|
|
Post by Lady B on Sept 16, 2007 18:40:36 GMT -5
Hello Fellow RTH Members! This is such a fun and caring Forum, it seems that someone is always sending and/or receiving rocks, slabs, cabs, tumble-stones, or pendants from someone here at RTH. So, with the Holiday Season approaching, we thought: “What if we had a Sort-of-Secret-Santa Holiday Gift Exchange among RTH members who would like to participate in a round-robin expression of how much we really do care about each other?” *** *** *** Here is what we thought would work: - All members of RTH are eligible to participate.
- Lady B will coordinate the match-ups between givers and receivers.
- Any member who chooses to participate needs to be able to spend between ~ $10.00 to ~$20.00 (US) so that the RTH members who do not live in the US can also be included in this exchange.
- Once you commit to participating, you will send your name and address to Lady B by PM. The deadline for sending that information will be Wednesday, November 21st so Lady B has enough time to pull names out of hats and match a giver to a recipient. She will then notify all of the participants by Friday, November 23rd of the hat-checks to allow for packages to start their Holiday journeys. All gifts should be sent in order to arrive sometime between December 15th and January 6th.
- Each participant will decide what to give as a Sort-of-Secret-Santa Holiday Gift: rocks, rocks, slabs, cabs, tumble-stones, pendants, bags of grit or ceramic pellets, wires, beads, or whatever. The aim here is not to try to “out-do” anyone but to simply spread the joy of all-things-rock all around the RTH Community. Look at your planned gift and decide if you think it would make another RTH member happy. Then that is a good gift. It can be a single item that will fit in a very small envelope or lots of rocks that will need a box for safe shipping or anything in between.
- Only Lady B will know who is responsible for sending gifts on to another RTH member. In keeping with the Spirit of this being a Sort-of-Secret exchange, members should not post who their respective gift recipients are. Of course, once the gift is received, the recipient will know immediately who the sender was, and that will be just fine. After all, we will want to be able to send thanks and post photos and all the fun stuff that goes hand-in-hand with RTH gift giving!
- All matches between givers and recipients will be the result of random picks of participant names. Participants should not make any special requests for who is matched to whom.
*** *** *** We sincerely hope we are not offending anyone with our Gift Exchange idea. We recognize that not everyone celebrates the same Holidays—that is one of the reasons we are suggesting the range of arrival dates (12/15/07—01/06/08) so as to cover as many celebrations as possible. We also recognize that for any number of reasons, RTH members might not participate in this Exchange. We trust that all RTH members will respect those decisions. *** *** *** SO! If you think this is a good idea and you would like to be a part of the Exchange, please plan to send your name and address to Lady B (via PM) between October 14 th and November 21 st. In the interim, if you have ideas, suggestions, or ( ahem) gentle criticisms, please contact either of us by PM. ;D Thanks for your interest and support! Steve (steveholmes) ;D and Lady B (ladybeabea)  P.S. Lady B will post reminders periodically to keep this thread fresh for all current and new RTH members.  |
|
|
|
Post by sbreed on Sept 16, 2007 18:41:41 GMT -5
Count me in!!
|
|
WyckedWyre
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2007
Posts: 1,391
|
Post by WyckedWyre on Sept 16, 2007 18:54:42 GMT -5
I'll play!
;DS
|
|
|
|
Post by Bikerrandy on Sept 16, 2007 19:01:24 GMT -5
^ Those two girls already have my address^ ;D haha
|
|
|
|
Post by sbreed on Sept 16, 2007 20:30:28 GMT -5
LOL!! Randy
|
|
|
|
Post by LCARS on Sept 16, 2007 20:47:22 GMT -5
Sounds good LadyB.  I was considering doing something a little like that myself, sending some secret Santa packages that is, just wasn't going to say anything in advance. One concern is the additional cost of sending something across the borders between Canada-USA-everywhere else.  Maybe it would be a good idea to know who you are sending something to in advance, before you decide what to send. This would at least give you the opportunity to "customize" the gift to what you think that particular member might enjoy most of what you have to offer, and also to take postal costs into consideration if that member lives outside of your domestic postal region. Oh Ladyb, If you ever get to take some time out from being the forum queen, don't forget to include yourself in the exchange! Rob |
|
raqy
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2007
Posts: 799
|
Post by raqy on Sept 16, 2007 20:53:55 GMT -5
This sounds like fun, I'm in too. Thanks LadyB!!
Raquel
|
|
huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
|
Post by huffstuff on Sept 16, 2007 21:31:38 GMT -5
Count me in.
Maybe when we sign up, we could indicate if we are able/willing to cover the additional cost for overseas or over-borders. Would that help? Also, do we need to consider shipping time to these distant (but no less loved) RTH members, so that they receive their goodies in good time?
Great idea!
Amy
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2007 21:42:54 GMT -5
Good idea. The only suggestion I would have would be to have each participant fill out a brief questionnaire so that we know what the other person likes. It is definitely the thought that counts but it would be nice to send something that we know they would like. It could ask questions such as would you want something cabbing related, tumbling related, rough material, or finished cabs, or jewelry? Other questions could ask about a persons favorite color, food, type of music, whether they like scented things (or are allergic to them), if they like baked goods etc.
A questionnaire would help personalize the gifts more.
Shannon
Shannon
|
|
SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
|
Post by SteveHolmes on Sept 16, 2007 21:57:21 GMT -5
I asked LadyB to help me with the Santa Exchange. I knew she would be the one that really would spear-head this, and be able to keep it going. I think what I had in mind, was just a simple rock related gift exchange. I think anything "rocks" will be enjoyed. Alot of us just tumble rocks, and many of us have to buy rocks while others are fortunate to be able to hunt rocks in their own backyards. I like the idea of making it more personable, but at the same time, I think whoever wants to join in with the exchange, will be more than happy with whatever they recieve...as long as it's rock-related.
I for one, will be happy with whatever I recieve. These gifts come from the heart. RTH is about friendships, giving, and caring folks. I hope we don't have to get too carried away with rules and regulations, this should be a simple, from-the-heart gift exchange. I don't know how much it is to send things overseas, but plan on at least 20$. I know it shouldn't cost more than 10$ for anything here. I think if you want to participate, figure on spending at least $20.00. I think if everyone knows who they are sending to by the 23rd of November, that gives them plenty of time to get the gifts out. I appreciate the response so far. Thanks to all who want to join in the fun.
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by parfive on Sept 16, 2007 22:03:55 GMT -5
Can I send a poem to someone? ;D ;D ;D
Bobby Burns
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2007 22:16:01 GMT -5
Steve,
Having it just rock related certainly would make it easier. I also would be happy with ANYTHING I received. I just thought that if it was possibly going to be something not rock related that it would be easier knowing a bit more about the person. This is going to be fun!
Shannon
|
|
SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
|
Post by SteveHolmes on Sept 16, 2007 22:19:55 GMT -5
Cool it Bobby Burns! LOL!
Shannon,
I'm not a cook, and I doubt anyone would want anything that came out of an oven from me, nor the microwave for that matter. this is going to be FUN!! I do appreciate your input though. THANKS
steve
|
|
|
|
Post by rocklicker on Sept 16, 2007 22:50:04 GMT -5
I'll join in!
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by Lady B on Sept 16, 2007 23:15:33 GMT -5
Okay! My turn. I'll do a quick run-down based on each of the posts between my original and this one: - Sheri--you are accounted for; will need your new address once you get moved!
- Susan--glad you're playing, too.
- Bikerrandy--you are going on the "Naughty" list. ;D
- Rob--your concern about shipping costs is legitimate. That's why we are asking participants to consider the $10 to $20 range of expense. We have members in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Romania, Serbia, and the US. I checked shipping costs and everyone should be covered by the posted range. Some gifts will necessarily be lighter in weight than others due to shipping costs, but distance shouldn't rule out anyone from giving or receiving (we hope ).
I will also try to get some helpful info from each participant to make it as "easy" as possible for all of the givers.
- Raquel--thanks for signing up!
- Amy--when I ask for the "ABSOLUTE" commitments starting on October 14th, I will ask members to let me know if they are able to ship something only within their own home countries or across national borders. I will adjust the "random pairing" of giver/receiver accordingly. ;D
I think all of the gifts "should" arrive within the planned for calendar dates if everyone gets to their respective Post Offices as close to November 23rd as possible. That's another reason, Steve and I went with the extended time frame of 12/15/07 to 01/06/08
- Shannon--you have some good points about finding out about like/needs/wants. I think this info could be especially helpful for new RTH members who might be starting out like I was back in May--essentially without rocks to give away. New members might want to participate more if they know they could send rocky-road cookies or some other item that would make a neat gift.
- Steve H--I appreciate your confidence in me very much! Just think of me as one of the elves! The one that keeps the list up and running for Santa! ;D
- Parfive--you can send me a poem any time!!!
- Steve (rocklicker)--welcome to the Fun!
That should cover all who have posted so far. This is going to be GREAT fun!!! I, for one, am so glad Steve H thought of this. Lady B |
|
|
|
Post by catmandewe on Sept 16, 2007 23:25:04 GMT -5
Cool Idea, I am in..............Tony
|
|
erbojones
has rocks in the head
Member since October 2006
Posts: 659
|
Post by erbojones on Sept 17, 2007 4:52:43 GMT -5
I'm in!!! Fairly light packages aren't too bad in terms of postage to/from the UK but big boxes of rough can be a bit too much for one person to bear!! I look forward to participating!!! Just a thought - if postage is a significant factor how about those from overseas sending to each other (ie Europe to Europe, Australia to Australia, UK to UK etc) and then the US/Canadians send to each other - might save a few pennies for some RTHers. Just brainstorming...........
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
|
Post by stefan on Sept 17, 2007 10:25:20 GMT -5
SOunds fun- Me In
|
|
|
|
Post by flintfish on Sept 17, 2007 11:58:50 GMT -5
Good plan folks! I'm in whatever the rules are Lady B Steve H - Glad your on board Sir! This is going to be fun! I'm happy to send wherever! (we don't have any members who are astronauts do we ?  ) And really don't mind what I receive, it's the giving that makes me happiest I look forward to submitting my AM at 12:01 on the 14th ;D Cheers, Harry. |
|
wm7734
spending too much on rocks
wheres my rockhammer ?
Member since January 2007
Posts: 252
|
Post by wm7734 on Sept 17, 2007 12:45:03 GMT -5
im game
|
|
) And really don't mind what I receive, it's the giving that makes me happiest 
