VGCollect 2024 Secret Santa!

[dhaabi]

It's that time of the year with holiday spirit soon to be in the air! After some discussion with others, I introduce VGCollect's 2024 Secret Santa gift-exchange, now twelve years in the running! I'd like for the event to go as planned without any issues or hurdles, so I politely ask that this introduction post be read in full. Additionally, we as a community have established that all who are interested to have been members of the forum community for at least three months prior to this announcement topic alongside some sort of site activity. Generally, all are welcome, and we hope that longtime participants return and new ones take part.

Like last year, I've decided to streamline steps so that most everything I need as the organizer is supplied all at once. With that said, I've created a Google Form for those interested in participating to fill out. For those concerned, the form does not collect e-mail addresses, and completing the form does not require a Google account. Be aware that to formally join the event, the attached form below is needing to be completed. With that said, for the sake of the establishing further interest and community discussion, please be sure to also post in the forum topic if you're planning to take part.

VGCollect 2024 Secret Santa Sign-up
https://forms.gle/ZAHDcVEshy7PTpAn7

Feel free to publicly discuss what you think should be the expected budget, any updates you'd like to share with everyone participating, or anything else related to Secret Santa. As is typical, I think everyone would appreciate any and all discussion to help raise excitement and to maintain engagement. Toward the end of the sign-up period, I will publicly mention what the agreed upon budget that has been selected by most participants is. If the budget becomes more than you originally were planning to spend, or if there is any reason you need to withdraw from the event whatsoever, please let me know via PM so that you are formally withdrawn. At the latest, please let me know by the end of Sunday, October 20, as wish list information will be sent to each Santa the following day.

I would like for there to be enough time for anyone interested to see this topic, so the sign-up period will run for approximately three weeks until the morning of Monday, October 21. Following the sign-up period, I will assign each participating Santa their giftee by forwarding wish lists and mailing addresses, and the actual fun will begin!

Something I will mention is the agreed upon budget. As one should assume, this budget tends to be more of a guideline. Evident from the past, many participants personally decide to exceed the budget, although no one should feel as if they themselves or their Santa are required. This hasn't been any major issue in the past, but it's worth addressing, nonetheless. On that note, many participants in the past have gone above and beyond in curating their gifts and mailing them with care, so continuing that attitude would be fantastic to see.

2024 Santas
1. dhaabi
2. koemo1
3. telly
4. puddingm
5. NickAwesome
6. jason
7. ferraroso

As it's needed, I will publish follow-up posts while also updating this initial topic post below:

October 17 Update
The expected budget should be around $60 USD.

October 21 Update
Giftee wish list and shipping information has been forwarded to each participant's Santa. Please plan ahead to have all shipped items reach their final destination by December 15.

November 05 Update
After items have been mailed, tracking and shipment information should be forwarded to me via PM so I can ensure everything is running smoothly.

As stated above, this is now the twelfth year the VGCollect community has celebrated this Secret Santa event! Below are past topic discussions for each previous year:
Secret Santa 2013
Secret Santa 2014
Secret Santa 2015
Secret Santa 2016
Secret Santa 2017
Secret Santa 2018
Secret Santa 2019
Secret Santa 2020
Secret Santa 2021
Secret Santa 2022
Secret Santa 2023

[telly]

I'm in! 

[koemo1]

Ik heb er zin in!

[dhaabi]

I've updated the sign-up form to include one additional question regarding how each participant would prefer their Santa to shop for them. I had asked about this in a feedback survey from last year's event as a general rule, but it's something that's better implemented on an individual level.

As an open reminder, be sure to to fill out the form sign-up form to formally take part in this year's event.

[koemo1]

I've updated the sign-up form to include one additional question regarding how each participant would prefer their Santa to shop for them. I had asked about this in a feedback survey from last year's event as a general rule, but it's something that's better implemented on an individual level.

As an open reminder, be sure to to fill out the form sign-up form to formally take part in this year's event.

Should I fill in the form again?

[dhaabi]

I've updated the sign-up form to include one additional question regarding how each participant would prefer their Santa to shop for them. I had asked about this in a feedback survey from last year's event as a general rule, but it's something that's better implemented on an individual level.

As an open reminder, be sure to to fill out the form sign-up form to formally take part in this year's event.

Should I fill in the form again?

I've taken note of your answer provided via PM. Thanks!

[puddingm]

signed up 

[telly]

I still need to make my list and will hopefully have that done by the end of the week!

[dhaabi]

I still need to make my list and will hopefully have that done by the end of the week!

Sounds good! In case it wasn't clear for others reading, wish lists don't need to be finalized until October 20. So, those interested can still sign up without sending specific wish lists to me yet. I'll only need them at some point before the final deadline.

[NickAwesome]

Signed up! Looking forward to another fun year!

[jason]

Joining in

[dhaabi]

About one week remains for those interested to sign up!

[dhaabi]

For those who've already signed up, votes for the expected gift-buying budget have been 4 for $60 USD and 2 for $80 USD. So unless something changes, this year's budget will reflect the $60 USD option.

I also didn't mention this detail in the sign-up form, but based on last year's conversation concerning budget and shipping costs, those two amounts should be treated separately. So, think of the total costs as ~$60 USD + shipping. But, if there needs to be some conversation about that in this year's topic, we're more than able to discuss it.

[dhaabi]

To my surprise, ferraroso signed up less than twelve hours ago. So, there are seven participants this year!

Thanks for everyone's patience during the sign-up period. I wanted there to be enough time for those who may be interested to join while also considering how much time there is for shopping and mailing. With that said, I'll be forwarding each participant their giftee wish list, preferences, and shipping information shortly.

[telly]

Wooo should be a lot of fun!  Happy shopping everyone!