/toy/ Secret Santa FAQ

Secret Santa FAQ:

Do I have to log into a google account to fill out the form? Why?
Sending in an file for your proof of address requires you to be logged into a google account. You can fill out the form with whatever email address you want though.

I participated last year. Can I use the same picture I used as proof of address over again?
Yes.

Why do I need to provide proof of address?
To help weed out grinchers and/or potential trouble makers providing fake addresses.

Why no PO Box addresses?
Because it can essentially be used as a throw away address. Not using them avoids any potential disaster.

But are pick up and drop off delivery services like Parcelly ok?
Yes, as long as you can prove that you get packages and/or mail from that location regularly or at least semi recently. In the same way you'd send proof of address normally, I need to see a shipping label or that address on an offical piece of mail addressed to you with any sensitive information I don't need censored of course. The only exception is that I will also need a date too to prove you've received mail their recently.

Why are Canadians excluded from shipping domestically anymore?
For several years in a row now I've had Canadians sign up to ship domestically and then simply disappear. These people don't ever get gifts sent to them because they leave early enough for me to remove them easily but it's still very obnoxious to deal with because I have to contact their assignment and ask them to ship to a new address. I also get at most maybe 2 or 3 Canadians participating and if they are all shipping domestically to each other and one leaves someone always ends up having to ship to the US anyway. So I'm just dealing with the issue once and for all. And yes, the Canadians that leave have all been different people with different addresses so I don't know what's going on in that regard. Maybe they're moose afraid of revealing their identities.

Why are there no price brackets?
It makes sorting pairs easier and it lets you set a price bracket for yourself. The recommended price point is 30-40 dollars but you can go over that if you like. That is essentially the minimum though. Be as generous as you like or keep it simple. This way, everyone can do what's comfortable for them.

What is proof of purchase? Why do you need it?
A picture of the gift itself and the receipt of what you purchased for them. It's to help filter out potential grinchers. As long as you can prove you have the gift I can be assured that you plan to follow through. I will also be checking if you're trying to scrape by the price minimum with cheap bootlegs(unless it's a joke gift accompanying your real gift). Don't do this.

Why do I need to show you a receipt and the gift itself and not one or the other anymore?
I know only showing a receipt is easier and faster but we've finally come to a year where someone used this as an excuse to get by me and be a grinch by showing their receipt, refunding the items they bought after getting an OK from me, and running away. Because of that I have to change how things work slightly. Showing me a receipt with your purchases is basically a check in to show me you're still communicating and plan to follow through. Taking a picture of your gift is what I need in order for a gift to be sent to you. Without it I won't give your Santa the OK to send you your present.

Can I send homemade baked goods with my gift?
Yes, but please, ask your recipient if it's OK. This is what the notes section in the form is for. Do not send it if they specifically ask you not to.

Why is there a section for favorite candy, snacks and listing allergies?
The number one question I get in emails is "Can you ask my anon what they're favorite candy is?". You don't have to send candy or snacks but a vast majority of people do. This just helps me save time responding to the same question over and over. Obviously you can keep this section blank, but if you actually do have any food allergies (especially serious ones) please list it so you don't get a box of potential death mailed to you.

Can I send joke items with my gift like sex toys, etc?
I can't stop you from putting whatever you like in there. Have fun with it. Just don't send them literal shit in a box.

Is this safe? I'm afraid if I give out my address I'll get swatted. I'm scared.
I've done this for years and nothing like that has happened. At worst, someone will send a pizza to your house but even that is highly unlikely.

What are you doing to prevent grinches?
By asking for proof of purchase and proof of address. They're filters for seeing who is truly dedicated or not. Despite this though, there is still potential of it happening. There is only so much I can do. In the event it does happen, someone who signed up as a replacement Santa will offer to send the anon who got grinched a new gift.

How does a "replacement Santa" work?
Once Christmas passes, if an anon says they haven't gotten word from their Santa nor their gift I'll be making several attempts to contact them. If they ignore me by not replying to my emails or posting in the thread I'll confirm at that point they're indeed a grinch. I'll add them to a blacklist which I will pass onto next year's Santa (or use myself) to keep them from participating again. I'll then contact someone who signed up as a replacement and ask if they want to send a gift to the grinched anon.

Will you post the name and address of grinches, if any, in the thread?
Absolutely not. It would be against the global rules. I hold onto their address for my records only.