2011 Stampboard's "Secret Santa" Event. Share your Prezzie!

Catweazle · **Posted:** Mon Dec 26, 2011 22:11:37 pm

Agent_Eagletoes wrote:

:P I just wanted to say a big thankyou to you Margo .... for organising this awesome event

I know it hasn't quite finished yet but what a buzz it is and has been watching all the posts of wonderful gifts and well wishes flying here there and everywhere around the planet

I wish you a very merry Christmas .... and may all the joy you've facilitated come back to you ten fold!! I will definitely be in again next year ... hehheh ... I might even try to organise a posting from Antarctica! :wink:

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL .... AND ALL THE BEST FOR A FANTASTIC 2012

Something from Antarctica? Are you planning one of those Antarctic cruises or something?

Righto, I bags you for next year. I want the penguin :lol:

Agent_Eagletoes · **Posted:** Tue Dec 27, 2011 20:35:50 pm

Catweazle wrote:

Something from Antarctica? Are you planning one of those Antarctic cruises or something?

Righto, I bags you for next year. I want the penguin :lol:

LoL ... I wish![I was going on an Antarctic cruise]:) Yip I am going to try to pull that off next year ... with a little help from the friendly folk at Scott Base!

monty · **Posted:** Tue Dec 27, 2011 23:17:51 pm

Home from Christmas Hollidays with the inlaws to find a Secret Santa gift of some Ginger lovers chocolates, fridge magnet and Christmas stocking ornament. Many thanks to my Secret Santa. One down and one to go.

Merry Christmas And Happy New Year to all.
A big thank you to Margo for all your hard work and time spent.

Cheers Trevor

Catweazle · **Posted:** Thu Dec 29, 2011 13:14:04 pm

It's always been my dream to visit Antarctica and the Arctic, not quite sure why really but it's different, I'm in need for adventure, and I suppose that's a good enough reason for me :mrgreen:

Thanks to my Secret Santa, who mailed the cover from Korea but there's Fletcher's business card in it. Now I'm really confused

Again, love that minisheet. How did you know that I'm into mountains on stamps?

pitronix · **Posted:** Thu Dec 29, 2011 23:35:51 pm

Hi,

My second gift arrived from Korea! Tx Santa, few very nice things, scans to come later. P.S. I just like card, it is extraordinary

ScotsmanAbroad · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 00:31:52 am

AMark · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 01:25:17 am

A third, this time "Secret", Santa has arrived from Wollongong Australia.
This must be the place where Santa vacations after the busy holiday season.

Thank you Santa.

Here is an image of the back of the cover.

Here is what came inside that envelope.

Wow. This must be Santa's wallet.

Oh no, Santa must have placed his wallet inside an envelope and mailed it to me by mistake.
Next Christmas will be ruined.
How will Santa pay for all of those gifts?

To be continued...

pitronix · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 05:14:13 am

As promised scan of a gift from Korea, some nice bits for sure (kill me but I do like that Tonga :mrgreen:

)

electric chook · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 21:40:34 pm

"And so this is Christmas, and what have you done?

Another year Rover...."

I think personally that it was very nice of John Lennon to sing a song to his dog Rover. Although I could be wrong!!!

Thanks Margo for doing your best to promote international understanding and friendship. It seems to have gone quite well again but for some reason my returns have only achieved a 50% success rate again.

I assume that I was to receive two Secret Santa's as I sent two out but so far only one has shown up and now any mail will arrive next year.

Both SS's I sent were received though which is better than last year so in that respect I am very happy but finding an empty mailbox when you expect something special day after day is a little spirit dampening.

I'll keep looking of course but if and when it shows up some of the special Christmas aura will have well and truly tarnished.

Thanks very much again Margo for your efforts and you can count on me being involved again next year.

Cheers,
Frank (Electric Chook)

Global Administrator · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 21:49:34 pm

Great to hear the Santa gifts have near all arrived. But from my own business experience long delays have been the norm this year.

Any other members still to receive theirs? Margo likes to update her excel sheet, and sadly several members simply have not offered any input whatsoever which makes it hard to keep track.

A lot of work goes into the back-room organising of this, more than you can imagine, and all that is expected of members is a note that pressies HAVE arrived - or have not. Simple as that.

Anyone not prepared to supply that simple info really should consider whether they want to be in this wonderful chance to share with other members. :!:

Glen

MargoZ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 21:55:28 pm

Hi Frank and thanks for your kind words

Your gift started winging its way to you from Colorado on 5th Dec so you should be receiving it next week. Unfortunately Aust Post are not doing deliveries from 29th dec to 3rd Jan so that may be holding it up at our end.

http://auspost.com.au/about-us/christmas-and-new-year-holiday-services.html

All the best for 2012

Margo

BTW still awaiting delivery/confirmation of 25 gifts

vikingeck · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 21:58:29 pm

Frank , -------I must emphasise I was not your Secret Santa but I understand your concerns. I have had occasion to send several items overseas from UK this year and have to say Australia seems to be particularly slow!

My pressie to Australia took much longer than I expected and I've had responses from Canada, US , Europe, NZ all within 7-10 days of mailings, but two to Australia have taken 20 or 23 days for delivery and a third has not arrived yet (16 days since mailed )

Don't dispair! nil Carborundum !

levi · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 23:25:04 pm

MargoZ wrote:

Unfortunately Aust Post are not doing deliveries from 29th dec to 3rd Jan so that may be holding it up at our end.

My local post office is closed from 24th Dec to 3rd Jan so no mail for me for even longer!

Although, I did see the street postie out and about delivering on his bike on the 29th, so I guess they stopped delivering in some areas today rather than yesterday.

They do seem slow at times but then again, last year my street postie did not one but TWO rounds of deliveries on a SATURDAY before Christmas. That's Dedication!

Thankfully my secret Santa gift already arrived before the break

I'll be having my first brew of the coffee tomorrow morning

MargoZ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 30, 2011 23:49:17 pm

Sounds good- what time? I might drop in for a cup :lol:

Timbres · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2011 01:37:28 am

Frank,

I sent one out from the rebel states at the beginning of December and it took 17 days to arrive down under. I can only imagine that, as the time drew nearer, like rush hour, the time to get to destination increased geometrically...like leaving 5 minutes later means 15 extra minutes on the road. So hang onto that Christmas spirit. Maybe next year we should push to have all items mailed by December 1st. I know that's early. But then you get time to enjoy having the item for a while before opening it if you receive it on time.

Timbres

librarianc · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2011 03:23:20 am

Quote:

From Margo's initial post:

-if you register you agree to ship by Dec 1st.
To participate, you must be registered on Stampboards and have had at least 2 posts.
Deadline to register with me is midnight Friday 18th November, Sydney time and deadline to post your gift is December 1st

I sent mine Nov. 30 from Canada, but as yet no indication of whether it has arrived. Hopefully the Christmas spirit will linger long enough to enjoy ANY gift that arrives ANY time!

John A

Johnny B. Good · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2011 04:22:50 am

HI: All Members...

I send my Secret Santa one to Denmark and I see he receive something from ** Canada** but the second to Batmans Bay Nsw Australia and I don't see anny things....All are mailed at end of November and I hope second Secret Santa receive is present at the begining of *January 2012

.

I received my gift from* Secret Santa*, So I'm sending an eMail to let you know about it

..

Thanks **Margo for your fantastic work on this *Stampboard's ***Secret Santa***Event......

All the best for *2012*

Friendly::Johnny B. Good....

.....(*&*).....&*)...

Upstairsnl · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2011 04:39:40 am

I received one and one still to come.

Margo, thx very much for your time!

sandgroper · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2011 16:24:42 pm

[quotebut the second to Batmans Bay Nsw Australia and I don't see anny things.][/quote]

Hi Johnny be Good, as I live in Batemans Bay I could be your missing recipient. Nothing yet from Canada but Australia Post, Those hard working individuals, didn't work Friday and won't grace us with their presence until Wednesday 4th Jan. Nice work if you can get it :lol:

Johnny B. Good · **Posted:** Sat Dec 31, 2011 16:46:14 pm

HI**sandgrouper*

Thank you many lots for responding to my *Post subject,, Secret Santa.**
I feel very sad for undelivered present to you,and please let me know whent you receive yours.Also I like to speak with you again.
Have fun with stamps and have all the best for 2012.

Friendly::Johnny B. Good....

.....(*&*)......&*).....

Timbres · **Posted:** Sun Jan 01, 2012 13:15:19 pm

Here's what Secret Santa sent my way from Korea. He knows I like SS and classics...so he sent me a nice selection of Sir Rowland Hill and "stamp on stamp" which highlight the classics of course. Also included a nice card, a couple of bookmarks (one is stamps) and a patch. All very nice. Cover it all came in is also here.

monty · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 18:48:45 pm

My last not so secret Secret Santa arrived today.
Many thanks to The Age of Love for your gift and good wishes.
I will attempt to post an image when I get a chance.

Cheers Trevor

The_Age_of_Love · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 23:09:56 pm

monty wrote:

My last not so secret Secret Santa arrived today.
Many thanks to The Age of Love for your gift and good wishes.
I will attempt to post an image when I get a chance.

Cheers Trevor

Hahah.. I know.. only person from Montenegro here is not so secret.. but I will next time put a puzzle in my address bar

no need for picture I will be lessAshamedSanta next time

DragonStar74 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 23:12:47 pm

Just another update, as posted before i have received some brilliant secret santa gifts from Helsinki and Canberra, but still waiting for the 3rd to arrive. Thank you to all who have participated and thanks Margo for organizing such a logistical nightmare...

The_Age_of_Love · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 23:18:28 pm

Thanks to the post officers at least one of my letters arrived before orthodox Xmas so I could say that mission is accomplished at least in one case.. Can't wait to hear for second one

The_Age_of_Love · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2012 23:27:40 pm

I have a proposal for Margo's logistical thing this end of the year.. in theme of Xmass gifts

As I am very young collector which has no big knowledge about stamps and is still learning, also I have big problem to realize some of my wishes in philately.. per example I have no place to buy a philately album which is insane - our post are selling them exclusively and only WITH STAMPS - so I can't get any under paying of at least 61 Euro which is the cost of cheapest set.

So I am forced to make my handmade album - and first real album I've got, was sent from my first philately Santa from Netherlands - and I've over fulled it

I need a new one - so maybe it would be good idea to put together people that have small wishes with those who could help them? Maybe this post was for other subforum or so?

ScotsmanAbroad · **Posted:** Thu Jan 05, 2012 23:47:24 pm

No sign of Secret Santa 3, but I did get lovely presents from India, and Australia (no postmarks, so I can't tell which city)

Lunar New Year is coming up, maybe I'll get a New Year pressie

Machaggis52 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 01:59:42 am

Secret Santa present rec'd. Thank you.

Sorry for delay in acknowledgment, the period up to Christmas was a bit stressful for us. My daughter, having just been told that she didn't have lymphoma, developed epigastric pains, and ended up having her gall bladder removed in Christmas week. The test results for the suspected lymphoma took four weeks to come through, the anxiety virtually paralysed the family.

Timbres · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 02:48:25 am

Machaggis52:
I'm sure I speak for the entire SB community. So glad that the news was good news regarding lymphoma after such a long, stressful wait. I trust your daughter recovers quickly and you have a memorable and happy 2012. May the worst truly be behind you.

Machaggis52 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 03:34:31 am

Timbres wrote:

Machaggis52:
I'm sure I speak for the entire SB community. So glad that the news was good news regarding lymphoma after such a long, stressful wait. I trust your daughter recovers quickly and you have a memorable and happy 2012. May the worst truly be behind you.

Thank you. It is appreciated.

Wolfgang · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 03:50:44 am

Global Administrator wrote:

Any other members still to receive theirs?
Glen

Nothing till today - post is slow!

aethelwulf · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2012 05:47:08 am

Since this thread is at the top of the list, I'll post before it 'disappears'.

Received my 2nd SS gift a few days ago, from Down Under. A daily desk calendar of comics, something that will help brighten the day. Santa was being cheeky, and wrapped the gift in 6 layers of wrapping paper. :lol:

Or maybe that was a stand-in for bubble wrap?

The parcel nicely franked with pairs of mid-value Int'ls, which the fabled Desert Magic book should buff out. Even if they're a still a bit mangled afterwards, I have a pair of junior collectors I've been supplying stamps to who won't notice the odd perf fault. I've been making sure to always have 2 of everything so I can give each of them the same stamps. They're best friends, and 7 years old--I don't want to hear "why did you give him that one, I want one of those...".

DCP23 · **Posted:** Sat Jan 07, 2012 03:51:28 am

My 2nd (out of 2) Secret Santa gift arrived today!

This is the envelope:

Significant water damage is evident, as you can see. The very careful and perceptive Santa however countered that by placing all the contents into a plastic file folder, and out it came in 100% immaculate condition!! Thanks Santa!!

Inside was this coin-FDC,

a very nice greeting card, and some beautiful mint Australian stamps!!!

These really made my day, and definitely were well worth the wait! Thank you Santa!!!

This Santa was very serious in keeping his identity Secret, with no return address, no postal markings of any kind, and no signatures except for this one:

Santa did include a hand-written note though. It said, "These stamps can only be used on mail sent overseas from Australia!". Bummer! The temptation to stick them on my own mail was so strong :shock:

And finally, almost (but not quite! :wink:

) unnoticed, this profound piece of wisdom embossed on paper:

I'm still pondering this one :shock:

DragonStar74 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2012 07:02:43 am

Got my 3rd and final Secret Santa Present today. Whilst Santa was visiting London he picked me up a really nice wallet. It is amazing how he always knows exactly what I need. My current wallet decided to give up only a couple of days ago. Best timing possible. Thanks Santa

pitronix · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2012 08:24:49 am

Talking about wallet it is strange, I got my current one from my ex and it is some sort of Italian leather expensive designer one.

I was bit confused because she cashed it out although she knew my attitude toward buying things for sake of name (I hate things priced only based on designer name!). Had a pair of fancy Italian boots (bike style) I really overpaid only because they looked irresistible but but they fall apart 20 days later

But time showed that this wallet is probably destined to outlive both of us! Great craftsmanship, giving respect where respect is due!!! But don't buy Italian shoes :mrgreen:

muruk · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2012 19:54:35 pm

Received an unexpected follow-up today from San T Klaus in the US of A:

Something mumbled in the letter about the reindeer not allowing the kangaroos to be separated from the rest of the mob.

Must be allegiance to the six white boomers (there are actually 6 kangaroos on the stamps ... see if you can spot them).

In any case, all is good, as I try to collect the full set for stamps depicting kangaroos.

Good one, San T.

Timbres · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2012 04:15:38 am

Muruk,

You might want to look at that again....I think I count 7

muruk · **Posted:** Tue Jan 10, 2012 07:39:01 am

Timbres wrote:

Muruk,

You might want to look at that again....I think I count 7

You are right ... the little buggers have been breeding. :lol:

electric chook · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2012 22:10:56 pm

Margo,
I have quite often said that the longer you wait for something you want, the better it is when you get it and I can say that now with even greater conviction because .............. SANTA HAS ARRIVED!!!!

My second and final Secret Santa showed up today all the way from America and now when naming the reindeer I will also be adding "Quicksilver" to the list. :lol:

Amongst all the goodies were two very old Aussies that are presently drying in a Desert Magic after a good bath. I will scan and post tomorrow.

Cheers and thanks,

Frank (Electric Chook)

sandgroper · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2012 16:12:05 pm

For those who are missing gifts I received a christmas card from a cousin in North Dakota today that was posted 12Dec. Guess all mails are overloaded with Christmas mail and further patience is required..

sanjaysub · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2012 22:24:08 pm

Received 2 more from an Indian Santa and a US Santa!! Thanks so much!. Sorry for the delayed response. December is the month I work most

The_Age_of_Love · **Posted:** Fri Jan 13, 2012 23:51:26 pm

Me is still waiting for second notice about to come

happy January 13th to all of you that are skeptic of Friday's turn there

))))
I love no 13

Johnny B. Good · **Posted:** Sat Jan 14, 2012 08:35:51 am

sandgroper wrote:

For those who are missing gifts I received a christmas card from a cousin in North Dakota today that was posted 12Dec. Guess all mails are overloaded with Christmas mail and further patience is required..

HI: sandgroper...

Thanks very lots for your note:For those wwho are missing gifts and I hope you receive your next week.
Have fun with stamps and have an happy weekend...

Friendly::Johnny B. Good...

.....(*&*)....&*)....

LarsEirik · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:14:28 pm

I have gotten all my gift now! Cause there can't really be any more. I have gotten so much. First I got 1 book, then I got some British kiloware, then some British stamps and finally stamps form Greenland. Thank you so much!!

Even tho it was late it was all down to a simple address-error which should have been an easy task for the Norwegian postal service, apparently it wasen't.

The delay has only been positive as I have avoided the normal gift-vacuum which is so normal after Christmas :roll:

I am really pleased and hope to attend next year!

MargoZ · **Posted:** Wed Jan 18, 2012 18:28:26 pm

Thanks for all who have responded.

I'm busy doing a mop up at the moment.

I can confirm that AlbertC and GlynPope have received their gifts and are very happy.

There are 11 presents still unaccounted for but I am actively following those up.

A couple of presents have been at the recipients' post offices awaiting collection so if you haven't received yours you might wish to check with you local PO in case the notification wasn't received.

Thanks
Margo

Global Administrator · **Posted:** Sun Jan 29, 2012 18:58:20 pm

MargoZ wrote:

There are 11 presents still unaccounted for but I am actively following those up.

Well as lots of Ozzies are on holiday until end January, i.e. Monday, lets hope they either collect their goodies and post here, or let Margo and their Santa know. :mrgreen:

Given the scores of hours of work she puts in to co-ordinate this each year, a 10 second quick post saying "got the present thanks" by those involved is not much to ask, and I really think a couple of folks will make our debut "Do Not Fly" list next year, i,e, banned from participating, unless they come to life VERY soon. :idea:

Some folks have now had several reminders, to zero response, and that is simply not acceptable, sorry.

Frank E Ring · **Posted:** Mon Feb 06, 2012 21:54:44 pm

Here is a long overdue Thank You to Santas on three different continents.

The first big thank you goes to a santa in the mighty mountains of Brazil, from where he delivered this lovely pen holder set with a slab of amethyst, a local gemstone, and according to connoisseurs the highest grade amethyst there is on Earth

The kids were wondering what it was for, so I guess the digital age is rapidly transforming mankind in ways never imagined only decades ago :oops:

The 2nd big thank you goes to a santa in India. Franked with lovely stamps, and mailed by registered post, it should come as no wonder that thieving goblin-thugs had cut the envelope open before it reached its destination. Luckily the exotic Indian Santa decals (yes, we are saving one for this year's Xmas deco too) had not been removed. And the envelope still contained recent Indian FDCs (the Punjab regiment stamp with sailing ship was my favorite) + two decorative postcards of reproductions of classical Indian paintings (no, not from that book — I would deffo have shown them here then :twisted:

).

I love DesignSkins, decals and vinyls, and the kids really loved the Santa head too. (It's still hanging on our apartment door.) :shock:

As a stamp collector, there are a few things to take note of in the Indian Santa design: For instance the gemstone inset in the Santa hat :idea:

— that is about as far from the arctic climate where Santa is said to live as we can come. (I'm looking out the window, while typing this, at snow, snow, snow; and we freeze our Xmas bells off whenever we step outside).

And finally the third thank you goes to Australia, from where arrived souvenir sheets of, among other creatures, koala bears! If you ever write a story, and need a good ending, just throw in a koala

And speaking of good endings: I'll tip-toe over to the post office with a thank you card to Santa's little Stampboards helper right away; never mind the budding snowblindness :lol:

I wonder if they have some fancy, new red shoes stamps there? :wink:

MargoZ · **Posted:** Mon Feb 06, 2012 22:02:30 pm

Ah Marius- so please all the presents turned up - what a lovely horde!

Cheers
Margo


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