Let's start at the very beginning
A very good place to start...



Welcome to YLF Secret Santa 2014!


Just as last year, at the beginning of this thread I need to warn you that there is A LOT of text ahead. It's not complicated, but this is the best way to anticipate many issues and a lot of individual correspondence. I hope the thread will clarify many things well in advance.

Please re-read these instructions a few times if you're first time player. I've tried to write everything relevant in them based on previous year's experiences, so you can get as many answers to the answers you might need in one place.

Some of the most crucial points to keep in mind:

  • game set-up will be happening on Elfster. Please make sure you have the functional account there before you contact me to play Secret Santa.
  • Only the first message in which you'll inform me you want to play will go via YLF. ---> All other messages will go through your private email inbox (the address you used to register on Elfster). <---
  • Sending me the first message that you want to play does not automatically mean you will play. It only means I will include you to the list of players, but separate stage when I'll add you to the actual group you want to play in will follow when everyone interested contacts me (basically after the sign-up deadline, see below for dates) - for that stage of the setup you'll also need to confirm you want to play in your group.
  • All the following will be coming to your private inbox with the links to the Elfster pages where you'll confirm your intention to play. Please, please do not just open these pages, but also CLICK on the button JOIN (or similar). Again, you'll find all the info you need in the automatic emails from Elfster which will arrive to your private email inbox (the address you used to register on Elfster).

Phew!

Still with me? Here we go


************************************************************************************

If you are completely new to this whole thing… Welcome!

************************************************************************************

(1) Secret Santa is the game YLFers play and it is loads of fun. By random selection (more about that later) you'll get the name of one YLF friend for whom you need to pick and send a gift. Your name will also be assigned to someone else, so you'll get a surprise gift as well. Guideline amount of around $20 for the value of the gift is specified as in previous years, but in the end it's all left to your own discretion.

When you find out who your pair is, you either already know the person and/or her style well to have a good idea what an adequate gift might be. Or, if you have no idea and need more inspiration, you can ask her some additional questions - secretly, via Elfster. You pair won't know your identity until the very end.

****************************************************************

What's that Elfster thing?

****************************************************************

(2) As in previous years, to play Secret Santa we will use outside website called Elfster. You will need an account on that website, so please register there as you will need separate Elfster account (not your YLF account) to send to me and then I can actually add you to the list of players.

Please note:

There were some glitches in the past with using Elfster as people registered twice from different emails or used different entry points to register (either through regular email account or e.g. Facebook accounts - I don't know much about the specifics, but I vaguely remember the causes - if this starts happening, let me know and we'll see how to sort it out).

One word - patience. Someone had been through that before you, I am sure. It can all be resolved.

****************************************************************

I have the Elfster account, now what?

****************************************************************

(3) New players: Once ---

Previous players: If ---

--- you have functional Elfster account you can use to log in there, than it's simple.

You'll send me a message with the required details (listed later), I'll sign you up for the game and after a day or two you need to log in to Elfster to check you can see your group - if not, then please email me a reminder.

****************************************************************

About the pairs, the dates, the gifts

****************************************************************

(4) On the day of the pairs draw I'll post separate thread letting you know you have all been assigned someone. Find that fab gift for the value of $20 (guideline) and wrap it up. Post it to avoid as soon as possible to avoid any delays in delivering at the busiest time of year.


****************************************************************

One more thing

****************************************************************

(6) Before the sign-up for the game, you also need to decide about the geographical region you want to post to. Global postages add to the amount spent on the gift, so for the sake of budgeting we'll split to accommodate different preferences.

Group 1 - people who wanted to post internationally, and

Group 2 - people who wanted to post within US only, and I'd like to keep it that way this year too.

****************************************************************

No more talking, I want to play

****************************************************************

Please proceed with this step only after you've ensured you have functional Elfster account and you can log in to the site.


-----> Your part (1 / 2)

This is the most important part of the whole post, please follow the guideline to make it quicker and easier for both you and me.

***Only*** by sending me the private message (i.e. not by replying to this thread) with the following details I can sign you up for the game:


  • [Subject] YLF Secret Santa 2014
  • [Text as follows]
  • Your actual email address used to register to Elfster
  • Preferred shipping destination: USA & International -- or -- USA Only


  • Note: please don't send me your postal address in this or any other message. You'll add it to your Elfster profile and that's how your Santa will know where to send the parcel.


~~~> My part

I'll do some hocus-pocus on Elfster and sign you up to your group.

As much as I'd like to, I cannot promise to respond to each person individually as it's time consuming, but you will know you had been added to the group of your choice because Elftser will generate automatic email informing you about this.

-----> Actions needed on your part (2 / 2)

  1. Keep checking your Inbox for the message from Elfster. This will indicate I had added you to this year's game.
  2. Open this message from Elfster to CONFIRM you want to play in the group you've been assigned to.
  3. [Action] You'll do this by clicking button JOIN, or similar, on the Elfster page.

And that's it.

Now you just need wait for the date of the pairs' draw, then shop, post, and enjoy.

This stage is the most tedious, boring and laborious, but it's all worth it.

****************************************************************

Last but not least: the dates

****************************************************************

Subject to changes - I may adjust these over time as people start letting me know of their travel plans, national holidays, etc. but I hope there is enough contingency to accommodate everyone's individual needs and even the slowest of postal services on the planet

  • Last day for sign up :: 27 October 2014.
  • Pairs drawing :: 31 October 2014.
  • Last day for posting presents :: 18 November 2104.
  • Global presents opening day :: 11 December 2014.
  • Secret Santa identities revealed :: 13 December 2014.

Last but not least, keep bumping this thread, the more the merrier... and

Happy playing

9 years ago