Speaking of which, I got to open a package that contained a lovely coffee
maker & accoutrements last night when I got back from negotiating a
lengthy and perilous journey from the airport. Thank you, other midwest Santa!
From Santa Illinois: first, post card, then greeting card, followed by two packages shipped separately from Amazon. I was laughing out loud when I pulled out from one box a DVD and a book on... Antarctica! (So far, a total six books on the White Continent. Amazingly how, none of them are the same. Whew!) Inside the other box was a comfort wrap-around throw, perfect for curling up on the sofa reading the many books and watching the DVDs on possibly my next big advantureland, the Antarctica. Thank you thank you, Santa A. G.
From Santa YUL: A set of 'polar accessories' , i.e. hat and scarf, for my up coming trip to 'y'all know where', and a DVD on, y'all guessed it, Antarctica!
Oh, I am having so much fun. Merci! Merci!
From Santa NY: Where do I begin? A boxful of goodies and more: mini-packages of all kinds of oral hygiene products; travel sized bottles of shampoo, body cream and wash, lip balm; fleece gloves, soft socks, a 'Carols For A Cure' CD and a DVD.... no, not travel related. It's a movie: "Voice of the Heart"
Whew, I am exhausted! Thank you thank you.
Last but not least, an immense heartfelt THANKS to big Santa wharvey for taking time and effort in organising this. Extravaganza indeed Can't wait till next Christmas. Only some 359 days away, it'll be a zip.
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I've been meaning to post a big "Thank You" to my 3rd Secret Santa, who is from Woodbury, NY. My package arrived December 29th, and was worth the wait!
It contained some nice body lotion and scrub, a lovely calendar that is now hanging in my kitchen, and some elegant notecards, all in a beautiful Disney tote! (I had said I liked Disney stuff.) I liked all of it; thank you!
So, can we ask now who gave us the gifts? I'd love to know who my Secret Santas were!
I would like to send a Big Thank You to both my Secret Santas, JudyS and Dartagnan.
From one I got a collection of bulbs carefully wrapped in assorted usable glassware. Also detailed care and growing instructions (hand word-processed even). That was essential if the bulbs are to survive as I am no gardener. I am however eager to take up the challenge growing these bulbs. It turns out that the horrible aluminum framed super awful drafty windows we have will be the perfect environment for one of the bulbs.
Also in the package was a lovely little Indonesian sterling silver necklace with an amber stone. It is perfect for me. Something I might have picked out myself. It manages to be ornate and simple at the same time.
The third item was a sheet of unused 13 cent christmas stamps from long ago. Still usable. I like to use pretty stamps on all the personal letters I send, so I will definitely be using these ones.
My other Secret Santa sent me a lovely package with representative items from St. Louis. There were two big bottles of Barleywine and Stout from a St. Louis Brewery. These were picked based on the fact that I live in the Beer Brewing Territories of the NW and we take our beer ever so seriously. It will be nice to compare the offerings from other regions.
The Second item was a specialty Gooey Butter Cake by Park Avenue. Even after touring for around for a few weeks courtesy of DHL, it was still delicious. It may have managed to stay all nice and gooey as a result of the extreme care my Santa used to wrap it really well in Saran wrap (both the cake inside and the outer box. Way to go Santa! If anyone happens to be in St. Louis, I strongly recommend one of these cakes!!
The third present was a lovely metal star. Very Heavy. According to my Santa it is, "an informal symbol of the city. All the old houses have them and many paint new ones for indoor decoration." It is really awesome. I am trying to think of a way to hang it near our wood stove.
I loved the presents from both my Santas. I am so touched by the consideration and thought that went into choosing the gifts. Thank you, thank you, thank you - to you both!
And of course once again a very big THANK YOU to William for doing this again.
I came into the office this morning for the first time since Christmas and had 2 packages waiting for me.
To my NY, NY Secret Santa: Thank you for the books! I love to read, I love to knit - and I love to read about knitting too! Thank You! THe cartoon book is really great! Thank you very much !!
To my PA via MT Secret Santa: Glad your luggage finally caught up to you - and see your package still beat me home ! Thank you for all of the goodies! The movie, the CD, the supplies to replenish my baggie, all of the goodies! THank you so much !!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JudyS
So, can we ask now who gave us the gifts? I'd love to know who my Secret Santas were!
Have you ever hidden something so well, you never can find it again?
Well, a few weeks after I sent my SS gift, I alluded to it in an airline thread (or was it a hotel thread) in which my recipient sometimes posts. Not sure if he ever saw that. But some of the fun of this exchange for many is that it remains Secret!
Only 11 more month to go!
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The shortest distance between two points is a straight line....but that won't get me the points and segments I want!
Sorry to my secret santa for not posting earlier butttttt.... your gifts were Awesome!
The first was a guide book from Amazon covering every ski resort imaginable which I will start using immediately. I think it arrived sometime the week before Christmas. Then on Christmas eve a package arrived with a Flyertalk luggage tag and a pair of designer ski sunglasses. I'm excited to wear them on my next ski trip, now I just need some sun!!
Thank you very much, your gifts were very thoughtful and MUCH appreciated!
Wharvey- thanks for doing this again, it wouldn't be Christmas without the FT Secret Santa!
Have you ever hidden something so well, you never can find it again?
Well, a few weeks after I sent my SS gift, I alluded to it in an airline thread (or was it a hotel thread) in which my recipient sometimes posts. Not sure if he ever saw that. But some of the fun of this exchange for many is that it remains Secret!
Only 11 more month to go!
I saw the subtle reference, very well played. The book is amazing on so many levels. For one, it's making me dredge up my unused French. I'm 3/4 through it right now and am fascinated by all the elements of the story. Talk about a truly wonderful gift, I've even told all my friends about it.
And gotten the "wait, you post messages with other frequent fliers, and even send gifts to them?? huh?" responses
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BoyAreMyArmsTired:
My favourite saying is "Beauty fades, but stupid lasts forever"
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Well then, happy holidays UCB!
I have to admit, I really had to put on a thinking cap for your gift. I know nothing about science fiction whatsoever. I asked friends who share your interest.....but they warned that if you are into it, then how could I be sure not to buy a book which you already had read or a series of DVDs which you had not seen.
Then, one day, while perusing antique books, I found this book....and that title left little wonder that it was science fiction. While I am sure that science fiction has been around (in one form or another) for centuries, that book is believed to be one of the first "real" science fiction books ever published, back in 1897, shortly after the author's death.
Here is a very interesting biography about the author -- but even here the confusion is exacerbated, from the first sentence to the last paragraph, as it is unclear if he died in 1896 or 1897. (Trivia: as a cartoonist for Punch, he coined the term "bedside manner" and he was the grandfather to Daphne Du Maurier.)
I'm glad that you are enjoying the book. That, to me, makes gift giving the most fun.
Happy new year.
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The shortest distance between two points is a straight line....but that won't get me the points and segments I want!
, i.e. hat and scarf, for my up coming trip to 'y'all know where', and a DVD on, y'all guessed it, Antarctica! 
wharvey 
Can't wait till next Christmas. Only some 359 days away, it'll be a zip.
