2011 TBCS Secret Santa!

[d_stilgar]

List of Participants: (I'll leave the list open until Dec 1st, so join if you can)
d_stilgar (shipped)
985323 (shipped)
farlo (shipped)
billygoat333 (shipped)
TheMainMan (shipped)
Datech (shipped)

We haven't done this in a while, and I've found that it works fairly well even with a small community.

Here's how it works. Sign up for the Secret Santa by posting your interest here. This is open to anyone who can post here without looking like a spammer, so spam bots, up your game. Also, send me a PM with your name and address so I can give it to your Secret Santa.

I will take all the participants and assign them someone to buy for. You then get that person a gift and mail it to them. Post a little wishlist if you like and put the prices down so your secret santa doesn't disappoint. Favorite candy is a nice place to start.

Rules:
1. You need to be a member of this site.
2. You need to post in this thread.
3. You need to send me some personal information so your secret santa knows where to send a gift.
4. If you are uncomfortable giving out personal information then don't participate.
5. The gift must be legal to own and send through the postal service. I assume no responsibility in this matter.
6. The rough max budget should be about $25+shipping. The gift should not be crap, but shouldn't be too expensive either. I don't want people to not participate because your means are small.
7. This is for people in the US and Canada first. If you are in the UK feel free to participate. I will match you up with other UK members or send you something myself, my treat.
8. Please please please, don't sign up and then quit. If you need to back out for any reason please let me know via PM and I will get people re-assigned quickly.
9. Once you have shipped your gift, please post here that you have completed the quest. Nice!
10. Don't open until Christmas, but when you do open, record a video and try and post it before new years so we can see what santa got you. If not a video then pictures are also awesome.

Tips:
1. Post what you want in general or even specific, but post enough of a wishlist to be both surprised and to give your secret santa a variety of price choices.
2. Buy and ship quickly. This needs to get there before Christmas. Don'y dilly dally.
3. Tis the season of giving. Without killing yourself, try and do a little more for the people here. We are a community. Many of us have shared the good and the bad here together. This is a way to give back. $25 has been set as a benchmark, but if someone is wishing for a hard drive, or case, or processor and you have one lying around, maybe you can help them out.
4. If you are of meager means, make something, give something of yours, and try and make it personal for the person you are giving to.

[d_stilgar]

I'll go first:

I'm in! I want to participate so sign me up!

Wishlist:
My wife is pregnant, so anything baby related. Baby's room will be loosely Portal themed.

Tron Sam's Deluxe Identity Disc (http://www.amazon.com/Tron-Sams-Deluxe-Identity-Disc/dp/B004DZOVSA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2C3CAHYC4V1JA&colid=278QFYDHK601V). It's a toy, but I'm going to make a cool lamp out of it.
I'll also need a Hand Metal Punch (http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Punch-Sheet-Puching-Aviation/dp/B001CBRK86) tool. I'll be hanging tron arcade tokens from it. Maybe you have one lying around.

These cards (http://aplusrstore.com/product.php?id=843&cid=56) are neat and I'll probably never buy them.

Here's a slave flash (http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Digital-Bracket-Cameras-Without/dp/B002X3VBFK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=IA8RHWVTS8PRY&colid=278QFYDHK601V) for a project that's been in the back of my mind. I could use at least one of these.

Some book options:
Walking Dead Book 3 (http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Dead-Book-3/dp/1582408254/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1RS9P2XLXON2J&colid=3FJVBU6RDH5LI)
Gift Edition Ender's Game Hardcover (http://www.amazon.com/Enders-Game-Gift-Orson-Scott/dp/0765317389/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2X0FA23OQH20X&colid=3FJVBU6RDH5LI)

Frames always seem to be on my list, but perpetually at the bottom. These would fit a few prints I have.
11x17 (http://www.amazon.com/11x17-Black-Coffee-Custom-Picture/dp/B005FMBGF6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2KZW9Q1MQO37D&colid=278QFYDHK601V)
17x24 (http://www.amazon.com/17x24-Black-Coffee-Picture-Frame/dp/B005N1WQ2Q/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1BLI2R37MB0G0&colid=278QFYDHK601V)

I also like chocolate, like pretty much any chocolate. Almond Roca is a holiday favorite though. If you are in Canada and get me, you can send me something we don't have here. That's always fun.

[985323]

Ill join in! So sign me up.

Wishlist:

Im a nerd as Im sure we all are But I like food too! http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/wacky-edibles/ab3f/ Single package is all.

http://shop.epicmealtime.com/collections/t-shirts/products/black-bacon-strips

Something cheaper would be http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/mugs/2a01/

This is Also an Awsome glass
http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder10/e917/

Or simple Wire glue http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/b70c/

I also like sour candy!

[AmEv]

As much as I'd like to give, I'm a little short on funds.
:(

[Twigsoffury]

Wishlist:
My wife is pregnant, so anything baby related. Baby's room will be loosely Portal themed.

I should give you the gift of sleeping now cause you won't be getting any in some odd months.


or a 24 pack of energy drinks.

[farlo]

im in, seems pretti fun.

Wishlist:

I'm really into music, generally of the metal variety. if someone is feeling super awesome I'd really like one of these (http://earache.com/uswebstore/product_info.php/products_id/1068?osCsid=k95hdao6girjikh80tghp5nhh5) in "pain and piss" or green.

something more affordable, I'd be happy with any of the Novembers doom albums(other than Aphotic and into nights requiem infernal which i already own) or any of the Woods of Ypres discography.

Something cheap, i need a Torx t10 driver, i wanna take apart my 360 to try and xclamp fix it, but havent gotten around to getting the needed torx.

other than that, random odd stuff would be cool as well.

[d_stilgar]

I'm going to bump this since we only have three participants so far. Remember to PM me your info so I can send it to your secret santa on Dec 1.

[billygoat333]

I'm in, but it's late and I dont really wanna dig up prize ideas right now. haha. I'll get back to you on that.

[TheMainMan]

I'm in too. I'll grab some links and update in a bit.

[Datech]

I'm in. I'm not going to bother with a detailed wishlist, since that is part of the fun of Secret Santa. We did this on the SVRider forum last year with no wishlists, and my Secret Santa sent me the graphic novel The Walking Dead since he knew I lived in Atlanta and the show was filmed here. Neat random gift! Here's a few generic suggestions:


A cool USB drive that I won't risk losing, preferably greater than or equal to 4GB. I see that USB3.0 flash drives are at decent price points all the way up to 16GB too :D
Any cool, small electronic stuff is always fun. Novelty Christmas ornament, a wall hanging proclaiming my geekiness, and any other random gag gift is always welcome too!
I'm an avid reader, and I like fantasy (Lord of the Rings - Tolkein, Magician - Feist), man on a mission (almost every Stephen Hunter book), and game lore (Halo books) epics and series. If you like any of those types and you know or like a series similar to them, send it my way!
Motorcycle or computer related stickers. I have a large topcase that I use for storage on my motorcycle, and I've been decorating it with brand and location stickers as I collect them. I put a Thermaltake badge and an OCZ SSD sticker on there already, and I'll probably getting AMD, NVIDIA, MSI, and Gigabyte stickers with this week's parts shipment, so I have no problem geeking out with other stickers.

[d_stilgar]

List updated. Six people now. I'll call that a nice success. It's still open until Dec. 1 for anyone else wanting to participate.

Remember to PM me your name and shipping address so I can pass it along to your secret santa. I think I've only gotten one so far.

[TheMainMan]

First on the wishlist would probably be this (http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-Energizer-Power-Charging-System-3/dp/B001H4NMNA). Can be found at GameStop locations for around the same price.

Geeky t-shirts! I'm a large, here's a few options I think are cool.
Wifi Detector (http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/giftsunder20/991e/)
Try Another Hole (http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/itdepartment/a651/)
I Void Warranties (http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/generic/8f52/)

[d_stilgar]

Alright guys. I've sent out the Private messages. Everyone should know who they are buying for now and you should have their address as well. Try to get the package out by December 10th.

[billygoat333]

For whoever got me, I pretty much would take anything off of thinkgeek.com lol.

[farlo]

so, what size shirts do the other 5 wear?, in case i have your particular name.

[billygoat333]

I wear a large lol

[985323]

Large lol

[d_stilgar]

I would say XL. Shirts seem to shrink in my current machines which sucks, so I buy up and swim in them until they shrink to a large. I've never had that problem until now.

[Datech]

Large!

[diluzio91]

I would join but can't unless my graphics card sells. =(

[Datech]

I know someone got theirs today! Gotta love free 2 day Prime shipping that actually gets there the NEXT DAY! Hope you enjoy it d_stilgar, and thanks for putting this together.

[985323]

Should we post pictures of the packages when they arrive?

[billygoat333]

I say yes. :)

[TheMainMan]

:pics:

I had to be that guy. But I think yes as well.

[Datech]

Should we post pictures of the packages when they arrive?

Of course!

[d_stilgar]

Should we post pictures of the packages when they arrive?

I say go for it. I'll be waiting until New Years to show stuff off, though. I've still got too much to do before the semester is over and then I'll be travelling and visiting family. I will, however, post a nice video around new years, which is what I think everyone should do.

I got the package yesterday. By its size I have a pretty good idea what it is. Darn things are all exactly the same size so I knew it without even having to be sneaky. Too bad too because I'm the most patient present guy I know. I'm satisfied to not know what it is.

Here's a reminder though that everyone should have their presents ordered, purchased, packaged and shipped by today.

[Datech]

IDK if I can wait til Christmas day to open mine, lol. We'll see what happens when it gets here.

[d_stilgar]

Alright, I'm going to update and say that I got my gift shipped out. Let's hope everyone else is on the ball.

[d_stilgar]

Any updates? I want to get a quick head count of everyone who has got their present shipped out already.

[billygoat333]

I am getting mine out today or tomorrow. I will send it priority so it gets there in time :)

[farlo]

gift sending being done by site.

[985323]

I shipped the gift a week ago

[TheMainMan]

Currently, mine's in Cincinnati partway en route to its destination.

[d_stilgar]

Great to hear guys. It looks like we are all accounted for and only one person hasn't officially shipped yet, but they say it's ready to go. Sweet!

[985323]

I received mine, Should I make an unboxing?

[d_stilgar]

I received mine, Should I make an unboxing?

I think the original plan was to wait to open stuff until Christmas at least. I'll be travelling so I won't do mine until new years. Anticipation is fun right? We're all doing videos, no? Pics at least I'm sure.

[985323]

Sounds like a plan! :)

[billygoat333]

Shipped mine today. :)

[d_stilgar]

This is awesome guys. Everyone has purchased and shipped, so everyone should get their gift before Christmas. This is the best I've ever seen one of these go online. Too often there's one guy who never gets anything.


I'll just go knock on wood now.

[farlo]

i went ahead and sent mine, hope you like it BG. 1 from your list and 1 extra because i heard its good.

[billygoat333]

Got my secret santa gift a little early! lol Thanks!

EDIT: added pictures.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/379119_10150434218778214_556323213_8628929_1597705 757_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/388253_10150434219293214_556323213_8628932_1493490 1_n.jpg

Fallout: NV and the Binding of Isaac! Gotta love games! :D Thanks again Farlo!

[Datech]

Got my secret santa gift today! I wasn't paying attention to the sender since I get a few of my Christmas orders through USPS. Well, it was my gift from my secret santa Billygoat!!

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/4464/imageltl.jpg
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8374/imageyjjp.jpg

That's Call of Duty II and an 8GB USB3.0 jump drive! You have no idea how excited I am about these gifts. Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, and COD4: Modern Warfare are my three favorite PC shooters of all time. I have no idea where any of those disks are though, so it'll be pretty sweet to load up COD2 and blast through the awesome single player campaign. Who knows, there may even be multiplayer servers left out there! Also, to date this game a little for you guys, there are six (6) installation disks for this game because it was before the days of DVDs, lol.

The USB3.0 drive is really sweet too. That blue portion is a spring clicker like on a pen, and the interface comes out the other end. That's going to come in really handy next semester!

Thanks so much BG!

[billygoat333]

Glad you got it ok! I wasn't sure if you had COD2 or not, but I figured it was an old enough game you would probably have already gotten rid of it. It was just collecting dust on my shelf, so I hope you get some use out of it!

[Datech]

Glad you got it ok! I wasn't sure if you had COD2 or not, but I figured it was an old enough game you would probably have already gotten rid of it. It was just collecting dust on my shelf, so I hope you get some use out of it!

Definitely! My plan is to finish Arkham City, then install COD2 and see how my new beast system handles it, lol. After that it'll be my game I play during breaks from Skyrim.

[farlo]

maybe i should have waited to get BG's, both games are 1/2 price now, i could have gotten you and extra game or 2.

[farlo]

anyone else have pictures ? haven't gotten mine as of yet, but will post when i do.

[TheMainMan]

I thought I would get a chance to post my photos before leaving for a week vacation in the Dominican but I'll have to post the photos after I get back.

[d_stilgar]

Here's my video. Thanks Datech!

L4J8wRgz5ck

[Cale_Hagan]

Here's my video. Thanks Datech!



well, working retail, you would know you can have alot of fun with those pink stuffed animal things, i think they are called sniga majigs or whatnot. the ones that hold 1 tone, get a nice pitched awhhh! and did you know when they make sounds, their mouth opens? me and my coworkers have had too much fun goofin around, haha. :whistler: :facepalm:

[d_stilgar]

Hey Farlo, have you gotten yours yet? I sent it on the 11th of December so it should definitely be there by now.

[farlo]

nope, not yet.

[d_stilgar]

Hmm . . . I'm looking into it. I feel really bad because I'm the one who organized this. I'll let you know what I find out. Hopefully it's just an issues of USPS being backed up and you get it soon. Some of the other stuff I shipped at the same time are just getting to their destinations.

Anyone else not get something? Let me know.

[farlo]

its cool man, any kind mail moves at a snails pace in december

[d_stilgar]

So . . . another one should be coming now. Seems the other is just lost in transit.

[farlo]

got it yesterday, ill post pics when i get a chance. thank you so much man, means even more since david gold of woods of ypres died last month.

[d_stilgar]

got it yesterday, ill post pics when i get a chance. thank you so much man, means even more since david gold of woods of ypres died last month.

Only one month late too! Good to hear you got it. I'll have to look back through this thread and make sure everyone else got their gift.

Where are all the pictures guys?