Santa Update: I just sent EMAIL messages to a number of you. The FT system had not shown that your Santa Assignment message had been read. Of course, you may have read via forwarding PMs to your email... but please confirm back to me.

I had someone yesterday who had received their assignment three weeks ago tell me they only saw it yesterday after receiving their gift. There is a reason I ask people to check messages regularly!

I would also appreciate getting an update from everyone on your status of sending gifts... I have too many blank spots in my spreadsheet for my comfort!

Also, reminder that today is the last day to sign up or get an additional assignment.

2016 hasn't been the best of years for the world as some may agree with, but this thread really does give your faith back in humanity.

Well done all of you participating and wharvey and his elves for organising such a mammoth task.

Received my first gift at work yesterday. Thank you MrDplus for the treats from Iowa! The crummy cell phone picture doesn't do it justice, but it's a collection of various locally made snacks and sweets, packed in an Iowa shaped basket.

I've never been, but have actually wanted to visit for a long time, based on a random TV show I saw with one of my then-roommates showcasing a handful of delicious-looking local restaurants. On top of that, ever since I started dating someone from Wisconsin, I've been rather fixated on eating my way through various Midwestern state fairs, and I hear Iowa's is a doozy. So, I'm excited to get a little preview of tasty things to come in the mail.

Thanks again, and hope you have a great holiday!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...ou-mrdplus.jpg

ftss gifts
 

Got my anonymous FT Secret Santa gifts.
This will help motivate me to move during the cold winter months.
Thanks!!

Got a lovely box of gifts yesterday from my Secret Santa Josh. I love trying to new food, and Josh(?) sent delicious Maple Cookies and Maple Syrup! I'm also heading to Hawaii soon, and he sent a guidebook, a comfort kit for the plane trip and an insulated mug for my Pina Coladas that I will have to drink while planning out my vacation!

Oops-I forgot to mention that my Secret Santa also gave me a Yankee Candle spray can of room freshener (pictured, but not mentioned), and a pair of bluetooth headphones (they arrived separately from Amazon and I did not realize it was from Santa-I thought I had ordered them for myself some time ago and forgotten. Thanks so much Santa, I will make sure to sign up for two Santas next year!!

your TP run in Nepal was the best I've read this year :) x

onthewaytoadventure, you're welcome. I'm glad to hear you like the present.

When you come to the Iowa State Fair, let me know. I've only lived here for 3.5 years, and have yet to go to the fair.

:) was a memory that's for sure.

- if people need a distraction from all the merriness - here is the Katmandu back to back turnaround attempt -

cops, rifles and a very good staff member

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/etiha...naround-2.html

My package arrived yesterday!!!! Thanks, Josh! I only briefly peeked at the book (as part of the paper had ripped anyway)... The rest will wait until Christmas. I hadn't put my tree up yet, so I made sure to do that pronto. Also, my cat was thrilled to have a present of his own... Likely an unintentional gift, but appreciated regardless. ^

http://i.imgur.com/hAcTMUnl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/PctUfofl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/FuHYRPql.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/8PZt8thl.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/t08uL1rl.jpg

Around here, the felines believe I order things from Amazon just so they can have new boxes to play in.

A very entertaining read. ;) :D

Something not as dramatic happened to HeadElf53 several years ago on a year end domestic US mileage run. I came clean and told the pilot what I was doing. He :rolleyes:, then smiled. Oh, he said. You're one of those people. :D

Try explaining it when a delay pushes your original flight back, causing you to spend the night, because you miss your about 1 hour turnaround.

I haven't lived in Iowa since 2009 and I still dream about the deep-fried Oreos at the state fair! I'm not a Fried food kind of girl either.

Also, to the person dating someone from Wisconsin, you have got to give the creampuffs and brownies from the Wisconsin State fair a chance! Oh! And the milk shots! They give you small cups, not exactly shot glass size but not exactly as big as a highball or old-fashioned either, of milk. The kicker? You get to pick from quite a number of flavorings to go into your milk. It is the dairy state after all ;-)

I'm from neither of those states. I went to undergrad at UW and med school in Iowa and my first time at a state fair was in the Midwest. And the food was surprisingly out of this world!

Wow! Cops, rifles, and a staff member? This sounds like the beginnings of an epic adventure! Should I bring popcorn? LOL