Secret Santa Holiday Exchange

[Sean1125]

*Update:

If we can reach 30 people I will send out 30 autograph baseballs randomly to participants. Mostly AZ players but I have a few nice ones I will include.



Hi guys! Welcome to the SS holiday exchange!

Here is the rules/timeline combo:

1. December 8th is the cutoff to enter.

2. Gifts should be sent on or before December 15th (Make sure it gets there on time!)

3. Gifts should be valued at $25 or greater. I will do my best to give each SS their interests for both giving and receiving.

4. When sending the gift add "N54SS" somewhere visible so it is not opened early! Please open gifts on or after the 25th.


If you would like to participate please PM me your info, it should include:

E-mail Address
Name
Address
What you can give
What you would like to receive

Members participating:
1. Scmavl
2. sycks22
3. 25801wv
4. 39special
5. Rich_Klein
6. bbcard1
7. milkit1
8. Eric72
9. wazoo
10. tlwise12
11. WillowGrove
12. Jay Wolt
13. brianp-beme
14. gnaz01
15. bigwinnerx
16. jimivintage
17. markf31
18. benderbroeth
19. kmac32

[Leon]

Sean asked me about this, so I said I didn't see any harm if he wants to take the ball and run with it. Thanks again to everyone on the forum who participates and shares in the hobby we all love....Have fun and Happy Holidays!!

[scmavl]

I'm in on this.

[sycks22]

sign me up.

[bbcard1]

sure, count me in!

[Eric72]

Happy Holidays, everyone.

[39special]

Great idea.PM sent

[Rich Klein]

Sometimes give/get great stuff, sometimes not so much -- but I'm in -- I have already pulled stuff for my CU guy

Looking forward to Net 54

Rich

[milkit1]

i'm in :)

[kmac32]

Sounds like fun. Count me in.

[wazoo]

Sounds awesome! I'll send the information later :)

[Sean1125]

Will be out of town the next few days, should have sporadic internet access, I will do my best to keep the list updated.

[gnaz01]

I'm in!

[25801wv]

I'm in.

[scmavl]

Bump to get a few more fellas on board...

[wazoo]

I'm aboard!

[bigwinnerx]

Count me in, sirs.

[Jay Wolt]

I'm in!
Will PM the info now

[brianp-beme]

I'm in like Flynn, as long as Flynn can be in.

Brian

[tlwise12]

I'm in as well

Travis

[Sean1125]

I should be back in town friday evening i will update them... posting from phone... list should double when its updated

[Sean1125]

The list will be updated later tonight or tomorrow morning.

[benderbroeth]

I will head home tonight and she what I have but I am in, I will respond tomorrow morning

[wazoo]

I wonder how many t206s people are going to sent out :D

[bigwinnerx]

I'm going to try to go out of my way to not send a t206. We'll see.

[peterose4hof]

Count me in. Thanks!

[Sean1125]

I wonder how many t206s people are going to send out :D

:cool:

Obviously nobody has requested a t206 yet!

[wazoo]

Oh yeah...sure... By the way, thanks for the great opportunity. This is an awesome idea!

[sportsbaron]

I'm curious what items people are requesting and what items are people thinking of submitting . . .

[Sean1125]

I'm curious what items people are requesting and what items are people thinking of submitting . . .

Here are some of the wants/gives:
Wants:
Wax, Auto balls, "anything older"x a few, vintage cubs, vintage phillies, t206's, zeenuts/foreign issues, caramel's,

Gives:
Philly items, Auto balls, pre war sets including m116, diamond stars, t206's, 50's-70's, caramel's

There are a few people who have either broad wants or gives (these help in general).

[bigwinnerx]

:cool:

Obviously nobody has requested a t206 yet!

I won't exclaim my "want", but, I'd be ok with it.

Now everyone wants to get me to dump their beaters. :)

[Sean1125]

Bump

[Sean1125]

I added some incentive to get more members into the holiday spirit :cool:

[kmac32]

Sent you email. Thanks

[jimivintage]

I'm in....sounds fun!

[markf31]

I'm interested, just have a question for clarification. You stated, gifts should be valued at $25 or greater. Are you going to have an approximate max value limit as well? I'm not going to be a scrooge over a minor difference in the approximate value I give and receive, but I do think that perhaps a similar approximate maximum value limit should be instituted. It would be terrible for someone to get upset because they give something valued at say $90 and receive something substantially less at say $30.

[bigwinnerx]

Don't agree. If I know there's a $25 minimum and I still give away something worth $90, that's me being charitable and giving, not because I'm expecting $90 of stuff in return.

Even if you instituted a maximum, there's no still no guarantee you'd get a gift of similar max monetary value. A chance, sure, but, not a guarantee.

With the rules as they are, I bet there are still a few of us who are looking at this as a way to give away some nice stuff worth even more than $25 to one of our fellow forum friends. And that's to be nice not a search for equality.

[gnaz01]

If I know there's a $25 minimum and I still give away something worth $90, that's me being charitable and giving, not because I'm expecting $90 of stuff in return.

Mike, I am in agreement with you. Whomever I draw will be VERY pleased with what I send.

[markf31]

Mike, I can certainly see that view point, and I applaud those individuals for keeping with the season and being charitable. I could reword my OP with my a different view.

Put the shoe on the other foot. What if my hobby budget is very small and all I have are items valued at $25-$30 yet someone is charitable enough to send me an item valued well beyond my hobby means at $90-$100. I didn’t ask for that, and perhaps that puts me and other similar individuals in a tough spot, don’t you think? No one likes to be thought of as a “charity” case. And while you as the giver might not care and think you’re doing a good dead, it might not be received in the same light on the other end.

Maybe I’m in the minority and that’s fine. I've been involved in many SS over the years and I've seen these reactions and feelings from people, I just thought that including an upper limit would help to eliminate any such feelings from arising by anyone involved. I would hate to know that anyone feels anything less than the holiday spirit after it’s all said and done is all.

[Sean1125]

I'm interested, just have a question for clarification. You stated, gifts should be valued at $25 or greater. Are you going to have an approximate max value limit as well? I'm not going to be a scrooge over a minor difference in the approximate value I give and receive, but I do think that perhaps a similar approximate maximum value limit should be instituted. It would be terrible for someone to get upset because they give something valued at say $90 and receive something substantially less at say $30.

I feel there should be no limit...

If one chooses to give a larger gift that is their choice... Just know that the gifts are probably going to be cheaper than that - and you did it in the spirit of giving and it is a GIFT.

Edit for this post:

Mike, I can certainly see that view point, and I applaud those individuals for keeping with the season and being charitable. I could reword my OP with my a different view.

Put the shoe on the other foot. What if my hobby budget is very small and all I have are items valued at $25-$30 yet someone is charitable enough to send me an item valued well beyond my hobby means at $90-$100. I didn’t ask for that, and perhaps that puts me and other similar individuals in a tough spot, don’t you think? No one likes to be thought of as a “charity” case. And while you as the giver might not care and think you’re doing a good dead, it might not be received in the same light on the other end.

Maybe I’m in the minority and that’s fine. I've been involved in many SS over the years and I've seen these reactions and feelings from people, I just thought that including an upper limit would help to eliminate any such feelings from arising by anyone involved. I would hate to know that anyone feels anything less than the holiday spirit after it’s all said and done is all.

It is secret for a reason and no one is a charity case. You give because that is what you feel comfortable giving and you hope it excites the other individual rather than gives hard feelings - that is why there is a minimum and no max. I really hope people would be excited they got something nice rather than the opposite .

[markf31]

That's completely fine Sean, I'm still going to participate and I am excited about it. I was throwing the question out there for discussion and clarification is all. Thanks for doing the leg work and pulling this together!

[wazoo]

All i know is if I end up with a t206, I'll be a very happy camper :) I hope whoever gets my card enjoys it. Thanks Sean!

[39special]

Lets bump this up and get some more Santas!

[Sean1125]

Two days left...

[bigwinnerx]

Have my package taking shape. And 1 day left you say? BUMP.

[Sean1125]

Today is the cutoff to enter, I will then organize everything and match people to who they are most compatible with sending,,, We have some really odd wants though so I'm not sure what to do with those yet. Shipping on the 15th or close so that it gets there to be opened.

[wazoo]

I can't wait :D

[Sean1125]

I will PM everyone their Santa tomorrow... Might just end up extending the date as not to rush anyone... (Only gives 5 days to ship at the moment)

Any arguments if the deadline for someone to receive a gift is later than the 25th?

[jonron42]

I aknow I am a day late but can I get in the Secret Santa exchange??
LMK
Thanks,
Ron Hanna

[Sean1125]

I aknow I am a day late but can I get in the Secret Santa exchange??
LMK
Thanks,
Ron Hanna

Shoot me your info give/want I haven't finished matching yet.

[milkit1]

I will PM everyone their Santa tomorrow... Might just end up extending the date as not to rush anyone... (Only gives 5 days to ship at the moment)

Any arguments if the deadline for someone to receive a gift is later than the 25th?

No biggie with me if mine comes after.

[Rich Klein]

No rush on when any gift for me arrives from Net 54

Rich

[Bwstew]

Hope this works for everyone! Wanted to sign up but was worried about gift I was going to give. Next year ill have something better to give.

[39special]

I have no problem if it's after the 25th

[Sean1125]

I am starting to send the PM's out now... Please keep in mind some of you had difficult want lists and I matched you with your santa as closely as possible.

I hope everyone enjoys this and hopefully we can get a much bigger and more organized one next year.

Edit*

All PM's are out now... If I did something like send you two secret santas please LMK asap... But that shouldn't have happened...

If you are on the list on page one and did not receive a PM please let me know...

I guess we can amend the initial post, gifts should be sent ASAP but since the time-frame is so short it is okay if it takes a bit longer.

Thank you everyone for participating - This will be much more efficient next year...

Sean

[Jay Wolt]

Sean Thanks for putting this together.

[gnaz01]

Agreed, thanks Sean. This is what the hobby is all about!!

[bigwinnerx]

Thanks, Sean.

Going to plan on sending mine out this week.

[milkit1]

Mailed out today. Ee yah!

[kmac32]

Thanks Sean. Just mailed my package out this afternoon. Ho Ho Ho

[Rich Klein]

Picked up SS gift today -- takes me a few days to get to shippers (only two people have a key to his storefront (him and myself) and will have it shipped early next week and explain the time sensitivity.

If the surprise is a couple of days late I apologize in advance and as an FYI -- the gift will have a return address of Pro Look in Allen, TX and I'll ask him to write Net54 on the package so you will know not to open until xmas.

Rich

[bigwinnerx]

Mine went out yesterday. I noted Net54 on the package. Merry Christmas!

[39special]

Just sent mine out today.

[Jay Wolt]

My stuff is ready to roll and will ship out tomorrow. The gifts are holiday wrapped w/ instructions for my guy to open at Xmas.
Too hard to time it so it will arrive a day or 2 before the holiday.
So getting it there early is much better then having it arrive late.

[sycks22]

Santa shipped out yesterday.

[Eric72]

Thanks for organizing this. I shipped out the package today.

[Eric72]

The package arrived today...rest assured, I will show restraint and leave it sealed until December 25th.

On a related note, I have a thought...

To avoid having 19 separate threads popping up after the big day, should we all post our Net54SS comments (thank yous - oooh, look what I got - etc.) here? It makes sense to me...just wondering what everyone else thinks.

Please let me know, and happy holidays to one and all.

Best Regards,

Eric

[Rich Klein]

He knows its time sensitive -- so I hope it should go out in time for xmas delivery.

Rich

[39special]

My package arrived today.I put it under the tree!

[Rich Klein]

All the packages when opened go into the Secret Santa thread. We'll do the same here.

Rich

[Rich Klein]

Return address is Pro Look Allen Texas

Should be there by Thursday

Please let me know when package arrives

Rich

[kmac32]

Secret Santa arrived today.....can't wait til Christmas morning to see what arrived.

[sycks22]

Got my package a couple days ago. I hope Santa brought some goodies.

[Rich Klein]

Since the box was literally opening up and falling apart I thought discretion was the better part of valor and opened the contents: (There is a chance, this may be an "xtra" package from Collectors Universe) but I think this is my Net 54 package:

Unopened Packs:

1990 Upper Deck Hi #'s -- Best card in pack is a Reggie Jackson baseball Heroes Card

1989 Topps Pack: Ryne Sandberg AS card is the hghlight

1990 Fleer Pack: Juan Gonzalez Rookie Card is the star

1988 Donruss Pack: Cal Ripken Jr and Tony Gwynn (there is something cool about both these cards in the same pack)

And, oh yes, I must have done a few good things this year:

PSA Certified Bob Feller HOF Plaque

1959 Topps Stan Musial Autographed> The Autograph looks good to me as I've had Musial autographs AND the card is in great shape, I'd say PSA 6-7.5 without a loop to really dig in

Well, I guess I was a good boy this year :)

Rich

[sdkammeyer]

Niiiice Rich!

I have been kicking myself in the butt for the last couple days because I didn't get in ....... and I'm sure that tomorrow when everyone else posts what they got I will be kicking even harder.

[markf31]

Since the box was literally opening up and falling apart...

But Mooooom! It was already half open and it just opened itself, I swear!

[markf31]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

I'm quite pleased with my Secret Santa! Al Kaline - Feeney ball to add to my 3,000 hit club collection.

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k638/markf31/IMAG0552_zps1f968002.jpg

[sdkammeyer]

nice piece mark!!

[milkit1]

got two more T206 Cubbies for my sons team set :) Merry xmas! Im very happy with my present :)

82011

[Jay Wolt]

Rec'd this from Kmac, Thanks! ...jay

http://www.qualitycards.com/pictures/n54ss.jpg

[Eric72]

I was quite pleased to find this great little collection of hometown players waiting under the tree for me this morning.

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b498/EricsPhotographs/SSGift2012_zpse70fc8f0.jpg

Along with playing baseball in the City of Brotherly Love, Harry Davis served on Philadelphia City Council (where, these days, brotherly love is scarcer than hen's teeth.)

Additionally, the Davis has an awesome stamp on the reverse...P.B. White.

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b498/EricsPhotographs/SSGift2012PBWhiteStamp_zpse25c2d85.jpg

Thank you very much for this wonderful gift. I truly appreciate it.

Have a very happy holiday season and a peaceful, prosperous new year.

Gratefully,

Eric

[bbcard1]

A cobb, wagner, mantle, mays and a T206 ... great Christmas pickup. Merry Christmas everyone

[wazoo]

I cannot thank my Secret Santa enough. Number one, for the kind note, and two, for the several items he left me!

I love the t206s, the Manion, Wiltse, and Hofman look amazing!

I was also very grateful that my Secret Santa included a 1932 Orbit Gum Pins #36 Dick Porter. PSA 4. Looks beautiful! Also, a 1939 Play Ball Wally Moses PSA 5. These cards are great, and I love adding them to my collection. Thank you once again and Merry Christmas to all!

[kmac32]

My Secret Santa rocks! He went above and beyond the call of duty. He gave me an autographed PSA/DNA certified Rube Marquard postcard, an encapsulated 1908 Spalding guide page, a 1966 Mickey Mantle rub off tattoo, and 5 E121-80 cards in various conditions. The one of the E121 cards that cracked me up the most was the Ralph Houke card where someone had erased the name and replaced it with the name Lynn Meads. Reminded me of the time I was a kid and had a gerbil chew off the face on Ron Perrinowski's card. Thanks so much Santa.

[wazoo]

Show off the auto! That's great!

[kmac32]

Show off the auto! That's great!

My first prewar autograph. Very cool! Also thanks Sean for putting this together. Best Secret Santa I have ever been in!

[wazoo]

Beautiful stuff everyone! What a great year, I'm happy everyone is enjoying there new items. We can mark this year as a success!

[brianp-beme]

My package came addressed from Old Saint Ee-yah! and had this blazing card straight from Santa's Scrapbook...it made me imitate that famous Jennings 'a mouse just ran by' dance pose...thanks Secretive Santa!


Thanks to Sean too...let's do it again next year!

Brian

[scmavl]

My Santa gave me tons of cards & photos, including a few owned by Harmon Killebrew (and slabbed as such). Just a great selection. Thank you SO MUCH, Santa!!! :)

[bigwinnerx]

I've been out of town up in Pennsylvania and had the mail on hold until today.

So I literally just received my Secret Santa gifts. I had noted my interest in Philly Pre-War/T206 and my SS certainly hit the nail on the head.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8215/8312018736_decdfc5e1b_z.jpg

A sincere thanks to my Secret Santa. Great cards and a great surprise. Thank you!

And thanks to Sean for organizing and this was a great way to interact with a fantastic card community.

[milkit1]

Great stuff! Let's see the rest. My vote is for wazoo for "nicest kid of the year on net54" based on what he got :)

[wazoo]

Thanks Sean! I like that award. Have a Happy New Year!

[sycks22]

I got a sweet book about the winter meetings and an auto ball, pretty excited.

[Rich Klein]

A couple of things:

It was a tri-star unopened pack I sent for the autographed baseball, I'd love to know whom you pulled

And take another look at your book (in other words, you might see an in-person signature)

Rich

[sycks22]

A couple of things:

It was a tri-star unopened pack I sent for the autographed baseball, I'd love to know whom you pulled

And take another look at your book (in other words, you might see an in-person signature)

Rich

I saw the autograph in the book, pretty sweet. The auto turned out to be Tris Speaker, wait no, that'd be sweet. Bobby Grich

[gnaz01]

Hey gang,

We are going to do this again this year, right?? I am willing to help in any way I can.

Greg

[Rich Klein]

Rich

[Sean1125]

Funny, I actually messaged Leon about a week ago seeing when I should start the thread to organize.

Judging by the couple posts should I start the thread soon? I think I am going to make 'interests' more broad this year since last year it was rather difficult to line some people up!

What do you guys think for categories of....

1900-1920 + preferred team
1921-1940 + preferred team
1941-1949 + preferred team
1950-1967 + preferred team
1968-1979 + preferred team
Modern + preferred team
Memorabilia + preferred team

[bn2cardz]

Funny, I actually messaged Leon about a week ago seeing when I should start the thread to organize.

Judging by the couple posts should I start the thread soon? I think I am going to make 'interests' more broad this year since last year it was rather difficult to line some people up!

What do you guys think for categories of....

1900-1920 + preferred team
1921-1940 + preferred team
1941-1949 + preferred team
1950-1967 + preferred team
1968-1979 + preferred team
Modern + preferred team
Memorabilia + preferred team

I did not do it last year, but may have fun doing it this year.

For the first category you may just do 1920 and prior, that way it opens up the possibility of doing pre 1900 cards, but considering the price range of most of the cards in 19thCentury you wouldn't want it's own category.

[markf31]

I enjoyed the exchange last year, thanks for stepping up to organize it again this year Sean!

I know there is a fine line between last year where it was difficult for you to pair up givers/receivers and getting too general in categories. Here is my 2 cents for your consideration and it follows along with what you proposed.

Everyone submits the following and places their specifics in order of desirability:

Preferred Set
Preferred Player
Preferred Team
Preferred Era/Category:
1900-1920
1921-1940
1941-1949
1950-1967
1968-1979
Modern
Memorabilia

So hopefully everyone can submit one specific for each of the 4 categories and rank those categories for desirability.

[4815162342]

I would like to participate this year as well.