PH Secret Santa 2014 - The Return Of the Santae
Discussion
axgizmo said:
Maybe the budget should be upped to £15 or £20 next year? £10 really doesn't get much at all nowadays.
Also gone double, still need to post! Doh
It is a discussion we have had before and probably one we should have again before next year.Also gone double, still need to post! Doh
The £10 budget was set as it was a low amount that most could afford given the run up to Christmas and it kept things fairly casual. Larger amounts could have caused things to get a bit too serious and alientated some people.
That said, we can discuss it again after this years PHSS. I've been spitballing with the idea of two separate groups; maybe a £10-15 bracket and a £25-30 bracket.
Still, all stuff we can talk about later.
My SS' present has arrived, so just need to wrap and ship. My God, it is cool.
Some observations.
A) it's crass to mention how much one paid or by how much one went over budget. It's willy waving, imo - albeit perhaps unintentionally in some cases.
B) Don't over complicate the whole thing with different budget groups etc. It's "secret" santa, ergo if someon goes over budget, they do so with the knowledge that they may not get the same value in return. It's just the fun of playing the game.
Leave the numbers and discussions of budget out if it, and just play the game for what it is
A) it's crass to mention how much one paid or by how much one went over budget. It's willy waving, imo - albeit perhaps unintentionally in some cases.
B) Don't over complicate the whole thing with different budget groups etc. It's "secret" santa, ergo if someon goes over budget, they do so with the knowledge that they may not get the same value in return. It's just the fun of playing the game.
Leave the numbers and discussions of budget out if it, and just play the game for what it is
TheJimi said:
Some observations.
A) it's crass to mention how much one paid or by how much one went over budget. It's willy waving, imo - albeit perhaps unintentionally in some cases.
B) Don't over complicate the whole thing with different budget groups etc. It's "secret" santa, ergo if someon goes over budget, they do so with the knowledge that they may not get the same value in return. It's just the fun of playing the game.
Leave the numbers and discussions of budget out if it, and just play the game for what it is
I agree, a "nominal" 10 quid as a guide amount is handy but leave it up to people to decide what they actually spend - and there should be no moaning that xxx spend more than yyy or whatever. It's all just for (sexually deviant in some weird cases A) it's crass to mention how much one paid or by how much one went over budget. It's willy waving, imo - albeit perhaps unintentionally in some cases.
B) Don't over complicate the whole thing with different budget groups etc. It's "secret" santa, ergo if someon goes over budget, they do so with the knowledge that they may not get the same value in return. It's just the fun of playing the game.
Leave the numbers and discussions of budget out if it, and just play the game for what it is
) fun.I'd rather have 50 people playing where some people can only afford (or want to spend) 10 pounds than 10 people playing at 50 pounds as the expected spend.
Messages Of The Day:
FAO Geeks
Yes you may open your outer box, all crystal objects/i mean christmas objects are individually wrapped.
The Fragile sticker may or may not be a red herring. Your SS.
As for other points ref budget groups, i think that'll just complicate things for next year, either way, whoever is running it can decide that though, £10 is set as a nominal figure so that the majority can be involved/afford it, it's completely discretionary & up to the individual if they want to spend £1, £10, or £100.
Also, this is PH, where big spending, well built director types talk about big 'cheddar' & V8's day in day, out, stop being so sensitive about money
(I may also be in a bad mood through lack of sleep & work)!
FAO Geeks
Yes you may open your outer box, all crystal objects/i mean christmas objects are individually wrapped.
The Fragile sticker may or may not be a red herring. Your SS.
As for other points ref budget groups, i think that'll just complicate things for next year, either way, whoever is running it can decide that though, £10 is set as a nominal figure so that the majority can be involved/afford it, it's completely discretionary & up to the individual if they want to spend £1, £10, or £100.
Also, this is PH, where big spending, well built director types talk about big 'cheddar' & V8's day in day, out, stop being so sensitive about money
(I may also be in a bad mood through lack of sleep & work)!
troc said:
TheJimi said:
Some observations.
A) it's crass to mention how much one paid or by how much one went over budget. It's willy waving, imo - albeit perhaps unintentionally in some cases.
B) Don't over complicate the whole thing with different budget groups etc. It's "secret" santa, ergo if someon goes over budget, they do so with the knowledge that they may not get the same value in return. It's just the fun of playing the game.
Leave the numbers and discussions of budget out if it, and just play the game for what it is
I agree, a "nominal" 10 quid as a guide amount is handy but leave it up to people to decide what they actually spend - and there should be no moaning that xxx spend more than yyy or whatever. It's all just for (sexually deviant in some weird cases A) it's crass to mention how much one paid or by how much one went over budget. It's willy waving, imo - albeit perhaps unintentionally in some cases.
B) Don't over complicate the whole thing with different budget groups etc. It's "secret" santa, ergo if someon goes over budget, they do so with the knowledge that they may not get the same value in return. It's just the fun of playing the game.
Leave the numbers and discussions of budget out if it, and just play the game for what it is
) fun.I'd rather have 50 people playing where some people can only afford (or want to spend) 10 pounds than 10 people playing at 50 pounds as the expected spend.
We've done really well over the last 3 years to pull together a decent and fair Secret Santa. I'm sure this will continue to evolve as we go on.
For what it is worth, I'm happy with the current budget and system. I've yet to be disappointed by my PHSS present/s
theguvernor said:
Messages Of The Day:
FAO Geeks
Yes you may open your outer box, all crystal objects/i mean christmas objects are individually wrapped.
The Fragile sticker may or may not be a red herring. Your SS.
As for other points ref budget groups, i think that'll just complicate things for next year, either way, whoever is running it can decide that though, £10 is set as a nominal figure so that the majority can be involved/afford it, it's completely discretionary & up to the individual if they want to spend £1, £10, or £100.
Also, this is PH, where big spending, well built director types talk about big 'cheddar' & V8's day in day, out, stop being so sensitive about money
(I may also be in a bad mood through lack of sleep & work)!
Cheers Guv and SS, now looking forward to getting home from work!FAO Geeks
Yes you may open your outer box, all crystal objects/i mean christmas objects are individually wrapped.
The Fragile sticker may or may not be a red herring. Your SS.
As for other points ref budget groups, i think that'll just complicate things for next year, either way, whoever is running it can decide that though, £10 is set as a nominal figure so that the majority can be involved/afford it, it's completely discretionary & up to the individual if they want to spend £1, £10, or £100.
Also, this is PH, where big spending, well built director types talk about big 'cheddar' & V8's day in day, out, stop being so sensitive about money
(I may also be in a bad mood through lack of sleep & work)!
Ref the costing, I have kept quiet about how much i have spent on purpose but have stuck to the budget plus a few quids postage. Did feel a bit guilty as it seams I am the only one
apologies if what i wrote re: budget was distasteful, it was only because i was questioned on it. FWIW i could probably have gotten suitable gifts cheaper, i just impulse purchased when i saw gifts i thought were 100% perfect for my mark. one of which was so ace i got one for myself as well!
i think the budget should stay as it encourages people to be inventive. most gifts are going to be jokey anyway, i very much doubt some random from the internet will buy me something i will love and cherish for years.
last year i received nothing, i'm still doing it this year. its a welcome diversion and i guess most of the fun is in the anticipation of seeing what everyone ends up with.
i think the budget should stay as it encourages people to be inventive. most gifts are going to be jokey anyway, i very much doubt some random from the internet will buy me something i will love and cherish for years.
last year i received nothing, i'm still doing it this year. its a welcome diversion and i guess most of the fun is in the anticipation of seeing what everyone ends up with.
The Beaver King said:
troc said:
TheJimi said:
Some observations.
A) it's crass to mention how much one paid or by how much one went over budget. It's willy waving, imo - albeit perhaps unintentionally in some cases.
B) Don't over complicate the whole thing with different budget groups etc. It's "secret" santa, ergo if someon goes over budget, they do so with the knowledge that they may not get the same value in return. It's just the fun of playing the game.
Leave the numbers and discussions of budget out if it, and just play the game for what it is
I agree, a "nominal" 10 quid as a guide amount is handy but leave it up to people to decide what they actually spend - and there should be no moaning that xxx spend more than yyy or whatever. It's all just for (sexually deviant in some weird cases A) it's crass to mention how much one paid or by how much one went over budget. It's willy waving, imo - albeit perhaps unintentionally in some cases.
B) Don't over complicate the whole thing with different budget groups etc. It's "secret" santa, ergo if someon goes over budget, they do so with the knowledge that they may not get the same value in return. It's just the fun of playing the game.
Leave the numbers and discussions of budget out if it, and just play the game for what it is
) fun.I'd rather have 50 people playing where some people can only afford (or want to spend) 10 pounds than 10 people playing at 50 pounds as the expected spend.
We've done really well over the last 3 years to pull together a decent and fair Secret Santa. I'm sure this will continue to evolve as we go on.
For what it is worth, I'm happy with the current budget and system. I've yet to be disappointed by my PHSS present/s
The main thing for me is that it's fun! So less boring chat all of you and more getting excited about sending and receiving presents! Unless you're receiving a chilli fist, then maybe be a bit worried!
TokyoSexwhale said:
Did your SS bail on you?
not really. i'm international. he gave it to someone to hand deliver which didn't happen and a second attempt faltered. i don't think he posted the results of the gift he received though either [hand made i believe] which is bad form. i was more irked that my own victim didn't post 'received' pics or even mention it given the fact their partner was highly surprised at the random man from the internet at their doorstep on xmas eve!
so folks, post your received pics or risk a fistin!
TheJimi said:
(sigh)
I'm not being sensitive about money, I'm just pointing out that mentioning how much you've spent or how far you've broke the budget serves no purpose other than to willy wave.
It's not willy waving as such, some people just made a comment that it was difficult to stick to a strict budget, i think everyone else who commented, was just agreeing, in the stance that they too found it difficult to get something suitable within budget.I'm not being sensitive about money, I'm just pointing out that mentioning how much you've spent or how far you've broke the budget serves no purpose other than to willy wave.
Either way, leave it there.
FAO JAYYYLO - Can't see your email? Can you send again?
MESSAGE OF THE DAY -
FAO ELTAX91 - I've never known someone to be a member of so many owners forums! You get about don't you?!
P.S. Gingers FC really need to pull their fingers out! P.S. Nice moustache.
theguvernor said:
It's not willy waving as such, some people just made a comment that it was difficult to stick to a strict budget, i think everyone else who commented, was just agreeing, in the stance that they too found it difficult to get something suitable within budget.
Either way, leave it there.
FAO JAYYYLO - Can't see your email? Can you send again?
MESSAGE OF THE DAY -
FAO ELTAX91 - I've never known someone to be a member of so many owners forums! You get about don't you?!
P.S. Gingers FC really need to pull their fingers out! P.S. Nice moustache.
Either way, leave it there.
FAO JAYYYLO - Can't see your email? Can you send again?
MESSAGE OF THE DAY -
FAO ELTAX91 - I've never known someone to be a member of so many owners forums! You get about don't you?!
P.S. Gingers FC really need to pull their fingers out! P.S. Nice moustache.
that's some impressive stalking! I have got about on the odd forum, I've owned quite a few marques and I spend my days at the pc. 
I'm slightly concerned about what I'm going to receive but I'm quite excitable.
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