Sciencemadness Discussion Board - Science Madness Secret Santa 2024 – allocations have been sent. Registration closed.

Science Madness Secret Santa 2024 – allocations have been sent. Registration closed.

j_sum1 - 6-10-2024 at 13:51

[edit – updated]

Here we go. This is the link for registration: https://forms.gle/Pq8R8Lnx5iBBgSwp6
Registrations close at the end of October. Allocations will be communicated within a couple of days after that. (Sorry, I can't easily do late registrations after allocations have been made but If you get caught short, contact me and I will see what I can do.)
Welcome to all newcomers. The more people, the more fun this is.
Feel free to keep discussion going in this thread to keep it bumped and keep the anticipation up.
J.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi all.
I just popped in to make this post and found that Random had pulled up last year's thread as a reminder.

SS will be on this year.
I will put together the sign up form later this week if I can, or next weekend at the latest.

Registration will stay open until the end of October, and I will send out allocations shortly after that.

[Edited on 12-10-2024 by j_sum1]

[Edited on 3-11-2024 by j_sum1]

Sir_Gawain - 6-10-2024 at 15:01

Awesome, I was just thinking of this! I’m looking forward to participating this year!

DraconicAcid - 6-10-2024 at 15:20

Yay!

Secret Santa 2024

MadHatter - 7-10-2024 at 08:14

Excellent ! I'll be waiting for the signup and a holiday card list.

Admagistr - 7-10-2024 at 12:50

That's good news

Dr.Bob - 10-10-2024 at 04:58

Some good news, yea! Nice to think of something fun now. Look forward to it.

Secret Santa 2024

MadHatter - 10-10-2024 at 09:33

Hadn't thought about it with all the shit that's been going on in my life. Seems
j_sum1 beat me and arkoma to make the request. That's cool ! I'm hoping there's
some new participants as I like to expand my holiday card list. Weather's starting
to turn colder here in Maine. Daytime highs in the 50 F range. Won't be long before
winter gets here. I'll check back looking for the signup list. j_sum1, thanks again
for organizing this event as you've done in the past.

Vince

j_sum1 - 12-10-2024 at 02:37

I was looking for something in my office today, Madhatter and your postcard from last year turned up. It have me a chuckle again. Looking forward to this year's card.

Maybe I will get to Maine one day. But I think I will avoid winter.

Sir_Gawain - 13-10-2024 at 14:11

I’ve got some questions:
1. Are we swapping gifts, i.e. is the person you are giving the gift the same one sending you a gift?
2. International shipping. Never done it before, is it prohibitively expensive, and risky for fragile objects? It would be more fun exchanging gifts with people from other countries, but I’d rather spend the money on the gift rather than the postage.

j_sum1 - 13-10-2024 at 16:41

No. It is not usually a direct swap. I divide the whole group into mailing regions, place the names randomly in a circle and have everyone allocated to the person on their left.

I have found international shipping less problem than you might imagine. The easiest way is to place an order on eBay or similar and have them send directly to your recipient. Little things and personalised notes can be sent through the mail as a letter or small package which is not usually too prohibitive.

Great to gave you on board, Sir Gawain. (My favourite of all the Round Table knights.)

Sir_Gawain - 14-10-2024 at 17:59

Form submitted. Thanks for putting this together, j_sum1!

[Edited on 10-15-2024 by Sir_Gawain]

Secret Santa 2024

MadHatter - 15-10-2024 at 06:27

All signed up ! Will ship anywhere ! j_sum1, thanks for asking people about
mailing addresses for holiday cards. I realize there are people who would prefer to
remain private. That's his/her option and right.

Can't blame anybody from a generally warm environment wanting to be in Maine
during the winter. Getting quite cold already. Like the immortal Frank Zappa said:

"Watch out where the huskies go, and don't you eat that yellow snow".

I'll post when I've ordered my cards from VistaPrint.

Admagistr - 15-10-2024 at 08:20

Just got on board, looking forward to a special chemical cosmopolitan party

bnull - 16-10-2024 at 05:56

Let's assume I'm a moron^*. How does this Secret Santa thing work?

*: There are probably others who are interested to know but are too shy to ask.

Edit: Grammar.

[Edited on 16-10-2024 by bnull]

DraconicAcid - 16-10-2024 at 13:21

You sign up. The organizer gives you the address and preferences of one of the other people, and you secretly send them a gift.

Someone else sends you one.

bnull - 17-10-2024 at 13:58

What about the price of a nice flask? How much is it in dollars or euros?

DraconicAcid - 17-10-2024 at 14:13

Depends on what kind of flask you consider nice. AliExpress has a wide range of glassware, and will ship for you. Same with Amazon and other online sellers. Have a browse and see what you would like to spend.

Sir_Gawain - 17-10-2024 at 14:32

@bnull, “price of a nice flask” means around 20-30 $/€, but just spend what you can afford. There’s a good chance you already have some stuff lying around that would make a great gift.

P.S. you can find used Pyrex glassware on EBay for about the same or less than the Chinese stuff

bnull - 18-10-2024 at 04:54

There's also the stuff @Dr.Bob sells. I forgot that.

I'll see how broke I am by the end (29) of the month and, if within reasonable limits, I'll give it a try. If not, there's next year.

Thanks.

j_sum1 - 20-10-2024 at 18:55

Just bumping this to keep it on the front page.

We have had a few regulars and a vouple of new folk sign up.
But there are quite a few who have not.
Last year there were some who were disappointed to miss out. I fon't want that to happen this year.
Deadline is the end of October.

Since the question of cost came up...
I wrote "something about the value of a nice flask" as an indication.
Really, it is better if this is not an expensive exercise. The best gifts are often small, quirky, and appeal to the nerdity of this community. One of my favourites to receive was a postcard of operations in an asbestos mine a century ago. (Thanks plante1999.) If you are on a budget, don't let that stop you.

J.

DraconicAcid - 21-10-2024 at 06:52

I was wondering why bnull asked about the price of a nice flask!

j_sum1 - 23-10-2024 at 22:58

Bumping.
A week to go. Make sure you don't miss out. (Espwcially newbies and regulars.)(Ok. That covers everyone.)

Edit.
I meant the tautology.
The Elmer Fudd-ism was unintentional.

[Edited on 24-10-2024 by j_sum1]

Sturge11 - 24-10-2024 at 08:07

Yep. Hoping to get in on this year's.

Texium - 24-10-2024 at 18:59

I don't think I will directly participate this year, but I do still have lots of glassware and chemicals available, and would like to offer a 30% discount on anything I've got, whether you are purchasing it as a Secret Santa gift or just want to treat yourself!

Admagistr - 24-10-2024 at 19:17

Quote: Originally posted by Texium

I don't think I will directly participate this year, but I do still have lots of glassware and chemicals available, and would like to offer a 30% discount on anything I've got, whether you are purchasing it as a Secret Santa gift or just want to treat yourself!

It's too bad you're not gonna be a part of this...

Sir_Gawain - 24-10-2024 at 19:17

It would be amazing if someone could get some Sciencemadness logo stickers/patches made for SS. IIRC there was some made a few years ago; are any still around? If any are made, they could be sent to Madhatter to include with the cards.

Just a thought I had.

Phosphor-ing - 25-10-2024 at 05:08

I'm in. This is my favorite gift to send and receive every year!

@Sir_Gawain I received a shirt one year! It is a prized possession.

Sturge11 - 25-10-2024 at 08:18

Quote: Originally posted by Sir_Gawain

It would be amazing if someone could get some Sciencemadness logo stickers/patches made for SS. IIRC there was some made a few years ago; are any still around? If any are made, they could be sent to Madhatter to include with the cards.

Just a thought I had.

I know a fellow who does prints like this. Screen prints, direct to garment, direct to transfer paper, etc. He does mugs, stillframes, canvas, board, shirts, hoodies, whatever you can think.

Sir_Gawain - 25-10-2024 at 12:03

I would make them myself, but I’m kinda broke right now lol.

[Edited on 10-25-2024 by Sir_Gawain]

j_sum1 - 25-10-2024 at 13:29

Here is a Science Madness mug.
You can get these direct sent to your recipient.
There are other things on the site too. Not sure about t shirts.

https://www.gearbubble.com/gbstore/sciencemadnessmerch

BromicAcid - 26-10-2024 at 05:20

I had a bunch of these patches made about a year ago for my Magic the Gathering obsession. It's pretty trivial to get an order through, they also only worked out to <$2 each at 100 ordered. Any clue on demand for a SM patch?

[Edited on 10/26/2024 by BromicAcid]

Dr.Bob - 26-10-2024 at 05:51

How about this:

https://www.zazzle.com/custom_country_or_state_abbreviation_...

I'm sure there is no way anyone could misconstrue that one...

[Edited on 26-10-2024 by Dr.Bob]

Dr.Bob - 26-10-2024 at 05:53

It would be wrong for you not to participate... It's your patriotic duty.

Quote: Originally posted by Texium

bnull - 26-10-2024 at 07:14

Quote: Originally posted by Dr.Bob

How about this:

https://www.zazzle.com/custom_country_or_state_abbreviation_...

I'm sure there is no way anyone could misconstrue that one...

[Edited on 26-10-2024 by Dr.Bob]

As long as it is not issued by the Board of Directors, I see no problem.

Sir_Gawain - 26-10-2024 at 07:18

Quote: Originally posted by Dr.Bob

How about this:

While I do think the old logo is a little over complicated and hard to read, this one is way too simple.

Patch/Emblem

MadHatter - 26-10-2024 at 10:45

Sir_Gawain, thank you suggesting sending a items like that. The increased cost of
postage(if any) would be insignificant especially on 1st Class mail which is what I
prefer no matter where I send it. I'm zeroing in 1 of 3 "Maine" themed cards. Lots
to choose from ! Most fun in the year even though I admit, being an energetics
type, I will always have Independence Day(4th Of July) in my heart. Let me know
when y'all are ready so I can get my card order in !

Sir_Gawain - 27-10-2024 at 18:37

@jsum_1 do you have an estimate of the number of participants?

j_sum1 - 27-10-2024 at 19:04

Quote: Originally posted by Sir_Gawain

@jsum_1 do you have an estimate of the number of participants?

We are up to 13 at the moment. We have had up to 35 in the past.

bnull - 29-10-2024 at 03:47

I'm going to take a dog to the vet for an I&D today, so now I'm too broke for a gift but not for a Christmas card.

You can send me one of your cards, @MadHatter, and I'll send you one of mine.

j_sum1 - 29-10-2024 at 19:19

Sign up anyway, bnull.
I will see what we can arrange.

I was going to send some emails out to everyone who has participated in years past. Life is hectic and I can't see myself getting to it.
So, just a general encouragement - don't miss out.

You have a couple of days. I will do allocations on the weekend.

bnull - 30-10-2024 at 08:40

Thank you, @j_sum1. That's very kind of you. But a card is perfect. Until I get around to build a new cabinet, I'm out of space.

j_sum1 - 31-10-2024 at 00:47

Well, bnull. You still need to sign up so that I have your address to pass on to Madhatter.

I have just received a very generous offer open to those in the US.
If anyone wants to participate, but is flat out broke or just can't jpin in, there is a member here with some surplus stuff that he is happy to box up and offload on your behalf as a secret santa gift to someone else.

Yeah, you read that right.

I will add an extra line to the form and if you want to participate on those terms, then you can join in.

It is Thursday here and I will close registratikns Saturday. Youhave two more days.
Sign ups now exceed last years, so that is good.

bnull - 31-10-2024 at 05:48

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

Well, bnull. You still need to sign up so that I have your address to pass on to Madhatter.

Oops. I forgot to send the form.

Bedlasky - 1-11-2024 at 00:14

I sign up first time this year. I once sent package to Vano (we were exchanging some chemicals) and my package didn't arrived. It later appeared back at my place, but I felt like an absolute idiot. So fingers crossed that everything gets delivered properly.

j_sum1 - 3-11-2024 at 00:57

Hey all.
Allocations have now been sent out.
If there are any glitches, please let me know. (And there might be some. I had some missing addresses and my cut and paste skills have been lacking this evening.)

Hey Buddy, please check your email. The U2U glitched for some reason.
MadHatter, I will send those addresses for cards soon.

I will now go ahead and close the registration form.
The real fun starts!

Sir_Gawain - 3-11-2024 at 19:05

Awesome! Thanks for getting this together, j_sum1! It’s definitely one of the highlights of this year.

Raid - 7-11-2024 at 15:03

It seems that once again I'm too late.
Always next year, I suppose.

DraconicAcid - 16-11-2024 at 11:12

Canada Post is now on strike, so Canadian santees and the santees of Canadian may have to be extra patient.

(Raid- if you PM your address to j_sum1, you might still end up with a postcard.)

SnailsAttack - 17-11-2024 at 18:33

I have once again missed the registration date.

If there's someone else who missed it who would like to maybe trade a small box of gifts, DM me with U2U sometime before.. December 10th or so.

esquizete_electrolysis - 18-11-2024 at 10:02

Almost done boxing up my gift. The main part of my box is done, so now to fill up the rest of the box with little things. I must admit, this has been some of the most fun i've had on a project yet. Thanks j_sum1 for setting this up!

Holiday Cards

MadHatter - 18-11-2024 at 23:41

Just ordered !