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j_sum1
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2019 Secret Santa
Hey all. It is that time of year again for organising the annual Secret Santa. There was a bit of a debate last year as to whether this has become
an official tradition. I think we can say that it is.
I am posting in Misc so that those members without access to whimsy can join in.
Here is the form to fill out:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1lxhzQg3MZ7sIAu15zBjWDWX5ESi...
(Let me know if I have missed anything obvious – I can edit and add to the form.)
I will keep registrations open til the end of October and send out info in the first couple of days of November. That gives six weeks or so to
organise and send and have them delivered.
This thread is for comments, discussion and suggestions prior to registration closing.
A couple of things that are worthwhile saying
This is a chance to be nice to other SM members. It is not really the intention to complete your wishlist of expensive lab
gear. It is intended to be low budget.
If you are on a tight budget but really want to be involved then let me know. I can match you up with someone in an equitable fashion.
I have included an option for if you wanted to send a small item off to more than one person. This has happened in the past and it was a really
nice gesture.
We had a problem last year where a number of people felt a bit cheated when items arrived extremely late or not at all. If you choose
to get involved you are committing to being nice to another member before the year is out. It does not need to be expensive but you do need to be
true to your word.
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j_sum1
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Thread Topped
12-10-2019 at 22:33 |
j_sum1
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Bumping this so it appears in Today's Posts.
Take-up has been slow so far.
I am happy to have conversation in his thread. 
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arkoma
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Ain't been real active for months, but this IS becoming tradition and I'm gonna be in again this year. It's a lot of fun.
"We believe the knowledge and cultural heritage of mankind should be accessible to all people around the world, regardless of their wealth, social
status, nationality, citizenship, etc" z-lib
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SWIM
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Is anybody up on the tariff and customs implications?
Are gifts exempt for some countries?
I'd hate to ship somebody an annoying customs bill because I didn't understand the local laws and how weight and declared value affects them.
Of course there are plenty of chemists here in the USA, but I wouldn't mind going international.
@j_sum1: I know, don't send any drying tubes to anybody in Australia.
I think I'll skip the idea of a baggie of unidentified powder for the recipient to analyze on any international shipment as well. That might be tough
to explain adequately to the customs guys.
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arkoma
Redneck Overlord
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@SWIM have both sent and received international packages. no problems
EDIT for Secret Santa
[Edited on 10-15-2019 by arkoma]
"We believe the knowledge and cultural heritage of mankind should be accessible to all people around the world, regardless of their wealth, social
status, nationality, citizenship, etc" z-lib
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diddi
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i have sent and received chemicals and minerals internationally with no issues. never had a parcel opened in either direction. that said i do label
everything and declare with slightly 'loose' descriptions. eg "Hobby minerals cleaning kit" = nasty acids
Beginning construction of periodic table display
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arkoma
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Shameless Bump
"We believe the knowledge and cultural heritage of mankind should be accessible to all people around the world, regardless of their wealth, social
status, nationality, citizenship, etc" z-lib
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arkoma
Redneck Overlord
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BUMP
*edit* filled out my letter to Santa.
[Edited on 10-20-2019 by arkoma]
"We believe the knowledge and cultural heritage of mankind should be accessible to all people around the world, regardless of their wealth, social
status, nationality, citizenship, etc" z-lib
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fusso
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I don't really think this need to be bumped. It's already topped/pinned.
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j_sum1
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Thanks for bumping, fusso.
A lot of people browse via the today's posts page. After 24 hours of inactivity in drops off.
I know there are numerous people who intend to join in but have not yet given enough time to thinking about what they might include on the sign-up
form. A little reminder to keep it in the forefront of their thinking does not hurt.
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Phosphor-ing
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I look forward to this every year. I’m in.
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" -Ronald Reagan
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arkoma
Redneck Overlord
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Why I have shamelessly bumped two days in a row. Not a spam thing as y'all know. I've really enjoyed participating the last two years
"We believe the knowledge and cultural heritage of mankind should be accessible to all people around the world, regardless of their wealth, social
status, nationality, citizenship, etc" z-lib
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Metacelsus
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Wow, so much bumping in this thread. You guys should really add some boiling chips 
I'll participate this year.
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arkoma
Redneck Overlord
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bump
"We believe the knowledge and cultural heritage of mankind should be accessible to all people around the world, regardless of their wealth, social
status, nationality, citizenship, etc" z-lib
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fusso
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Suggestion: what about adding a new part to the game, to have the receiver guess who the sender is?
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j_sum1
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Quote: Originally posted by fusso  | | Suggestion: what about adding a new part to the game, to have the receiver guess who the sender is? |
Have you never participated in a secret santa before?
You can join in if you want.
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arkoma
Redneck Overlord
Posts: 1761
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bump
"We believe the knowledge and cultural heritage of mankind should be accessible to all people around the world, regardless of their wealth, social
status, nationality, citizenship, etc" z-lib
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j_sum1
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Less than a week to register. Number is one below last year at this stage but not as high as the first couple of years. Bigger is not always better
but I would hate for anyone who wants to to miss out on the fun.
There are a few people who have requested sending to their own local area but who don't have someone close. I will pair you up as best as I can.
This is shaping up to be a really fun one this year. (I get to see the back end and what people have written.) So make sure you sign up if that is
your intent.
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Phosphor-ing
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Bump
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" -Ronald Reagan
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elementcollector1
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Ha. I see that Super Santa option - I remember when I did that for one of the earliest SS's. It's actually a lot of fun!
I was a bit sparse on gift ideas this year - I'm financially in a good spot and currently pursuing other hobbies than just chemistry. Still, that just
leaves an opportunity for my SS to be creative.
Elements Collected:52/87
Latest Acquired: Cl
Next in Line: Nd
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SWIM
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Just filled out the form.
BTW: If I draw somebody English am I supposed to come by the day after Christmas for some sparring?
Seems I heard something once about how they like boxing on the 26th.
EDIT: Here in America, we spend the day returning stuff.
[Edited on 28-10-2019 by SWIM]
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j_sum1
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Hey. It's the 31th here where I live. So sign up now if you are going to.
I am going to sort through the data on the weekend and give everyone a SS. So you only have a little bit if time left.
To all participants, look out for an email and U2U before the weekend finishes.
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j_sum1
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Only one month to go! Well, less than that.
Which is to say, if you are relying on international postage, you are cutting it fine.
I have been sent a few tantalising U2Us and I know what I have been up to. I think there will be considerable joy around the tree on Christmas
morning.
Merry Christmas everyone.
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Phosphor-ing
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I received my secret Santa last night!!! Can’t wait to open this gift. Favorite gift under the tree every year!
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" -Ronald Reagan
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Texium
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In the last week I have received not one but TWO packages addressed to me as Texium! How exciting! I also sent out my own gift, which should be
arriving within the next two days. The post office gave me some grief about needing to put a real name on the package, and not knowing the actual name
of my recipient, I had to make up a name on the spot. So if you receive a package from Texas addressed to an unfamiliar name, fear not!
Edit: Also, that incident at the post office got me thinking: it seems like it’s largely up to the person behind the desk whether they’ll require
a “real” name on the package, as I’ve received plenty of packages via USPS that have been addressed to my username or only my first name, and
yet I was required to put real names on the package that I sent. To make things easier, it might be a good idea to make a shipping name a required
part of the secret Santa survey form. Of course, you wouldn’t have to put your real name on there, but it will prevent awkwardness at the post
office, and ensure that everyone is getting the packages they’re supposed to.
[Edited on 12-20-2019 by Texium (zts16)]
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