Dear YLF,

Thank you for your responses on the invitation thread, I'm happy you want to play Secret Santa this year too.

Firstly, I need to let you know - there is A LOT of text ahead, but bear with me. It's not complicated, but this is the best way to anticipate many issues and a lot of individual correspondence. I hope it will clarify many things well in advance.

Finally, a lot of information for the sign-up to the game will be happening in your private email inbox (not YLF messages), so you'll need to keep an eye on that for the confirmation of registration.

Phew!

Still with me? Here we go

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

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(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 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. You pair won't know your identity until the very end.

There is no fear of disappointments - in this game we all win and it's all done to have even more fun within our YLF family.

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What's that Elfster thing?

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(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 your 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 sort it out).

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

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I have the Elfster account, now what?

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(3) New players: Once ---

Previous players: If ---

--- you have functional Elfster account you can use to log in there, than it's simple. Important: you need two things - Elfster login name and Elfster email account (the one you used to sign up and the one you'll send me to add you to the game).

You'll send me a message with the required details, 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.

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About the pairs, the dates, the gifts

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(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-$25 (guideline) and wrap it up. Post it to avoid any delays in delivering at the busiest time of year.

(5) As we approach the deadline for posting, I'll put the reminders on YLF. As early as it may seem, based on the previous years we know that things are very likely slip due to life circumstances and therefore we want to ensure everyone has their gift in time for the Day of the Gifts Opening.

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One more thing

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(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. Last year we had two groups: 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.

(However, you can also add other group where you'd potentially like to play within (e.g. Canada only, Europe only , Aus/NZ only) - this part is for the survey purposes only and will be a good indication whether to add extra group next year).

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No more talking, I want to play

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OK, I'm waiting Please proceed with this step only after you've ensured you have functional Elfster account and you can log in there.

-----> 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 replying to this thread) with the following details I can sign you up for the game:

• [Subject] YLF Secret Santa 2013
• [Text]
• Your YLF name
• Your actual email address used to register to Elfster
• Preferred shipping destination: USA & International -- or -- USA Only
• (Optional: add geographical region you'd like to play in if you had additional choice)

~~~> My part

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

I may not have time for writing a response, but unless you hear from me after a day or two me that there were issues with your registration, please assume I have added you to your group. This means you can go to your Part (2 / 2).

After this, Elftser will generate automatic email which you need to open to CONFIRM you want to play in the group you've been assigned to.

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

Go to your email Inbox (not your YLF inbox).

Open the email from Elfster and complete the registration process.

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.

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Last but not least: the dates

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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 2013.
• Pairs drawing :: 31 October 2013.
• Last day for posting presents :: 18 November 2103.
• Global presents opening day :: 09 December 2013.
• Secret Santa identities revealed :: 13 December 2013.

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

Happy playing