/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

I'm OP of the thread and while I'm willing to help out, I'm not sure I should organize, asast year was my very first time participating. However, I'd love to join in again this year if other gulls could help out!

>>10480582
I was also a first time participant last year, and I greatly look forward to participating again! Sadly I can't confidently volunteer to help organize. But I've been thinking about this recently and I'd love to see it happen even in this strange year of 2020.

I’ve watched these secret santas from afar but I want to try it out this year! Since rim just starting out I’d like to do letters and small gifts, will that be an option this year?

I’m going to send all my giftees COVID-19, :^)

>>10480816
im gonna send mine asbestos

Last year was my first, and it was underwhelming but I want to give it another try anyway. I hope I can join the big-ass budget category this time so my matches will be more serious about participating.

>>10480864
what was underwhelming about it anon? I wanna try it out this year, and past ones I’ve glanced at but haven’t taken a good look at, so I’m not sure what might be underwhelming

Wouldn’t it be pretty hard to do gift exchanging because of shipping restrictions?

>>10480781
I’d love to do a small Secret Santa like that since it would be my first time too!

>>10480923
Same thought, I'd love to join but I'm in Europe and with shipping as it currently is.. I'd hate the thought of signing up then matching with someone I can't reasonably ship to. Or like if the shipping cost ends up being triple the gift tier

>>10480923
>>10480926
You could sign up for only within your country/continent.

I'm in Canada, and we pretty much have no shipping restrictions currently, although the post has been a bit slower.

>>10480923
I guess a workaround would be to specify the countries you are able to ship to in the sign up form

>>10480877
there's more to it but the main gist is my gifter got loliables, and my giftee ghosted. My postcard matches were very sweet though, so I'm hopeful for this year.

I've participated for three years and it was quite interesting. But due to covid and helpless postal services in these time I think I'll make pause for myself.

>>10480941
didn't the grinch squad get you covered though?!

>>10480582
I was on Santa team last 2 years so I have all the files etc. If those who joined last years and like how it was organised, I can ask the others if they would like to help out again..

If not, and anyone else wants to step up, flick me an email!

Its a looottt of work, and obviously with Covid, the shipping problems are going to make it much worse than usual. So if anyone has any suggestions on what would make it smoother, I can add suggestions to the files!

>>10480923
Maybe it'll be separate pools? Like Euros with euros and etc

either way I'm down to clown

>>10481022
I might email you to ask you a bit about how you ran it. I'm currently running a secret santa in my discord, and we're all good friends so there's some leeway for error but its still daunting.

2019 Santa and Helper Gull from previous years here, I've messaged last year's helpers and am waiting to hear back. I'm definitely interested in helping out again this year!

Last year we had options for shipping only within your own country, EU only, North America only, and a handful of other custom requests. Hopefully any concerned participants can feel free to utilize this option!

>>10481067
thank you helper gull! You're a godsend. I assumed more canadians joined last year, but apparently not. interesting!

>>10480966
idk if they might've if i had pushed for it, but i didn't push, just notified them gently to do with that info what they deem best. i chose to believe the items were sent in good faith, though for reference I'm a softie. hoping it works out better this year.

I missed last year's application so I'm so looking forward to this year. Probably I'll only stick to cards due to shipping restrictions though.

>>10480582
I did it two years in a row and am on the fence about joining. One giftee bitched about the brand items I bought for them (I sent around $150 worth of lolita stuff and a couple filler items fwiw) and another sent me nothing but handmade items from their Etsy shop. Is it worth trying again or am I bitter from the last two duds

>>10480923
No because you can state if you want to do domestic only and not international so that way you get us people only. Theres no reason why it wouldn't work.


I really hope they have it this year
.ive been checking every week

>>10481090
I'm saying this is nicely as I can, but it's kind of on you then. I'm very nonconfrontational too, but there was a grinch squad up and ready to send some gifts to those who were left out. Yes, it was bad of the santas to let your case slip through the cracks, but you gotta advocate for yourself. you can't have your cake and eat it too unfortunately
I hope you can gain more confidence in advocating for yourself anon <3

Im interested for this year! Itll be my first time participating, looking forward to the applications

I've been looking forward to this all year..please do it this year. Im so excited to do the 150 tier for the first time..please please Santa!

>>10481095
Please don’t join

>>10481022
Last years Santa’s sucked so.... people other than them please apply

Looking forward to doing this

>>10481095
don't do it, I got a dud in 2018 and it turned me off completely.

>>10481111
it wasn't bad of the santas, because i didn't ask to eat any cake. my original post said my experience was "underwhelming" not shit. i didn't get grinched, and i did not require the aid of the grinch squad.

i am not doing it anymore. i keep getting screwed over because girls from europe don't know what the fuck himekaji is and apparently it's too difficult to buy secondhand.

this would be my first year participating but i'm hesitant considering i want to join the 150+ tier... is there anyone on here who's had a positive experience so far? i own a fair bit of brand and i would want to get back (in value) what i give.

I've had one year I can only describe as an adventure, but last year I had a great experience. So I'd definitely be willing to enter again

>>10481267
You're generally not allowed to join high tiers your first time participating.

>>10481283
bummer. it's a little sad but i guess i can do secret santa with my local comm instead

>>10481223
I'd pair with you, anon. I'm into both egl and liz lisa.

>>10481306
last year was my first time and they let me do a $30 gift and 2 cards. I think there was another option as well.

>>10481188
Same, that was the only year I participated in the gift swap. Cards are still fun though

I'd be up for it too! Last year was great.

>>10480930
How am I supposed to get the same NZ gull that I've had for the past three years this way though? (NAYRT)

Belgianon transformer post pls

>>10481678
haha you remember me that's sweet, I already posted, I'm >>10481279!

No smileys and images this time though cause I like to think I've un-noobed enough by now. Back then I really had no idea about image limits in a thread oops

>>10481279
ah yes, good ole Karl

pro-tip to newbs signing up: don't ask for bows

What do you guys think about having "continent only" shipping for gifts this year? Eg. Europe, Americas, Oceania etc. so it's still international, but not as global..

Due to covid uping shipping prices/ crazy delays and stuff bound to go missing.. would you still want to join?

Haven't participated for like 3 years, but it would be really nice to try again - Covid has made me want to send some cute shit to an anon.

Always a bit difficult with shipping when the majority are in US though; being Aus is a bit miserable for that.

>>10481964
I've thought about that too and I think it'll make things easier this time.

I finally have some disposable income & I would love to participate!

So excited to have an indie brand shill their goods in my gift this year, I hope I get paired with them!

>>10481964
could we choose country only as an option?

>>10480582
so excited to do the expensive tiers and splurge. Spent 100 on my santa for the 40 dollar tier last year.

>>10482573
Yep that is always an option!

I had a really good time last year, first time really doing the $100+ tiers and I wasn't let down. I'm just on the fence about joining due to COVID fucking over shipping, plus the fact I'm not sure if I'll be in America or South Korea/Japan by Christmas.

>>10481817
BITCHES LOVE BOWS

>>10481967
There's a gull from NZ that's pretty consistent

>>10482802
Oh wow I hope I get $50 of bows this year!

>>10482572
It's ok anon, you can say puvithel
I got them too a few years ago and didnt keep anything.

>>10482864

I never participated in secret santa but last year's debacle took the cake for me and made me never want to join or even ever buy from puvithel (if any of her shop items ever actually looked cute).

I pity the anons who sent nice gifts and got essentially freebies in exchange.

>>10482864
cmon lets not scare away the new people now!
god i hope she doesnt come back i felt terrible.

>>10482867
saaaame

Honestly last year was my first year taking part and I absolutely loved everything I got! Heck they even threw in a couple of brand cardigans and a blouse and a nice taobao OP so I wasn’t mad at all.

Can't you guys just.. not let puvithel join again?

I’ve never done it before and this year I’m excited to! Meant to last year but signing up slipped my mind until it’s too late. I’m not sure how volunteering works but I’d be willing to be on the grinch squad as well!

>>10483052

Yeah I don't want people to think there's a vendetta but so many people have had problems with them that they should be excluded at this point. Maybe no one reported the issues through the appropriate feedback channels and that's why they haven't been removed or limited to card or other lower tiers?

>>10483055
Were they a secret Santa for multiple people? I wasn’t around for last year.

>>10483055
Wasn’t it just 1 person who never voiced it until last year? Just don’t match them together

I'd love to give this a second go! Not everything was a homerun, but I enjoyed enough of what I got.

I'm glad this is still going on!

>>10483052
One year someone asked specifically not to be matched with her and did anyway. I have to wonder if she's one of the organizers and that's how she manages to shovel her brand in people's faces year after year.

I'm broke af but I like the idea

>>10480818
It's gonna be a gift card for a therapy session from me
some anons on here need it

Me and last years Santa are just going over the forms and rules from last year and adding some small changes. But hope to open the form soon!

Cards will still be worldwide international, but gifts we will try for the most part to kept to neighboring countries (those with no others nearby will be contacted if there is any problems matching) and you can still choose to stay only within your country!

We will be adding into the rules regarding Indie Brands gifting goods from their store about what is and isn't appropriate.

>>10483055
>>10483062
This is correct, there were no mentions of major issues until the explosion of drama last year. (I had checked back on threads, and most still thanked her and didn't mention not liking the gifts etc.) Speaking to Puvithel after the problem last year, she was hesitant to enter again.

> If you really don't want to be matched with any specific indie brands, please include it in your form! If there are other concerns please voice them now so we can fix stuff before the event starts!

And if anyone is interested in helping please let me know

>>10483155
To add to this, if you don’t want to be matched with someone, please let us know on your form!
Matching is often taken care of by multiple volunteers looking through keywords, so it’s not always the same person looking over your application.

Joined last year for the first time and I had a good bit of fun putting together packages/letters for my secret santas and their interests! Also received wonderful letters/cards/gifts in return. I’m excited to come back again this year.

>>10482864
There should be a rule against gifting stuff like that

Form is up now, and will be for the next two weeks!

https://forms.gle/ni6ua4mHjgS9VU89A

>>10481067
There is only 1 Japanese lolita on this board?

>>10483223
Only one that wants to participate in Secret Santa last time. The rest might not have any interest in it, especially since its run by non-Japanese.

>>10481267
You cant do 150 tier you have to be 40 tier for first year nothing over

https://youtu.be/XSOds66nL2E

>>10481267
Haha you cant do 150 tier yet no matter how much brand you have. Sucks to be a newbie :)

Fuck I really want to participate to spoil someone, but don’t want to be paired with a cosplayer again..

>>10483242
I think you can choose to be paired with J-fash people no ?

>>10480582
I'm surprised there's never been any extreme grinching where someone after receiving something nice, sent hideously worn and yellowed clothes, scraps of clothing, tattered rags that might not have ever been clothes, or even balls of yarn and little plastic film canisters filled with thumbtacks instead of an actual item of appropriate value.

>>10483259
someone sent me their shitty non-brand ""himekaji"" crap one year that was pilled to hell and back. it looked like they had worn all the items while rolling around on sandpaper.

>>10483268
maybe it was a mistake?

>>10483259
I didn't get tattered rags but I did get a very cheap gift that was covered in grime. Never again, I only do secret santa with my comm now and things always go well.

>>10483273
nah, they sent accessories and stuff too and flounced all over the thread when i called them out.

First timer here. I was filling out the form and came across the question about my social media. I know it’s optional, do most of you gulls actually share that? After all this time being careful not to out myself on cgl it seems risky...

>>10483319
pathetic

>>10483319
I do, because everyone *who participates* is generally pretty positive despite this thread being 65% salt. It gives my gifters a way to look at how I style things, and when I get someone's socials, I try to draw them in a coord for their card. It also lets me be friends with my matches! out of my 3 gifters from last year, I'm now really good friends with one, and pretty good friends with the other

>>10483319
Remember that the people who run this can dox and shame you if you are patently malicious, its a good deterrent to that.

>>10483328
>>10483336
Ok, thanks. My first instinct was to list it but then I hesitated for some reason and wasn’t sure if it was like maybe a faux pas or something. I’m pretty new to cosplay and have been on cgl for like a year and have kept myself private because I suck at it, idk I thought people would laugh at me if they knew my social media and saw that? But thanks for reassuring me

>>10483347
It's a good instinct to have, Anon. Hope you get something nice! Nice to see new blood.

I had a dumb bitch moment, but I think I figured it out while looking through the rules. Fact check me please:

"Feedback" required for the higher tiers means on other sales platforms such as LaceMarker, eBay etc. It does not mean proof from previous years of participation in the /cgl/ secret santa threads.

I know I have both, but I really blanked out for a moment. If this could be clarified in the rules it might help other people, right?

I recall there were google folders with last year’s gifts pictures uploaded, anybody have the links?

>>10483552
For the higher tiers we included it incase people were not comfortable with just having those who had participated previously be allowed to do $150+. So there is an option when signing up for high tiers to state your match must also include feedback as well as be whitelisted. But it is not necessary to include both if you are fine with being matched with only others on the whitelist.

If that makes sense, Ill clarify it in the rules!

>>10483591
There is! I'll have a look, we updated it with last years I believe, but the folder is lost in my drive currently.. I'll post it once its found!

>>10483591
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16LJX1HRw9tsGnPCooQD3Rk9MbLvwFaAMw27XAsgn8AQ

>>10483626
>>10483591
Hit reply too quickly, spam filter doesn’t like the direct link to the album even with spaces. The link to the album is right at the top of the FAQ

>>10483319
I decided to share because I want to avoid getting items I already own.

>Does your country have any known shipping issues currently?

Fellow burgers, help me out. The only one I know of is the EMS issue.

>>10483739
You can ship from the US to anywhere, but I’m not sure about countries shipping to US except Japan with EMS.

>>10483740
Thanks pal. I wasn't sure.

Just signed up for $100+, $75-100, and $50-75 tiers. My first year doing the higher tiers was last year and it was a great experience so I'm excited to give it another go, especially since it seems like less people do them so there's always a need for more matches.

Idk how many to sign up for. I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket, but I don't want to stress myself out either. Last year was my first, so idk how much of the stress from last year was due to me not knowing what to expect vs. baseline. I definitely want to do one 100+, but I can't decide on how many cards or 15-25s to do.

Always have 50+ things on my mental wishlist and then when I get to the form and it asks for what I'd like to receive it all fades away fml

>>10483904
Should create a wish list to copy paste

>>10483905
Doing so right now, but I'm mostly stuck staring at it, nothing specific coming to me right now. I'm going to let it rest and come back to it later

>>10483904
lmao same
I just copy/paste the questions to a google doc that I've been working on for two days lmao

>>10483904
Fuckin mood right here. I had to open the form on my phone and keep coming back to it all day just to add stuff to my likes/aesthetics/wants.

>>10480582
When is the form open til?

>>10483911
>>10483999
I'm jealous. I want to start filling out that fun part already, but I'm still stuck deciding how many gifts/cards to do...

>>10484010
It's possible to go back in a Google form without loosing your answers. I filled out mine on Chrome on a computer and got paranoid I messed up my address on the first page. Just click back, check and go forward again. In your case you could pick some temporary answers to check out the next slide.

If you're scared, write your text answers in a separate document too.

>>10484010
Personally I opted not to do cards just because they're international and that's a headache at the moment.

>>10484010
I’ve done cards for the past 4 (!) years and if you like stationary you’re in luck. I normally do as many card tiers as possible bc I love sharing stickers and sending letters!

Also the most expensive card tier was to a euro gull (I’m US) that was like $2.50

>>10484016
>>10484054
>>10484356
thanks for the advice. i decided since i was getting so hung up on the very first step I should just stick to 1 match so I don't stress myself out overthinking.

>>10483194
I messed up my address, so I went back and edited my form. I hope that's not a problem. I don't see a contact email to notify in the FAQ.

>>10483319
I hand write my discord into the cards, but don't have normie socials that aren't just for family

Anyone else wonder if the organizer gulls secretly judge what you put in the form?

>>10483739
Japan can't ship via EMS, airmail or SAL to the US at the moment. Surface mail, DHL and Yamato are the only options

>>10484746
Unless you're asking for the ahegao tracksuit for Christmas, I don't think they'll judge you.. and yet now I'm worried because I put one of my more shameful interests on there.

>>10484746
I'm sure they are - they're only human. But I don't worry about it too much.

How many people have signed up so far? I'm curious to see if COVID is changing the numbers from last year.

>>10484746
Don't have shit taste
Problem solved

>>10484979
I am also curious
I wish I could see who’s already signed up so I don’t get paired with someone that has shit tastes but alas, I cannot.. Still debating on whether I want to take that risk or not.

>>10485052
the fun is entirely in giving the gifts. if my goal was to recieve something i really like, I'd buy it myself and skip the middleman.

>>10485067
This x100

>>10485052
if you just do 40, its not a lot to throw away. Giving is way more fun than receiving gifts too.

>>10485052
It's the giving that's the fun part, anon. If you're so worried about what you get then maybe you should just do cards.

Signed up for the $50-75 tier and some cards, first year trying it! If I get a good wishlist I’m definitely hoping to spoil my match a little.

>>10485245
May we not have Spoilgate again this year, my fellow spoil-gull.

>>10485248
spoilgate? context please?

>>10485251
Basically every year (especially last year) gulls that were super excited about how good their matches were all talked about how they were spoiling their giftees and how they'd gone over budget (for the under $100+ tiers) and some gulls got upset over it and tried to shame them with basic "think of the rest of us who now have to live up to the same expectations! Our giftees are going to hate us for not splurging!" complaints.

Usually it's not so bad but for some reason last year was terrible about it. Here's a good thread read if you want https://archive.rebeccablacktech.com/cgl/thread/10276527/#10286100

>>10485259
Some people haven't watched the episode of The Office where Michael puts an iPod in the Secret Santa and it shows.

>>10485067
>>10485076
>>10485241
Must have worded my post weirdly because I meant that I don’t want my match to have shit tier tastes because I’ll be unmotivated to shop for an ita.

>>10485364
The only one I've seen that has shit tier tastes was the one anon a few years ago that gifted expired food and used beauty products while bragging about it in the giftee's card. That's the utmost shit tier taste and we haven't had anyone since aside from the indie burando owner. The odds are in your favor.

>>10485381
Last year I remember seeing a post where someone asked if we were gifting bad dragons. Hope that anon doesn’t sign up.

So this is my first year and I thought I couldn’t go higher than the $40 tier, but to my understanding if I provide exceptional feedback (I’m a seller on Etsy), I can do the higher tiers? I just want to make sure.

>>10485485
You better not gift your shit

>>10485509
Don’t worry, I never planned to

>>10485509

If someone sells actually nice products on Etsy that genuinely suits someone's tastes, they should probably buy the actual gifts and stuff first and then just toss in their Etsy stuff as a freebie or to fill out the last $5 of a larger gift tier max? It's essentially a handmade gift, sort of, which idk whay the rules say about them.

>>10485512
And I’d only send it if they specifically want what I sell, and even then I’d only gift it as an added bonus.

>>10485358
I’ve seen it. I can’t sign up for the $100+ tier since I’m not whitelisted and idk what “exceptional feedback” means, but I just want to spoil a stranger (hopefully I get a lolita). If other people get offended that’s not my fault.

>>10485485
I want to say the answer is no. If you're doing it for the first time, it's mandatory to be in a lower tier. Next year you can do higher tiers via whitelist or feedback. I may be wrong though.

>>10485515
You can say you don’t want handmade items in the application. I said yes because I like handmade kawaii accessories so I don’t mind if they send me that. My stuff is manufactured and costs me $20-25 to make per item. I can’t keep it in stock for long and I would only gift it if I knew for sure it would make the giftee happy. Otherwise I’d rather have someone who actually wants it to buy it. I hope I get a sweet lolita though so I can spoil them with AP.

>>10485528
I hope they try to give lolitas together as much as possible. Obviously I’ll do my best if I get someone whose not but it won’t be as fun

>>10485523
>I'm gifting in a tier I haven't been approved for, and if someone doesn't like that, it's not MY fault.

>>10485528
i never price my handmade stuff like this. Just toss it in as extra.

>>10484746
Can’t really speak for other organizers, but honestly not really! I’ve been helping for a few years now and pretty much everyone has a weird hobby or thing they like, even if they don’t put it on the form.

>>10484979
As of right now we have 22, and the vast majority are people who have participated previously. I suspect we’ll get a lot more since people will have time to fill out the form over the weekend. Considering that we had 51 last year, 22 is right on track for normal numbers.

>>10485052
This is why we added a section on the form for pairing and matching requests. If you tell us what shit taste means to you, we can avoid pairing you with those people.

>>10485389
Thankfully we haven’t had any Bad Dragons show up or any mention of them after that. I was just assuming it was some crossboarder b8

>>10485485
As a general rule, yes, we restrict first year participants to the $40 tier. This is because first time participants sometimes have trouble grasping the concept or adhering to the shipping times, etc. If you would like to participate in a higher tier, please email cglSaltySnowball@gmail.com and provide your Etsy account and any other feedback that we can check. You could also put this on the form and we can contact you once it’s sent in, whichever you’d prefer.

>mfw I bought 5lbs of party-sized candies in preparation for this

Just about every year I get someone who sends me a fuckton of candy so it's finally my year to return the favor.

I can't wait to get my match. Reading the forms is the best!

>>10485636
What???? Last year I asked to be in higher tier and got SO much shit because I hadn't done it before and provided my store rep and everything and was told it didn't matter. 40 only.

Ugh.

>>10485259
Are you seriously trying to shame someone into not going the extra mile to make someone happy because you're this sour ? Seriously? They shouldn't be extra nice to someone because of YOU and other sour people???????


No. Spoil who you want to. I plan on spoiling my person .

>>10485950
on the other hand, it sounds like things are improving

NZ Gull reporting in!

NZ and Aus gulls please join! I spent over $100 shipping my $100+ gift internationally.. I'd love to send to a neighbour this time!

>>10485951
I think you misread my post. I spoil my giftees, I was just voicing that I hope we don't have the salty people again this year.

>>10485951
>>10485964
Every year this drama kicks off and the be all and end all is that nobody should EXPECT to be spoiled. And honestly I don't think anyone ever actually does expect it. Everyone goes in expecting to get the bottom - mid amount of their tier(s) and is thrilled if they receive more. Sure, there might be one or two salty bitches who compare and get annoyed they weren't spoiled, but the vast majority could not care less. People need to focus less on what other people are gifting and more on their own gifts.

Focus on your giftee happiness guys. It’s a holiday exchange.

Send happiness and you will receive happiness in return. (And maybe some bows)

>>10485987
i think it's mostly because of newbies

newbies not being able to sign up for as high of spending as they actually want and intend to do
+
newbies not knowing how common/uncommon spoiling is and therefore feeling insecure about whether their gift will be percieved negatively as doing the bare minimum unless they overspend

>>10486039
As long as they're not sending used nail polish and expired energy bars like that one anon then they should be fine.

Just a note for newbies - please please PLEASE check your emails and be present in the thread. If you won't check the thread at least once a week don't sign up. Often people have questions for their match or just want the reassurance their match exists. It's not difficult.

>>10485987
>>10486039
This could literally all be fixed by not capping tiers to begin with.

Just write them as "15 and up" "30 and up" etc. If the tiers have a cap, but it isn't required to abide by it, then it's pointless, and it only causes issues.

>>10486199
the syntax is not the issue

>>10486202
It literally is.

My friends and I do a Secret Santa every year, and we say the price is 20-25 No one brings a gift worth $50 because that's not what we've agreed on, and it would be awkward for other people. We gave a range, and you stick to it.

If the tiers simply said "X price and up," then it says the minimum you have to spend, and there's no maximum. You are free to give as much past that as you want or are comfortable with.

>>10486262
Please don't start complaining about spoiling giftees.

>>10486108
They should add this to the FAQ / form because I doubt the newbies will even read the faq.

>>10486262
you are free to give more than that anyway. it's already explained in the f.a.q.

>>10486366
Right, but I'm saying that if that's the case WHY are the tiers limited? It makes way more sense to just say X and up, and it stops people complaining about breaking the guidelines which apparently don't matter anyway.

>>10486377
nta but you are dumb as a brick. if it says that in the FAQ, then the tiers aren't limited. the FAQ literally explains what you are bitching about. the tiers only really exist to make sure people don't scam by making people graduate into the higher ones. it's obviously up to personal discretion how much they will spend over but the guidelines need to be there.

>>10486385
It literally doesn't explain it, but thanks for your input.

If the tier caps don't matter and aren't enforced, WHY ARE THEY WRITTEN.

>make sure people don't scam by making people graduate into the higher ones
??This isn't even a coherent thought and you're calling me dumb.

>>10486476
sorry you don't know how to read.

>>10486476
Maybe it’s just me, but who cares if someone goes over the price for the tier? As long as the minimum amount is spent then it seems like it’s fine.
For secret Santa amongst friends or coworkers you wouldn’t go significantly above the agreed upon amount because everyone knows each other and it could get awkward if just one person ends up with a much better gift than everyone else, but this is literally strangers. Feelings shouldn’t be hurt here since there’s no existing personal relationships involved.

>>10486476
>>10486377
My god, it's because you're looking at it wrong. The tiers are set up as GIFTEE EXPECTATIONS. For example: $25-35 tier. This lets the gifter know that $25 is the minimum and the average is $25-35 but you're welcome to do more. It lets the Giftee know if you sign up for this tier, this is what you're going to expect in gift value.

If the tiers were just $+ then inevitably someone would sign up for $25+ and wonder why they sent a $45 item and only got a $25 item in return.

Finally signed up for my first year after missing it the last two years! I'm excited to see who I will end up with and I apologize in advance for the obvious autism in my answers.

>>10486541
Not having a cap on the tiers literally sets the same expectation. The minimum is 25+ but you are welcome to do more. You can't say "the average is 25-35" because you don't actually know based on how many people spend above it.

>>10486654
you’re so extra anon. I love it

If there was anything ever not that deep it was the phrasing of tiers the original Santa team decided on like 5 years ago. Nothing has ever mattered less. If you’re really torn up about this I suggest a hobby.

>>10486692
honestly I’ve been thinking this for the past couple days

man there's drama in here and the registration hasn't even ended, if you're that stressed about a mere hypothetical situation don't join? Self care anons lol

>>10486712
I'm just hyped up to start shopping. Bought my first burando last year and it wasn't even for me. I want to buy some pastel frilly BtSSB for lolita gulls again because it's the only time I get to considering I'm an AatP wearer.

>>10486722
>considering I'm an AatP wearer.
good taste, anon. I hope we get each other B)

>mfw 2 weeks until matches are sent out

>>10486712

Well, they're bumping the thread at least...?

>>10480582
spend, Spend, SPEND!! Don't be greedy this year, give your match the very best your money can buy

>>10487282
Gift like 2020 is the end of our world as we know it.

>>10487547
a sacrifice

>>10487547
why because it is haha

Just to be clear, you get auto-whitelisted if you participated in previous years, correct?

>>10487612
I’m not an organiser so I don’t know, but I believe so, if you had no complaints against you - shipped on time, not under the price tier etc. I could be wrong.

Is there going to be a dedicated thread with the application at the top? Because it’s hard to find in this thread and less people may see it.

>>10487869
There's only four days until sign-ups end and I don't think we'll reach the max post limit before then.

Better to just refresh people's memories every now and again.


>sign-ups
>>>10483194

I really just want to hand make something for someone who will appreciate it, but really don't want anything in return. Maybe I'll wait and help with grinched gulls. I really want to tailor it to someone's tastes though.

>>10487955
bitch stop cramping my style! (i am doing so in real life though it's super gratifying feeling)

>>10487983
I bet! I already enjoy doing it for friends, but having a different taste to contend with is inspiring.

>>10487955
Grinched gulls would definitely appreciate this

>>10487955
there is a "handmade? yes/no/only if it's not the main part of the gift" question on the sign-up form plus a box where you can let the organizers know your matching preferences, so you could ask to be matched with someone who said yes to handmade, as long as your creations are high quality, and the gift you recieve would just be a bonus. personally, my crafts are not high quality, so i only include them as a bonus or as part of the card design.

Just signed up for the first time after lurking for years, I'm excited to spoil someone desu

>mfw I just quit my job today and I'm going to channel all that into spoiling giftees

I really want to do 150 plus tier twice this year..but every year I've done cgl Santa I get Chinese knock off stuff . For my entire gift.

>>10488155
You know you can write on your form that you don't want knock-offs?

>>10488155
Did you ever take pictures of what you received and post it in the thread or contact the organizers? I’ve been participating in this exchange for years and haven’t gotten anything that I’d consider a Chinese knock off...?

>>10488155
I feel like you're just making that up, cause if you'd actually joined before you'd know that you can't send more than one high tier gift and that its 100+ not 150+

and as >>10488160 & >>10488166 say its easily avoidable and all gifts are supposed to be posted in the thread so it'd have been noticed

>>10488262
To be fair last year there was someone pretending to be Santa, iirc, causing drama. There's someone out there with a massive vendetta against SS just talking absolute shit.

I participated last year and had a lot of fun. I enjoyed shopping for my gift tier match and liked my card-tier matches so much I included little gifts for them as well. In my own gift I got what's become one of my favorite accessories for this past year!

that being said, this year I'm really trying to save more because of changed life situations. but I'm torn between hoarding $$$ just in case vs doing something that feels nice and i know I will enjoy in a time of mostly stress/depression. I might just sign up for a bunch of cards instead this year as a compromise.

>>10488748
Probably another boarder or just someone that got blacklisted and is still salty. Maybe it's used-goods-chan.

Wasn’t sure when the deadline was but I was mulling it over and decided to sign up now. I hope I get paired with someone nice after last year, I really want to have fun buying for my giftee this year.

>>10488786
>wasn't sure when the deadline was
It was in the form in the attached link to the "FAQ, Rules, and Hints" everyone was supposed to read

>>10488872
In my defense I read the FAQ when it was first released

Will the form be available for the entirety of Monday? I really wanna sign up but I want to be sure I'll be able to collect all the info during all day without too much rush

>>10489411
I think you can just put the minimum amount of info and just re-edit the form with more in-depth stuff before the 20th.

>>10489411
Today is the deadline so I would assume you have all of today. I'm not sure which timezone the organizers are in but I would think they'd wait until Monday ended everywhere.

>>10489411
Yep! Available all day! Typically we cut it off once it has been the end of the day for all timezones!

And now we wait and plan..

I kinda want to do 2 people for the 100+ range, is it possible for me to ask to have two matches? I already sent my form

Last few hours for sign ups and form chnages!

>>10490048
Sorry, we are continuing with last year's rule of only one $100+ match per person. If you would like to adjust one of your lower matches or change any other tiers, you can edit your form or email cglSaltySnowball@gmail.com

Who else is awake making last-minute changes?

>>10490088
I decided to just go with what I had, otherwise I'd be overthinking it and probably change way too much for no reason.

>>10490243
I’m already over-thinking it and stressing now that it’s too late to change. I keep going back and forth between “I didn’t give any details or specifics and I’m going to get random stuff I’ll hate” and “ugh why was I being so picky, what a snob, it’s supposed to be open-ended not a shopping list”

>>10490265
Worst case, you can always give your ID when you get it and tell your gifters that they're welcome to ask you for more info.

>>10490265
This is basically why I linked my social media and I've spent the past few days doing "Secret Santa Inspo" collages of stuff I like just in case I forgot to write anything down.

>>10490053
ho

Sooo excited to see my matches!

>>10490053
Oh shit when did it close? I just finished work (I’m in Europe) and have been intending to sign up all day, I’ve fucked it

me hoping i get matched with a goff because i'll go insane gifting for another sweet lolita

>>10491100
A day and a half ago.

>>10490265
this, I feel worried everything is so specific and they’re going to hate me, but I was also really vague when it came to jfash so I’m low key flipping out and just want my gull info to spoil them this year already

>>10491126
you can message the organizers and ask to be matched with a goth! I'm a gothic lolita and asked to be matched with a sweet last year because I love gifting kawaii things that I myself would never use

>>10491100
RIP gull.

>>10491161
After matches are given you can always give your initials/country and tell your santas to let you know if they need more info or have questions?

>>10491185
thank god, i didn't want to spend hours sifting through coord shots to find anything decent for their wardrobe. sweet lolitas are so picky desu

>>10491100
Hey there, if you wouldn't mind sending an email to cglSaltySnowball@gmail.com, we'll see what we can do about possibly fitting you in. We are in need of more Euro gulls for some tiers, so it might work out.

>>10491185
>>10490265
If you want to add anything, feel free to let us know, or just post in the thread once matches are assigned.

>>10491185
i should do this but opposite because if i buy sweet items i'm going to wish i was buying them for myself. I'll save that idea for next year.

6 days left

Sorry in advance if I sound like a bitch in mine, I’m just dead from work. Every day.
Also desu I love when they are more specific so I know exactly what to get them, but i myself also worry about the problem of being too specific.

>>10491217
I'm not OP but I am a Eurogull (sort of), I've emailed in as I might be able to do more tiers if it would help.

>RE: Matches

I'll be sending a few people some emails about matching. Because a ton of people this year are wanting to only send within their country its making it a little harder! So I am emailing a few people who expressed some sort of flexibility, if they can't accommodate to those I'm struggling to match, I will then email the difficult ones and ask if they want to move tiers or drop it completely!

So pleeease keep watch of your emails so hopefully matching will stay on the schedule!

>>10491752
Thank you for all your hard work, especially this year. It's got to be way more difficult.

>>10491344
until matches go out?

>>10491798
According to the calendar.

>>10491804
Thanks for the image! I forgot to save it from the FAQ

>>10491804
waiting for my match like

>>10491804
God. I don't know how I missed changing the years on the 2 bottom dates..

Its ~supposed~ to be:

Int. Shipping Deadline 11 Dec 2020
Int. Shipping Grinch Check 31 Jan 2021

But the rest is correct!!!

..please forgive me!

I just wanted to say - I helped match a few years ago and it is HARD. It took forever - you think you’ve got a perfect match and oops, no person A is in Sweden and person B won’t ship outside of Canada, try again. It’s probably going to be particularly hard this year with everyone being cautious of corona shipping restrictions and noting who they don’t want to be matched with - good luck Santa team! We appreciate all the hard work you do!

>>10491752
You said you had problems with matching EU gulls, right? Which tiers are you having problems with? I might be able to switch if it isn't a high tier..

>>10491844
OP here.. is it horrible to say I didn't even notice?

>>10491906
Same. I helped out one year and it was difficult (but rewarding) so I can't imagine how much worse it is this year with all the restrictions.

>>10491939
It was for higher tiers! But I have contacted a few people who have agreed to move around! So hopefully it sorts all the problems!

Shouldn't be too much longer now til we can send matches out! (hopefully early)

>>10491973
We want early matches! I'm on the edge of my seat, worrying that every cheap auction I spot would be my match's dream dress or something. Thank you for your hard work, and please please please send out the matches as soon as you can!

>>10491906
i should have put in my notes that i am flexible and my matching choices are just preferences, not set in stone. will do that next year.

>>10491752
feelsbad.jpg because I am a burger so I can't help with euro matches

Fellow burger-gulls, where are you planning on getting gifts?

Usually my go to is From Japan but with EMS not being sent.. what do? Are there EMS alternatives??

>>10492304
Yes dhl

>>10492304
>>10492306
And DON’T use Fedex

>>10492306
Forgot about DHL. I barely use it because of the price hikes when they factor in the volume pricing rather than weight.

>>10492308
I've never used Fedex for international so that's good to know.

>>10492315
Fedex sent my package back to fromjapan in august. I had to pay over $100 return shipping. And my items have been queued for reshipment for over a month.

>>10492320
Christ. What a nightmare.

>>10492320
Rip anon that’s awful

>>10492304
I've been using Yamato when I can to get things to America, and it's been very fast/reliable so far, if you're willing to spend ~$30 per package. Wunderwelt will ship with it if you leave a comment in your order.

sweet lolita anon that lives in CA. sorry in advance but I know nothing about lolita. I can send you hella candies and pics of my niece tho if that’s cool

>>10492425
Get out of here with your trolling.

>>10492481
don’t reply to soup

>>10492425
Nah bro, I figured out two years ago that the best gift if you're not sure is to go with bows.

>>10492861

Just a reminder as we finalize everything, please make sure to check your provided email! We are working to process the last few applications, and may need to contact you regarding your application.

Waking up today was like waking up to Christmas morning. I'm so hyped and checking my emails every few hours.

>>10493418
Same!!!

>>10493418
I get paid tomorrow, and I really hope I have my matches by then so I can start shopping straight away!

>>10493418
Same, I’m ready to start ordering shit ASAP!

>>10493431
>>10493433
My wallet is absolutely going to hate me but with how shitty 2020 has been, I really want to splurge on gulls to try and make it end on a high note.

What happens if someone doesn’t like their match and drops out, are they banned? Guess grinching happens when someone doesn’t like their match, right. Do you guys do like a 3 day reroll or something? Could be interesting if a certain number of participants want a different giftee. Not really serious though just thinking hypothetically while I wait for my match.

>>10493475
Stop worrying, it will be fine. We've never done a reroll, and it would be unnecessarily taxing on the arrangers. This is done as a volunteer effort, and it seems quite sad to redo a match just because you don't "like them".

I did my first year last year, and I was paired with someone who didn't write that much or seem too interesting. Instead of whining I started looking through their Instagram. As it turns out, I found many likeable things by just investing myself into a stranger a bit! Please don't worry, because I'm sure you'll get a nice giftee to care about.

>>10493481
Just an additional side note for newbies - you can always ask your match questions in thread if their form is a bit vague!

>mfw I missed sign-ups as a crossboarder
>again

>>10493512
good.

>>10493475
We sometimes find out there's grinches but we've never had an incident like you're talking about. And yes, if you pitch a bitch fit over your match you're not welcomed back. You planning on grinching, gull?

>>10493516
I don't blame you

>that heart stopping moment when you get an email alert and it's just Uber Eats promoting liquor for Halloween

I just got my match and I'm really excited to shop for her! She has great taste.

>>10493571
Wow! Great way to make me furiously refresh my inbox! I'm happy to have this adrenaline even if you're a troll! I'm so excited!

>>10493579
Not a troll, I did just get my match and I’ve been shopping already! I might be one of the first since no one else has commented yet? But the matches are definitely getting sent out!

>>10493571
ugh, you lucky duck. I can't wait.

>>10493571
Did you get a lolita or a cosplayer? I'm really curious to see the ratio this year.

>>10493610
Yeah, how many people joined this year?

>>10493610
I’m a lolita and I got a lolita, I did specifically request to get matched with a lolita if possible.

So happy to see all this excitement! We're sending out the matches, please bear with us as we try and do them as fast as possible.

We'll publish some statistics in the coming days! Seems to be roughly the same ratio and numbers as last year, with approx. 75% lolita vs 25% cosplay.

>>10493631
Thank you for all the hard work!

Already buying stuff

fuck. I wasn't gonna do it, but the rest of yall got me so hyped that I'm obsessively refreshing my email too
E X C I T E M E N T

>>10493752
fuck x2. Just realized that I'll probably get my match last since both my first and last initials are at the end of the alphabet and santas are probably sending em out alphabetically

Oh man.. this year will be interesting. I feel like Goldilocks.

Person A wrote like 5 words. Person B wrote 5 chapters. Person C wrote 5 paragraphs.

>haven't gotten matches yet
>refreshing every 15 minutes
>suspense is killing me
I JUST WANNA SPOIL SOME GULLZZZ

>ID# 3013
You have a wishlist linked in your info and I can't access it, even after signing up for the site hosting it. Can you make a pic collage on your Instagram or a general list on your Twitter?

no matches yettt can't wait tho genuinely so excited

>>10493517
>You planning on grinching, gull?
How could i plan on grinching I didn’t even get my email yet. And my email said hypothetically you are taking things too seriously lol.

Everyone in $50 - $75 or $100+ you should have received your matches!

Everyone else.. we're getting there! Shouldn't be too much longer!

>>10493778
>in $50 - $75
I am and I still haven't....

>>10493778
>>10493780
Me too, and I'm carefully refreshing both my inbox and my spam filter.

>>10493780
>>10493783
>>10493778
Sorry.. my brain is melting already.. $75- $100 is sent..

$50 - $75 Yours are coming up now!

I need more caffeine.

>>10493786
Oh, that's an understandable mistake! Take care, Partyshark!

>>10493786
***$75+

***$50+

TYSM FOR YOUR WORK SANTAS!!! Reminder they are doing these hours for free....

I got my matches and I love them! Thank you for all your hard work!

gonna fart on every card I’m sending out to give it my personal scent

>>10493801
you joke about this but the other day I put my perfume on a gift to be cute but it oxidized weirdly and now I can't get the ass perfume smell out

Hi ID#3469! I can’t see your pinterest board. I tried going onto your pinterest profile and I don’t see it there either. Maybe it’s not public?

>>10493809
I hope I get one of your cards anon. I’ll never wash it!!

>>10493765
Try the link on my Instagram! I had my friend try it and it worked for her.

>>10493765
Oh, and make sure you’re on a laptop or desktop!

>>10493814
I'll make sure to use my non-nordic caveman perfume :)

i got my match, and I'm intimidated. she seems really cool. i feel like she would be disappointed with me for not scoring sweet deals. i will do my best.

My match is really laconic in everything she wrote and I left a fucking wall of text with shit ton of links and now I feel weird

>>10493756
Hopefully it's first name and not last name

>>10493835
I’m the first anon who posted that I got my match, my name begins with A

>>10493512
Sign up for grinch duty anon
Also lurk moar

>>10493818
The link through your Insta worked, thanks.

Hey SANTAS
Thanks for being so cool and considerate in your email. I considered responding directly back to you nerds but didn't want to swamp your inbox.

3483 and 4504, you gulls wanted bows, right?

I got my match and I love them so much I'm so excited to shop for them. They love cats just like me.

New thread here!

>>10493856

>>10493849
I'm 4504, I think I included my email if you wanted to inbox me directly, whuch id love!
hopefully I didn't destroy your brain with too much badly structered text. Editing on my phone wasn't fun

Bows are so NOT kawaii santa

>>10493849
Hey can you actually contact me ?I listed my email in my form for you. I realized I sent you a complete old list as my current wish list..and the list I sent you is of stuff I already have and itd be awful if you spent money on that stuff...I can send you the proper list. Im such an idiot.