Posted: 11/25/2024 11:40:23 PM EDT
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Welcome one and all to the 2024 Survival Forum gift exchange. As the longtime host - referee - coordinator, I have once again donned the tin foil hat of responsibility to get this party started. Read on, and if you're so inclined, add your "I'm in" below. All of the rules can be summed up with this one… Don't be a butthead. Breaking that down a bit further is pretty simple…. *If you want to participate—AWESOME… Sign up below, and get ready to meet old friends or make new ones. Reasons not to participate * if participating in the exchange will put you in any financial hardship * if you won't be able to shop, box up, and ship to your exchange partner by the dates below * if your only reason for participating is to try and get rid of an old "dirty Santa" gift that's been gathering dust in your closet * if you won't be able to follow the site's COC rules * if you have previously signed up for the gift exchange, and then not held up your end. Yes, I know who you are. Enough said. Previous years have set a suggested dollar amount of +/- $50.00 (not including shipping) Dates: Sign up closes at midnight on FRIDAY DECEMBER 6th. You must post an “I’m in” reply in this thread to be included. Selections will be posted by SUNDAY DECEMBER 8th. Once partners are assigned, they will not be changed. If we end up with an odd number of participants, I’ll see if anybody wants to double up. I will also post a general "WHAT TO DO NEXT" to help speed things along at that time. Gifts should be mailed no later than WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18th….(earlier is better if possible to avoid the holiday shipping backlog) So that's it…. If you are ready, willing, and able to participate in the best gift exchange on ARFCOM, sign up below, and welcome to the 2024 Survival Forum gift exchange! Leafinthewind 2024 MATCHES Athenhps TAP POG926 JimPope nickds doubleplusgood thatwasthenthisisnow Protus toyotaman gettingstarted MiloYolo Protus NOW SCROLL TO POST 2 FOR THE "WHAT TO DO NEXT." |
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WHAT TO DO NEXT ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH YOUR PARTNER * You must establish contact with your partner by Wednesday, December 11th, and at least one of the partners from each match must post a "contact made" in this thread. DON'T DO THIS JUST BECAUSE YOU SENT AN IM OR EMAIL...ONLY DO THIS ONCE CONTACT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. Remember, you only have until Wednesday, December 11th to establish a working contact with your partner and post such in this thread. Some of you may feel comfortable exchanging phone numbers, others may prefer to maintain communication through instant messaging or e-mail. l'll leave the details up to you, but whatever the case, ESTABLISH CONTACT! * * anyone who has made several attempts to contact their exchange partner and has NOT been able to establish a line of communication, please IM me with the details.** Once you establish contact, here's the bare minimum of what you and your partner need to go over. 1- Mailing addresses. 2- Primary means of getting in contact with the other person. ASK THEM if they actually check their e-mail or IM box regularly. Figure out a way to communicate, because this is where most of the issues in the past have fallen. 3- Decide, and agree upon a dollar amount for gifts. The suggested minimum is $50.00. Keep in mind that shipping is not included in this amount. 4- Decide, and agree upon when you get to open your gift. Some do it immediately, others wait for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. If you know that you're going to be gone the entire month of December visiting family, or out of the country whacking bad guys for Uncle Sam, let your partner know and agree upon acceptable shipping arrangements. Remember, the last day to ship your gift to your partner is THURSDAY December 19th. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEN TO SHIP YOUR GIFT. Many of you already have the item or items purchased. If so, box 'em up and send them out. NOTE- You or your partner may live in ban states for certain items. Please be open and honest regarding shipping legalities. Now, some final words of advice, take it FWIW... Have fun with this. Get to know your partner. Ask them what they're in to. Their answer may guide you if you're having problems deciding what to shop for. I'm more of a "generalist" myself, and happily accept any gift, whether or not I already have a dozen of them. If you experience any issues or problems, contact me by IM or email instead of posting in the thread. I'll try to get it sorted out and running smoothly to the best of my ability. Lastly, Merry Christmas to all participants!  |
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Quoted: It can't just be this group. Don't people know what a great way thus is to connect? And have fun!  Plus.. I'd have to go shopping for cool guy shit and that sucks  lol.Eta: shit...I think I've been partners with at least 7 to 8 of the ten...over the years..fuuuuuuuck...lol Eta: worst gifts I got were from those guys...especially that Jimpoop or whatever his name is from VA...  |
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Oh and to shake this shit up...... @leafinthewind Attached File |
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Quoted: If I join today...it'll fuck up the match ups Plus.. I'd have to go shopping for cool guy shit and that sucks lol.Eta: shit...I think I've been partners with at least 7 to 8 of the ten...over the years..fuuuuuuuck...lol Eta: worst gifts I got were from those guys...especially that Jimpoop or whatever his name is from VA... If Leaf partners me with you I’m sending you a bag of dicks. |
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Quoted: The boy didn't believe that there are candy penis available for purchase online. His 10 year old mind is blown by the fact that there are hundreds of varieties. Wife thinks we're idiots. Guess what she's getting if Protus doesn't Then she asked how many corks I needed ...after our last exchange...I'm thinking...like stringing popcorn for the tree 
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Quoted: The boy didn't believe that there are candy penis available for purchase online. His 10 year old mind is blown by the fact that there are hundreds of varieties. Wife thinks we're idiots. Guess what she's getting if Protus doesn't |
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Quoted: If I join today...it'll fuck up the match ups Plus.. I'd have to go shopping for cool guy shit and that sucks lol.Eta: shit...I think I've been partners with at least 7 to 8 of the ten...over the years..fuuuuuuuck...lol Eta: worst gifts I got were from those guys...especially that Jimpoop or whatever his name is from VA... Quoted: Quoted: It can't just be this group. Don't people know what a great way thus is to connect? And have fun! Plus.. I'd have to go shopping for cool guy shit and that sucks lol.Eta: shit...I think I've been partners with at least 7 to 8 of the ten...over the years..fuuuuuuuck...lol Eta: worst gifts I got were from those guys...especially that Jimpoop or whatever his name is from VA... Yes! Now it's a party! Should we get out the Festivus pole and air grievances as well? |
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LOL....SORRY... Was having issues with the edit function. Corrected now @TAP |
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MilloYolo and I got our packages sent today. My phone autocorrected MiloYolo to “militia”, which he and I both were very entertained by. Thanks Leaf for letting the kiddo participate, he loves helping me each year with this and was THRILLED to get to actually do the damned thing himself. |
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Quoted: MilloYolo and I got our packages sent today. My phone autocorrected MiloYolo to "militia", which he and I both were very entertained by. Thanks Leaf for letting the kiddo participate, he loves helping me each year with this and was THRILLED to get to actually do the damned thing himself. .glad he got in this year..
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Athenhps sent two boxes, one with instructions to open immediately. I'll save the other til Christmas Eve, but in the meantime... Attached File Two different cheese curds, two different Deppeler's Swiss, Limburger, and some Zuber's Landjaeger! All local stuff from his home, and my wife is in foodie heaven! She said she can't wait to open the limburger, which we'll do in a few days after we get back from some weekend travels. Thanks!! |
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Yep! We opened our stuff early. The anticipation was killing me! I'll post pics when this I potato pad isn't acting up. Needless to say I was blown away! Let's build the suspense! I learned that my exchange partner is a custom knife maker! I was fortunate enough to be gifted one of his works of art! This exchange always yields great results. Thanks doubleplusgood!  |
 I got paired up with @gettingstarted this year and I'm not sure if he opened his stuff yet. We forgot to agree on that but I went ahead and opened it all. I had sent over a summary of my hobbies and interests and included some "if you want an 'easy button' list here's some direct links." Gettingstarted is a great gift giver and took that list and went over and above. MSR Groundhog tent stakes x 12 (I've got more tarps and tents than stakes it always seems) Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter (I consider the Sawyer Squeeze one of the great inventions for backpacking compared to the older, more expensive, heavier and more complex pump filters) AA battery holders (These are cool to keep batteries organized in a pack) Tourniquets (Mine were getting old and needed replacing) Baofeng UV5R radios - a pair! (I'm not even sure I told gettingstarted I was a HAM.) Backpacking pillow (I'm not yet at the point I need a sleeping pad every trip but I definitely need a pillow when backpacking) |