The Future of MerNetework Secret Santa

[MerNetwork Secret Santa]

Hey guys,

I'm still missing 9 received confirmations and I'm not getting any more replies to the emails. We've been doing this community event for 6 years now, but it sort of feels like the community no longer wants the exchange anymore. I feel awful to the 9 who didn't receive the gifts (or they did but did not update me), but I can't keep chasing the rabbit down the hole to find out what happened to their gifts. Obviously I'm not blaming anyone for not receiving the gifts or for sending it out and having no idea where the gift ended up, but I can't come up with solutions to fix these problems if no one wants to reply back to me. I've considered making tracking shipments mandatory and to email the codes to the recipients, but that's a lot of work to do as a volunteer and it's not something I can just ask people for help with since it is a lot of handling sensitive information (your addresses, data, etc).

People sign up with throwaway emails they don't check, or they're super busy, or even after there are two confirmations for email input they still have typos in it and they don't receive any of my communications.

It's been 6 years since I've started to host this, which is super awesome and I'm really happy about that, and it seems like we are getting fewer engagement and successful runs (or maybe this year was just a bad year). I guess what I'm saying is that I'm considering shutting the event down. Thoughts? Comments? Concerns? Ideas? Thanks.

[AniaR]

I feel like the community might be too big for it now. It's quite different than it was 6 years ago for sure. I am sorry because you put all this work into it and it's stressful to not have people reply. I honestly don't think it would be the end of the world to end it. It's a LOT of work for someone to volunteer for.

[WaterDragon]

I'm sad that it might have to go but if it's too much stress and if people aren't responding then maybe it's time to retire the SS for a while.

[Marinus Mortimer]

I received my gift i also sent one to the address provided to me in Sydney Australia [emoji1037] and you know how shipping costs are! After more than a month of waiting and seeing the shipping bounce the gift from place to place it even reached sydney but they sent it back with "that addresses does not exist" written on it i sent an image of this to an admin i still feel sorry though for them not having to receive a gift [emoji320]


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[SeaGlass Siren]

I haven't received the one from two years ago which is why I haven't signed up. My secret Santa and I think someone has been stealing my packages. She even sent me a photo to show me what I was supposed to receive in the mail, and sent a duplicate gift last year to make up for the one I didn't get two years ago but then it went missing again. Also when I joined my gift to the receiver went missing and I had to purchase another one with funds I didn't have.

I personally just didn't wanna go through the hassle.

[Slim]

Just an idea but possible maybe limit it this year to electronic gift like gift cards, or a electronic commission picture (person must show complete work to secret santa before they can receive their gift). When the person register, they also register the gift card or whatever redeemable. That way the chance of getting screwed over is reduced. It's just an idea as something is better than known.

[Mermaid Fenicia]

@slim: giftcards don't work overseas as we don't have the same shops and currants :(

[Slim]

I hate to single people out but can't was just put the people who didn't respond on a watchlist or in their own group? The people who already proven themselves should be able to continue. If it isn't too much time, I could try to see closer to the holidays if I have the extra time to help.

[LouLouBelle]

It does suck when a few people let everyone else down.

I love the idea of a secret Santa, but I completely understand if you don't want the hassle of organising again.

We could always go for a completely electronic version like slim suggested - but just keep it to artwork or a card. Ie something that can be photographed or scanned. I know it's not quite the same, but it's still nice to get something that someone's put some thought and effort into, and there's not so much of an issue with cost, shipping, etc.


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[AniaR]

it's still a lot of work for this particular person to have to do

[PearlieMae]

I haven't received the one from two years ago which is why I haven't signed up. My secret Santa and I think someone has been stealing my packages. She even sent me a photo to show me what I was supposed to receive in the mail, and sent a duplicate gift last year to make up for the one I didn't get two years ago but then it went missing again. Also when I joined my gift to the receiver went missing and I had to purchase another one with funds I didn't have.

I personally just didn't wanna go through the hassle.

I'm still mad that someone in the Canada Post Office is wearing your sea glass crowns.

[SeaGlass Siren]

Yeah now I'm just mad it happened twice lol..

[Vela]

I would be very sad to see this event go! I really enjoy making and sending gifts out to fellow Mers. However, I was very frustrated this year since I do not even know if my gift made it to my recipient. Hopefully all can be worked out and we can continue so type of event like this.