Count me in as well! Was a great and wonderful experience last year!

If you'll have me I'm in again. Think I've taken part ever year. It's fun to shop for Secret Santa

I think many of your past recipients would be upset if you were not going to participate!

I'd like to participate but I'm currently residing abroad in Asia. Does anyone know how much international shipments generally cost and what kind of things are generally good/bad to ship internationally?

I'm trying to decide if signing up for 5 people and international shipping is a recipe for trouble...

It depends a lot on the country you are shipping from. I send from Japan, and have to figure 30 to 40 USD for the shipment on top of the 50 USD for the gift. Depends on how heavy items.

Main things to think about are customs/import restrictions, restrictions on what can go in airmail, and finally making sure things don't break.

This. Last year, I had mostly international recipients. I ended up ordering from Amazon and having it shipped directly to them, when I normally will assemble everything and send a note.

Thanks for the info, CPH-Flyer!

I'll be shipping from Malaysia.

Making sure things don't break... hmmm yeah. No fragiles then.

There's also the concern of package theft which I encountered last year. Amazon covered the expenses and reshipped without fuss. So all was well.

However, I want to try shipping local gifts this time around because it's hopefully more appreciated/well-received. Hmmm, I'll need to think on it a bit more.

I like to find local things, or something a bit fun from when I travel. But it depends on the interests of the recipient.

Best point in avoiding breakage is a good box made for mailing stuff. Japan Post has some really good ones, check your local post office.

Count me in for a 4th year of fun! PM Sent

Do FT'ers ever request that their Santa reside in a certain country/state/city? Would that be overloading the OP too much to try to match up that kind of thing? (I've read discussions from years past and it seems to me that when SS sends items from their local sources the Santee is enormously pleased.)

I've never requested a specific country/state/city, but one year, one of my recipients lived about 3 hours from me. Mr. Kipper and I drove up to deliver his gifts in person. It was quite fun. :D

You can request... but no guarantee. I have no control if a person that meets your request joins Secret Santa.

What a happy circumstance! I bet that was great fun for everyone!

It was. We met for a few drinks at a brewpub near him, and enjoyed pleasant company.

Not random at all!