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You might think I've gone crazy and forgotten what year it is, but no, the above "logo" is correct. I'm back today to show off the returns of a Not-So-Secret Santa gift from back when I ran the program in 2023!
Since it was a long time ago, let's do a quick refresher on my Not-So-Secret Santa program. The basic idea was that people could sign up for free by filling out a short form indicating their collecting (and other) interests. Then, I used the form to construct a care package to mail out. Once the recipient received their package, the only requirement was that they were supposed to mail me something back in return (whatever they thought was fair).
Back in 2023, I had nine people sign up for the project. Of the nine people that I mailed packages to, seven of them followed through and sent me something in return. The two that didn't were TwinKiller and a fairly popular blogger who I won't publicly blast now (let bygones be bygones, I say).
Anyhow, flash forward to a couple of weeks ago when TwinKiller reached out to me on TCDB with an apology and an offer to send me something for all that I sent him. At this point, I no longer have much recollection of what I sent off to him. I do know I sent a lot of Twins from his TCDB want list, but I'm pretty sure there were other items in the package as well. Anyhow, he did offer to finally send something (and given that this was basically two years later, anything is better than nothing, though I long ago gave up on getting anything back from either of the two deadbeat trades).
He mentioned that he had something for my son, which, again, was good enough for me at this point in time! Earlier last week, a package arrived with a LEGO set in it (just in time for the holiday 2025 season).
That's a (kind of creepy) LEGO Santa sitting on a green chair. I think my son will enjoy building this, though there's a pretty good chance that eventually the parts end up in my LEGO bins for future building projects!
In the end, I do thank TwinKiller for reaching out and trying to make it right. I'll admit that with a failure rate of 2/9 packages back in 2023, it did dissuade me from attempting a similar project in 2024 or 2025. Maybe I'll revive the idea next year?
I liked the No-So-Secret Santa project. I figured that it was a little too daunting for you to continue it (I know it was a bit challenging coming up with a return), but I didn't know people stiffed you.
ReplyDeleteI've made a conscious effort to collect less stuff, and to try and finish off sets that I've been working on for ages, so I know my want list tough for most folks. I'll have to think of other acceptable return package options if I do the program again in 2026!
DeleteI loved the idea of the not so secret Santa. The reason I didn't try to get involved is exactly because of life at that time, that I was not 100% sure I could commit to get something back to you, especially in a timely manner. I could totally see this being too much work for the return in your end, especially if some don't end up sending anything back.
ReplyDeleteThat's a totally reasonable take on things! I might try to revive the concept next year, we'll see I guess.
DeleteI do enjoy putting together care packages, so maybe I'll revive this idea next year!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope I wasn't the one who joined and didn't send a gift. Just scoured your posts, my posts, and my email to see if I committed to participating. I didn't find anything. Plus that was the year my father passed away, so I'm guessing I wasn't the last participant. That being said, feel free to email me if I was. Definitely don't want to leave you out in the cold.
ReplyDeleteNope, not you! I didn't mean for the comment I made to be cryptic, but I'm also not interested in calling anyone out two years later! Heck, for all I know, a return package was sent and got lost in the mail. It's all water under the bridge as far as I'm concerned. But, rest assured, it wasn't you, Fuji!
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