If you're doing HHO Secret Santa...

[milliepops]

please can you answer lots of fun questions in the hints and tips thread

there are a few Santas that have done their stalking but are still waiting for info from their recipients

it really makes the difference for everyone enjoying the whole process.

Posting in here for visibility, the thread is in Club House

 

[TPO]

...and can you please post answering the majority of the questions.

Some posters are replying in the thread but not answering any of the questions. They maybe think they have already said what they want but it would be super helpful, and more in the spirit of things, to answer as many of the questions as possible.

Thank you ??

 

[Red-1]

I have done 3 entries, but some of the questions were rather random, and I didn't answer all of them.

I guess the 'spirit' of SS is different for all participants, I have (I hope) successfully stalked my recipient (pet name rule OK) and have plenty of information from my PM from QueenBee, and their (one and only) hints and tips entry to really enjoy thinking of bits to buy.

I will be easy to stalk too (Pets names rule OK!) and also gave many hints and tips on the PM and also one entry of the hints and tips. As it seems important to some people to do many entries, I have done two more.

However, the spirit of SS, for me, isn't the random questions, it is that I have had fun stalking, have fun planning, will have fun buying for someone and knowing that someone will have stalked, planned and bought for me. I have had a rubbish year, and this year will only have one RL person buying for me. SS gift will be really appreciated. Someone thinking of me will be really appreciated.

I do agree with giving info and doing hints and tips at least once, but if I had only done one entry in the hints and tips thread, it would not mean I didn't appreciate the whole SS event. Life has been rather overwhelming this year and I suspect it will be the same for many others.

 

[Tiddlypom]

It must be very frustrating when your recipent hasn’t posted at all, but there are now are zillions of questions on there in amongst loads of posts (583 posts and rising).

That’s great for some folk who want to keep right up with the thread, but rather overwhelming for others. There seems to be a miss match of expectations.

I’m not in SS, but I do dip in from time to time and it is just getting huge. To wade through it all from the start and to note and and to be expected to answer almost every question, and then keep track of yet more questions, would take a while.

 

[Red-1]

It must be very frustrating when your recipent hasn’t posted at all, but there are now are zillions of questions on there in amongst loads of posts (583 posts and rising).

That’s great for some folk who want to keep right up with the thread, but rather overwhelming for others. There seems to be a miss match of expectations.

I’m not in SS, but I do dip in from time to time and it is just getting huge. To wade through it all from the start and to note and and to be expected to answer almost every question, and then keep track of yet more questions, would take a while.

I think the rules are: you answer the PM questions, giving a clue who you are (if you wish) and some hints as to presents; post in hints and tips at least once, enlarging on presents and joining in the spirit; post on the gift received thread so your purchaser knows it arrived; post when you have opened it so the purchaser knows you like it and you can say thank you.

I agree, the 'zillions' of questions can be overwhelming, especially for people for whom things in general are already overwhelming. I think QueenBee started this to enhance lives and to be fun, not to cause stress. I am grateful to her, as the gift will be a highlight for me, this year more than others.

 

[thefarsideofthefield]

It must be very frustrating when your recipent hasn’t posted at all, but there are now are zillions of questions on there in amongst loads of posts (583 posts and rising).

That’s great for some folk who want to keep right up with the thread, but rather overwhelming for others. There seems to be a miss match of expectations.

I’m not in SS, but I do dip in from time to time and it is just getting huge. To wade through it all from the start and to note and and to be expected to answer almost every question, and then keep track of yet more questions, would take a while.

Totally agree that it can be very time consuming , so to make life super simple and stress free for whoever has got me -

Fairfax and Favour , 8/42 , regular leg .

Merry Christmas

 

[TPO]

Totally agree Red1, I mean my horses rug size isnt a necessary question because I very much doubt I'll be receiving a rug but it's a harmless question.

Like you say half of the fun is in the stalking but that's hard when they havent posted anything to stalk and the few posts on the forum give nothing away about them personally. It's all fine and well saying in the PM that you have a crocodile named Nigel but if you have never posted about him online it makes things just as hard.

Some people are getting stressed because they have a non active recipient who has come online to join SS, knows the rules and hasnt made any attempts to follow them. People want to buy nice presents and its upsetting knowing they'll be resigned to gifting something generic.

Others have posted on the Hints thread and hand picked less than a handful of questions to answer to say what they would like to receive and contributed nothing else. They possibly think that they have done their bit as theyve answered four questions. That would be fine if it was a regular poster as you "know" them over the year but if that's literally all you have to go on it's not great.

Hopefully anyone who hasnt yet posted at all or has in replied once SS related will answer a little fuller.

The question list does appear to grow quickly and of course there isnt a need to answer every single question but when you enter SS you agree to participate to some degree and some people arent at all.

QB has gone to great lengths this year to stress that people must join in but sadly some posters havent heeded that and it's a real shame. The Christmas Elf is definitely missed this year as I'm sure they did a lot of prodding behind the scenes. As she isnt here there isnt much else anyone can do other than public pleas to join in with what you agreed to do when you signed up. People want to give gifts with personal touches, that kinda the joy in the whole thing I think?

 

[SOS]

I’m starting to feel the pressure a bit here. I’ve posted a little in the SS hints and tips but find threads like that very stressful! Not just keeping up with them but the huge long replies. Also I’m busy in my everyday life and it takes ages to read through! However I thought that would be okay as I post on here regularly and have tried to be fairly comprehensive in my answers/original entry.

My SS has posted a couple of times but tbh had my plan figured out as soon as I read the PM. It’s all quite exciting but hard to know what is expected of you and really don’t want to let anyone down!

I could easily spend way more than I can really afford too but don’t want to disappoint anyone either. Friends and family know it’s been a big year for me and will be receiving home made sloe gin and that’s it!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

To be fair anyone feeling pressured and overwhelmed by the huge numbers of questions is probably is not the intended target for this post! I think it is more directed at the 'oh bugger yes SS, where's the thread then' people who have entered and forgotten all about it. And was a gentle reminder to anyone who hasn't got round to it yet. At least that's how I read it. X

 

[Tiddlypom]

Well yes, but then there was another post asking that participants answer the ‘majority of the questions’, of which there are now a lot.

How about a separate thread just for the questions, to keep that part more manageable? Responses on another.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

This is my first year taking part so I've tried to answer as many questions as possible, I'm locked down on FB and Instagram so have tried to help my person by answering as many questions as possible.

There were some i didn't answer, one I thought was incredibly random and not really relevant!

I think the questions help "fine tune" the information in the pm. I knew mine straight away from the pm as they're an active poster but their answers on the thread enabled me to "fine tune" some of their presents. I've really enjoyed shopping for them and agree with the points above that they help people get more refined presents rather than say a work ss which is usually just chocolates and wine it lets people put more thought into their presents. Eg exactly which chocolate/ alcohol/ colours they like. however if I wasn't absolutely sure who i had I'd have gone more generic as it would have been bad to get a pink bling bridle for the previously mentioned Dave the crocodile and they not actually own a crocodile and hate pink and bling

*a suggestion for next year, could we start the questions to be asked for SS in say October, however on that thread NO answers are posted just any questions people feel are relevant/ fancy asking. There is then a cut off of say a week before the people are allocated by QB for someone who has the time to correlate all the questions together, then add them as a post on a new ANSWERS thread (sticky if possible?) People can then copy and paste just one post containing the questions, which have all been correlated together, and type their answers next to the questions, they can just then put N/A for those not relevant.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

See I was a bit vague in my initial application because I think I am easy to identify but I have contributed to the hits and tips.

 

[milliepops]

To be fair anyone feeling pressured and overwhelmed by the huge numbers of questions is probably is not the intended target for this post! I think it is more directed at the 'oh bugger yes SS, where's the thread then' people who have entered and forgotten all about it. And was a gentle reminder to anyone who hasn't got round to it yet. At least that's how I read it. X

This!!

As mentioned we don't have a christmas elf this year to jolly people along and get in the spirit of it all, i don't think there's any need to answer ALL the questions or feel under some huge weight to KEEP UP but just to participate to a level that means your Santa isn't stressing out themselves some people find it disappointing to just have to guess and give generic stuff.

Personal life getting in the way is totally understandable, obviously.

 

[chaps89]

Some people are getting stressed because they have a non active recipient who has come online to join SS, knows the rules and hasnt made any attempts to follow them. People want to buy nice presents and its upsetting knowing they'll be resigned to gifting something generic.

I've always wanted to do SS (I over share so I'm pretty sure I'm very easy to identify and therefore pick something out for ?? ) but it's this that puts me off.
I love picking out more personal presents and putting thought into it, so having to do a generic socks and hot chocolate mug gift set would upset me (though I'm sure some people like those things and would be very happy with them!)
I do think it's poor form to enter but not get into the spirit of things.

I did take this thread just as a nudge for those who might have forgotten/not got round to it yet though

 

[milliepops]

if people have participated in previous years then past threads can be helpful which sort of gets round the issue if you have someone who is having a crisis in their home life and doesn't have time to join in this time. luckily the threads are fairly easy to find using a search

 

[Lexi_]

It’s a big thread but it’s not like it’s a discussion where you need to read/engage with most posts, it’s just a depository that you can search for info about your SS once you know who they are. All you have to do is drop in a few times, copy and paste a recent post and add in your answers - doesn’t seem that big an ask.

FWIW, I think some of the questions are a bit weird too! If you’ve only answered once early on and half the Qs at that time are around things that can’t possibly apply to presents, it doesn’t really help!

 

[PapaverFollis]

Look everyone!



K?

*applies for Christmas Elf job*

 

[Widgeon]

It must be very frustrating when your recipent hasn’t posted at all, but there are now are zillions of questions on there in amongst loads of posts (583 posts and rising).
.

Yes! I've started going through the new pages every few days doing a Crtl+F for keywords I know about my SS from QueenBee's email....not got anywhere yet though

 

[Sandstone1]

I have posted on there several times and answered quite a lot. I think I have to give up now though as cant keep up. My person has only posted once but I have a fair bit of info so its cool.
I understand its more fun to take part fully but its just too much to keep up with now.

 

[Spiritedly]

I have posted on there once but need to go back and see what else has been asked and also if I can find my SS as their pm didn't have a lot of details :-(
I need a couple of free hours to read through the post though as more comments are going on before I can catch up!....maybe we should do a ceasefire of questions until us slow coaches have caught up ?...The weather here is meant to be wet and windy tomorrow, typical as its my day off ?, so I'm going to do a catch up then.

 

[milliepops]

Mrs M did a brilliant round up of the questions, I can link her posts here if it helps.

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/ss-hints-and-tips-thread.796829/page-19#post-14454164
some more
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/ss-hints-and-tips-thread.796829/page-19#post-14454206

if people are struggling I really don't think you need to do them all, but a good selection just helps people to feel like they will get you a gift you'll like


Spiritedly there are a few people offering to help stalk so reach out if you get stuck!

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Mrs M did a brilliant round up of the questions, I can link her posts here if it helps.

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/ss-hints-and-tips-thread.796829/page-19#post-14454164
some more
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/ss-hints-and-tips-thread.796829/page-19#post-14454206

if people are struggling I really don't think you need to do them all, but a good selection just helps people to feel like they will get you a gift you'll like


Spiritedly there are a few people offering to help stalk so reach out if you get stuck!

I'm another who's happy to assist people trying to work out their person!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Although personally I think it’s fun and in the spirit to post as much info as possible I do think that we have to be respectful of those that wish to remain more anonymous. For those who do not wish to post too much info I recommend in future put a bit more detail in your email instead. Or maybe ask QB to forward more info if you haven’t this time.

Over the years I’ve had varying info and several times people who don’t post much at all let alone the SS thread. I’ve managed to identify all and I think been able to give them something they’d like. If not then that’s too bad. Other years I’ve had lots of info with a prolific poster and hopefully been more accurate. Either way as long as some thought has gone into it I’m happy. It’s nice (and polite) if you get a thank you on the forum though,!

Ps if you can’t identify me don’t ever apply to become a detective!

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

Yes! I've started going through the new pages every few days doing a Crtl+F for keywords I know about my SS from QueenBee's email....not got anywhere yet though

Happy to help but if I’m stuck I start a process of elimination of who it definitely can’t be.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

Ps if you can’t identify me don’t ever apply to become a detective!

And me! I couldn't really be easier to find. Sorry to my SS if the sleuthing is what you enjoy.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I just answer the ones I choose to. I’ve long given up trying to “keep up.

Totally agree that it can be very time consuming , so to make life super simple and stress free for whoever has got me -

Fairfax and Favour , 8/42 , regular leg .

Merry Christmas

Brilliant ???

 

[Fleece Navidad]

I'm another who's happy to assist people trying to work out their person!

Ditto.

I just answer the ones I choose to. I’ve long given up trying to “keep up.

I was sort of keeping up but am completely lost now! I like the suggestion of having a questions thread for next year. I wouldn't lock it down after names are drawn though, just keep it as a questions only, numbered list and people can number their answers (saves copying and pasting all the questions and ffaffing with formatting) but not necessarily have to answer every single one. Numbers also let users keep track of their own answers ? (QB, not trying to land extra work on you, I'd be happy to help coordinate it).

I've omitted some questions as they'd make connecting my user to my real name too easy (though I've just realised my social media probably does it), but I've also answered a few that would have already been covered by my DM, it just gives a hint or two if someone is struggling to match me to my real name.

 

[Bellaboo18]

Mrs M did a brilliant round up of the questions, I can link her posts here if it helps.

https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/ss-hints-and-tips-thread.796829/page-19#post-14454164
some more
https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/ss-hints-and-tips-thread.796829/page-19#post-14454206

if people are struggling I really don't think you need to do them all, but a good selection just helps people to feel like they will get you a gift you'll like


Spiritedly there are a few people offering to help stalk so reach out if you get stuck!

These lists are really helpful, thank you.

I think ive answered most questions. I'm disappointed my ss hasnt answered one question.

 

[milliepops]

I'm disappointed my ss hasnt answered one question.

maybe PM QB and see if she can give them a prod. this is why I started this thread not so that people would feel pressured into answering everything but so that everyone answers *something*

 

[MagicMelon]

Im confused as to how you all know your SS's username??? I didnt get it in the info, just her actual name etc. so how do I work out who she is from that to then be able to find any hints from her please?