2008 Edition of Look what my Secret Santa sent me...
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For those of you new to this list, I originally posted this list back in 2006 as a way to let my Santa know when I receive my gift without him/her worrying about divulging their identity. The list has gone well in the last two years and I am curious how large it will grow this year since there are around 1000+ participants this year (529 items in 2006, 874 items in 2007). This is a pretty good place to view the gifting as it progresses through the holiday season, so enjoy!
Use this as a central area to record what our Secret Santas sent us. When you post on this list, you may want to make a note on your profile so your Secret Santa knows to look on the list for your receipt and reaction. That way your Secret Santa can look to see if you received your gift and you can post any comments you may have about the gift here and you can reply without the identity of your Secret Santa ever having to be released!
Please only make an entry when you actually receive the present!
If your Santa sends you more than one item, just list them all in one listing unless you think it makes more sense to list them separately. Remember to include any comments you want your Secret Santa to know!
I don't know about anyone else, but I generally obsess about whether a package has arrived at it's intended destination. I drive my wife crazy with checking tracking numbers constantly! So it will be nice to see when those gifts are actually received by the giftee (or are they just sitting unclaimed on the neighbor's porch?)
To see how the previous two years of Secret Santa-ing have gone on those year's versions of this list, look at these links:
"2006 List"
"2007 List"
Simon's yearly breakdown:
Most Popular Secret Santa Games of 2008
Most Popular Secret Santa Games of 2007
Most Popular Secret Santa Games of 2006
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Eric Landes
United States
Hillsboro
Oregon
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Okay, when I posted previously, Santa had said I should be watching for a second gift in early January. He got a hold of me later to tell me it was something OOP and from his (or one of his elves') personal collection.
It took a while to get here. Over two weeks, and Santa was worried.
Never fear. It arrived. Neatly punched and in very good shape. I'd been lamenting not buying this one, and lo and behold, there it is.
THANK YOU SANTA! A stunning gift.
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Akke Monasso
Netherlands
Aalten
Achterhoek
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After a long wait, I finally received this brilliant gift today. Thanks Santa! I know it's not your fault that some elves are lazy.
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Randy Dreger
Australia
Sebastopol
Victoria
I love Melissa, but don't tell her. It's a secret if she can find this. Shhhhh....
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Will this be the final entry on the list?
Yes indeed, my Secret Santa finally arrived on Feb 5, 2009!!!
It all began a long time ago, on a continent far far away...
My fantastic Secret Santa, seeing I was isolated in this land down under, picked up some wonderful presents for me and shipped them near the end of November 2008.
Now the plan was simple. The USPS elves would deliver the presents to my parent's home in Vancouver, Canada. From there, my folks would bring the presents along when they visited me on Jan 2nd. Perfect plan, eh? Cheaper postage, quick delivery, personally delivered by two of my favourite people on earth.
This also meant that my Secret Santa could find a rare "gem" which is next to impossible to find for sale in Australia (I've been keeping my eye open for a few years now to get this game!)
But it was not meant to be.
First, USPS tracking number for about 2 weeks claimed that the parcel did not exist.
Then, just before Christmas they said that it was "stuck at the border", as the Canadian grinches on border patrol refused to let the American Civil War game into the country.
My parents eagerly awaited the arrival of the package, to the extent of staying home during the day on New Year's Eve to ensure they didn't miss the parcel delivery.
It never arrived Jan 2nd. But my parents did.
A week later, my sister-in-law mentioned that a postal notification arrived!
My package was finally in Vancouver! Or was it?
USPS still claimed the package did not exist.
The Vancouver post office would not release the package as it was registered to my dad. So, my brother got a hold extension placed until my parents would return to Vancouver.
I exitedly informed Santa that we were almost there.
As the end of January loomed closer, my Secret Santa informed me that the package was back on his doorstep! Apparently turned away by the Grouchy Canadian Customs Scrooges.
My parents confrimed the "mix-up" as the waiting "package" was actually a letter and not a parcel! *sigh*
So, on Jan 29th my Super Secret Santa sent the presents via FedEx directly to my workplace.
Feb 3rd the package was in Melbourne (only 100kms away!) and loaded on a truck for delivery. Then taken off again! Apparently "The package was not yet due for delivery". Perhaps they were waiting for Christmas in July?
But two days later, they smartened up and a bit after midday the parcel finally arrived.
I took a small peek at work and saw three lovingly wrapped presents and an envelope.
Savouring the adventure, which was now near completion, I waited to open the presents until I got home.
What did I find?
Wits & Wagers
MBT
Battle Cry
Wow! Fantastic!
I then opened the envelope which detailed some of the history behind how Santa got each game and why it was sent.
Also included was a book which I intend to read after I finish my current autobiography, Madness by Jossy Chacko (which I heartily recommend, especially to my Secret Santa. aside: I had coffee with Jossy when I was in India, a sincere and wonderful man)
I just want to say, this has been a fantastic Secret Santa! Full of tension, surprise, adventure, grief, loss and glee. I think my Secret Santa possibly lost a few hairs during this whole ordeal as well! Hopefully he is encouraged and will participate again next year.
One cheer for the International Secret Santa 2008! 
and Three cheers for the Best Secret Santa a guy could hope for
God bless you Secret Santa, He knows who you are!
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Erik Leppo
United States
Baltimore
Maryland
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Am I the last one to post?
It (Moto GrandPrix) finally arrived today (2009-02-12). WOOT! The kids wanted to play before bedtime but not enough time. THANK YOU Covert Cupid. I should apologize for changing up my Wish List. I had tried to keep it steady for Secret Santa then I modified it some when I heard I was getting a new SS. Then after about a week I did a massive overhaul. Thanks for putting up with it. I'd still have been happy with other stuff but thanks for nabbing my only #1 off the Wish List.
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It was a long ordeal. My first Santa was a deadbeat. Then I got a Secret Santa Enforcement Elf to handle my case. Then I got a new Santa (who called himself Covert Cupid). I still had some fun with the event and should be back next year...wait, make that this year (another 9 months to go until sign ups start for SS 2009).
Big kudos to Tom and his army of helpers.
If you really want the details here is my My SS Retrospective
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Jason Epp
Canada
Neepawa
Manitoba
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Wow! I can't believe I neglected to post an entry for what my Secret Santa sent me... shameful, I know
After many week of waiting, I finally received an email advising me that something was on the way, along with a bonus due to the delay (this was now after Christmas)... imagine my delight in the new year when this HUGE box arrived at the post office... my 6 year old son was with me & we immediately decided to rip the box open right there  . My jaw must have hit the floor with surprise as I discovered one of my son's top wish list games (hence the huge box) + as a bonus, inside was a copy of Make 'n' Break Extreme (what a fun game, by the way)!
So thank you thank you thank you thank you Secret Santa, I hope this post isn't too late for you to see... I'll try to be better next year!
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Paul Niederer
United States
De Pere
Wisconsin
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Phew! Just getting around to adding this after a busy month!
Santa had some trouble getting to me the first time, so he had to call in the Local Santa from my area for further assitance. Local Santa was spot on though.
Santa sent a big box and I was surprised to find 5 packages inside!
Ice Flow!
Hammer of the Scots!
Blue Moon City!
Catan Card Game: Traders and Barbarians Expansion!
and
Munchkin 2: Unnatural Axe!
Wow what a huge surprise Santa! Thanks!
Looking forward to participating next year! Thanks for running this Tom!
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THANKS SECRET SANTA #2
My gift arrived today (yes March 4th).... But it was worth waiting.
I received Khet, the laser game.... I almost bought it 3 times since December and always remembering, don't buy it, it is on your wishlist and maybe Santa will send it. I am really happy to open this one....
But that's not all:
Tabernacle
This one wasn't on my wishlist. But was in my profile as a wishlist from my P&P secret santa. I update my profile a couple of hours after I receive the teasing mail from my second secret santa. So he had to memorize it one way or another and check in the P&P Secret Santa geeklist what I had receive. Woaw I am impressed by the effort of your elves, Santa.
And there is more:
I guess Santa is from Texas and so he sent me nice things to remember Texas (I went there 3 times)...
2 alarm chili kit
1 bootle of BBQ Sauce
1lb of Dad's oven smoked bbq spices
Once again, THANKS
Now I can start buying and trading for the rest of my wishlist.
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Marco Keja
Netherlands
Leusden
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Yes, even now Santa is busy making sure those hard to get to places get their deliveries.
The first presents (apparently there were 2 games in there) magically disappeared during their transfer from the USA (one of Santa's establishments) to the Netherlands. In the beginning of January I contacted Tom which got one of his very friendly helpers into action. Since I didn't want to take any changes with the package still being on route we waited until halfway February before requesting my secret Santa to take action.
Last Tuesday my secret Santa send word a new package was on it's way. This time is was shipped first class (no more risks for Santa) and it arrived today!!! Happy happy joy joy!!!
We'll have lots of fun running through the dungeon with a monster on our heels. 
Thank you very much Santa!!!
And thanks Becky for being a great help in getting everything sorted out!
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Timothy Phelps
United States
Canal Fulton
Ohio
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I've been eyeing this for quite some time since purchasing War of the Ring. Can't wait to give it a try. Thanks Secret Santa!
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Sisyphean Gamestacker
United States
Taylors
South Carolina
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Wow, my package arrived today, and for the second year in a row, I've got a great Secret Santa, someone who looked down through my wishlists, looked at my personal description, and took the time to make some fun and quirky choices based on what he or she saw. All I can say is thanks; you are awesome, Santa!
I don't believe this was my original Santa -- there was a snafu, and Santa Central decided to try again, despite my honest protestations that I did not need presents. And all I can say is that everyone involved has been amazingly thoughtful and kind. As you can see in the picture, my package arrived from Florida with wrapping, candy, and a protective layer of snow. Even in the home of Spring Break, Santa carries Christmas along. And what gifts -- Santa saw that I spend much of my time playing games with my children and included these three games:
But Santa didn't stop there. Santa looked at the wargames on my list, and picked two to send me -- one of them at the top of my wishlist, and both light enough that I will probably find local players to play with me.
So, let me say one more time. Thank you, Santa. Your generosity was unnecessary, lovely, and splendid, and I hope I can be near as good a Santa myself next year.
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Avri Klemer
United States
NYC
New York
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What a long strange trip it's been . . .
I love the BGG Secret Santa event. For two years now I've had great fun taunting and being taunted, watching my targets post their reaction to receiving the packages I've sent, and playing the games sent by my very generous Santa last year.
Then something went wrong. Despite taunts, and third party communications, December then January past without a gift for me. I really didn't think I'd been *that* bad last year . . .
However, once we hit March, my very own personal elf thanked me for me patience, assured me I *had* been good, and assigned a new Secret Santa (although this time of year, perhaps "Bashful Bunny" seems more appropriate . . .)
And what an amazing job Santa Mark II did! Starting with one of my most played games which, unaccountably I did not own - StreetSoccer.
Followed by a pair of giant Pez dispensers which proved that SS (or BB) had paid close attention - one of a guy in a NY Giants helmet, the other of Snoopy in a NY Yankees cap. Three of my microbadges in two gifts, especially gracious since my benefactor acknowledged not being a New York fan. Hmmmm, Boston? Dallas? Philly?
Oh, and also in the box some game about farmers (complete with wooden animeeples) you might have heard of called Agricola . . .
Yes, Virginia, there most cetrainly is a Rescue Santa!
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Their has been a slight bit of delay (due to stuff...), but at the end of march, I got an email saying that my secret santa made an on-line order!
The postman went by my door on March 27, but I wasn't home at the time. It was only just this week that I could claim the box and I was really exited before opening it and even more after that!
My santa got me both The Princes of Machu Picchu AND Red November
Thank you very much santa!
PS: I already got two games of Red November down my belt...
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After waiting for a loooooooong time and no answer, Tom got me a second santa
THANK YOU SECOND SANTA!
He sent me two small packages, and said a big one is comming, but might take longer due to shipping prices and such (=
The first package had Red November and Teraforming
They will be played a lot until the other one arrives
(=
THANK YOU SECOND SANTA, once again
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Cleveland
Ohio
Okay, I know that in my profile, I added a caveat to my Secret Santa that my wife bought a gift off of my wishlist at my FLGS, and that he/she should send an email to her to make sure that the items are not doubled-up.
But now it appears as though my wife has taken the Secret Santa thing to extremes. I use my work address to have games from BGG users shipped to, so that someone is at the location when they arrive. I use it for trading, and also for the Secreet Santa. However, after my Secret Santa contacted my wife via email, they (my wife and the SS) collectively decided to not only have the game shipped to my home address, but in my wife's name! And what's worse, I have to wait until Christmas to open it!
Knowing this is more painful than getting those taunting geekmails from Santa. My wife is in on the conspiracy, and it won't end until the 25th.
Argh!!!
EDIT: See item #575 listed above. The GIFTS (plural) arrived today (the 9th), and I have over 2 weeks to wait and watch them under the tree before I get to open them. That package of 5 gifts includes ones for my wife and children, too. So much fun!
Baltimore
Maryland
Thank you to Tom and a host of others for running this event each year.
Baltimore
Maryland
nothing yet
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Lot
He REALLY needs to find new elves!!!!!
1/6 and still nothing from my Santa... snif snif snif....
Received today..... see the entry in the list.