If you're doing HHO Secret Santa...

[HufflyPuffly]

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?

Generally from the extra info stuff you can work out who they are, so if they've included pet names you can search for them and narrow down the potential usernames vs who is on the participation list, or if they are on facebook you can search from their real name on there.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

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?

It depends on how much info is in the email as to how easy it is. For example where I live is my username Which narrows it down an awful lot. Then I’ve mentioned my horses and pet names plus posted photos previously. My actual name is also uncommon so easy to find on FB.

 

[milliepops]

yup, as above, i did a bit of an elimination based on where people said they lived too, if they have that filled in on their profile. (I don't but I don't think I am particularly mysterious on here!) Pics on FB confirmed it for me this time.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

My recipient has posted a lot but some of the questions being asked now aren't as helpful anymore, the early ones were really useful so if you only answered the first 20 or so, I think your santa will have enough.

My parcel is almost ready to go. I haven't replied as much now for two reasons; I don't think it'll influence what my SS sends me (unless I have a lottery winning, incredibly generous santa) and I can't answer some of them (I cant think of a particularly Christmas memory).

If you've answered the basics (pets, tea / coffee / booze, chocolate y or n) then you're fine.

 

[conniegirl]

MM you should also have the questions she answered as part of the application to join.
I found mine by just searching the pet names they submitted

 

[rabatsa]

Even without pet names you can narrow it down a lot by pet type. If your recipient put that they had a pet goldfish but no other pets then anyone on the hints and tips thread that has cats/dogs/gerbils ect are not yours.

Also using the hints and tips if your recipient said that they like dark chocolate, those that don't are not yours either.

As already said their location is also a big clue as if your recipient's address is Cornwall then you can rule out those who live in Scotland.

Just start with a list of people doing it and strike out as you go along. Most years I end up with only a couple of possibles to study further.

 

[Annagain]

You don't need to put loads on there if it's a bit overwhelming. I think mine has only posted twice but that gives me plenty of ideas. Likewise I've probably fallen a bit behind (mainly as I kill work time on here so don't come on over a weekend) but think I've put more than enough on there to give an idea of what (not!) to give me. I'd be very grateful for anything with a bit of thought behind it.

BTW - Marmite a huge, huge YAY! I've just spotted that one and realised I haven't answered it.

 

[JGC]

I am not doing it this year because of a festive house move (sucks!) but I do find that hints and tips thread a bit overwhelming because of the number of posts, plus some of the questions (like what kind of animal would you be) wouldn't give you a much better idea of what to give me as a present! I do try to give lots of info in the PM, plus some answers in the thread and try to post pet photos. I don't post anything on FB or Insta anymore so don't make those public (and I wouldn't anyway as have had some real problems with online targeting). I have always had amazing presents from my SSs, but one year (possibly last year?) I think my SS was annoyed I hadn't posted more. It's really difficult to get the balance right between privacy/what's feasible to keep on top of in the lead up to Christmas and participation. Just my tuppence worth.

 

[milliepops]

i think the hints and tips thread turns into more of random getting to know you chatter rather than being specifically questions to help SS find exact gifts after a while i highly doubt anyone is going to be sending full size cardboard cutouts to anyone for instance. but it gives you an insight into someone's interests and general vibe in their personal life that maybe you don't get in other ways.

 

[JGC]

i think the hints and tips thread turns into more of random getting to know you chatter rather than being specifically questions to help SS find exact gifts after a while i highly doubt anyone is going to be sending full size cardboard cutouts to anyone for instance. but it gives you an insight into someone's interests and general vibe in their personal life that maybe you don't get in other ways.

Yes, I don't mean to sound like the Grinch (although I know I do ...), I just wanted to jump in with an idea of why some might not contribute as much without bad intentions (I have ADHD and the thread induce panic in my brain so it may just be me of course ). No excuse for not posting at all though, as them's the rules.

 

[TPO]

i think the hints and tips thread turns into more of random getting to know you chatter rather than being specifically questions to help SS find exact gifts after a while i highly doubt anyone is going to be sending full size cardboard cutouts to anyone for instance. but it gives you an insight into someone's interests and general vibe in their personal life that maybe you don't get in other ways.

That was my take away from it too.

I went back and compared this year's thread to previous years as so many people have made negative comments about it. It's not as big as previous years and no more random than usual ??‍

Nothing much has changed re covid blues/lockdown since we all signed up and agreed to follow the rules set out by QB. I appreciate that life happens, and one SS has had a terrible time of it that couldn't have been foreseen, so QB has set up workarounds for when things dont go to plan as listed in the rules.

Everyone appears to be in agreement that as lovely as it is to receive a surprise present a lot of the fun is in the stalking and the gift buying/making. That's really hard when there are no, or very few, questions answered even more so if the PM isnt very detailed and/or they aren't a regular user of the forum.

I dont know if it's a mix of lockdown blues and missing the Christmas Elf that has some people being so down about it?

Hopefully SS can be a wee glimmer of light for the end of this terrible year and nudge people into having the Christmas Spirit (& bring back JFTD to sprinkle glitter on everyone).

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

I am not doing it this year because of a festive house move (sucks!)

I recommend downsizing to the Christmas Pineapple instead of a Christmas tree. It makes life so much easier. It requires only a few baubles and if you want lights, scatter them around the pineapple instead of round and round it. If you start your pineapple tree around the start of Dec it will be tasty and ready for replacement around mid Dec and you'll have a tasty new year treat prepped.

 

[Fleece Navidad]

I am not doing it this year because of a festive house move (sucks!) but I do find that hints and tips thread a bit overwhelming because of the number of posts, plus some of the questions (like what kind of animal would you be) wouldn't give you a much better idea of what to give me as a present! I do try to give lots of info in the PM, plus some answers in the thread and try to post pet photos. I don't post anything on FB or Insta anymore so don't make those public (and I wouldn't anyway as have had some real problems with online targeting). I have always had amazing presents from my SSs, but one year (possibly last year?) I think my SS was annoyed I hadn't posted more. It's really difficult to get the balance right between privacy/what's feasible to keep on top of in the lead up to Christmas and participation. Just my tuppence worth.

Not last year! I had great fun shopping with your hints!

 

[JGC]

Not last year! I had great fun shopping with your hints!

Not as much fun as me getting the presents and dressing ponio up

 

[PapaverFollis]

You mean I'm not getting a life-size cardboard cut-out of Shadowfax?

?

I was hoping some of the things I've ordered for my recipient were going to arrive today. But nope. Hopefully tomorrow!

 

[BallyJ]

I've been holding off ordering in the hopes that my SS will post - they haven't so will get on with ordering generic ones this week.

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

I've got 2 things I'm waiting for to arrive then I can get it sent. My wrapping is abysmal so far so apologies i did warn it would look like a T Rex did it....

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I’m so excited with the first element of my present which is arriving tomorrow. I think I’m more excited about this item arriving than I am for Christmas itself ?

 

[Aperchristmas]

I'd also be in favour of a question list to make it a bit more manageable. It's not really fair to criticise people who answered the first batch but then didn't trawl through hundreds of posts to make sure there weren't more questions. I'm starting to find it a chore and that makes me sad - I join in because I enjoy the sleuthing and finding presents that my recipient will enjoy, I don't want it to be a chore.

Anyway some good ideas ventured in this thread and I really hope that the people who haven't managed to post yet will do so soon.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

People who have answered some questions are not being criticised and there are no expectations that people 'keep up'. But some people have posted nothing at all. So members like BallyJ are having to buy generic gifts because their SS has not joined in yet. That's why MP posted in a more public part of the forum - to give people who have not responded yet a gentle nudge to participate.