I feel the need to rant. I know a lot of people gain a huge amount of pleasure from Secret Santa exchanges and it is all worthwhile for them. However, a small minority are spoiling things by either not sending a gift, or not posting a picture of the gift they have received. I'm trying to chase some of these up but I'm fighting a losing battle.

Sue I think what you are doing here is magnificent! I think how I would feel knowing that someone from far away thinks enough of me to make me a personal gift & no matter what it is I feel truly blessed. Last yr my cutie was ill & I totally get that but even after that when she was up to it she sent it to me anyway. She did however let you know that she was unable to do it at the time & that made me feel better as otherwise I would feel forgotten. I wonder if those who don`t follow through with their commintment realize what the other reciient goes through when they are missed. It would be like being picked last for a group sport or not chosen at all amoungst sew many who were, not at all a nice feeling & I for one wouldn`t dream of putting another cutie through that. You should be proud of the 90% Sue & remember how many others have been happy just because you started this. Hugs & more Hugs to you Loralye

3 comments

by pldc 01 Apr 2013

maybe those who participate & don`t pass a gift on should have their names displayed (with exceptions of course)

by pldc 01 Apr 2013

although my favorite saying is 2 wrongs don`t make a right! sew who knows............

by spendlove 01 Apr 2013

Thanks for the positive vibes!

Sue, hope you feeling better now that you have let off some steam. You are so kind to take on this huge job for us all to enjoy. As the "cuties" have already said. If you know you might not be able to get a gift done on time, rather don't take part. If there was any other reason for a gift not sent. Rather late than never.
But I have also sent off gifts and never seen a picture of what I had sent. The post is very bad in South Africa, we don't always get a slip to say that there is something at the post office for collection. (They don't deliver parcels to our homes) I would appreciate it ,if the trace number could be forwarded to the SA cuties so that we can follow up with the Post Office. This will also help that the gift is not returned to the sender -
My dear " Secret Cutie" sent me a gift from the USA, she got it back and then re-posted it again.( at double the cost)
Well I must say , I love to see the gifts that are sent.
Sue again, you have done a wonderful job - Thanks so much.

Hugs Yvonne

Sue, YOU do a fantastic job organizing the Secret Santa/Sister exchanges. You are AMAZING. Did you notice I'm not part of them? That's because I recognize I'm not good at deadlines and mailing things on time. If people like me, know this about themselves, then DON't even try to participate. It's okay to not do everything. I'm not good at taking books back to the library, so I don't do libraries either. It's a flaw in my personality, and I know I have it. So, ladies, if you have the same flaw, recognize it and participate in other wonderful, equally as gratifying events! Thank you, Sue, for all your work, we who could never do this, appreciate those who can! HUGE HUGS, Jan

2 comments

by hightechgrammy 09 Mar 2013

It's really nice not having to feel guilty - LOL!

by spendlove 09 Mar 2013

LOL indeed

Sue you are 100% entitled to rant if it helps you. Thank you for bring joy to others. I for one JUST LOVE to send out a gift. However I can never get my pics small enough for CUTE to accept them,But I do leave a THANK YOU to who ever sent me one.Please I do hope if an item never gets received it is the fault of the post and not a cutie. I for one don't want to know who sent or received mine until exchange is over.I just hope everyone else enjoys it as much as I do.

Sue I thinkthis is a wonderful thing .I love exchanging gifts but like the other lady iI think if we knew the person better we could write to them and ask questions Like I have one for Birth and I have no Ide a what to make and send she wanted something use ful with embroidery and said she did not like prim I do not know what she means .oh it makes it hard .but you do a great job and I will get mine off as soon enough for them to get it.
hugs Lenamae

Sue, thank you for all your time & effort on cute! I don't participate as I am some what of a procastnator (which I can't spell!) and am afraid I'd get behind & not get a gift there til the NEXT Christmas! But I love to see other's gifts! Now that you've blown off steam, don't worry & move on. Hopefully those that are behind will see this & get the gift in the mail! (If the mail service is up & running!) Better late than never, huh?

Sue you are doing a fantastic job. Congratulations. I totally agree with Betsie and Eleen. The postal strike is in all the provinces of SA and even when there is no strike, you are not guarenteed delivery all the times. Thats why I like to take part in the UK because you can rely on their postal services. At least mine got to the correct destination. Keep up the good work

Sue, thank you very much for all you do in these projects. I know it is disappointing to those who do not receive their gifts, but as someone else said, statistically there is no way to have 100% perfection. I hope you don't let this raise your blood pressure! Hugs. Nan W

1 comment

by eleen 06 Mar 2013

Yes I agree in fact no one can take responsibility for something you do not really have control over. SS is a good thing and a lot of work goes into it. It is a pity that the world around us actually lets us down. I have no doubt that most or even probably all gifts were send off. Anything could have happened thereafter and that is the reason why I believe we should not have regrets or give it too much thought. Please also understand that when I say I will think 2x before I take part again it is not because of anything done or not done by a cutie but because I know that our systems is probably going to let us down again. I would also not want Sue to stop this as it is great fun.

Thank you for the huge effort you put in to create fun for us Sue - such a pity that some people that commit, do not stick to the promise to send off their gifts, and to post a picture of the gift they receive. You are entiteled to rant! Have a wonderful day!

Hi Sue I understand your frustration as it was a double dissapointment for me. I do think that the problem with some of the gifts are not commitment related. I have not received my gift and it seems that the one I have send was not received either as the photo was never posted. I chose to rather forget about it rather to ponder on it. I also believe that our postal system in RSA is to blame. As a matter of fact they are again on strike here in Gauteng where I live - we last had post deliver about 2 weeks ago. I appreciate the effort that goes into all the arrangements etc. but have to admit that I will think twice before I parttake again, you would recall that on a previous round I also did not receive my gift. You are most welcome to post the picture of the gift that I send off.

I feel if one cannot commit oneself then one should not make any promises that you know you could not keep, (just my way of thinking). Thank you anyway for the huge task you have undertaken and for giving so much of yourself. Hugs S*

I know its supposed to be a Secret Exchange, but maybe if the sister knew who the gift was from, then they might be more likely to send the gift. I admire you for all the work you do on this, and don't think it fair that those who say they will participate done. I would feel so guilty if I received a gift and didn't send one.
Hugs Jerri

1 comment

by spendlove 06 Mar 2013

I agree about the secret part, but it would spoil the fun for everyone else!

A preacher friend of mine used to say regularly 'No good deed goes unpunished."

P.S. I hope you look as sweet as you look in your thumbnail pic and not so much like the big pic of the tooothy chick

A picture is worth a thousand words.......Nice rant girlfriend and you certainly deserve to.

Please feel free to rant - you deserve to! You have undertaken a huge world-wide project (multiple if you consider santa and birthday and sometimes others) and I know many Cuties appreciate your efforts. We all realize sometimes things happen, but remember, you are not responsible for the actions of others and you should not take have to take any grief from anyone over things that don't go quite right. We are all grown-ups and we need to deal with the things life throws at us - good or bad. Thanks, Sue, for your hard work, and rant anytime you like!

I am so sorry you feel this way. I can understand. Unfortunately statistically near impossible to pull off anything perfectly, there is always those outside the standard to deviate! At least I can blame the US Postal service for my lateness.

I hear you and feel your pain. I hope you are feeling better now:>) You do so much for all who participate....Thanks, hugs and God bless you Sue! I have always enjoyed participating!

Poor soul...you are indeed entitled to rant! I have not joined in those festivities for the mere fact that I've been on your end to many times in my life!!! I now chose to avoid those frustrations entirely...on the flip side, I've also been stiffed to many times as a recipient. BTDT. Hat's off to you just the same, I feel for you Sue! ~Rita

I appreciate the effort you put into this. One day, when I am certain I can follow through -- I will want to join in on the fun. Until then, I always enjoy the pictures and posts about the wonderful gifts. So, thank you Sue for all you do.

Heard you shouting loudly while I was standing in the garden... To all who read this, Sue puts a huge amount of effort into this. She kindly set it up for us and many of us enjoy making and receiving presents. In return for her efforts Sue seems to be getting a huge headache and a lot of cross emails from unhappy Cuties. Unhappy Cuties who have not see their efforts of sent presents posted or even a 'Thank You' send emails to Sue to see what is happened to their gift. Was it lost in the post or what? And cross emails from people who are expecting a gift that has not arrived. THANK YOU SUE FOR YOUR EFFORTS I REALLY APPRICIATE THE GREAT GIFTS I HAVE RECEIVED. I have also had great fun making gifts for the exchanges I have taken part in.

Dear Sue,

It always helps to let off steam! Love the piccie, love Chris