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Halforums Secret Santa 2024

#1

GasBandit

GasBandit

About time to get the ball rolling on this again

What is it?

It's a Secret Santa gift exchange between your fellow Halforumites. Everyone who signs up will be randomly assigned another participant. You are then tasked to buy that person a gift. As a recipient, you should leave a few hints in a post to this thread (or PM me the information) as to what sort of interests you have.


Who can sign up?

Those who joined the forum on or before January 1, 2024 with more than a handful of posts will be allowed to participate.

To sign up, send me a PM. I will need:

  • your email address
  • shipping address
  • any gift rules/restrictions
  • whether or not you would be willing to ship internationally (including USA to Canada).
  • Be sure to specify whether or not you would accept NSFW or "adult" gifts (such as alcohol/sex themed gifts).

The deadline for signing up will be Monday, November 18, 2024. The following day, you will be randomly assigned to a Secret Santa recipient and will be sent a PM with the information on your giftee. Final deadline for sending the gift is Monday, December 9, 2024.

Price range is whatever you are comfortable with giving. Feel free to spend as much as you want; just be aware that the more you spend, the less likely you will receive a gift of equal value. Homemade/handmade gifts are allowed, and even encouraged (no homemade food, please).

Try to send something you think the other person will like. As much as I can, I will be getting gift ideas/wish lists from the participants so you can send them something suitable.

Once you received your gift, post pictures. Share the joy. But if you don’t like your gift, don’t complain in the forums (especially if you didn’t supply any suggestions). Remember, it’s something somebody picked out for you in particular so don't be a butt about it.

Unless specified by the giftee, do not send NSFW. If I can restrain myself from sending normies something sticky and unsettling, so can you.

Please note that many states/nations have rules about shipping alcohol. When in doubt, choose another gift.

Finally, ship well in advance. Be kind to yourself and the postal workers and ship your stuff by Dec 9th to make sure it arrives before the crazy Christmas rush that always happens at the latter half of December.

If I missed anything or if you have questions, please let me know.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
In:
GasBandit
ThatNickGuy
Frank
Dave
evilmike
Wahad
Bubble181
Dirona
Tinwhistler
CeltZ
Tress
Dei
General Specific
Bhamv3


#2

PatrThom

PatrThom

Would like to again remind that Amazon, at least, likes to refuse to ship unless the sender includes a phone number they can contact in case delivery issues arise. This should probably be the number of the giftee, unless said giftee feels uncomfortable giving out their phone number.

--Patrick


#3

Frank

Frank

I've never done this before. But I think my partner has finally gotten me over my phobia of gifts. I want in.


#4

Dave

Dave

I'm in. You have all my info.


#5

evilmike

evilmike

I'm in.


#6

Wahad

Wahad

Let's do it.


#7

Dirona

Dirona

Wooooo!! I'm in. I'll send a PM, though nothing has changed.


#8

Bubble181

Bubble181

Sure, as per usual. Haven't moved since last year.


#9

ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Yep,I'm in. :D


#10

Tinwhistler

Tinwhistler

I'm in! Fair warning--my recipient is liable to get some 3d printed something or other lol


#11

PatrThom

PatrThom

Tinwhistler said:
I'm in! Fair warning--my recipient is liable to get some 3d printed something or other lol
Click to expand...
A spiderwebbed, failed pri-- I mean "modern art piece."

--Patrick


#12

Tinwhistler

Tinwhistler

Wishlists:
www.amazon.com

Check out my list on Amazon

www.amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2P265JY1PYXV7?ref_=wl_share (3d print related)
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2P265JY1PYXV7?ref_=wl_share (wall art related)


#13

Celt Z

Celt Z

Even though I feel like a cranky shit right now, I don't want to hold things up, so I'm in. I promise by the time we get assigned, I will be a more festive, gift-giving elf, I mean, self.


#14

GasBandit

GasBandit

Celt Z said:
Even though I feel like a cranky shit right now, I don't want to hold things up, so I'm in. I promise by the time we get assigned, I will be a more festive, gift-giving elf, I mean, self.
Click to expand...
Yeah, every year I mean to make this post on Nov 1st, and every year I forget for like a week. This year it was incredibly bad timing for the general vibe and stuff. Mea Culpa.


#15

GasBandit

GasBandit

Also I put "a cranky shit" in an AI generator and
1731096294870.png


#16

PatrThom

PatrThom

"I said it will be grist for the mill! GRIST!"

--Patrick


#17

Tress

Tress

Awww yes, count me in too. Should be fun once again.


#18

Dei

Dei

My thoughts on this align with Celt Z. Not in the mood but I probably will be soon, so add me.


#19

General Specific

General Specific

Add me as well, been very down recently and need a pick me up, this should help.


#20

GasBandit

GasBandit

Alright, I'm working on pairings. Please double check that I have your latest info.


#21

Tinwhistler

Tinwhistler

GasBandit said:
Alright, I'm working on pairings. Please double check that I have your latest info.
Click to expand...
Might I suggest Twinkies and a 1937 Château d'Yquem... ;)


#22

GasBandit

GasBandit

Tinwhistler said:
Might I suggest Twinkies and a 1937 Château d'Yquem... ;)
Click to expand...
Are you kidding? The CORK in that thing costs more than a handle of my Vodka.


#23

GasBandit

GasBandit

Alright, I think I got all the messages sent. If I messed up and you did NOT get assigned a Secret Santa target, please PM me ASAP. Happy hunting.


#24

Tinwhistler

Tinwhistler

GasBandit said:
Are you kidding? The CORK in that thing costs more than a handle of my Vodka.
Click to expand...
1732076504311.jpeg


#25

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@Frank
Santa wants to know a few things about you.
What are your top 3 favorite animals?
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
What are your top 3 favorite pastimes?


#26

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

Eh Bandito! (@GasBandit )
Favourite color? Alternately, what color is your office?


#27

GasBandit

GasBandit

Secret Santa said:
Eh Bandito! (@GasBandit )
Favourite color? Alternately, what color is your office?
Click to expand...
My favorite color is blue and my office is a riot of color because I have movie and anime posters on every conceivable surface. The wall is white, but it hardly matters.
Also I am amused that we're keeping the charade up despite that fact that I told you directly I am your secret santa victim :wololo:


#28

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@evilmike The most eager and swiftest weasels have been dispatched to bring you a gift on this coming sunday Sunday SUNDAY November 24th!


#29

Frank

Frank

Secret Santa said:
@Frank
Santa wants to know a few things about you.
What are your top 3 favorite animals?
What are your top 3 favorite movies?
What are your top 3 favorite pastimes?
Click to expand...
Ahhhh, animals: Grizzly Bear, Orca, Horseshoe Crab (nature's perfect animal, 500 million years older than us and will definitely last 500 million years after we've dusted ourselves.)

I'll just be honest, The Thing, Transformers (1986) and The Lighthouse.

Warham 40k, Magic Taylor Gathering, astronomy


#30

Bubble181

Bubble181

Frank said:
Warham 40k
Click to expand...
1732221832972.png


#31

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@Tinwhistler Elves schmelves, we've enlisted the Valkyries to deliver your gift on or around Tuesday the 26th. Seems like they'd be much more fun.


#32

PatrThom

PatrThom

Bubble181 said:
View attachment 50003
Click to expand...
That wolf doesn't stand a chance.

--Patrick


#33

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@Dei The Elves have worked quickly! Please check your porch!

1732327335216.png


#34

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@evilmike Your package was delivered to your porch by overeager elves!



#35

Frank

Frank

I want to apologize to my secret Santa person who doesn't know I'm their gifter. The Canada Post strike is definitely a wrench in the works right now.


#36

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@Frank
Santa has heard about your Canada Post strike troubles and has sent the package through UPS. Hopefully, it should arrive Dec 03


#37

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@Wahad ! Keep an eye out for elves from the Amazon around November 28-30th!


#38

PatrThom

PatrThom

Secret Santa said:
elves from the Amazon
Click to expand...
They double-majored in Archery.

--Patrick


#39

Wahad

Wahad

Secret Santa said:
@Wahad ! Keep an eye out for elves from the Amazon around November 28-30th!
Click to expand...
I hope the elves err on the side of sooner rather than later, coz I'll be out of town on the 30th, but we'll see how it goes!


#40

Tinwhistler

Tinwhistler

I'm in possession of my gifts! Thank you very much, Santa! Pictures probably tomorrow


#41

Dei

Dei

Secret Santa said:
@Dei The Elves have worked quickly! Please check your porch!

View attachment 50022
Click to expand...
I brought this in but as I am still suffering from plague I have not gotten around to much.


#42

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

Heyyyyyyyy @Celt Z. My elves tell me that your order is on the way!


#43

Tinwhistler

Tinwhistler

Secret Santa gifts highlight my two favorite things: cooking and violence :)

20241128_104411.jpg


My girlfriend has been (playfully) talking smack saying she wants to fight and I've been threatening to buy sparring gear so she can give it a go. She suddenly got all timid about it when these showed up :awesome:

Thank you!


#44

Bubble181

Bubble181

No included notes?


#45

Tinwhistler

Tinwhistler

Bubble181 said:
No included notes?
Click to expand...
There were notes, but they had real names on them :) One said basically "I expect to see some of this food in the dinner channel" and other "to work off those calories from the food"


#46

Bubble181

Bubble181

... And a third one said something about a friendly nocturnal raptor? No?


#47

Tinwhistler

Tinwhistler

Bubble181 said:
... And a third one said something about a friendly nocturnal raptor? No?
Click to expand...
lol, after I got the two messages, the rest I pulled out seemed to be individual return receipts without messages, so I stopped pulling them from box. But I found it just now. Thanks!


#48

Wahad

Wahad

Oooh, presents!


Books! Of the critical role variety!




Thanks @Celt Z ! I did indeed not have any of these yet.


#49

Celt Z

Celt Z

Glad you liked it!


#50

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@Bubble181 You should get all 3 of your packages by Dec 17th.


#51

Bubble181

Bubble181

Can't wait :)


#52

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@Celt Z, my elves secretly working for Amazon have told me your present is on your doorstep!


#53

Celt Z

Celt Z

Secret Santa said:
@Celt Z, my elves secretly working for Amazon have told me your present is on your doorstep!
Click to expand...
'Tis true! They are here, and I am now the proud owner of 2 Dill mysteries!
20241130_141021.jpg

I am looking forward to reading both! Thank you, appropriately-named Secret Santa Nick!


#54

ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Celt Z said:
'Tis true! They are here, and I am now the proud owner of 2 Dill mysteries!
View attachment 50093
I am looking forward to reading both! Thank you, appropriately-named Secret Santa Nick!
Click to expand...
I hope you enjoy them! I was worried it'd be too self-indulgent to send copies of my own books.


#55

Celt Z

Celt Z

ThatNickGuy said:
I hope you enjoy them! I was worried it'd be too self-indulgent to send copies of my own books.
Click to expand...
Nah, just the right amount of indulgent. ;)

But quick question: I remember people discussing the books on the forum, but how "adult" are they? In regards to language and content?


#56

ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Celt Z said:
Nah, just the right amount of indulgent. ;)

But quick question: I remember people discussing the books on the forum, but how "adult" are they? In regards to language and content?
Click to expand...
The first one is worse, but they both have a fair amount of innuendos. The first one has a few jokes about a "pearl necklace." As far as I can recall, there's no major swearing (no "shits" or "fucks"). And some of the violence gets a little graphic, especially the second book with descriptions of a murder scene.

In retrospect, I'd say the age group is middle school and up. I can't recall how old Lil Z is, but it's PROBABLY not appropriate for them.


#57

Celt Z

Celt Z

He's 12, so it can go either way. I'll read them first and let him know.


#58

ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Celt Z said:
He's 12, so it can go either way. I'll read them first and let him know.
Click to expand...
Ah, yeah, I thought he was a bit younger. You're right, 12 is definitely borderline. Either way, I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it!


#59

BErt

BErt

Celt Z said:
He's 12, so it can go either way. I'll read them first and let him know.
Click to expand...
omg lil z is twelve we are all ancient


#60

Bubble181

Bubble181

BErt said:
omg lil z is twelve we are all ancient
Click to expand...
Slowly but surely we're creeping up to 1% of Dave's age (all the rest of us together, of course).

(in all seriousness, I think I'm almost the age @Dave was in the days of the Image boards; I think he's in his mid-fifties now and that's over 15 years ago so he was just around 40ish. But that won't stop me from joking about it!)


#61

Vrii

Vrii

BErt said:
omg lil z is twelve we are all ancient
Click to expand...
When does he get the upgrade to Medium Z?


#62

PatrThom

PatrThom

Celt Z said:
Nah, just the right amount of indulgent. ;)

But quick question: I remember people discussing the books on the forum, but how "adult" are they? In regards to language and content?
Click to expand...
They're definitely PG-13. People get killed, and people get naked, but I don't remember people having sex other than behind closed doors. However I've only read up through Man From Mundania, so I don't know if that changes. This means I also haven't read Panties, though I knew it was coming (it was in-universe canon, after all).

--Patrick


#63

Bubble181

Bubble181

PatrThom said:
They're definitely PG-13. People get killed, and people get naked, but I don't remember people having sex other than behind closed doors. However I've only read up through Man From Mundania, so I don't know if that changes. This means I also haven't read Panties, though I knew it was coming (it was in-universe canon, after all).

--Patrick
Click to expand...
I think she's referring to @ThatNickGuy 's books here, not Piers Anthony's. I wish there were 20+ Dill books to read through, including one canonically called some pun with Panties in the title, but for now, this is sadly not the case.


#64

Celt Z

Celt Z

Vrii said:
When does he get the upgrade to Medium Z?
Click to expand...
Sooner than you think. Mr. Z realized a few days ago they have the same size hands, and almost are wearing the same size shoes. Ouch, my budget.

Also, I think I'll skip introducing him to Xanth. However, I asked about Dill because his ELA teacher has an extra credit project called "The 30 Book Challenge", where any student who finishes 30 books before the school year is over gets 30 points extra credit and a $30 gift card to Amazon. Last year only 1 student completed it. Li'l Z just picked up his 13th book today.
There are some rules, of course. The books must be grade-level or higher, you have to fill out a 2-page "book report" for each book completed, and you have to read at least 6 books each of the following genres: sci-fi/fantasy, realistic fiction, historical fiction, mystery, and non-fiction. Mystery is the hardest section for us because we don't read a lot of mysteries, or at least ones he'd enjoy, so I'll report back if Dill is going to middle school!


#65

PatrThom

PatrThom

Celt Z said:
Mystery is the hardest section for us because we don't read a lot of mysteries, or at least ones he'd enjoy, so I'll report back if Dill is going to middle school!
Click to expand...
Would Asimov's tales from the Black Widowers' club count?

--Patrick


#66

Bubble181

Bubble181

Secret Santa said:
@Bubble181 You should get all 3 of your packages by Dec 17th.
Click to expand...
If or when you know, could you let me know who's responsible for the last mile delivery? There's some pretty big differences in reliability and delivery windows between the different providers here (Bpost, PostNL, Amazon, DHL, DPD, FedEx). Don't want to miss them :)


#67

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@bhamv3 you have 2-4 packages on their way arriving somewhere between December 13 and December 17th. Probably.


#68

GasBandit

GasBandit

Just a reminder to all - if you, or your secret santa, or both are in Canada, there will probably be significant delays due to the postal worker strike.


#69

Frank

Frank

Hmmmmmmmm. My gifts from my secret Santy @Tinwhistler have arrived.

By the way, they will appreciate the pin. :)

Stuff is so neat. I'm going to be fiddling with the cubes for a while.

Such a magnificent animal. Ha ha ha.

PXL_20241205_010240595.MP.jpg
PXL_20241205_005642357.jpg


#70

BErt

BErt

good kitty


#71

Tinwhistler

Tinwhistler

Frank said:
Hmmmmmmmm. My gifts from my secret Santy @Tinwhistler have arrived.

By the way, they will appreciate the pin. :)

Stuff is so neat. I'm going to be fiddling with the cubes for a while.

Such a magnificent animal. Ha ha ha.

View attachment 50135View attachment 50137
Click to expand...
FDM joints are always a little stiff when they're new. When I print a plate of those cubes, I have to spend at least an hour with each one breaking them in. Such a chore lol

I looked for other models from your faves lists, and there's a million 40K models, but it's such a complex ecosystem, and I couldn't tell what was cool or even authentic, so I stayed away.


#72

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@ThatNickGuy Amazon says you should have your gift by December 9. I apologize for how late it is. I tried to do two other ideas but both fell through in spectacular fashion. But Amazon to the rescue.


#73

Frank

Frank

Tinwhistler said:
FDM joints are always a little stiff when they're new. When I print a plate of those cubes, I have to spend at least an hour with each one breaking them in. Such a chore lol

I looked for other models from your faves lists, and there's a million 40K models, but it's such a complex ecosystem, and I couldn't tell what was cool or even authentic, so I stayed away.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, it's bananners. That's why I'm wading into that stuff myself, ha ha ha.


#74

Officer_Charon

Officer_Charon

40k can and will suck you dry if you allow even one of Games Workshop's fangs into you.


#75

Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

Officer_Charon said:
40k can and will suck you dry if you allow even one of Games Workshop's fangs into you.
Click to expand...
Blood bowl is cheaper...

*ducks*


#76

Bubble181

Bubble181

Ravenpoe said:
Blood bowl is cheaper...

*ducks*
Click to expand...
Barely


#77

Bubble181

Bubble181

Secret Santa said:
@Bubble181 You should get all 3 of your packages by Dec 17th.
Click to expand...
First part arrived!

IMG20241206144621.jpg


What do you know? Who knows? Who?

IMG20241206144930.jpg


Well, okay, maybe you know by now :ninja:

IMG20241206144945.jpg


17334932983713620190830867577009.jpg

Post automatically merged:

Thanks @GasBandit!


#78

GasBandit

GasBandit

Bubble181 said:
First part arrived!

View attachment 50160

What do you know? Who knows? Who?

View attachment 50161

Well, okay, maybe you know by now :ninja:

View attachment 50162

View attachment 50163
Post automatically merged:

Thanks @GasBandit!
Click to expand...
Nice, wow, that one got there super early. The other two are still estimated to arrive the 16th.


#79

ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Thank you, unidentified Secret Santa! Ruff & Tuff have been sniffing these guys sibse they arrived!

And Ruff say thanks for the great new box!

20241209_181526.jpg

20241209_182308.jpg

Attachments



#80

Dave

Dave

That one laying down looks nothing like the picture! Yes, it was me all along! I was trying hard to find two that were different yet about the same size. I figured having multiple Ruffs & Tuffs wasn't a bad thing!


#81

ThatNickGuy

ThatNickGuy

Dave said:
That one laying down looks nothing like the picture! Yes, it was me all along! I was trying hard to find two that were different yet about the same size. I figured having multiple Ruffs & Tuffs wasn't a bad thing!
Click to expand...
That's okay! I kinda like that there's a little, thinner one, and a chonkier one. Just like Ruff & Tuff!

EDIT: Oh, and thank you!


#82

GasBandit

GasBandit

I got a package today!

Yeah, looks like it's for me.

1733876907263.jpeg


Inside was this handsome needlepoint with the most professional method to say "listen, fucko, like I already told you..."

1733876991101.jpeg


Thank you, @Dirona, it has a place of honor on my desk hutch.


#83

Dirona

Dirona

GasBandit said:
I got a package today!

Yeah, looks like it's for me.

View attachment 50242

Inside was this handsome needlepoint with the most professional method to say "listen, fucko, like I already told you..."

View attachment 50243

Thank you, @Dirona, it has a place of honor on my desk hutch.
Click to expand...
Yay it arrived! Handmade with sarcasm and swearing by me!
I had hoped to include a second more festive piece but ran out of time, so work snark won out.


#84

Frank

Frank

@Tinwhistler My partner loved the pin and they immediately pinned it onto their backpack. They also loved the highland cow. It sits on their desk now. Also, I don't know how but I completely missed the letter inside! It fell out from the packing paper as I was about to break down the box. I apologize greatly for missing it.


#85

Tinwhistler

Tinwhistler

Awesome! I know these things can be sensitive topics sometimes, so I was a little nervous about it


#86

PatrThom

PatrThom

A wild pigeon has appeared!
00Box.jpg

Well, technically it's a dove, but close enough, right? So what's in this box? Well, according to the label...
01ECUSnx.jpg

it's ..."Snacks." Ok, but what kind of snacks? Foreign ones, obviously.
Let's get this box open, supervised by a curious (and possibly hopeful?) Zaphod.
02Open.jpg

Yes, that's my real arm. I do my own stunts.
Atop the pile of snacks, a note:
03Note.jpg

Hey, Zaphod? Down here, boy. Anyway...
>Hi Pat!
> I present to you a selection of some of my favorite snacks from Taiwan!
> Two items of particular note, the snacks with the green packaging and buck-toothed fellow can also serve as a good luck charm. The Chinese name of the snack is a pun on the Chinese phrase for "well-behaved", so if you put the bag of snacks on something you want to behave well, such as a moody printer, the snack gods may use their magic to fix it. This is why HCGLNS has been known to call them the "magic potato chips". They're actually not potato chips, they're coconut-flavored puff snacks.
> Secondly, the blue pack of noodles, they look like instant noodles (and can be eaten that way if you want to cook them), but they're meant to be crushed up in the pack, flavored with the flavoring packet, then eaten dry like chips.
> For the rest, I'll let your adventurous spirit take over!
> Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a joyous new year to you!
>Love,
>[redacted]/bhamv3
I immediately tried to put the chips to work on making something more "well-behaved" as you suggested.
05Fixed.jpg

"Why you do dis?" -- Zaphod, probably.
Here's a picture of all six of the included packages:
06Spread.jpg

...and here is what I get for removing the magic potato chips too soon before they've had the chance to work.
07Peek.jpg

No, Zaphod. It's too small. You won't fit, trust me on this.
Thanks, @bhamv3 !

--Patrick


#87

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

@General Specific
Keep a look out for a package arriving on Saturday, Dec. 21st!


#88

bhamv3

bhamv3

PatrThom said:
A wild pigeon has appeared!
View attachment 50275
Well, technically it's a dove, but close enough, right? So what's in this box? Well, according to the label...
View attachment 50282
it's ..."Snacks." Ok, but what kind of snacks? Foreign ones, obviously.
Let's get this box open, supervised by a curious (and possibly hopeful?) Zaphod.
View attachment 50277
Yes, that's my real arm. I do my own stunts.
Atop the pile of snacks, a note:
View attachment 50278
Hey, Zaphod? Down here, boy. Anyway...
>Hi Pat!
> I present to you a selection of some of my favorite snacks from Taiwan!
> Two items of particular note, the snacks with the green packaging and buck-toothed fellow can also serve as a good luck charm. The Chinese name of the snack is a pun on the Chinese phrase for "well-behaved", so if you put the bag of snacks on something you want to behave well, such as a moody printer, the snack gods may use their magic to fix it. This is why HCGLNS has been known to call them the "magic potato chips". They're actually not potato chips, they're coconut-flavored puff snacks.
> Secondly, the blue pack of noodles, they look like instant noodles (and can be eaten that way if you want to cook them), but they're meant to be crushed up in the pack, flavored with the flavoring packet, then eaten dry like chips.
> For the rest, I'll let your adventurous spirit take over!
> Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a joyous new year to you!
>Love,
>[redacted]/bhamv3
I immediately tried to put the chips to work on making something more "well-behaved" as you suggested.
View attachment 50279
"Why you do dis?" -- Zaphod, probably.
Here's a picture of all six of the included packages:
View attachment 50280
...and here is what I get for removing the magic potato chips too soon before they've had the chance to work.
View attachment 50281
No, Zaphod. It's too small. You won't fit, trust me on this.
Thanks, @bhamv3 !

--Patrick
Click to expand...
Yay it finally arrived!

These are all snacks that I've enjoyed since my childhood and/or now. If you want a few more details on what they are:

The pinkish package are puffs with a sweet filling, they've been around since the 80s and they primarily feature three flavors, milk, chocolate, and strawberry. This particular one is strawberry flavored. They occasionally produce other flavors too, like coffee and lemon, but they're not considered "classic" flavors. Apparently these puffs have even contributed to Taiwan's diplomatic efforts, as foreign dignitaries often end up liking them very much so we use them as gifts. For example, the President of Paraguay got a few boxes of puffs as a gift when he won reelection.

The transparent packaging with individual packets of crackers inside are rice crackers from a company called Want Want. Want Want used to be a food company, but is now an international conglomerate with their fingers in a bunch of pies. They even own a newspaper and TV station. These rice crackers have been around since the 60s, and were basically the basis for the Want Want company's eventual growth and success.

The red and white pack of crackers are savory crackers with sweet nougat inside. This one is a relatively recent one, having been first released around 2010, I believe.

Finally, the orange chocolate bar is called "77 chocolate" because the company first released this chocolate bar in 1977, so it's a familiar treat for many kids who grew up in the 80s, 90s, etc.


#89

bhamv3

bhamv3

Oh, also, forgot to mention. That red and white plastic bag? That's also a type of plastic bag that's been around since I was a wee lad, and I believe it was first produced in the 1950s. Show that bag to any middle-aged or elderly Taiwanese person and they'll immediately recognize it.


#90

MindDetective

MindDetective

PatrThom said:
A wild pigeon has appeared!
View attachment 50275
Well, technically it's a dove, but close enough, right?
Click to expand...
You'll never guess what a pigeon is...


#91

Dave

Dave

Oho! My first day off and a weekend coming. And a wild box appears outside at like 6:30 am!

2024-12-13 10.24.17.jpg


Inside the box is a bag, some cardboard things that I can only assume are for packing? Oh, and two rolls of tape. Not sure if they were part of the gift but my wife said she'll put them to good use!

2024-12-13 10.25.46.jpg


And a card! Love the heated seats reference! Attention to detail!

2024-12-13 10.26.39.jpg


Uh oh. What am I in for?

2024-12-13 10.26.48.jpg


Gift one: Novelty suspenders. Okay so this one might be unintentionally funny. My late father in his last decade or so of life, wore suspenders ALL THE TIME! I still have a couple of pairs hanging in my closet because they were his. If you remembered that, @Dei then you are freaking amazing. If you didn't, it was still well done. Will I wear them and post a picture later? Maybe...

2024-12-13 10.27.09.jpg


A Colorado Buffaloes plush. Ouch. Right to the throat with that one. I think I deserved that. He'll go on the shelf by my desk as a reminder to be better. (Still hate Sanders, though.)

2024-12-13 10.27.40.jpg


POETRY FOR NEANDERTHALS!!!! We played this game on vacation in Alabama a couple months ago and it was great fun! Now all I need are friends in person and I'd be golden! There's a place nearby that has board game night. Think I might just have to go. I'll be the creepy old guy with the inflatable club!

2024-12-13 10.28.00.jpg


And, of course, the obligatory cat picture. I have to admit she didn't want to climb in there initially. The dogs kept distracting her. But she made it eventually.

2024-12-13 10.29.17.jpg


Once again, thanks, @Dei ! I love all three although my wife loves the suspenders more than anything and my dogs really, really, REALLY want the buffalo. But they can't have it. It's mine! Merry Christmas!


#92

Dei

Dei

I did consider getting Coach Prime merch but that seemed like going too far. :whistling:


#93

Dave

Dave

Dei said:
I did consider getting Coach Prime merch but that seemed like going too far. :whistling:
Click to expand...
IMG_1541.jpeg


#94

Dirona

Dirona

The suspenders are spectacular.


#95

Dave

Dave

You can't see it, but they are blinking.


#96

Dave

Dave

Didn't realize my wife took a video.


#97

Secret Santa

Secret Santa

Oh noes!
@bhamv3 your final package is mysteriously delayed.

lost.png


Tracking info shows it was delayed today three separate times when it should have been out for delivery.
It has a new delivery date of "...by Dec 21, we promise!"


#98

bhamv3

bhamv3

Gasp! A package! For me!

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1734351176980.png

There's a book inside!

*****

One day later...

Gasp! Another package for me!

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1734351456017.png


Another book! And a leather notebook!

*****

A few more days later...

Gasp! Yet another package for me!

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1734351647280.png


More books! And some pens!

1734351817720.png

A million thanks, @PatrThom!


#99

PatrThom

PatrThom

bhamv3 said:
A million thanks, @PatrThom!
Click to expand...
I had no idea it was going to be such an adventure to get them to you. Don't leave those books lying around at work, your coworkers might read them and get some very interesting (and wrong!) ideas about how to English.
For anyone who doesn't know, these are collections best described as "How not to do it" when writing the English language. From student paper malapropisms ("Magellan circumcised the world with a 100-foot clipper") to ironic product naming (Chevrolet's "Nova" car). I admit I have never read any of these books, but I've had countless excerpts from them sent to me over the last few decades.
The pens and notebook? Well, sometimes you just have to write stuff down/take notes, and that seemed like it would be a much easier (and stylish!) solution than scribbling on the back of your hand/arm. The pens are supposed to be very nice. My wife is fussy about pens but really likes one of the other models from that company. Hopefully three will be enough to still have at least one left over after someone else permanently "borrows" one (or more) of them.

--SantrThom


#100

Dirona

Dirona

In the dark of night, when all hope of postal service seems lost, a truck is heard in the driveway, and what to my wondering eyes should appear... but a suspicious box!
20241216_203301.jpg

A box filled with paper... this was personally packed! And smells lightly of mint? What could it be?
20241216_203412.jpg

What could it be? But a card, a cookbook, and a whole lot of tea!
20241216_203751.jpg

Thank you so much @Frank !! The tea's all look fabulous and seem quite varied. I remember Silk Road from my time out west - they are excellent as a rule. We've already spent some time flipping through the cookbook, and will likely be using one of the recipes for Christmas dinner (we were already planning on ham, and now it will be glazed and sauced as per the book!) Also, the photography in the cookbook is top notch, as are the little in-universe recipe write-ups at the top of each entry.

I'm really looking forward to testing out all the tea, and trying some new recipes. And @Eriol appreciated the shout-out in the card too.

Thank you again!


#101

Bubble181

Bubble181

Sometimes, the Amazonian elves need some help.
So I sent my wife out to collect what they didn't want to hand deliver.
IMG-20241217-WA0032.jpg

It's a box! With bags!

IMG20241217181115.jpg


Let's open the small green bag first - it's a book about eels! Everyone knows I'm really into eels! (it's from my wishlist, thanks! Been wanting it for a while)
IMG20241217181148.jpg


Next: the big bag!
IMG20241217181246.jpg


It's a cardboard cube! In paper!

IMG20241217181420.jpg

IMG20241217181426.jpg


Thanks Santa Bandit! My wife's complaining, but it'll definitely be featured in many a party table to come :D:cool:


#102

Frank

Frank

Dirona said:
In the dark of night, when all hope of postal service seems lost, a truck is heard in the driveway, and what to my wondering eyes should appear... but a suspicious box!
View attachment 50336

A box filled with paper... this was personally packed! And smells lightly of mint? What could it be?
View attachment 50337

What could it be? But a card, a cookbook, and a whole lot of tea!
View attachment 50335

Thank you so much @Frank !! The tea's all look fabulous and seem quite varied. I remember Silk Road from my time out west - they are excellent as a rule. We've already spent some time flipping through the cookbook, and will likely be using one of the recipes for Christmas dinner (we were already planning on ham, and now it will be glazed and sauced as per the book!) Also, the photography in the cookbook is top notch, as are the little in-universe recipe write-ups at the top of each entry.

I'm really looking forward to testing out all the tea, and trying some new recipes. And @Eriol appreciated the shout-out in the card too.

Thank you again!
Click to expand...
I was so worried the tea wouldn't get here in time. It seemed to be lost for over a week in limbo. I'm glad you liked everything. :)


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