Hey everyone, it's that time of year again. November 1st means it's secret santa time on /toy/!Sign ups end November 9th.Please keep in mind that imports are going to be more expensive this year so please keep them to a minimum or look for alternatives on amazon, use BigBadToyStore, or better yet shop locally if you can. Actual shipping within the US should be unaffected.If you have any other questions feel free to ask.Sign up form: https://forms.gle/mXQVECSry4Evzj7L9My email: toysecretsanta2025@gmail.comFAQ: https://pastebin.com/jA4SUZUQ
>>11612425Hey there Santa hope you had a good Halloween, looking forward to another great secret santa this year.
>>11612425It's here...(unironically been F5'ing the catalog for the past hour)
I'm someone who would bake goods for my assignment, so don't forget to add if you are a PASS on that or have allergies (like my assignment last year couldn't into chocolate - which took out like 80% of my baking repertoire).Also, while I know it's not toys, I'm also a person who would do a 'stocking stuffer' and say you like The Teen Titans, would include TT Go! socks or even a tee-shirt - so if you would be open to something like that (Hulk wallets? Sponge Bob ties? Pokemon coffee cups?), add it to that 'other interest' section, if that's acceptable to the rules?Cheers everyone!
>>11612425Quick question for santanon; is it cool if I attach pics of my collection so my santa can get a better idea of what I like / avoid receiving a duplicate figure?
Sign up sent. Ready to spread some Christmas cheer!
IT'S TIME FOR THE UNDEFEATED OF THE NORTH TO REIGN SUPREME OVER THIS SEASON.
>>11612425all signed up, took me awhile to figure out what I want, I have 3 items within the price range, 1 preference and 1 slightly higher price item encase they feel like it.Can't wait to see what my assignment will be this year, last years one was fun to buy for.
YESSSSSSS
>>11612617Yes just don't use too many. I've seen people do this in the past and link a ton of pictures. Try to keep it to around 3 to show off your collection so your assignment isn't shuffling through a bunch of pics just to make sure they don't send you a duplicate.
>tfw was gifted a haslab sentinel, mafex storm, vhs sinister, outback rogue, & 6" scale mvc2 arcade cabinet two years ago by some crazy generous anon. Im still grateful to this day and these figs are a big part of my displays
>>11612425>or better yet shop locallyYep, I found an actual Japanese hobby store in the warehouse district, and even found some new toy stores I never knew about in the nose bleed parts of my county.
How are people outside the US who're matched with American anons affected, if at all? I don't want anyone to have to pay more for customs
Been a long few years since I partook, any other UK anons signing up?
>>11613175I am, I think this is my 6th year doing it? Normally there's a couple of us.
>>11613128People from the US pretty much always sign up domestic. If we get people who ship from mexico and canada though they usually ship to the US but this year international might be their only option. We'll see who signs up and go from there. For everyone else outside of that, they always ship with themselves anyway so that shouldn't change.
>>11613196>>11613175I know from the /co secret santa that there were people from the continent that signed up but they use a system where the giftee isn't buying and shipping so that's not part of the equationit looks like, from the faq, that some non-domestic (non-usa) participants get screwed a bit, which is sad to see
Best time of the year. Always love this. My Santa’s have never disappointed.
>>11613548
>>11613545>it looks like, from the faq, that some non-domestic (non-usa) participants get screwed a bit, which is sad to seeMainly because it depends entirely on who signs up. 4chan is mostly US based at the end of the day. If you aren't in the US and want to ship domestic, depending on where you're from, you're not likely to get someone from the same country. UK anons get a better chance as there are usually at least 3-4 people every year but for everyone else not so much.
buffalo?
Websites like 5ktoys, ShowZ, Gundamit, and Chowbrick use bulk shipping to HEAVILY reduce tariff fees. We're talking like $4 vs $100. I've had multiple orders since the whole debacle began and had zero problems. Good option if looking for stuff for people.
Merry Christmas to all fellow /toy/ Soldiers! Bumping with a few pics of hat my Santa bought me last year!
>>11613730
>>11613730>>11613731Oh, hey, I was your Santa last year and got you those. I remember them getting stuck in USPS for like 3 or 4 weeks and were worried they wouldn't make it in time. Glad that all got sorted out and you're still enjoying the figures!
>>11613294>already have to ship to the US because leafs kept fucking up>might have to ship to Mexico this timeI can't take this
>>11613550Hmm, if any other assignments want stuff like local craft beer or other local goods like that cheese or sausage that can safely travel, I'd buy that for an anon to send. People should mention that in the 'treats section' or where ever else that should go?
Santa always hooks it up. Can't wait for this year!
>>11613987That's not your picture ??? That's mine from 2022? What the hell
Ok, I'm in. I entered the last few years and had a blast.
>>11613792You can ship to me, anon, I'm in Buffalo and willing to drive to the package delivery place across the falls. I'm totally not lying.Really, I'm not.
>>11614117Buffalo?
I just signed up.hopefully there'll be some other euro toysoldiers to spend more on presents than on shipping.
Logged back in and hit SUBMIT a second time, and finally got the screen that I would get a confirmation email - but no email yet - hopefully, it took. It's my second time and I do remember getting the confirmation email last year.
>>11614117Actually? Wait didn't you do that last time>>11614255Buffalo?
>>11614726>Wait didn't you do that last timeLast time, I might have prevaricated a teensy, tiny bit.But now, today? Am I lying?Assuredly, absolutely, with deepest certainty and conviction, not!!!
>>11614760>making me learn a new wordYou are getting a book for Christmas, each page has infinite articulation and therefore infinite play value, and it doesn't count as grinching
>>11614117>>11614255>>11614726
>>11612425>Sign ups end November 9th.Less than a week
>>11615033Thats how long sign ups usually take, anon
>>11615095meant for the anons who always drop in after that date (and especially even during December) and say they 'wish they knew' or 'wanted to join,' etc. etc.A lot of people ignore OPs, you know,
>>11615201Ah yes. It will be interesting to see how this pans out this year. From what I've heard, lots of anons left /toy/ when 4chan went under for that little bit. Not sure how many returned... although I doubt that anons participating in secret santa were casuals.
>>11612425>https://forms.gle/mXQVECSry4Evzj7L9So were we supposed to get some sort of confirmation email if we did this correctly? Been more than a few days (think 3+) and I've not gotten anything.And yes, I did check spam.
I'm not joining Secret Santa after the debacle that was last year. I'll just wait for the wishlist threads and toss some cheap stuff anons way.
>>11612425Can't wait to see who I get this year, these are always fun.
>>11612425>want to partake and send out some goodies>no idea what I actually wantHMM
>>11616037Normally I list toys I've been considering buying but haven't yet for whatever reason (waiting for a sale, not being in a rush, etc etc).Also having a general "anything related to X franchise" is good as a stocking stuffer option.
>>11615917what happened last year?
>>11615897Same here, haven't recieved a confirmation on my end either.
>>11616057Nothing, every year someone lies about the previous years SS being bad or making up stuff.
>>11616055Good idea, though most of the stuff I want I kind of have, is expensive or have on PO, but maybe I’ll think of a few good options to fit the budget without overthinking too much (challenge level impossible)
>>11616057>>11616065Stuff happened on OTHER BOARDS, which related to the jannies and moderation, but second anon is correct - AFA was apparent from the threads and the posts, there was nothing but satisfaction from the participants. I think maybe one or two anons didn't post their gifts being received maybe? But no one was grinched, all participants got something, etc. etc.
>>11616230Ahh okay, sorry for making assumptions about you anon, I jumped the gun.
>>11616263I'm not 11615917 or anyone else whose posted - this was my first time chiming in about any 'debacle' - but I appreciate you being a courteous anon about things!
>>11616230Yeah, I think most years things have gone off without a hitch (got grinched my first year, but an anon stepped in and delivered, thanks to them btw), but I do wish there was at least a rule to make sure you post what you got. Not to sound weird, but just to make sure that they got it more than anything.
>>11616037I know what I want but it's expensive, and as far as this anon is suggesting >>11616055>but haven't [bought for myself] yet for whatever reason Mostly because they are OOS or SO or someone would have to buy at a toy flea market or secondary market, the stuff that can be bought from an on-line retailer, it's either marked up because it's actually being sold by a secondary market reseller already - just on Amazon, or WM, or it's close to $20-$40 more than the price point. Sigh.
>>11616272Hopefully, we get some pictures before this particular thread hits post count, which I doubt it will before it starts to auto-sage at the rate we've been going. At least, hopefully they post before December rolls around!
>>11615897>>11616059>>11614363Normally after you fill in the form google will send a email "forms response receipt" so it's weird you didn't get one unless you used a different email for the form.
>>11616356
>>11616272I can easily make it a rule but whether I do or don't I have no way of enforcing it besides banning people and that's too severe of a punishment just for not posting your gift. All I can really do is ask people to do it.
>>11616368>unless you used a different email for the form.Yep - this is me, I get most of my non work, on-line shopping, etc., at a Yahoo garbage account I've had since forever so it's already appeared many times on the dark web, I'm sure, and I don't care because it's not attached to my work, or bank or anything meaningful But that's the account I used last year (first time) and I can't remember if I got a receipt but it all worked out fine in the end, I got my gifts, Santaman got my emails and I got his, etc., my assignment got his stuff on time, etc. I only have one old gmail account that I do not use for anything and never have, and I would need to log in or keep myself logged in (which I refuse to do with Google).I'd never know if SantaMan had sent me something without manually checking, which I doubt I would remember to do sufficiently 100% of the time, especially once it gets closer to November since i would just be so fucking busy - whereas that garbage Yahoo account goes straight to my phone. But I did just check that gmail and still ZIP, even in the spam folder.
>>11616356No one believes any of the horseshit out of your mouth zat.
>>11616451So should I redo my submission and make sure my emails are the same? I know I submitted, I just want to make sure all was good. I probably should just email santa man on this DESU
>>11616622>I probably should just email santa manYep, I'm as clueless as you. I'm going to redo my submission but that's just because I decided to buy a few things off it for myself. But I don't want to change to that gmail account.
>most of the things I want are probably going to be out of stock or probably expensive>seems like a waste of space to mention them>but listing everything I do have, and then listing what I'd eventually want or wouldn't mind getting, would be an essay>want to leave enough wiggle room in case anon somehow gets an idea of what I don't know about but would wantWhat makes it easier for anons to decide
>>11616689At that point, you could probably just put down properties you like, but either don't own anything from or they're lower priority. To avoid overlap, I usually list things that are low or moderate priority to me. Things I want, but that aren't things I intend to buy any time soon. That, or I list things I am considering getting into, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.
>>11616689No need to list things you do have. Just list the stuff you don't have and want.Also, It's easier as the buyer to have multiple options over a few different lines/scales. If I am not sure what 1 of your particular interests are, I can have some of your other interests to fall back on.Even something simple as "Anything Legend of Zelda is fun! (no coffee mugs plz!)" Can open up a bunch of ideas of stocking stuffers for anons
>>11616714>singular properties are too obscure or expensive>would have to outright name an entire genre's worth of content>can't just list five robots, because those would all be out of stock (but an anon somehow pulled through for one last time)>can't put "anything that's very decently posable" because that's cruel and insaneI'd list a few medium priorities but I'm always hoping for a miracle that anon can make a major find of something I either didn't know was available or in stock>>11616716>any decent gunpla but I don't want any dupes, and anon might have a different definition or no definition at all of what a decent kit would beI'm stressing out because I don't want anon to stress out>multiple options over a few different lines/scales>I can have some of your other interests to fall back onH-haha uh, yeah, about that...
>>11616373Huh what happened here?
>>11616732I dunno mane. Don't put down Gunpla if you think it would cause you or your anon stress. >>11616738Something about Santa Man and a discord server? Not sure
Alright, who ended up getting the Rose Tico figure last year? Did it make an appearance?
>>11616748The thread was pruned, I think or people just stopped posting, but I don't think it made an appearance. The 2024 person did write it was being sent to their assignment.
>>11616740>I dunno mane. Don't put down Gunpla if you think it would cause you or your anon stress.But it's also going to be the cheapest and most readily available thing, hence the conundrum>just put down that I like water and anon will have to deal with a 50-name list or sort through them blindly themselves>they might not have crocodile milk in Florida where they only have alligators>can't put down mango or melon soda because what if they have to pay extra to import itI'll figure something out
>>11616689Definitely don't list everything you own. My assignment asked for a specific thing, that came in four models, and I could find several within the budget for this. They also then listed other things they liked (anime and manga, cartoons, and a few other franchises). They also listed some plushes and a few expensive items, but since I could order ONE of their WANTS easily and it was reasonable, I just did that. Then I bought a few small, inexpensive other things. I noticed someone else mentioned coffee cups, but I would have added some things like socks or wallets (say they had written they liked Garfield or Peanuts, those are always easy to find, especially for any bigger franchises like Sonic). I think you are worrying about this a bit too much.Someone listing say DBZ is a
>>11616775>they might not have crocodile milk in Florida where they only have alligatorsNever give up, anon
>>11616622Nah, Santaman confirmed he got my submission and even also got the one I resubmitted, so you are probably good? You might want to write to him at the OP address to confirm?
>>11616858I think I know what I must do.>Someone listing say DBZ is aAnon??>>11616929Oh holy shit, I didn't know about this, I assumed all alligators were New World and all crocs were Old World>can you tell the difference between themNot anymore
>>11617349>is a>Anon??My Lyft came for my breakfast meeting, 5 minutes early, so I forgot to complete my thought and hit enter by accident!
>>11617390Don't lie to me now anon, I won't get mad if you were too engrossed in your favourite pogs
>submitted the form>it says matchups should be out by the 7th or 8th or something absurdly earlyI'm going to assume the OP's 9th is the deadline and that I'm still good
>>11617408That might be a setting I forgot to change. Pairs will be assigned on the 10 by the end of the day.>>11616967Also this. If you think there is any problem with your form, it's better to email me and not ask here unless you want to post your name and email in here which kind of defeats the purpose of secret santa.
>>11617439>That might be a setting I forgot to change. Pairs will be assigned on the 10 by the end of the day.Yippie!
>>11617443And thanks for reminding me because I fixed it just now.
>>11617444This day just keeps getting better and better
Gonna skip this year, honestly kinda bummed the last two my Santee never posted the gifts I sent.
>>11617571mine didnt post theirs last year either baka
>tfw can't remember whether I posted my gifts or only noted my appreciation>remember I probably posted like two to five photos for the past two yearsIf I get you're gift I will undoubtedly post photos, anon
Done this 5-6 times now. Spend at least 300 dollars each time. I try to pick something from each category they ask for. Some times hunting down shit on ebay, the used section of amiami, and mandarake for rare stuff. Hell last year i spent 60 on the treat alone, getting Japanese candy. Only once has my Santee ever taken a single picture.I skipped 2023 and that felt bad, but it also feels bad to spend so much and get no appreciation .... not sure which is worse.If I join in this year I know it'll be even more expensive to get the stuff asked for ... is it worth it? Sorry dont mean to be a Debbie downer. I do enjoy alot of the aspects of Secret Santa. And santa man is a solid dude for going through this every year and I appreciate his effort and all the good anons who show appreciation. Here's what I got last year ... thanks again dude. The peanut brittle was banging
>>11617577I believe I was your assignment?You're in or near NOLA and sent me the local praline snacks?Because I know I photographed PICREL once I got them assembled and posted this photo, because I also posted it on the /co cheer thread as well, and while I can't find it right now, but am pretty sure I posted other pictures?
I still have all of my Christmas cheer from the last few years.I got this last year.
>>11617746And this the year before.
>>11617747And I got this 3 years ago.Before that, the last time I took part in Secret Santa was back in maybe 2016 or 2017, when there was a different organizer.
>>11617739I would have atleast settled for 1 Pic. But a quick "Hey I got it, thanks!" post just stings.
>people complaining their gifts weren't postedIsn't that kind of missing the point?
>>11617768Like this anon >>11617739, I also felt I was generous, in a different way than some of the pictures shown here, largely because my anon only had two items that were within the range, and I planned to get both. Sadly, one I made the mistake of doing as a pre-order from one particular place that will remain nameless today, because it was the best price, including shipping, and i had store credit there, but I had to cancel that. I also went and got a lot of blind bag and small things and like some other folks here, plenty of cash spent on the particular gummies and candies the person requested. A "Hey, I got it thanks!" is the kind of shit most 1950s mothers would slap their children for if that was the type of thank you cards their children wrote to the grandparents for birthday gifts. Even though I felt my assignment wasn't appreciative, especially considering all the running around I physically did for a lot of the small, stocking suffers and blind bag stuff which meant i had to go to stores for anime items I would never even visit for myself, I will easily probably make a similar effort this year. I think you're missing the point that so many of the anons are trying to make here. It's not like taking and posting pictures is asking for your first born children, son.
>>11617809I guess I just don't see the point of gift giving when you're looking for something, even as trivial as gratitude, in return. I dunno, I don't buy gifts for people looking for something in return. I do it because it makes me feel good.
>>11617815Let me clue you in on something. Not everyone is you. I buy gifts for the joy it brings the receiver. I want to see the smile and know I got it right. It's small and it's my reward. Thats the pic ... it's the smile, the acknowledgement I got it right and I spread the joy. Otherwise I might as well have paid a bill... actually it's worse. I don't have to spend time hunting down items to pay a bill. I dont have to wrap and package my payment of the bill, For fucks sake the fucking company at least thanks me for the goddamn payment. Maybe its the southern boy in me. But you get a gift you say thank you. Its common courtesy. I don't like brussel sprouts anon. You gonna tell me why I should like them because you do?
>>11617746>>11617747>>11617748Damn anon those are some good presents. I would have liked to receive a lot of those.
>>11617768Bro if someone says thank you, you atleast get a you're welcome
>>11617828I'm with you Anon it's why I have skipped it for many years despite actually being able to afford it now. First 2 years were fantastic and I even covered someone who was grinched out of pocket then two years ago I was in your situation as well as receiving the bare minimum and I mean the bare minimum. With barely getting a thanks in return so I kinda lost the motivation. Still have the original gifts I received from those two years as well as the Star Wars Xmas DVD which I kinda wanna through back in the rotation though. Lost the cool Xmas card I got in a move sadly as it was on my fridge for years.Also this board is kinda shit.
>>11617828Man, you sure do know how to suck the joy out of something. Sorry you're such a sad sack. I hope things get better for you.
I get the desire to be thanked and see that your anon is enjoying the stuff you got them but at the end of the day the point of this is to give a gift, anything else beyond that is a bonus, to say you're never going to do this again just because you didn't get a thank you is weird to me but whatever, just don't try to bring down the spirits of the other anons who are partaking.
>>11617902Nah, fuck you, what's the point of putting in the effort otherwise?
>>11617902stop trying to police how others should feel, if you want to anonymously give gifts to someone you could do it elsewhere. it's an imageboard, we want images of the gifts received.
>>11617906To feel good about doing someth8ng nice for others? You don't need acknowledgement to do someth8ng nice. >>11617908Kind of a self centered mindset for a thread about gift giving.
Santa Man should add a new rule where you have to post your haul or you don't get to participate next year.
>>11617908>stop trying to police how others should feelI wasn't
>>11617906To do something good for someone? >>11617923That's stupid and impossible to enforce.
>>11617923This
>unironically forcing people to thank youYou people are mental. This is why I don't participate.
This is how it starts >People who don't post what they got should get banned!>People who I don't feel like matched my effort should get banned!>People who only spend the minimum amount should be banned!
>>11617742Holy Guacamole! You're right!I must have been thinking about my 2023 santee. I definitely had a fun time getting your stuff, anon. It was neat scoping out things that arent normally on my radar at the local conventions!
>>11617944I see no problem there
Part of the actual fun of the event is posting the items not just as a thank you to your santa, but but also the fun of the rest of us seeing what everyone got. If the last thread of the event in late December/early January was just 40 people replying to each other "Got it, thanks!" that would make for a pretty boring end of the whole exchange. It would be akin to, on Christmas day, all of your family members taking their presents into their own room to open them so no one even gets to see what anyone got.
>>11618040Yeah but forcing them to do it at the threat of banning them is stupid. Why can't you guys just accept that some people don't like to post their stuff? It's alright that they don't want to.
>>11618042I don't think they should be banned, no, but it would definitely be disappointing if you put a lot of effort or thought, especially if you personalized the stuff you sent, only to wonder how much they actually cared if they can't even bothered to snap a quick pic with their phone camera as a thank you.But I guess this is all coming from someone who actually posts all the gifts they get from their Santa, and has also had all gifts they have given posted. I guess some people who put some thought and care into what they did for their recipient expect a little more than the bare minimum in return.
>>11617980Your pralines were broken up and used to bake into chocolate muffins and were a big hit at a holiday party. Sadly, I don't think I have photos, I'll need to ask my buddy if he knows of any.
>>11617815>when you're looking for something, even as trivial as gratitude,Assuming you're a zoomie, even a millennial, you simply misunderstand the social contract, son. When someone opens the door for someone else, the correct response is to say, "Thank you."When your waiter comes by, takes your order, you look at them at least once, and you say "please" even though they are being paid and part of dining out at a restaurant is table service.When a rideshare driver arrives drops you off at your destination, even though they are engaged in employment to transport you and thus performing paid service, you thank them as you disembark.Someone says hello, or someone waves - you say hello or you wave back.It's as simple as that, son.I understand that social niceties are not how you were raised. It's all MINE MINE MINE and everyone gets participation tropheys with your generations, and your parents told you that you were special just the way you were each and every day of your life. But your were lied to, son. This is not how the social contract that has been in existence since humans started existing together has been in place.
>>11618040Buffalo?
>>11618069>When someone opens the door for someone else, the correct response is to say, "Thank you."Yeah no shit. I'm always minding my pleases and thank yous, but I don't throw a tantrum when I don't get one myself. No one owes you anything homie.
>Somehow a pic and thank you is too much to expect after spending time and money on a person.You know I used to disagree when trolls said that anons here didn't deserve anything.I'm sad to hear so many express that simple gratitude is too much to expect and they are owed gibs Bah fucking humbug!
>>11617739hey I was your santa last year! I'm so glad you still have a photo of this cause my harddrive crapped itself inbetween then and now. Glad you liked the peanut brittle!
>>11618170Anon, no one owes you anything. Yes you should get s thank you but maybe some people don't like posting pictures because of the schizo's out there. Maybe they don't have the time. I'd be more focused if I were you guys on posting the gifts I received than worrying about if my gifts get posted. Getting this upset about it though is very self centered.
>>11618181>Yes you should get s thank you but maybe some people don't like posting pictures because of the schizo's outCase in point, this poster here >>11613987 reposted someone else's image >>11614097 from these threads.
>>11618183Too many schizos on this board stealing images
>>11618181>>11618183This is a flimsy-ass argument when you're alright with giving strangers on the internet your address, and potentially having actual, consumable food items sent to you, but the line is being drawn at a random picture of boxed figures and a thanks is somehow to "avoid the schizos?"
This whole argument is stupid, the 10th can't come soon enough.
>>11618118Sister, if you think making an observation about simple manners is 'throw[ing] a tantrum,' you lost the thread ages ago.
>>11618181Don't read emotions into the words. And I'm the last person you should talk about schizos to I have one who plasters my name up and down this board saying I'm all the evil of the board and has done so for years. And I do post the gifts I receive. I do it every year... want proof I just posted last years gifts again and look at my Santa's response >>11618180 I'm happy I could show him gratitude again because I loved his gifts and I want him to know I appreciate his effort. I'm sorry to cause contention about the matter but you can see it is a thing people feel strongly about. I don't think people should be banned or anything crazy like that. I dont expect to get even half of the hundreds I spend every year. But if you participate and spend the effort to participate I think a little more effort to show gratitude isn't a huge thing to give back. >>11618180Again dude I do love the gifts... probably my first Optimus since I was a kid and I love to pull him off the shelf and mess around with him when I'm in a meeting or something
>>11618196This, I just want to start shopping for cool shit for my anon already.
>>11617923I already gave my opinion on this:>>11616413
>>11618201Let's unstuck him from the wall
>>11618201NTA but as a anon who does always post and say thanks I didn't realise how important it was to people, two years in a row I got no thanks and I didn't care but other anons are calling it quits because of one time, different folks I guess.>>11618202Same, lasts years waa fun to shop for, they were into Batman stuff so I got them a batmobile and 3D printed riddler traps.
If I had realized i would start a huge argument I would have kept my mouth shut ... ApologiesLet's try a different tact Let's post previous gifts that you love and spread some cheer and show what it's like to post our gifts.I got this T-rex and he is hands down my favorite gift I've gotten in the 5-6 times ive done this. I love this thing. If you are still here anon, thanks again, I love him!
>>11618215>anons are calling it quits because of one timeI was benging hasty and maybe a bit too hyperbolic. I plan to join and spend several hundred dollars on an anon again. Also where is zoysite? Hes here every year and he hasn't shown up this year yet. I hope you are ok buddy.Ok more sharing. First year I did it I got some cool goblins, an tiny etch a sketch, a 1/12 lounging chair, and this tbl figure. But the hot chocolate I got was heavenly, I was so sad when I ran out. If you are still here anon that was an awesome Xmas thanks in part to you. Thank you again
>>11618215Yeah it's kind of wild how important it is to some people. I've never even thought twice about it. But that's me. Too many sensitive Nancy's nowadays.
>>11618246Buffalo?
>>11618236>zoysiteI forget the reason (life change?), but wasn't he the one who posted last year that it was going to be his last time participating (or maybe it was him and he didn't offer a reason?)>>11618246>Too many sensitive Nancy'sSaying >different folks as >>11618215does here is one way to put,yours is definitely another
>>11618318You're just proving my point. Grow a pair dude.
>tfw can't remember how much thanks I gave for the Gridman figmaIt's still on my desk to this day and I do think about the very lovely card, and will have to dig it out from the ol' cardpile, I'll take photos when I'm not busy
>>11618393>I'll thank people when I have time *yawn* gratitude is so lame and gayBusy as in I was supposed to leave 15 minutes ago!
>11618323>being both an imbecile AND an asshole on the interwebz >priceless
>>11618412I'll never under this kind of quoting. You're still replying to me. I still see the response. I don't care if there's a little (You) next to it. You guys are weird.
>>11618223I got this ALF last year and I love him
My first sign up for many years, hope to have a fun time shopping for the Bong or Euro I get assigned.
>>11618318Hope he’s doing okay, whatever the reason.
>>11618223I agree. Here's some more of my Deadpool from last year
>>11618523why the HECK do these vertical pics upload sideways?
And here's some from the very generous anon before. I recently got 10 y/o digital camera. Still trying to figure out the macro settings on this thing. I should really take updated pics of my shelves and my whole micro galaxy shelf
>>11618553
>>11618554I am still lovin the gifts and looking back at this pic reminded me of this amazing card. Thanks yo!
>>11618523>>11618524It's some shitty thing that the site incorporated - allegedly once the original owner (moot) allowed phone posting, which was previously banned, so that the site would not get flooded with 'low quality' images - it doesn't prevent twitter and click-bait site screen grab image posting or, for example, in the case of toys, screen grabs of You Tuber toy reviews, but in any event, it was for that reason.All you need to do, as you discovered, is make any kind of edit (size decrease, increase, crop, etc.) on the original image before you post it. Some people never bother to fix it.
Only a Grinch doesn't say thank you and post their gifts.Simple as.
>11618434>I don't care>a little (You)
>>11618223i'll bump with my previous haul. Excited to participate this year. Merry Christmas to everyone
>>11618062Dude! If you have any evidence of this, post in the thread! I would be excited to see how that turned out. I dont think ive ever thought to take pre-made pralines like that and turn them into an ingredient for something else. Makes sense though. Glad you and your AFK friends liked em
>>11618672You're weird and might have issues.
>>11618556that looks like a great haul>>11618553>recently got 10 y/o digital cameraI need to give mine away, it's a LQ thing that would likely work well for aspiring HS photography students or some such, but even crappy phones have better camera than this thing with a Nikon lens that I paid $200 for over 15 years ago when flip phones were over-priced at $29.99.Your image looks fine, however. You might download one of the freeware or shareware photography programs that works for both Windows or Mac, depending on what your system is, and play with it till you get settings you are happy with. I like Graphic Converter.
Signed up! I miss Reddit's Secret Santa, so I'm glad I found this.
>>11618677Uhhh this was my haul. Why are you claiming it's yours?A little disingenuous...
>>11618993Schizos stealing people's pics
>>11618677>>11618993This is why no one post on /toy/ anymore. If some retard is stealing and using photos from here imagine what they are doing else where and bring here.
It was hard to pick things i want because my santa last year got me the things i wanted and my other stuff is expensive. I feel bad asking anon to buy the things i haven't gotten around to buying myself. I'm very excited to buy gifts for someone though.
>>11619001We know they try to dox you and harass people on other sites too.
Hate that i missed last year's signup. Excited to do it again.
>>11619012I almost made this after i got everything
>>11619017I mean also made
>>11618993Noticed this guy is editing in the Retroblasting logo too, they did the same here >>11613987what a fucking weirdo
>>11613987Oh you really are a faggot. Fuck off Retrospammer.
>>11619081Probably zatlit, he's had a hard on for shitting on the secret santa for a couple of years now and he also loves retrospamming. Seems just like the retarded shit he would do.
>>11618688He's a pal who does a friendsgiving (where we made loaded pumpkin/gingerbread cookies) and also does what he calls a 'pagan solistice (Christmas eve) potluck, which is where I made these - we only put the pralines, by grinding them up the way you would ground up graham cracker to make a crust for say cheese cake, or to make crumble coffee cake, into the chocolate muffins that were also loaded. Everyone else got regular (no pot) chocolate cake. So that's what was on the table and that's what most people photographed. He's still looking.
>>11619087>>11619081He possibly is too much of an imbecile to not realize he, at one point, made an automatic watermark setting on whatever imaging software he uses, and thus we get this stupidity: >>11618677 and >>11613987
>>11619081This is why you can't be surprised if someone doesn't feel like posting their haul,
heres something i drew a couple seasons back
>>11619203Oh no the horror of a repost of a picture with a low opacity retroblasting logo.Better not participate or post pictures otherwise this absolute tragedy might happen to you.Honestly anon you might want to leave 4chan forever just to be safe from this horrific fate.
>>11618891It was a great haul. I still have most of this out on display!>>11618891man, I had a Nikon DSLR back in the day when I was in college. I sold it a few years ago just because it was sitting in my closet doing nothing and would ahve rather had the cash. My crappy Point 'n' Shoot camera I have now is alright for regular shots if I am photographing a room or something, but I don't think it willbe good enough for the photography threads or anything. I took the deadpool pics with it, so maybe my shelf needs better light? Both things can be true though.>I like Graphic Converter.You talking about the Lemke Software? I've never heard of it, but it could be cool to fool around a bit with some toy pics. Thanks for the suggestion. I should probably be using this anyway to tackle this pesky auto-rotate thing. >>11619183This sounds comfy as heck, Anon. Glad you guys made it out to where more people could enjoy them! Based
>>11619219Maybe you should stop stealing people's pics.
>>11619219Sorry that it bothers you that I don't want random schizo's who don't even participate in the Secret Santa scrutinizing my photos and doing weird things with them. Just know I always thank my Santa in these threads and am very green if I don't post a pic.
As a reminder, you have until the end of the day on the 9th to sign up as always. When it turns over to the 10th (that's midnight est for me) sign up officially closes. Keep a watch on your email regardless because towards the end is when I start to look over lists and ask anyone to make changes if needed.
>11619203>you >11618877>weird>issues
Long time poster here that'll participate for the first time, looking forward to it
>>11619469if you're the DP Duck + DP Don, those look fine to me, but we're talking about the /toy/ board, not someone trying to start a career on instagram with action toy photography.
>>11618556That was me! I still have the confirmation picture to prove itI'm glad you liked it, and I hope you have another good Christmas this year!
>>11619017This one is hysterical.
>>11619511Yeah, you're defending monsters. Good job.
>>11618953Reddit has toy subreddits with Secret Santa? I know other 4chan boards have them but the janneys and mods went on the rampage last year and put a stop to a lot of them that were a direct anon exchange like this one (the ones that use Amazon's wish lists, like /co for example). That was the only way I ever got a SS toy before I discovered this event last year.
>>11619933>I know other 4chan boards have them but the janneys and mods went on the rampage last year and put a stop to a lot of them that were a direct anon exchange like this oneWait what? Why?
>>11619933The r/gunpla subreddit has a very well run /ss/ but part of it involves a check to make sure you are an actual participant in the subreddit during the year.
>>11619508Very cool, Santa Man. Thanks for all of your work wrangling these cats together>>11619600The dubs tell the truth! Thanks anon. Definitely not trying to be an IG photographer or anything, but I would like to get good enough pics to at least have some kind of cool factor to them. I think my Deadpool ones are neat enough in some aspects. Probably some better lighting would help out a bunch.>>11619700Anon, these are so great, and your dubs prove it! I still have these on display. I'll take some pics tonight to show off.
>>11619943I think there's three or four boards that did/do a Secret Santa and IIRC, it was the global rule about begging that made them keep pruning that part of the SS exchange threads. Mods/Jannies were deleting threads completely.
>>11618223I think that was me if you also asked for 30 Minute Sisters back in 2022. I’m really happy to see you’re still enjoying it! I wasn't gonna join this year but i did last second i dont think i will go that crazy this year lol.
are handmade toys allowed here? is there a handmade tier?
>>11620036I've seen anon get 3d printed items. are you asking for handmade stuff or looking to make handmade stuff.
>>11620045both
>>11620036You can include handmade items with your main gift if you like. But no one participates in this expecting only handmade gifts. /toy/ is mainly about commercial toys and every wishlist reflects that.
Well, I just won a ten year old toy, factory sealed but with a damaged card, for less than half (even with taxes and postage) than the normal it absurdly scalps for, but that means I gotta re-do my wish list since I had tossed it on there in case someone was willing to put in some work and not just grab one or two things off BBTS or Amazon or some such. OTOH, I'm happy. Plus my cold brew coffee tastes great this morning! But on the other hand, I really should not waste all this time online. Sigh.
Just sent my submission last minute. I hadn't seen the thread at all yet so I worried that it wasn't happening this year. Glad I caught it.
I hope the anon I sent the custom Playmobil Harlem Globetrotters & Scooby Doo Mystery Machine is still enjoying them. Sadly I don't have any pictures of them anymore.
>>11620106We have another 7 hours or so till the EST cut-off. Thankfully - because I just bought myself another thing off my list.
>>11620133You had ‘AI generated Santa/Superman hybrid mug’ on your list?
>>11620184Looks like he had it on his Halloween List
>>11620234>>11620184A Super7 Iron Giant - it's 33% off today, which makes is worth the price and I'd rather waste my own money than wait and see if some stranger would consider it for me in a month or so.And no, that's not my coffee mug - I couldn't find the picture of my own that I would normally post but here - have at a two year old breakfast snapshot.
>>11618318Looked at the archives and I didn't see him say anything that I could find that he wasn't going to be participating again.His youtube channel is gone and there isn't any internet activity I can see from the dude in the last year other than the archive /ss/ posts.Man it's just not gonna be the same with out him, he was a staple for this event. I really hope he's OK
>>11620320Might have gotten him confused with someone else? -Do recall someone "known" writing, words to the effect that, it was 'probably' their last time or something like that. Since his youtube channel is gone, maybe what I am remembering about zoysite specifically was that he was going to have to step back, or cut back, or something like that, generally? And took that to mean not participating on the board?
>>11618688Pal can't find anything other than video from the party, which is mostly people drinking and getting stoned, since it wasn't sit down. I did find the picture I should have posted, if I didn't of, of my haul from you last year. I know I posted an image of the box showing the wrapped presents and some of those novelty newspapers and non-toy stuff, plus the pralines on top.But I am pretty sure I post these toys between Christmas day and NYE.
Sign up is now closed. I'll begin working on setting up pairs and have them done hopefully by the end of the day today or by the 11th. Keep on eye on your email in case I need you to change anything. The faster you respond, the faster I can go to get everyone assigned. Right now it doesn't look like any problems at first glance so we'll see how it goes as I start really checking each list.
>>11620522Missed it! (But sent you an email) I somehow spaced things at my kids bday party today.Pic is what I got last year!
>>11620532I saw your email. I'll open the form for 10 minutes then I'm closing it. Try to get it in quickly
Now to play the waiting game. Whoever I get WILL be getting a Labubu.
Happy Holidays /toy/ Secret Santa people!>>11620532Did you make it in, chum?>>11620522So how did we do on sign-ups, compared to last year? If I'm remembering correctly, last year and 2023 were both trending downward from prior years?
>>11620034Yes sir that was me. Thanks again dude that was a kick ass christmas
>>11620532Buffalo?
Well two of the things on my wish list are on sale at the moment.... that always makes me wonder if I should just buy one or both, and then what do I do if I end up with two? Bezoland has free returns till January but not the other site.
>>11620827>>11620860Sadly no. I caught the reply when I woke up today- missed the 10 minute window. If Santa needs a slot filler, I'm in, otherwise I'll cheer everyone on from the bench this year.
>>11620972If the assignments aren't out, there is still time to fit you in since you messaged me. I can make an exception since you've participated several times before but I've replied to you right away twice and then you immediately disappear. Don't email me asking to get let in and then don't check your email dude, come on.
>>11621017Still seeing closed submissions screen
>>11620972Make it work, anon!The more the merrier!!!
>>11621032Closed because you didn't reply. Enter it in right now.
>>11612425Dang i missed it this year. Hope you guys have fun. I was actually in Japan for a month so I cant complain to much. Kek
Playing the waiting game to get my giftee. I just moved to a major city and there's so much here. Actually excited to spoil my giftee.
>>11621074I was checking Burlington and Ross in my old neighborhood this afternoon, and discovered there's an entire "toy district" in the old produce market/warehouse market adjacent to downtown LA, but I had no time this afternoon to see what's even there, but apparently it's mostly Asian imports from the port in San Pedro and things like low end plush pillows, etc. I should have time before the end of the month to find out if anything is worth checking out and what is sold and where, but I also need to wait for my assignment, since for all I know, they want Super Mario.
>>11621276what’s the place called?
>>11621356It's no one place - the one with all the plush that a woman at the main library mentioned to me is this one: https://www.loc8nearme.com/california/los-angeles/plush-lenovia/3048324/ my assignment last year had put anime type plush pillows on their list but both were fairly expensive to order on-line and the one store I found that was local only had small things (essentially the size of a magazine or smaller) and not the standard pillow-like size of the Pokemon and Mario plush you see at say even a Best Buy or Target. But I'm only going to hit that IF my new assignment has something AND I have to hit some of the other stores nearby.I'm curious about one import shop that allegedly has Koto, Bandai, etc. but that would be as much for myself, for the superhero stuff I collect, than anything else. I need to get the friend of mine who moved back east to tell me the name of this one but my guess is that it might be this one: https://animejungle.net/Again, I've NEVER been at any of these. Someone dragged me to the flower market once, and another time, I took some Malaysian tourists I was showing around for a neighbor to a few fabric and fashion (e.g. knock-off) designer clothes places. There's a bunch of small stores - more showed up on Google Maps on the android phone I'm supposed to use just for 'business' so it was easier to try to re-run a search on my laptop to give you an idea. This is near Downtown LA, south of Little Tokyo and near the skid row area and historic core of the original parts of LA.
>>11621039DONE! I'm in!
>>11621448>forgot to mention 30MSGlad you could make it, but obligatory bullying for delaying my precious sign-ups anyway
so are we at an odd number or an even numberand how does that situation get worked out>>11620522
>>11621477Well the situation currently is that I have half of the emails written out and I'll write out the other half tomorrow and send them. And how assignments work is that every person receives from and sends to a different person. Think of it as a chain. That way having an odd number of participants doesn't matter. International anons outside the US (besides Canadians) are in their own group and work the same way.
>>11621484And by tomorrow I mean the 11th, it's late and my brain is partly fried. Sorry. I'm going to head to bed and work on the other half of emails when I finish work.
>>11613175I’m UK but had a lot of big spendings this year so have to skip this time. Hope you guys have fun
another year i missed it oh well
>>11621490Genuinely how do you guys miss signups? They're the same time every year and have been that way for more than half a decade at this point. Blows my fucking mind.
>>11621493Seriously, I am literally F5ing /toy/ on November 1st waiting for Santa man to make the threads.
>>11621500I've just resigned myself to the fact that the majority of posters on this board are legitimately mentally handicapped and can barely function in the real world. I hate having to share a hobby with such disfunctional retards.
>>11621493Maybe they just don’t come here as much now, due to the general board spam etc and it slips their mind in November. Or they’re just retarded Mongolian basket weaving forum members, we will never know.
>>11621490
>>11621598Ah, this image is of a fine vintage.
>>11621423thanks for the info, Thanksgiving break is almost here so I’ll be able to explore the area freely without worry. Hope I can shop here for whoever I get or find some cool stuff for myself.
>>11621598
>>11621041>>11621490the thing that boggles my brain is that Santa Man re-uses the same imageall any Anon has to do is look for the OP image, once Halloween is oversigh
>>11621800Just have a pin for it for searching the hash or the keywords pinned
>>11621800I have a yearly recurring reminder for the second of November and then I just check the catalogue for the picture.And then I enter last minute anyways because I always forget to plan a wishlist...
>>11621895I had saved my wish list from last year in case I ran across the entire list of DC LEGO that's now out of print and not in stock for retail. I don't collect LEGO normally, and would never pay scalper pricing for something I don't normally consider but it's a good list now that I know SOME of that stuff can be had used. So around August or September, I just started cleaning that text file up, adding new things to it and then making sure there were 2-3 items in the price range on it.>>11621878I at least look at the top 3-5 rows of /toys almost every other day, so I saw SantaMan's post. I didn't realize he used the same photo until last week, when I was searching the old threads to make sure I had posted my haul last winter, since my giftee said I hadn't. Figured that crop screenshot would be a handy guide for all the anons who come in and chime throughout the season that they "MISSED" it.I'm sure, like >>11621493, >>11621500 and >>11621501, that no matter what any one of us makes as a suggestion, it will still be the End of Days on /toys/ and someone will still be coming to a Secret Santa thread claiming they "missed it."
>>11621770
FREE SHIT WHEN
Ok all assignments are now out, sorry that took longer than expected. Make sure to check your spam folder if you don't see it. Now for some reminders on what comes next, proof of purchase.How it works:>Proof of purchase needs to be emailed to me before any gift gets mailed to you.>That means you can't send your own gift until I give you the ok>Proof of purchase is a picture of your gift in hand after you buy it or it arrives from whatever online store you bought it from>I only need a picture of the main gift, meaning one item that fits the price minimum and is from their list, I don't need pictures of candy, stocking stuffers, extras, etc>A receipt doesn't count but I appreciate seeing it because it lets me know where you are with buying your giftsThis means BUY EARLY. Give yourself time for your gift to arrive so you can take a picture of it. The sooner you get proof of purchase to me, the sooner your Santa can mail their gift to you. I will be checking in with everyone on the weekend of Thanksgiving to see where you are with buying your gift if you don't check in with me before then. Happy gifting!
>>11622079Thank you for your service Santaman, I got a real fun anon this year.
>>11622079Thanks santa. I'm excited to get to work.
All systems go boys!!
>>11622079
>>11622079How many sign ups did you get this year?
>>11622079Thanks, as well, for your service.Appreciate getting another assignment in my same region, shipping wise. That means I can spend more money on my giftee than wasting it on just transporting goods.>>11622087I was doing some shopping for IRL people on my list and also for myself and hit a few stores, but nothing (but one very common item, think Mattel-ish) is on my assignment which means I will have to order everything.
>>11622079Hell yeah
>no idea what to get anon
>>11622146We've got 29 people this year which is about the same as last year. I'm surprised considering rising costs.>>11622216If you need help you can always email to ask for specifics.
Huh, this is the first year I actually have some overlap in interest with my giftee. Its fun branching out into toylines and properties I am unfamiliar with, but I've been waiting to get someone with similar tastes as mine so I can get them the shit that I know is cool.
>>11622289What do you like, I hope it's what I like!
>>11621992
>>11622289Same, I also enjoy transformers so I’ll know what I’m getting him at least.
>>11622148I feel you. There aren't really any places near me that sell physical stuff besides walmart so I'm mostly going online. My bigger issue is my giftee is into lines and series i don't know shit about so finding good gifts will take some research.
>>11622289>>11622348I know, from the past three years and even some pictures and comments posted here, that there's at least 3-4 people who are/have participated who share my main interest, but I've got another person this year who is really making me work and research. >fun branching>toylines and properties>unfamiliar withI agree that this is interesting and, I'm sure when I get into trying to decide on WHAT to pick and doing some other research (videos, etc.), and in-person hitting of sections of stores I typically pass by, it will slide into fun but also feels like homework.Imagine getting a list that includes Barbie, TMNT and Super Mario, BUT nothing specific (e.g. nothing listed like say "Pink Jumpsuit Ken" or "LEGO Super Mario Piranha Plant") and no list or photos of what the giftee already owns.And no, NONE of this is on my assignment's info.And yeah, I'm already sent a note to Santa Man with some, hopefully, specific questions.
>Got into a certain game this year >Giftee wants toys from said gameIt was destiny
>>11622479Fellow bong Santa, is that you?
>>11622518I am indeed a bong, if you are in fact my giftee than I hope you'll enjoy what I have planned.
>>11622539Likewise. God I fucking love christmas
There is a big local comic/toy convention in my area this weekend. I will hopefully be picking up a bunch of stuff for my anon there. Like last year, it's all stuff I don't really know anything about, so it will be fun hunting for something other than my usuals. >>11619700Anon, could you willing to provide if you are from IL or from MN? I meant to send you a thank you card, but as you can tell, i never got around to it and I feel like a bum for not doing so. I literally look at the items I received from you every day.
>>11622479>>11622518>>11622539>>11622545>wrong animalBuffalo?
I don't know if it's Deja Vu, but I swear to god I have a similar anon to a few years ago in terms of taste. Either way, I should be able to grab a few things for them after work.If you're out there SocalAnon with a very common last name, gonna take reaaaaaal good care of you.
>>11622588It’s uma musume, anon.
Just checking how everyone is doing, I'm sitting out this year as I mentioned I would last year. I'm doing my own thing this year in a close friend group instead as income is tighter then ever this year. Just wanted to pop in and say I hope everyone had fun gets everything they want for Christmas!
>>11622662Glad you’re doing okay! Life’s so expensive right now, I’m having to hustle with extra shifts this month so I can spoil my family this year and its’ exhausting. Hope you have a good one, zoy.
>>11622662I hope you've come to enjoy that sexy robot girl from last year!
Thanks to Zuckerberg and a class action lawsuit I didn't even know about and those crappy on-line only gift cards they send you, I just ordered one item for my assignment without paying my own money for it. Those on-line only GC are such scams, since if you don't use them right when you get them (and you can really only use them on-line since they require manual inputting of all the numbers and most wage slave cashiers won't deal with that nonsense), "fees" easily eat up those cards. No wonder it's some big Hedge Fund behind the "bank" behind the gift card I was sent by Zuck.>>11622662I knew I remembered something like that.Happy holidays and enjoy with your friends group!>>11621659Apparently, there's also another anime store store not far, within 1-2 miles of the one I mentioned, that has anime in it's name. I'm probably going to get next week, after the rain ends, to also hit Little Tokyo and Chinatown for some "foreign" snacks. >>11622588>>wrong animalPICREL
>>11622662Hey it's Zoy! I still remember you coming in clutch the first year I did SS (I think? You got me the grinch card lol). Hope all is well. Sad you can't join this year but I hope things get better for you soon.
>>11622518>>11622539>>11622545>at least one has a wreath
>>11622312
>>11622662Zoy! Glad to see you are doing well, despite the tight income situation. A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved.Glad to see you are enjoying a close friend group. I hope it goes great! Merry Christmas to ya!
>>11623045
Anyone ever did their ordering from Big Bad Toy Store for this, using Pile of Loot and have experience on when to pull the trigger for shipping. I already have a POL going that needs to be sent by the 20th, but the CSR on the phone said I should ship it by the middle of next week to arrive by December 5th (assuming Santa Man gives me the OK to ship by then).That just seems absurdly early? That gives them 5 days to put the box together and that's assuming they are closed on Saturdays, and take the Friday after Thanksgiving off. From previous experience, I know if they ship on the first, I'll have it by the 5th.Barring some freak of nature snow storm or some such, of course.
If CS from texass is here, do you have any preferences between he-man and thundercats? Also do you already have any origins figures?
well, think I am almost done. just need to decide on one last thing, plus treats, snacks and if I bake somethingonly problem is that something ordered last night apparently won't arrive from Bezos until almost the end of the month or the beginning of December!how's everyone else doing?
>>11623981I'm done gift wise.Two gifts will likely arrive near the end of the month as they're coming from Japan and a third gift will be here next week, that ones a consolation gift since I can't seem to find the figure my anon asked for, or rather, one that isn't a obvious chinese bootleg, so I settled for something from the franchise.All that's left is snacks but I'll get those closer to shipping time.
Trying to post an image of my toy hunting at this overcrowded anime shop but can't edit the image to be small enough on my cheap-ass Motorola phone.
>>11622662Thank you for the Secret Santa you did for me a few years back. I had a lot of family stuff come up that holiday season and the massive pile of Zoysite loot really helped me through it all. I re-gifted some to some younger family members too which helped massively because I had also lost my job around then. I didn't post, maybe once or twice, but I definitely didn't post enough to show my appreciation. I just want you to know how much I appreciated it. You're so generous, we should all be required to send you a secret santa gift. Cheers!!!
Oh man, I'm trying to come up with a good gift for my giftee, but he's given me so many options my head is spinning. Should I just go simple and buy him what he said? Or should I try to be more creative?
>>11624372Just getting what's on the list is fine, they did ask for it afterall.
>>11624372Agreed; it was easier for me last year because my assignment was 5 very specific things and two were in my budget so I bought both. I then tossed in some small things like a Sponge Bob key chain, a tiny (think hand-held) plush, a pop and a few other things. Plus the snacks they asked for.This time, I already grabbed some snacks but will either make some cookies or brownies.
>doubting myself on whether I was too vague or specific this year yet again>can't buy myself anything I listed on the off-chance it's going to arrive as a gift
>>11624473>struggled to name 5 things i want>had to be very broad>realize a day later what i actually want
>>11622239Did we end up needing any replacement Santa's last year?And you won't be asking people until late December, when it's clear the assignment was grinched? Is that how that works?
>>11624477>forgot to mention something I already have>forgot to mention an entire genre I likeIt feels easier to just buy ourselves what we want, but then there's no longer any joy in this.
>>11624473Patience is key, my friend. How is it even possible to be too vague AND specific?
>>11624613>the few things I've specified will probably be out of stock, so mention general tastes after>make an allusion to a list of other wants if needed (hitherto unrequested)
>>11624478Sorry I didn't see this post until now.>Did we end up needing any replacement Santa's last year?No.>And you won't be asking people until late December, when it's clear the assignment was grinched? Is that how that works?It depends. There have been years where someone dropped out suddenly due to an emergency, and the one year we had an actual grinch (as in someone grabbing a free gift and running) it was obvious about mid December, so I was able to ask someone who signed up as a replacement to send them a new gift in time for Christmas. And the way I know for sure also depends. I don't need to go into specifics about it but you get the idea.
>>11624520I never got the Google Form receipt (which never happened before) and I edited my Form three times before Santa Mans deadline. So I'm not 100% sure what's on my list and I need to cough up a list for the /co SS next month and a local group here, also next month, and I am trying to avoid duplicates. Santa Man told me he could reach out to my Giftee and have them take something out, I assume he can do that for you
>>11624826Never mind that, are you sure you're actually in? I've never not gotten the receipt either>Santa Man told me he could reach out to my GifteeNever mind, we're back to my problem. I'll think about it!
>>11624792Just out of curiosity, what tends to be the ratio of recurring participants and new ones? Don't necessarily need exact numbers, just wonder if it is almost entirely the same people participating year after year (as would maybe indicate with the fact that there tend to be roughly 30-ish people participating give or take every year) or if we get some people who only participate once, and then drop out with more new people replacing them every year.
>>11624792No worries, I'll shoot you a note and offer myself in tribute if you need someone by mid-December (or sooner); was asking because if it went past Christmas, the money would likely be sent on other SS things I am doing in December but I already have money set aside for those two. Will write you directly, cheers!
>>11624629Most people (especially based on photos) seem to put new toys on their wish list. If someone this year put "Diamond Select Metallic Iron Giant," I would assume that they were a fan like me who knew that was out of stock and only available from secondary markets at ridiculous scalper prices, and only threw that on the list as say their "5th" specific thing for a generous whale-type giftee. But also assume the other four would all be new (2025), available at MSRP. I did put an old two pack (from summer or so 2024) but that is on sale right now and I added (buy only IF on sale, don't pay scalpers), etc. I've no idea what Santa Man cut and cut and pasted, but I did use up all 2000 words.>allusion to a list of other wants As far as this, if you wrote "War Hammer," which is pretty much what my assignment did except times 6-7 "wants" without specifying "Space Marine Captain With Relic Shield" and I found plenty well within my budget and have already ordered two items just based on his "wants" - but again, I also wrote to Santa Man and said ask him if he cares about possible duplicates (no list of what he owned or doesn't like was includes - just, as you put it, an 'allusion ... list.'I mean, I hope this guy is happy. There's been a lot of time spent hunting good prices so I could possibly buy him more than one thing. And I hope he gets stuff he doesn't already own or is happy to have spares or or, since it's like War Hammer, he can easily customize and work with, etc. >tl;dr it can be easy and enjoyable for you - make it so!checked that even a older two packs
>>11625012DCanon, I am assuming you participate in the /co/ secret santa as well. I'd be curious to see your /co/llection. Ever post in the /shelf threads?
>>11624838I'd say it's about half that are returning and out of that number only a small amount participate every year without fail. Some people take breaks for a year or two and then come back. What surprises me are the people who sign up outside the US though. There are a couple Euros that sign up every year but the rest are sometimes from all over the place. We've had people from the Netherlands, New Zealand, France, Ireland, and even the Philippines.
>>11625131I wish i could get irish anon so i could send him a mr. potatohead
>>11625054I don't collect books anymore. I lived in a large pre-war downtown studio, which was great for going out, meeting folks, and being new for almost a decade when I first got here. I didn't want a roommate, housing is absurdly expensive and I had moved a lot the years before, I had learned to get rid of a lot of things, which included my music collection, collectibles, etc.Now, I have the space but already have invested a lot in actually owning digital books (mostly to support the creators or the titles).I've posted screenshots of my digital stuff, a lot of Silver Age is there as well. Again to support the publisher's so they remaster the stuff. People think it's easy and dirt cheap since the artist, letterist, colorist, etc. were all paid years ago (or are dead!) but it does actually cost money to say remaster all the old issues which is why Batman, Superman, WW ONLY stories from Detective, Action and Sensation are remastered for those Omnibus editions but say the Zarara or other backup stories are not.
>>11622079What is the best way to contact you for questions?I wasn't sure how the price works. Is it a $30 to $40 range for the entire package (ex. buy a $20 item and a $15 item + extra goodies)?Say if we go over to, say, $50 (2x $25 items), is that cool? I haven't done one of these before, so not sure what people expect.
>>11625342Normally you just email Santa anon.Also $30 - $40 is just the minimum, you're allowed to go over it if you want.
>>11625342>Is it a $30 to $40 range for the entire package (ex. buy a $20 item and a $15 item + extra goodies)?Yep, it is. I was planning on going over the minimum, as >>11625346, because I have a $50 gift card that's one of those ONLY on-line things, that I am lucky enough not to need to use for myself. But I used it to get two small, $20 items at BBTS and was still planning on buying one $30-40 item and Santa Man clarified that I was done, if I wanted to be, since my two items totaled over $40 (I sent him the BBTS receipt so he knew I was "progressing"). I've also bought up some candy so far but that's up to you. I personally would prefer to have someone ship me say a can of craft beer that is local to wherever they are or bake me something but I know not everyone can do that.>>11625346Yeah, I went over last year to, but a lot of that was small things, like one of those plush key chains and a tiny Pokemon figurine of one of their favorites, as "stocking stuffers" and I can't really do that this year.
>>11625342It is any item off their list that fits within the 30 - 40 price range. You can also pick 2 lower priced items that add up to at least somewhere between 30 and 40. That will fit the price minimum. If the minimum is what you can manage, don't feel pressured to spend more because some do. The important part of the gift is to make it feel festive. Wrap your gifts and throw in some dollar store candy that fits their preferences. And include a nice card. That's pretty much it.
>>11625291Dang, dude!!
>picked up the first few things today>very excited looking at the start of my santa stashWho else is filled with the glee of gift buying?
>>11625889I'm very excited even though i know next to nothing about everything my giftee wants so I'm just making my best guess
>>11625889Spirit Halloween has branched out and started putting up Spirit Christmas stores now except half the store is Halloween/Christmas mash ups that aren't just all the Night Before Christmas. So I went in one to see if I could find anything small to throw in as a side gift. My giftee who loves skeletons should really go in there if they want some holiday skeleton stuff. I found something I think they'll really like but there was a metric ton more in there from plushies to everything else.
guess we sage now
Got my anon's first gift. Going to probably be about 2 weeks before BBTS ships the rest of the stuff, so I guess I'll be getting the snacks and some trinkets in the meantime.
>>11625889I bought snacks at retail Thursday and I will look for a few more next weekend, since it's fucking pouring RN - but since I need to go get groceries, I am going to hit a puzzle store and also a discount store for wrapping paper. I think I have Pokemon holiday paper left over from last year but that's not on my current assignment's list, so something plain and festive this year. >>11625987That's good to know, I might check it for plush for the nieces. >>11625940Yeah, I did the same thing. I do know one company/franchise on his list is big on accessory so figured that would make one good gift but also ordered something else.
>>11626112Does BBTS take that long to ship? I guess i should put in my order today.
>>11626131They always get slow around the holidays, so it may take a good 4-5 days (or more) to ship, and then for me, another 4-5 days to arrive.So depending, it could be about 10 days to 2 weeks from ordering to the package actually hitting my porch.
>>11626135Order placed. Thanks for the heads up anon.
>>11626131>>11626139>>11626135>so it may take a good 4-5 days (or more) to ship,Yeah, I had one item last year on a pre-order and then it still wasn't ready to ship and was holding up the rest of the shipment, so I just cancelled it without any penalties (because it was a pre-order) and got it from Amazon, but had to pay more.I called them this year and they said they are open on the Friday after Thanksgiving but a regular (non-Holiday) order I got from them earlier this year still took 4-5 days from when I said "ship my pile of loot" till they literally sent it UPS.
>>11625889Everything's set but was hoping to find some small, stocking-stuffer type toys. But think that cash will end up going to one more 'large-ish' item, but still have an anime store and mall to hit on Tuesday and the old industrial corridor toy warehouses on Friday so should be done by next weekend. I was just out shopping and it was nice because none of the stores were flooded with Christmas carols yet - appreciated, at least by me, because it's far too soon for that!Happy to see most everyone else seems to be on course.
Unironically was about to checkout on BBTS when I decided "fuck it let's see what Amazon has"20 bucks cheaper, same items. Why not?Anyway, gonna stop by Miniso tomorrow to grab some small goodies and blind boxes and should be gucci.
Just got home from the local convention. Waiting for Santa to approve my purchases. Hopefully I picked up enough good stuff for my anon. Otherwise...
>>11626525>Richmond Gun Show Exhibitor Information>Richmond, VA>Next Show: November 15 - 16 2025Anon, you're going to get in trouble again
>>11626536
>>11626525>Local conventionAre you a Michigander Kornheiser-anon?
>>11626525>>11626539Rubber is not just for toys, anon
>>11626485been hit and miss for me, one thing was a bargain with Bezos so grabbed it, another was a deal at BBTSFolks should check both. The one thing I bought from Bezos on the 12th still hasn't shipped (from China), for what it's worth.
>>11626485Buffalo?
>>11625889Same here, excited for them to receive this. I hope they especially like my letter!
Done, everything ordered!Even have a local back-up in case something doesn't arrive by December 1st. Post Office claims December 17th as cut-off for ground, but aiming for 5th!
oh oh, something I ordered was arriving today but got "returned to the seller" for "incomplete address." so much for marketplace sellers....
Nice, my anon's gifts should be here by the weekend.
>>11626485I had the reverse found an item cheaper on bbts despite amazon having the item on "sale"
Gotta go shopping for wrapping paper tomorrow, pray for me to find some transformers paper santas
Heard my first Christmas Carol at a Marshall's while looking through their wrapping paper.Couldn't find any good snacks at the local store I was visiting.
Whoever I get, I hope you like beans
Amiami sure is taking its sweet time shipping.
>>11628897buffalo?
>>11628981Ordered something on the 13th from a far east merchant that was "supposed" to arrive by the end of the month and status still hasn't changed from 'ordered' to 'ship.' Guess when the boat is finished, that will happen!
>>11628011Update (not that any body asked or maybe cares?); it was returned and the seller gave me a refund. I can replace it locally but it will be work. I already planned a trip to the hellscape corners of the Orange Curtain - but to be fair, I'm also going to chase down a retro toy for myself.How's everyone else doing with 'fulfillment?'
>found grinch paperYyyyeeeeessss
>>11629219My purchases have been approved from Santa Man. Now I just need to find or make a card and grab some local candy.Very glad I was able to purchase everything with relative ease.
Everything is ordered. Just waiting for it to come in. I found a really cool twist on one item for anon i hope he enjoys.
Everything ordered, gotta go get a card, candy, and paper. As various family members start dropping the "I got you the perfect gift this year" line, I just wanted to letcha all know how much I look forward to both the present and the thread every year. I'm always surprised, and even the trolls are getting to be an old familiar thing.
>>11629219Amazon went from one box to two, to now three. It's really strange...should still be here by Thursday.
>>11629219>order two things>should arrive Monday>...ah what the heck, lets get one more thing! I'll have to ship later but its worth it>order one expensive thing>the expensive thing arrives the next day>the two order thing should arrive hopefully in a few more daysSo confused. My personal orders are all delayed until next week, so I'm guessing people are already ordering Christmas stuff even earlier this year. Dang, and I thought I was shopping early.
>>11629828The toy rdered from Bezos on the 13th, after assignment went out, still hadn't shipped today so I cancelled because, after getting three live CSRs, they admitted it wasn't yet in stock and they couldn't even guarantee the 12/2 drop dead estimate the site originally gave me for 'delivery by'. Thankfully, my two things from BBTS are in stock and shipping.>>11629575At some point, they'll all realize how much they lose "free shipping" stuff not actually from the same warehouse. Target is sending me the inexpensive but very specific treats my assignment specified, by United Parcel, from somewhere out of state, ordered this afternoon, arriving Friday. For the life of me, even though app + website had it in stock locally, after I hit 5 different Super Targets since last Friday, gave up and used it as an excuse to get free shipping on a sale NECA toy for myself. That NECA will arrive, by right now unknown transport, by the end of November and I would have been okay if the snacks came with that. WalMart once sent a tee-shirt in a flimsy plastic wrapper (mail), and did two different in-person drop offs (coffee order, in box, in a huge plastic bag; Super Power's toy pre-order in another box, all for a $50+ order. And I don't even have their membership program!
>>11629385He okayed my receipts but I had to cancel one of three, and will likely get a replacement from the import stores when I hit them on Friday. It was relatively easy once i figured out what exactly all the names meant/were. I'm sure even Santa Man only recognized two or three from my assignments Wish List.If Secret Santa was in July, during the height of the summer cons and the toy fairs, it would be easier on all of us to find stuff easily and in person.
>>11626557nope. You will find me 6 states south from the Upper Peninsula
Found the specific treat my assignment wanted and the first thing that will get wrapped arrives tomorrow!
anyone treating themselves from their wishlistwon an unexpected $60 gift card at a holiday party last nightenough for one thingand yah already got four things for secret santa
I'm gonna hit the megamall this weekend for some treats and extra goodies before calling it good. How's everyone else's gift shopping going?
>>11631991I'm going to confirm with santa tonight that my gifts are valid then I'm gonna pick up some more snacks and start wrapping
>>11631991Two things arrive today, I bought one stocking stuffier yesterday in person. I'll be wrapping those tomorrow, I think.
I have some time today, so I might as well wrap my anons presentsTime to get wrappin!This thread is loud and proud when you read itIt's /Secret Santa/ time and we got spiritanons are chillin, with their figures outAnd that's what Christmas is all aboutThis thread has almost reached page 10But soon Santa Man will start it up againMy name is Anon and i'm filled with cheerI'll be wrapping presents and drinking cold beerSo open this thread, and sit down your rearMerry Christmas and happy New Year!!!
>>11631991It’s great! Just waiting for one more thing and I can contact Santa for the okay and get wrapping. >>11632017Anon in his holiday flow, love to see it
>>11632017>and drinking cold beerdrinking whiskey over these here parts
>>11632706Hot chocolate and baileys, feeling a little girly tonight.
>>11631991Pretty good, have all my packages wrapped up now. Once I get the thumbs-up from Santa its headed to USPS.
>>11632760I'm waiting for the good egg nog to be at stores - the stuff that doesn't taste like corn syrup in milk with egg flavoring, but hot cocoa and Bailey's or something along those lines would suit me fine! I think I even have a bottle of some Irish Coffee liquor from when it was on sale this summer in what passes as my "liquor cabinet."
Amiami is fucking dragging on shipping. I paid back on the 12th and they still haven't shipped.>>11632873You gotta try making it yourself. Its not too hard to make, if you've got the fridge space for it. I make it every year around Mar/April and just let it age.
>>11633624>Amiami is fucking dragging on shipping. I paid back on the 12th and they still haven't shipped.They're behind due to the pause on shipping to the US. It took them three weeks to mail my last order. They're just backlogged. Hopefully they'll be back to normal soon.
>>11633624>You gotta try making it yourself. Its not too hard to makeYep, I have and yes, you're right.It's a lot of work for one person, who lives alone, and all my relatives are out of town. I used to regularly go to a Christmas Eve potluck in town but that friend went all /pol crazy right after lockdown 2-3 years ago and many of that group no longer talk to one another. I just want enough for some cozy evenings when they do the holiday cartoon streams on /co and there's a local dairy in town that makes one that will do.
>>11633870when does the /co/ cheer thread begin? is it december 1st?
>>11633918If it's going to happen, this Friday. Skeletal Streamer did his usual horror streams so his usual holiday streams will occur for sure, no idea if the actual Secret Santa will occur or not, since the janney's were nuking the entire thread claiming it was a 'begging' global rule violation, even though they had never done so.I know people asked in some places, like the shelf thread on plus4chan, so I think an alternate Secret Santa gift exchange make happen OFF 4chan but who knows how successful that will be. But I think the story-times and the streams will definitely happen. I'm planning on doing some holiday story-times for sure next month. I usually do Golden Age and Silver Age stories.
>waiting on last item from eBay>tracking has been like 5 days late already>updates Sasuga Royal Mail
one more thing comes today, via UPSlast UPS delivery (also for my secret santa) was 'allegedly left' outside my building's security gate, driver took no photo or attached no photo as 'proof' got a refund, but surely my secret santa recipient doesn't want to receive a print of my 'proof of delivery' or 'refund,' eh?supposedly getting my own toy on 12/1 also via UPS plus just informed by Entertainment Earth that my pre-order from them shipped - via UPS
>>11634392NVM - at least for my SS, his thing just arrived.Pray for my gift to myself and my unexpectedly early import pre-order from EE that I didn't expect to get charged for until January but what can you do!
>buy secret santa gift for $40>it's a generally sold out older toy from a year or two ago>buncha stores get deep discount restock of it out of the blue for black friday as a $15 toy>feel like I need to double down and buy other list items now or I'll seem cheap afffs.In other news - whats the date we need to ship our boxes by? I can't find it in the FAQ
>>11634710Anon asked for Transformers for Christmas
>>11634710The dateline is that you need your gift to arrive by the 25th and that looks different for some people. Check USPS to see when their cutoff times are, they should have it posted by now.
Time to wrap! How are we all getting on?
As a quick update, only 11 more people are left that need to at least check in with me to let me know where they are with gift shopping. I won't bug you until this weekend but if you want to save me an email, send me one with an update on where you are. Either a receipt or simply letting me know what you've done so far, either will do I just need to touch base with you.That said, I've already seen the proof of purchase from 11 anons so far which is great. Keep up the good work.
>>116348611 gift down 2 more to come, I think they might not be here until next week but my anon is also in UK so it's not much of an issue.Also man I should take Christmas pictures again this year.
>>11634861I still have to go buy gift wrap
>>11634788>Check USPS to see when their cutoff times areContinental USA:· Wednesday, Dec. 17: USPS Ground Advantage· Wednesday, Dec. 17: First-Class Mail· Thursday, Dec. 18: Priority Mail· Saturday, Dec. 20: Priority Mail ExpressAlaska, Hawaii, PR and other US Territories - one day earlierCanada from USA via USPS:· Tuesday, Dec. 9: First-Class International Mail· Tuesday, Dec. 9: Priority International Mail· Tuesday, Dec. 16: Priority Mail InternationalOther foreign countries from the USA via USPS are the bottom of this page: https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm
My pre-order from Entertainment Earth arrived and a fun shirt for myself arrived today (too small, sadly). I'm going to go see a movie and do some wrapping tonight when I get back.
Hoopty dooand dickory dock
>>11635406But will the flan that CP-30 is carrying travel well? Won't the dry ice add enormously to the shipping?
>>11635541not flan, my friend! It's fruit cake! and, I might add, that it looks solid as a rock!for shipping, we might be able to wrap it in saran wrap and slap a shipping label on it!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO THOSE WHO CELEBRATE IT AND ARE AROUNDand happy Thursday for those who don't (the Brits, I believe, and any other foreigners we have - not sure Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving but y'all have a day of remembrance or something, or is that you're way to honor your vets?)
>>11635905>not sure Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving but y'all have a day of remembrance or something, or is that you're way to honor your vets?)Ours was last month but happy thanksgiving to those who don't have a king for a head of state
>>11635905Happy Thursday! I’m celebrating my bri’ish Thursday by drawing my Santa card.
>>11635950>by drawing my Santa card.Reminds me that I have to get on that!I have the cardstock and the idea but I'm not doing actually 'drawing.' But I am trying to do something creative that hopefully will suit!
>>11636396Very nice! I’ve not drawn anything very complex with pen and pencil for way too long and my card shows it lol, but I hope anon gets a kick from it.
>>11635547Ah gotcha. Those are great, especially the gifts but it wouldn't be too hard to fake those. I noticed they are now selling tiny video game arcade machines at Target.
>>11636757Nice! I picked up this funny little mini funko pop claw machine thing when shopping, no idea what I’m gonna do with it but mini game machines are so charming.
>>11636938That looks cute, that FANF doesn't even look as soulless as pops usually doI don't get why toy companies don't make more actual usable (non-cardboard) diorama (or at least decent quality ones, like the Mezco 5POA Mechanical Monsters, or make more plastic accessories, like weapons, tables, chairs, etc.You end up having to pick this stuff up from secondary marketplace sellers, much of designed for 10" to 12" inch figures.I always like those bottles of pop but they are huge, for example.
