I’ll be running the SS again this year so I’m making a pre-emptive thread to get some feedback.
I’ll be starting sign ups in 2-3 weeks just so that question doesn’t come up.
Fell free to give me suggestions on things that should change, what you think should remain, whatever.
Here’s a few I’ve had suggested to me already:
Wishlists: Enforce everyone who signs up to provide a wishlist from an online store (amazon/thinkgeek/newegg) to provide something to buy. You wouldn’t be forced to have it shipped directly to their place if you wish to customize it but it would simplify shipping for some people, as well as provide a tracking number and make the santa not responsable if his gift is lost in the mail.
Price Ranges: The whole price range is always a bit of a controversy. Some people are willing to go quite the extra mile and some can only afford the minimum (which there is nothing wrong with). SOmeone brought the idea of good ole segregation. Horrible term I know, I just wanted to use it.
Basically in the sign up information you would indicate whether you want to be in the 20-50, 50-80, 80-120, 100 or more Kinda deal (just random numbers, I haven’t come up with serious numbers yet) that way people would be combined together.
Again I’m not saying these will be implement, I’m just bringing up what people suggested to me earlier. I want your thoughts on this since in the end I’m running this for you guys.
Also, I’m putting up a vote for the cut off date for eligibility. Keep in mind I’m only doing this to get an idea and in the end, remain with the right to say no if I simply don’t like you.
Nothing over $50, period. That means if you buy several things, the sum total can’t be above $50. It doesn’t matter if you can afford more, there are many people (especially in these trying times) who can’t, and this is the best way for feelings not to get hurt.
I also think wishlists are bullshit, especially such specific ones like amazon etc. People can post up general interests and then their santa can be fucking creative (isnt that the point?)
Sweet. Well, I’m partial to the wishlist idea, but it could be hampered if the gifter wants to provide the giftee with something that’s not available on Amazon/ThinkGeek/Best Buy/Bed Bath and Beyond or whatever. Then again, we’re all geeks to a certain extent, so that situation might not be significant enough to deter people from participating.
I agree with this. Even if some people can afford to throw down 500 on something, in order to made it fair (and save feelings), I think a limit should be set and 50 sounds good to me.