Deb!! you have put up with us all long enough ..you are Def not a Drop -In!!!LOL

Edna we all know you're just a cold hearted bi*ch but we love you anyway ; )
Karyn

LOL LOL LOL... I'm going to get a sweater...I'm cold... BBBUUUURRRR

I'm in! lol! I think everyone that participated last year had a blast! Am I right?? And what about Marian? As I recall - she was so busy organizing she didn't have a 'Secret Santa?' Or am I thinking of someone else? Anyway - this year should be just as much fun! And Elizabeth - very HAPPY to see you! Hope your summer has been going well! ;)

Mike

Count me in! I missed out on it last year & it sounded like so much fun.

Linda

I'm here Mike and your exactly right. I let my gift go to someone that was going to have to drop out. I did send a gift but I let the other person have my end of the deal and no one even knew about it until afterwards. (grin) Santa can be so naughty sometimes. LOL

Edna is right, there was a couple of people here that came out on the short end of the deal and they were too upset to tell the truth about what their Secret Santa's sent them. I'm 99.9% sure that those people are no longer on the brug forum. They came in, got people to send them what they wanted as far as cuttings some nice gifts and we never heard from them again.

There was also a lot of address that were incorrect and I had to be a go between so no one would KNOW WHO their secret santa was. It was a lot of fun.

I would suggest a cut off date for participants LOL around the middle of November. Then everyone would have plenty of time to get their information on who to send to and ship in plenty of time for Christmas. This would probably do away with alot of folks just dropping into forums to see what they are doing for Christmas too.

YOu might also recall some of the players didn't get their presents until after Christmas.They must have been a tad bit naught! Just merely some suggestions since I was in charge of the exchange last year and I recall how things went. IT was fun and I think everyone had a ball.

Another thing to remember is that it's all about GIVING and not necessarily about receiving. Some have more to give than others and so many are going through difficult times right now. Keep it in the true spirit of Christmas and God's Love. After all God gave it all!!!

I'm still waiting on the Fruit Cake someone was going to send me last year. And as all of you know, fruit cakes get better as the age so I'm just about ripe now. LOL

Count me in too......

Happy Gardening, Marian

Elizabeth, I was going to start a thread asking your whereabouts today but got side-tracked! Good to have ya back!!

I'm in! I won't be all wore out this year, so can join in the fun!

And now, will ya'll go to bed, so I can!! LOL!

Nite~

Brenda

Nite Brenda, I'm right behind you in a minute. There was a lot of fun on here tonight going on. Got me wound up, lol. Roflmao at Karyn, lol. I think a early cut off date is a good idea since I am always behind. Just ask Mike, lol. Maybe I'll get him again and I won't have anything left to send if after I finally get his housewarming gift sent off. So sorry Mike. Its coming I promise. I still have one cutting left to send off too from a while back and waiting on the datura seeds to mature.

Hey I hope Edna gets my name so I can get Pedro!!!

Mary

Huh! Who's Pedro? Anyways I did not get in the secret santa last year cause I didnt have a brug to share with and was too scared to send something out that someone may not like. But I am here to stay with the rest of yall so kylie please count me in too.

Rigo

oh boy,i didn't participate last year because i didn't have a brug to give.but i'd love to be in this this year.kylie thanks for the alternatives.
patricia

I want in! Last year I didn't participate because I thought the gifts were supposed to be brugs, but it turned out this was not the case.

A suggestion: How about updating our 'want' list to give the person getting our name an idea. Of course, it doesn't mean we need to follow that, but sometimes it helps to send something someone really wants.

Let the games begin, LOL!

I wanted to say that we should send to people at least only a few states away and not all the way across the country because it will be freezing that time of year and the packages will take longer being Christmas season and all. Plant material might get froze etc. even with a heat pack.
I think we sort of did that last year but not sure lol.

Marian did a fabulous job last year too! She was just an awesome santa's helper.

ME..ME..ME... don't forget me

Keep'em comming ya'll!!! I think an earlier cut date since we are discussing it now.. That way you know who you got and you can maybe learn a little more about them from their post..and not have to rush around... Yes folks.. Ya wanna play ya gotta post!!! Once we pick a date I will start collecting addresses I have alot form the drawing and from cuttings and trades last yr.. But want to get it right.. I've got some big shoes to fill.. Marian did do a great job last yr.. Don't let her fool ya I recall she had several secret Santa's...LMAO!!!
Kylie

Kylie, I did have two people send me a present. This was only after the person who asked me to drop them from the list received a gift anyway and got online and thanked me for leaving them in. You see I went ahead and sent a gift in their place, and I took my own name out so they could continue to participate. They were going to have to withdraw because of a cash flow problem. LOL So at my attempt of being a good Santa's Helper, I left their name in. Then low and behold after everyone got their gifts a couple of the folks on here who knew I left myself out sent me some goodies. So yes, I did get a present but it was from people who did so out of the goodness of their hearts. Just like I was doing, by leaving the other person in on the Secret Santa.

Anyway, it's important that everyone who participates understand that giving should come from the heart and not from the thought of what you might get in return.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season, so please everyone keep that in mind.

Happy Gardening and Ho Ho Ho----Bahhh HUMMMMMM BUGGGGGGGG!

Love Marian

Ok, I'm in. I promise not to have any problems at all this year and screw things up for our host.

"They were going to have to withdraw because of a cash flow problem. LOL"

But I did ask to be dropped from the list before any names were sent out last year?

I'm sure organizing the exchange can be a lot of work and it was a real nice gesture for you to leave me in Marian. Thank you again and I'm glad that you ended up with some good Secret Santa gifts in the end...

So now that that's all over with!!!! Who else is is in??

Kylie, can you send me my name now so I can get started, lol.

Kylie

I 'ditto' Kristy!! lol!

Mike

hehehehe!!!
HOHOHO!!!

roflmao Kristy and Mike...now do not scare me even more lol

This is a great idea..hopefully im not too new to join in on the gift exchange.reminds me of the secret trades we use to do on the hosta forum..they were really fun and some wonderful friendships were formed. Count me in Kylie if I qualify.
Thanks
Charlotte

Kylie,
Ditto here too! What Kristy & Mike said, LOL

Karen

This sounds like loads of fun! Count me in! I would like to get a name early as I like to get my shopping done so I'm not out there with all the last minute shoppers.
Thanks for planning this!
Joyce

oooo oooo ooooo COUNT ME IN Kylie!!!!! I am SO in this year. YAY!

The holidays are always such a stressful time for me, I just can't add anything to my plate, but I will be watching y'all and that will be loads of fun for me.

Enjoy!

OKAY!!!! I am stil waiting for input here.. I think the cut-off date should be Oct.10th.. This should be before we have to start cutting back.. If you know who ya have this could make a difference.. You may have just what they are looking for...You'll know if it is a gal or a guy..makes a difference..LOL and This will give us a chance to get ahold of a few of our friends who have been so busy or whatever to see if they are interested.. And it will cut out the onslot (no disrespect intended) of folks who show up just for a few weeks for cuttings...
I need to know what ya think about this???? Otherwise I will just choose for ya..LMAO!!!
Kylie

Sounds good to me Kylie. I agree, we dont want any greedy me,me,me moochies, lol that are just looking for free goodies. I also agree with the comments made above regarding our regulars for the secret santa thang.

Sounds good to me. Thanks for organizing it this year. Do you think it would be alright for those of us in the colder zones to send our packages out a bit early, especially if they contain tender plants? For the most part I was ok shipping plants even in the dead of winter but why tempt fate if we don't have to. It wouldn't be too early, maybe the beginning of Dec. Let me know what you all think.
Karyn

Are going to draw names? How do we go about to do this? this will be my first time ladies.

Karyn.. I'm with ya! As soon as it closes I will send it off to the Grands and they can their way with each and everyone of ya..LOL.. Courtney will send back a list and I will let you know who ya got.. The rest is up to you...

YA"LL need to send a Name Snail Mail Address and Your name and email here..Most I have.. Some I don't..Once I recieve your address I will confirm that with you.. just to make sure I get it..In-Put!!! Anyone???

chennxx69@yahoo.com..

Hong I think I have all of yours but send it again...Please..Pretty Please..LOL So I can be sure...
Kylie

Chenaxx69@yahoo.com... got that wrong try this one...

You might want to get phone numbers too in case there are any problems and you need to reach someone right away or if something happens to their computer. Hong in case you didn't understand what Kylie meant we all email her with our contact information and she will send the list of names to her grandkids and they will draw names and make a list of who sends a box to who and then she will email you and give you the person's name and address that you will be sending a gift box to. That way nobody but Kylie will know who their secret santa is and she can't cheat and get Karyn's name roflamo. Love ya Kylie!

Count me in!.. I missed out on this last year cause I thought it was just plants!

Edna.. Hope I get your name..I have something very, very special to send you! ROTFLMAO!!!!

Kylie

The 10th sounds good to me.

If any of the regulars, oldie or newbie, is not here and anyone has contact info, be good to let them know, please!!

Kylie, I have your address; ya still got mine?

Karyn had asked about colder zones sending a bit early if they wish, I think that is fine but we need to have a do not reveal until date so if someone hasn't recieved their package yet they can't figure out who has their name. I think it is ok to post that you got goodies to keep everybody guessing.

Mary

Hey-
This sounds great! count me in too! I love to give-
I'm with you Marian-
Let's remember: That God gave His only Son- that whosoever believes in Him might not perish, but have Everlasting Life....

Kasha77

I think sending them early would be fine. I felt really bad last year because I ordered something on my secret santa's wish list and by the time I got it and sent it to him they didn't survive and the cuttings I got myself right around Christmas didn't make it either so it will be nice to have time to get some things rooted so they have a better chance before full blown winter sets in. You know I can't keep my mouth shut so can we tell what we got but just not who gave it until later on? Lol.

I'd love to join in again this year! It was so much fun last year seeing what everyone received and I loved my package!!! I enjoyed putting the package together for the person I sent to and was so glad they liked everything!

Linda if I get your name again I swear I'll drive it down there so it doesn't get lost in the mail. I felt so bad and the replacement wasn't nearly as nice.
Karyn

Every ones talking about christmas.Can someone tell me what yall do?I would like to join in if i can and do the gift have to be brugs? I don't have any brugs cutting yet they are still small. Thanks
Denise

It doesn't have to be brugs. All the names w/addresses are sent to Kylie then her grandchildren will match up names and you will be given the name and address of your recipient. You can see if they've posted any wants or you can just pack up a box of things you think they would enjoy.
Karyn

Or you can do like me and search their sign in name and read a thousand posts hoping you will see them mention wanting something that you might have or can get close by or trade for, roflmao. Half the fun is the challenge if you get someone that has more than you already, lol.

Kylie. I just tried to email you my address. it just sent me a failure notice. I used Chennxx69@yahoo.com what did I do wrong. is there another email to go to Thanks Elizabeth

This sounds like alot of fun. Count me in.I promise i will stick around for awhile.I enjoy sitting back and reading what every body upto.Sounds like yall have alot of fun.
Denise

Those of you having trouble emailing Kylie can send it to me and I will try to forward it to her. Denise just email your name and address to be added to the list.

Karyn
I hope you DO get my name!!! I would love for you to come and visit! LOL! I can't wait to get started putting a package together!!
Linda

Just an idea here......why don't ya'll put your wants,favorite colors,if your allergic to certian smells, lotions or nuts,what you collect (other than plants!)maybe what your christmas tree theme might be,etc.....on your trade page?
I do ALOT (one a month at least!) of the round robin trades & it's much easier to check your buddies list!

later...April/dirt

Do guys have a certian box size that you use? Post office has those flat rate Priority boxes 9.80 for regular & 12.95 for larger one. Doesn't matter how much they weigh(fruit cake is heavy!!)or where it's going(like from TN to OR!.

later...April/dirt