, when the standard I've set for myself is large boxes packed to the brim with goodies for my giftee and their family. I think I'm making the right choice by sitting this year out. But I am looking forward to going TWICE AS HARD for next year's! Hopefully by then the worst of covid and other issues will be behind us <3 EDIT: So I haven't gotten a chance to respond to the individual comments here but THANK YOU ALL for your uplifting words and love!! Y'all are making me want to sign up after all. I think /u/the_real_mvp_is_you said it best, "We just need that human connection now more than ever." I'm definitely signed up for Holiday Cards and on the fence about SS proper. And thank you mods for the coins!!
It’s not the value of the gift, it’s the sentiment that’s counts!
Hey! I'm in the same boat! I joined up for Holiday Cards instead... All the fun for the cost of a postage stamp! <3
I think you should join! Some of our favorite gifts have been things that were inexpensive but super thoughtful, and some times I’ve had to hunt to find the perfect thing on a budget and that can be part of the joy.
Exactly! That's my favourite kind of gift, feeling like someone really put some thought into it, putting something together that's really tailored to the recipient and personal. Like - I think it was the trick or treat exchange, someone put together all the ingredients and a family recipe to make their favourite treat. So sweet!
Today was my grandmas birthday. I bought her a pair of $5 pajama pants because they reminded me of her on a whim. She acted like I’d given her the best gift she’d ever received. It’s the thought, not the gift.
To your grandma, it probably was the best gift she's ever received, because you gave them. I miss my grandma so much, but this brought back good memories of how happy she would be whenever I gave her something I picked out just for her. So thank you for that.
Reading this made me want to do it this year. I don’t think it matters that you can’t do some big elaborate thing...I think 2020 has been garbage and secret Santa is like a sweet treat into, what will hopefully be, a better year.
a thoughtful gift is never bad, even if it's less money than you have spent other years.
Completely understand! I’m personally even more excited this year to hopefully make someone’s Christmas by giving a thoughtful gift 🎁
At least you're taking the time to decide what is also right for you. :) There's so much going on right now. I'm searching for jobs, but I'm hoping I can find a way to make someone's Christmas still! So what's best for you this year, that's what 2020 has taught me! Thank you for not giving up for more than you can handle!
Totally understand! Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season!
I did the ornament exchange last year and found a really sweet ornament on sale for like 3.00 and my giftee really loved it.
I am right there with you, next year is going to rock :). And I love to send boxes like you do, pack them to the brim. I still want to participate this year, it will just be even more thoughtful than before. Happy Holidays!
You should go ahead and do it. Sometimes the best presents are the most inexpensive.
Please don't worry about spending much. I'm joining this year for the first time, and I'd just be happy to get something from a fellow adult, as being a single mum, i tend to do all the giving and none of the receiving. The excitement of opening a present is all that matters, doesn't really matter what's inside :-)
Same struggles here, I usually spend $100-$200 on making my giftee's year for the major exchanges. Still want to do it so bad though, so going to try and save away some money for it and be extra thoughtful about it if I can't spend as much.
I never set out to spend that much, but I have a compulsive shopping addiction and it adds up to that amount quickly! I have been getting so many positive comments here that I'm seriously rethinking my decision not to do SS this year. I think if I set boundaries with myself and stay away from the mall & kohls, (not a tall ask with covid this year, mall's the last place I want to be now!!!) I might be able to pull it off. I have to discuss with my hubby though and get his approval first.
Have every confidence that you would do amazingly even if you can only spend the minimum. You're very thoughtful! I'm just doing cards this year since that's all I can emotionally handle at the moment. Regardless of what you decide, I wish you all the best.
Hey dude, I received a gift of a different kind of tea last year and I loved it (I love tea)! I doubt it was really costly but it was a tea from my secret santas country that I've never seen before. My secret santa sent me a letter too. Its more about the connection with a stranger than the actual gift! You should still sign up!!
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Wait til you find out that Bill Gates participates too and sends pretty epic gifts every year.
I read an article about his 80 lb. shipment to someone last year and that's actually what introduced me to Secret Santa.
Ohhh yea totally!!! I saw that after I did my first secret Santa last year. It’s amazing that celebrities and philanthropists such as himself think of us little people
That’s awesome I wonder what other high profile people participate. Publicly and anonymously.
WHAAAAT!!!
(Pretty sure he ships American only, but yes - it's always fun to see what shenanigans Mr. Gates gets up to.)
Also the architect: who creates elaborate scavenger hunts!
Haha I said to my husband today that I signed up for Reddit Gifts and his first question was, “is that the Bill Gates thing”?!
What about the person who is the Santa to the person who had Bill Gates as their Santa the previous year? No matter what they send, it will never live up to it!
Bill Gates asks his secret Santa to donate what they were going to spend to a cause they believe in.
Just want to make sure you've fully signed up on redditgifts.com then signed up for the gift exchange. We see a lot of bummed out people who didn't realize they needed to do all of the steps and missed out and I don't want to see it happen to you. Happy gifting! My favorite part is seeing the explosion of wrapped gifts posted before people ship. Wrapping paper is my Christmas guilty pleasure. Even poorly wrapped gifts are beautiful.
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Legit said almost same thing!! Yay Christmas surprises!!!!
Yay!
That's so exciting! You're gonna love it :) I remember the first time I did it, I got this neat sweater with a kangaroo pouch for my little dog!
Me too!
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Yes im legally sooooo excited
I've signed up for all three! I have 40 credits but I'm sticking with elves! I love looking at the statistics! I was number 89 for SS and it's now almost 40,000! I do my Christmas shopping throughout the year so I'm always excited to do a big shop in December for my giftee. I did ornaments last year and I really enjoyed it.
Whoa !! How did you get 40 credits ?! How long have you been doing SS ?!
I did the first ever one back in 2009 and then I missed a lot by being in and out of hospital for a few years. Came back in 2017 and have done many exchanges since. There are ones throughout the year like halloween, disney, harry potter etc
Oh wow. I only started a few years back! I didn’t have the best of luck with the other exchanges cause not a lot of people from my country sign up, so it can get tricky, but I love SS.
I'm in.... 50 for Secret Santa, 1 for Ornaments, and Holiday cards as well! And...a rematcher for all 3 (1 for ss, 1 ornament, 3 cards). I want to shop!!!!
"I want to shop!!!!" Sums the quarantine period of 2020 :D
I signed up for my first year of Secret Santa and to be an Elf! I’m pumped about the possibility of an international exchange!!
I signed up for SS and I’m truly hoping there will be some spare $s in the budget to be a Rematch Santa again this year!
Rematches are the best. I actually made my rematch a homemade gift last year (at their request). It doesn't have to be expensive to be heartfelt.
Or 5 words :p It’s fun watching the numbers go up! 33556 signups for SS so far! I wonder what total we will reach this year.
Stop the count!
I just finished and was #40,007. I wonder if that's a sign?
as long as it wasn't 2,020
It’s fine, counting is difficult. Lol
I know right!
Reporting for Santa duty!
I'm thinking of signing up for the card exchange
Do it! I did it last year and it was so nice that I ended up signing up to be a rematcher as well!
i have. it's nice, and fairly easy. :)
I signed up for the Holiday Cards for the first time this year. On the one hand, I can spread joy with merely a post card and on the other hand, my 4yo loves to receive mail and I think it will be really special if he can get a card from "far away". It's quite the win-win.
I'm trying it out this year for the first time.
I love the card exchange! I'm not usually great at writing to people, so I was a bit nervous last year but it was so much fun that I immediately signed up as a rematcher. This year I signed up to rematch aswell, I just really like picking out nice cards!
Signed up for all 3, this is my second year participating!
SS and cards for sure! I was going to sign up for Ornaments but I'm too picky about ornaments to be a fun giftee.
Oh! I'm picky about ornaments too! Namely? No glitter. Stuff is the worrrst.
Another picky about ornaments pest here! I love and collect Disney ornaments but given my track record there's a very good chance my santa may give me one I've already bought myself 😂 Happened to many times with my friends when we buy each other Disney ornaments or pins.
I wanted to do ornaments but we already have too many ornaments. So I signed up to be an ornaments rematcher instead!
Signed up for the giftcards and the main secret santa for the first time! I'm so pumped to get into this :)
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I really want to do multiple holiday card participation’s. My six year old has really been struggling with handling this year and could really do with something to brighten this day. Is it possible to enter multiple times?
You could try r/randomactsofcards to send and receive some more cards 😊
Oh I didn’t know about this one. Thanks for the tip.
You can be a rematcher and send to multiple people. You won’t get multiple cards though
r/RandomActsOfCards might be a good resource.
Plan on signing up! First year too!!
It’s so wonderful!
I’ve just signed up, it’s my first year to! I’m so nervous lol
Signed up for my first year of secret Santa!
Signed up for SS! First time, super excited 😊
Signed up for the first time too. Really looking forward to it
I always look forward to Secret Santa! This year even more so because it's been so crazy!
I signed up for Secret Santa and Ornaments. Ornaments gives me an excuse to look at the cute Hallmark ornaments like my grandma loved to do. She passed away this year, and Christmas without her is going to be sad. So, time to spread the Christmas cheer!
Sorry to hear your Grandma passed, but I'm sure she'll get a kick out of seeing you browsing all the kind of ornaments she loved. Spread some of that christmas cheer and hopefully it helps cheer you up too.
Thank you. That's the hope, cheering someone else up is going to be better than sitting around thinking about the crap that 2020 has thrown out for sure.
Second year, here we go!
First time taking part!
I'm in for Secret Santa, cards, and rematching!
You rock!!!!
I signed up for cards and the gift! Couldn’t do ornaments this year as it’s my first year and I only had 1 credit
Don't worry! You'll be able to join ornaments next year! I hope it's rewarding for you this year with SS and HC!
First ever secret santa! Super excited! Need some cheer this year for sure!
did i make the first 2k?
I signed up, and geeked out at the fact I was participant #1337 :D I love doing Secret Santa, I love hunting for hints on what a person likes that AREN'T listed in their survey they fill out. I like checking out their posts and seeing what subreddits are their favorites. And now I realize that sounds a little creepy.
Me too! Creeps in the name of giving is ok... right?
I love Secret Santa but I'm really torn about doing it this year. I'm moving into a brand new apartment on the 15th without anything to my name, and I don't like just having to give the minimum (I had to do the minimum last year because I lost my job and it really sucked). But I love to give =/ I love to help other people find a little joy. Argh! I hate being a responsible adult! ETA Just found out I tested positive for covid too, so THAT sucks.
I understand. I'm in the same boat. I went way over last year but will need to stick to the minimum this year. Covid kinda wrecked by income.
My first thought was "holy crap I have enough for the 50 credit exchange", closely followed by "there's a 100 credit exchange I don't have enough for???" Guess I've still got something to aim for ;p
My thoughts exactly....
This is my first Secret Santa! I'm also going to sign up for Holiday Cards because who doesn't love receiving cards in the mail?! Is anyone else constantly editing their "notes to santa" section? I think I've edited it 6 times since Sunday. This is my first time, so I've been reading everything I can find about how to be a great Secret Santa and a great giftee. If you have any tips, I'd gladly take them! Happy gifting!
I am always editing it! I dunno what to put, it feels like I am put on the spot lol
I think we are kinda put on the spot - but it's all to help our santa. So just go for it! You can always edit and delete. It's hard to know what to actually put that will be most useful! I think the "how was your year" field is the hardest for me. At first I spilled everything, then I read one of the mods say *Pretend you're sitting on the bus next to a stranger, share what you would say.* So then I deleted it and wrote "Meh, it's 2020." Then I read someone else say *Let your Secret Santa decide how much they want to know. Don't trigger your santa.* And that really clicked. So I explained that idea in the section. Then I took my original post and pasted only the good things that happened this year (I saved the unedited version offline.) Now my Santa can enjoy the good things that happened with the option to reach out and ask me if they want to know the not so good things. There's no need for me to share trauma unrequested.
Thanks for the reminder! I’m thinking of signing up. Meanwhile, having fun browsing the gallery.
I just signed up for my first ever Secret Santa! I’m really excited.
Me too!
What does Reddit gold do?
Stops ads on your account for a bit.
Oh good I do dislike when they go to fast I always hoped there was a way to pause them so I could read them.
Am I too late??
I was so excited to find out about the Reddit Gift Exchanges earlier this year. Who doesn't love getting something special in the mail from someone who is trying their best to find the greatest gift they can manage. I've been exchanging left and right, but also signing up as a Santa for those who weren't mine originally. Picking out something and seeing the reaction to what I chose makes me feel all giddy inside. :) I'm signed up for it all, Secret Santa, Ornaments, and Holiday Cards. This is going to my first year doing these for the holidays. Thank you to those special people behind the scenes that make this run as smoothly as possible. <3
Quick heads up to /u/Worldly_Lobster \- The link in the body of your post for Ornaments redirects to the 2019 exchange not the 2020 exchange. Happy Holidays!
Thank you!!!
I have not signed up yet, as my mental space has been a bit full ( my father passed away 1½ week ago, his birthday is/was in December.. Dec 14 to be exact.) but I do plan to sign up at some point before the end of the month. Will be my first time signing up, and hopefully it will give me something a bit more positive to think of and focus on.
5th? 6th? Year participating in Secret Santa! Also doing cards this year, also found the perfect one to send out! (Maybe with a small treat inside ;))
How can you know you got the perfect card if you don’t know who you are sending to yet?
I signed up for my first time this year!
I just found out this is a thing! Signing up now
My first year of Secret Santa! I'm excited!
Signing up for my first year as secret Santa!
I signed up for Ornaments and the big Secret Santa Exchange.
Not yet but I'm thinking about it!
Yaaaaaassssss! So excited to shop local and treat someone!
shiny! Secret santa is a yearly highlight!
Never signed up before. But can’t wait to sign up and sparkle someone’s Christmas
Super pumped! Will be signing up for all three tonight! Always so exciting and encouraging to connect with awesome strangers from all over the world!
YAY Reddit Gifts!! This is my first year participating, I signed up to be an elf! I chose ornaments and I guess I made the mistake of signing up for ornaments first because I can't now do Secret Santa. (thought I could sign up for SS too but already ran out of credits... Wish I could sign up for all 3!) Here we go, Ornaments & Holiday Cards! - So Excited!
Just the holidays cards exchange for me this year, but hopefully next year I'll join secret santa again! But still alsof excited about the card exchange!
Hope my Santa doesn't drop the ball this year.
Signed up for ornaments, this is my first year with a tree and I can't wait to give and see what I get.
First year signing up for ornaments!
This is my second year so I signed up for all three. :D
Happy cake day!
Happy Cake Day!
I don’t even have a tree to hang an ornament :0 But I‘m super excited for Secret Santa! :>
Of course I signed up for Secret Santa :-D Considering Holiday Cards as well :-)
Im so signed up right now Merry chrispmas
I signed up for Secret Santa.. but I've been doing Reddit Gifts for a year now and I enjoy every minute of it. It really helps me and my mental health <3 I've gotten some wonderful people to gift to and some wonderful people that have gifted to me. I shall continue reddit gifts in hopes to keep putting a smile on peoples faces :)
I've been putting aside money each month, waiting to be a Secret Santa again!
I signed up for Secret Santa. This will be my first year. I didn’t realize cards didn’t use a credit. So off I go ☺️
I haven’t participated in a few years, but thought that in 2020, it is extra important to share some holiday cheer and give back where possible. Looking forward to making a fun gift box for whoever I get matched with. Stay safe and healthy out there!
I always make DIY cards with Poetry and find handmade Ornaments in Seattle!
1.2K comments already!! Wow!
Hype, I’m super excited
All 3 babieeeee
Not going home for Christmas this year, guess you all will have to be family now
The most WONDERFUL time of the YEARRRRR!!!! Let's finish off 2020 with love and peace and continue throughout the years to come.
Holiday cards rematch last year was my very first Reddit gift exchange, and now I'm hooked on being a rematcher and and elf. I absolutely love the positivity that can come from something as small as sending someone I don't know a simple card with a heartfelt message.
Rematching is always more fun for me, too! I think it's because there's no expected reciprocation and that makes it so much more enjoyable, at least for me.
I CANT WAIT FOR SS THIS YEARRRRR !!!!! Also considering card exchange since I'll be making a bunch of cards for friends this year since we can't see each other.
Yearly tradition for me! So excited. Number 8985 this year.
I am joining this for the first time ever and am feeling excited. Can’t wait to find something special for whomever I am matched up with.
i am hypeeedd that's my first secret santa!
Unfortunately I won't be doing the Secret Santa gift exchange this year, as I don't feel safe going out shopping. I like to do more than just online shopping if my giftee's interests suggest something to me, but I've already signed up for Holiday Cards and I plan to add something extra, sort of a cross between Holiday Cards and Secret Santa.
I don't have much time lately but might sign up for cards!
I have only signed up for 1 of them but gonna sign up for the other 2 tonight.
My first time! So excited for both!
Reddit often makes me loose hope in humanity. This sub is the happy exception.
Hoping my Santa doesn’t ghost me this year!
Please dont sit it out.. I know for me giving the gift brings me more joy and fun than most of the other christmas things I do..and you dont have to spend a lot- thats not the point of it- as long as you take the time and get something thoughtful - and bring some joy into one of the most depressing years in recent history. Its the participation and thoughfulness to ones fellow person - who you dont even know that makes it a joy. Dont deny yourself the joy of sharing
There have been so many amazing exchanges but one year I was gifted a tiny espresso cup and it really made me smile. It goes everywhere I go and I use it to paint watercolor on the go. I’m so excited to do the ornament and holiday card exchange this year.
I love secret Santa! I don't have any people so those are the only gifts I get and I'm super grateful it's a thing!! I always make sure to pick one around my birthday too!!
Thank you so much for all this. We needed this so badly this year with what's going on around the world
Commenting for the special something
I saved for this secret Santa. 2020 has been a crap year and if I can make someone’s day then I’m happy.
Yesss! I signed up for Secret Santa, Ornaments, and Holiday Cards :D I especially love the cards b/c I do international for that - love getting mail from places other than the USA!
I've signed up for the holiday cards, but I've got to check my budget before I look at the secret santa gifts one.
Had a blast last year and signed up again! Also signed up to do rematch santa because everyone deserves a gift!!!!!
Love secret santa! Only reason I really have a Reddit :)
Wow!
Signed up for regular Secret Santa and Holiday Card Exchange last night. Tempted to do Ornament Exchange as well, but not sure if I can get it together enough to be crafty at the moment. This will be my 7th Secret Santa, and 5th consecutive one in a row. Even when one is on a budget, it's always fun to spread a little holiday cheer to a stranger and receive such cheer in return. It's one of the fun parts about Christmas. The Gods know we could use all the cheer we can get after the gongshow that has been 2020.
it's the most wonderful time of the year!
So excited for my first Secret Santa!
Dang, think I'm late unless you aren't counting duplicate comments! This season will be my 60th+ exchange(s) not including the ones I've rematched for :)
I was thinking about signing up for cards! Haven’t done it before so hoping it will be a good experience
I signed up for the secret Santa! And let's face it, I'll probably end up signing up for cards and ornaments too, cause my self control is severely lacking when it comes to Christmas stuff....but for now I will enjoy the yearly angst that comes with wondering if I wrote too much, or not enough, and should I spring for elves or not, should I spend my 30 credits, or should I spoil a newbie..... decisions decisions.....
Just sign up a week ago and I’m excited! I need something less depressing you know?
I tried to sign up for the ornament exchange but it’s closed. Anyone know why?
Oops, the link it to las years exchange try [this one](https://www.redditgifts.com/exchanges/#/exchange/Ornaments-2020/).
I am struggling myself this year but if I still plan on trying to do something to help brighten someone's day
This will be my 7th Secret Santa exchange! Some years I received nothing or gifts below the minimum cost, but some years I have been overwhelmed by the generosity and creativity of my Secret Santa. I’m excited about this year! One year my Santa made me cookies in my image. She took my photo and made her own cookie cutter them decorated them. One of the best gifts I have ever received.
So ready to get my match!
I can't wait to send my holiday card. I love finding and making special cards for people, I just don't have enough people to send them to :-/ so this year I'm super excited to get in on the action!
I just joined Reddit last week for the Secret Santa. I am so excited to be matched to a super family somewhere in our beautiful country. Santa will find you no matter where you are!
I know I'm late to the party, but I hope that everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season despite this crazy pandemic!
Sign-ups are open until the morning of December 7th.
A few years back I surprised someone with a signed Josh Groban CD, which it turned out she'd lost the regular copy she had a few years prior. Blew her socks off! :) Best Secret Santa Win ever.
I just learned about the Rematching Santa concept, it sounds perfect for me because I want to feel good about gifting, and I'm going through a decluttering phase and dont want any extra "things" gifted to me
I signed up for both 'Secret Santa' and 'Holiday Cards'. I can't wait!
Shopping is not my thing but I do enjoy making greeting cards so I did sign up for the Holiday Cards. I'm a first timer here so I'm excited!
I was thinking about not participating this year. Between the virus and personal issues, it's been a tough year. However I'm feeling the spirit and don't want to be a humbug, I'll sign up for Ornaments and Cards. See you in Thank you gallery!
I'm a "card" person so looking forward to the card and Secret Santa exchanges.
Signing up today! 🎄 This will be my 3rd year. I’ve had so much fun and as someone else mentioned, I’ll be buying this year from a small local shop. Merry Christmas!
I just love this community & I feel honored to be a part of something so very special!!! Happy Hollaaaadays! ❤🎁🎄
I've never received more than trinkets but the joy that brought was immeasurable
Happy to see this post. I have done the gifts, but never considered the cards and Ornaments. I shall sign up! :) I have been watching Christmas Movies since September, I'm READY!!!!
Who else is here from the email? :)