/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

Oh!!!!!!!! I'm really happy there is a secret santa this year, I assumed there wouldn't be with the last threads just dying out and such, and someone sort of confirmed to me in another thread recently that they weren't gonna do it again, and personally I'm unable+too lazy to organize it

I will sign up, this is my first time, but I really want to try to make a great card for someone

i am not doing it anymore because you guys are shit. stop letting karl in. stop letting any crossboarders in period. and actually hold grinches accountable.

>>10682257
Supposedly bans have been implemented based on feedback/surveys. I'm interested in trying for the first time in at least the card tiers and packaging handmade cards with cute presents for whoever I'm matched with. Idk about actual gift tiers even the lower ones as a beginner considering how picky/ungrateful everyone got over their own gifts after Karl and Puvi drama started dominating last year's threads (again).

Also out of curiosity as this is my first time being interested enough in joining to read through the rules: has not being allowed to specify only brand always been a rule? You could still kind of do so by saying no taobao, indie, or handmade in your dislikes so what's the point when some people are really into just one brand or generally wear brand-only?

Yay! Definitely doing this year as well, my experience last year was great for my tier. I'm excited to spoil some gulls.

Oh boy I can’t wait for it to be another shit show just like every other year thanks to incompetent people running it

>>10682275
Not excusing any incompetence but at least people are volunteering to do all the organizing. The issue was always the people who were being allowed to participate who didn't contribute appropriately, not the organizers themselves. And people trying to be nice and not wanting to cause drama led to issues with them saying what they really wanted or what problems they had causing it all to snowball downhill. As long as the bans that were discussed actually happened it should all be fine.

Though I personally think the handmade items still being allowed and the price basically being determined the maker is an oversight desu, I think anything handmade you make yourself should be extra or reserved to card tier. Otherwise buy it from elsewhere and support another handmade artist, don't just use your own products as free filler, even if they're decent products.

>>10682279
I don’t care if they’re volunteering if they’re shit at what they do

>>10682279
>>10682268
Quit typing so obviously if you're going to samefag. Also >>10682286 let people who are competent volunteer.

>>10682288
It's not samefagging to reply to different posts normally.

>>10682257
Crossbo/a/rder here. I'm going to buy you so much AP.

I'm def going to participate even if shipping to burgerland costs more than a gift itself

>>10682268
I think we should ban Puvi because she blatantly ignored her giftee's request and just used her to dump excess stock onto.

>>10682322
>AP
Gross

>>10682414
Puvi also got matched with the same girl for like four years in a row because of shit organizers too kek

When you enter the secret Santa and send out something reasonable and they send out a fucking dragon dildo

>>10682471
Tinfoil- puvi IS an organizer and is doing it intentionally.

>>10682478
Dragon dildos are expensive and as long as it isn’t like the huge ones that I can’t fit in either hole I don’t even know if I’d complain.

>>10682479
Peak kek if true

>>10682482
But I’m a boy

>>10682478
Honestly a dragon dildo (in good/new condition) is a great gift. It's normally expensive and a fantastic conversation piece. You can't be mad at one, it just wants to be a dildo.

>>10682486
Fuck off

>>10682257
This. My recipients are ungrateful pieces of shit which is ironic because they grinch. It's happened two years in a row. And karl is still allowed somehow.

>>10682486
So what? You have a hole.

>>10682641
No.

>>10682268
Bans are indeed being enacted based on survey data. Pic related is the summary of responses regarding banning Karl. Interestingly enough, there were some fairly long responses both for and against banning him.
We won't be posting all of them due to not wanting to start drama, but some responses include:

>"Well-intentioned and seems nice, but that's not good enough to make up for him essentially grinching and disappointing gulls year after year. Doesn't seem to learn, despite his willingness to do so."
>"He seems to mean well but at some point you start to wonder. Incompetence may outweigh good intents if you lack the ability to improve. And maybe for the good of the event overall, if no one wants to join if he's there, he should be removed."
>"The problem is not with him, but his lack of familiarity with the fashion. It's like getting a gift from a well intended but uneducated relative."
>"No. He is indeed a bit of a hapless guy, but he's openly apologizing for his mistakes and offering to fix them at his own cost."

Anyways, dropping to card tier did win out over a small margin over outright ban, namely due to some responses saying "Yes, or drop to card only tier", or "No, but drop to card only tier"

Grinches are indeed being held accountable, however the most we can really do is ban the person and find them a volunteer willing to send a gift. Many volunteers don't have a ton of spare income, and can only manage a small gift.


To answer the second part
>has not being allowed to specify only brand always been a rule?
This has been a rule since 2017 or 2018-ish I believe, after some conflict surrounding gifting brand and if it is to be expected at lower tiers, or if at any tiers. Some anons felt it wasn't appropriate to say that you only wanted to receive brand when in the lowest tier for example, and others were dealing with a postal strike that meant more of the gift would be purchased locally.

>>10682203
I participated in every Secret Santa except for the previous round, and made great penpals who I keep in contact with since then.

Now I'm more familiar with using an SS for Taobao and Fril, so I can buy better quality items for my gulls compared to the first year.

I'm surprised Karl is still participating. I hope he has improved since the cookie-cutter incident but it seems that he is still missing the mark.

Will we be breaking it down by continents again? Or will it be opened up internationally?

>>10682414
In the poll we also included a question about banning Puvithel. She did not participate last year, nor do any of us know her, but thank you for the kek >>10682479
Many people who said no to banning Puvithel expressed that they feel the new indie brand rules would adequately cover any potential bad gifts.
Some responses include:
>I believe some changes should be made when people gift stuff from their own brand. The items gifted should be valued at manufacturing cost, not retail cost.
>Perhaps further group discussion is needed about indie designers participating and gifting items not related at all to their brand. They should be shopping from scratch like the rest of us and not running to the pile of unsold merchandise they are sitting on to give as a main gift.
>There isn't much "thought" to be put into a gift if it's all from a single certain free catalogue essentially.

>>10682471
This was a very unfortunate mistake which happened basically because different organizers did the matching every year, and in some instances the previous year's matches did not get passed along to the new team. Generally there is a different organizational team every year, with different ways of matching and selecting people. One year the group tried to create an automated tag system, but this year will be sorted to a similar manner as last year.

Anyways, with that all said, popular votes dictates she will no longer be participating.

>>10682751
>>10682268
I'm curious now. What did Karl do?

>>10682754
Just to clarify- based on popular vote, *if* Karl signs up this year, he will be restricted to only cards. He will not be participating in gifts, and we do not know if he will even sign up this year.
There is a part on the form where you can indicate any people you don't want to be matched with too, if you want to let us know for your application.

As for the second question, there are still many shipping restrictions in place worldwide, therefore we will try to match participants as geographically close as possible.
Participants are still free to indicate on their forms if they wish to be matched only with certain countries, not with certain countries, or within a certain shipping zone. Whatever suits your budget and preferences. If your requests cannot be met, we will contact you before matches are sent out.

>>10682756
Last year his giftee received like 20 bows from Claire's or somewhere similar.

>>10682648
This man was born without an anus

One more for now, with the poll question being "Should cross-boarders/ random males with little /cgl/ interests be allowed to join?".
Despite the talk on the threads, we actually very rarely have blatant crossboarders and/or random males (or even random females) sign up. The vast majority of participants mention several /cgl/ interests on their forms (whether it be in the info just for the organizers, or for their Santa to see), even if their actions in the exchange indicate otherwise.

As one respondent said:
>"It's important that non-J-fashion participants don't feel discriminated against. /cgl/ may have shifted more towards J-fashion lately, but be careful to not let that turn into a tyranny of the majority. Everyone on /cgl/ should have the same ability to join without feeling excluded. Another thing to consider is that /cgl/ isn't just for cosplay and J-fashion, it also covers the interests of handcraft, LARP and cons. Maybe some effort should be made to somehow include those people too. As for the actual question itself. Let people join, but don't match up people who know nothing about the board topic with people with difficult wishes that require taste. The rules are probably fine as they are. What's a crossboarder though, I wouldn't consider /cgl/ my main home but I do visit it. I do think that the ideal should be that people who feel some belonging to /cgl/ (such as myself) should be able to join."

Do I email the organizers to provide seller feedback? I'm a long time lurker of the secret Santa threads, but want to finally participate this year

I’m signing up because the organizers do a lot of work, and I want to make my giftee happy.

>>10682328
Really.
I was only thinking of joinging a lower tier, but the cost difference between $15 and $60 is probably not that great when you factor in shipping. So when it costs almost the same no matter what tier, I feel like you might as well go high.

I can promise I won't do that though, but I feel like my lack of knowledge and fear of disappointing the recipient is a bigger factor than cost, well cost is also bad but if you enter a gift tier it WILL get expensive.
(not speaking from experience because I've never entered before but the shipping seems expensive)

>>10682751
>>10682773
Oh no my responses were counted and not only that they are getting shared
In last year's threads I expressed regret that I responded when I hadn't participated, and hoped my responses would be thrown away, I also lack the ability to form my own opinion and some of my responses where maybe a bit too shaped after the overall opinions in the threads but at least thankfully it looks like the votes weren't close enough that I became the deciding person

letting karl in at all is why i won't do it anymore, even for cards. the person running this should someone who cares about the board and OP clearly doesn't. i hate people who keep encouraging him.

>>10682758
hahaha what. any archive link to that?

>>10682810
THIS. The organizers and volunteers are running this too democratically. It's a private board event, have some backbone. OP has been actively ruining the event since he took over. (If anons can't tell SaltySnowball is definitely a man) I wish you would fuck off and let someone competent run it for once.

>>10682755
You can make as many excuses as you want but everyone can see that each year the people in charge of running it are incompetent.

everyone whining about how we should be easier on the volunteers can fuck off right now. if anything, volunteers should be held to a higher standard since they are actively taking away the spot from someone who will do a good job. no one has to volunteer or even put on the event in the first place so if you choose to do it, do it right or let other people do it instead. i'm not going to participate for all the reasons that were listed already. this newer secret santa in the past few years feels more like a generic reddit secret santa. the fact that the organizer doesn't realize you can just implement brand requests for the higher tiers to solve the issue is telling. trying to make everyone happy makes everyone unhappy including you. the event needs to be cgl centered, not just on the board.

>>10682810
The worst Karl can do this year is give a crappy card oh no. He got grinched last year, so I doubt he'll join again anyways.
>>10682858
There are probably enough Anons that will join this year that your opinion doesn't matter. All being harder on the Volunteers will do is kill the secret santa event for /cgl. I hear other boards are not doing SS this year for that reason.

Just look at the prior years and decide if you still wish to participate. Use your own judgement, Gulls. Rather than shut it down.

>>10682876
You can go off trip as much as you want but you're too obvious about your samefagging/wking.

>>10682876
>enough Anons that will join this year that your opinion doesn't matter.
i was in the prior years and before the new team started it was a lot better, slightly smaller in scale, but more focused. The new organizers aren't from the board and you can tell. You also are clearly not from the board yourself with your weird spacing.
>>10682876
>I doubt he'll join again anyways.
He will, do you guys not know who he is? We were trying to tell you idiots who he was before and you keep ignoring the people on the board.
>I hear other boards are not doing SS this year for that reason.
Who cares about other boards? We are talking about this one. Stop pretending you know anything about the board.

>>10682876
you're the kind of anon who thinks we should hide threads we don't like instead of kicking them off the board, aren't you. why are so many of you defending karl? is karl an organizer or something? fuck off.

>>10682888
Is /cgl just a Lolita board to you?
Watch out for rule 2 amigo.
>>10682891
I wish I had as much holiday joy as you.

Karl doesn’t “mean well”. He purposefully puts low effort into his gifts because he thinks it’s funny. Same for his cards. Imagine sensing out a Kira Imai card or something and receiving his low effort garbage that looks like a first grader made it in 2 minutes. Just fucking ban him, you spineless dipshits.

>>10682914
*sending out

>>10682914
This.

>>10682914
The organizers are moids so you can’t expect them to do the logical thing when it comes to defending another moid

>>10682921
This. Why else do you think OP keeps dropping trip to defend himself like >>10682909. I think we should have a separate lolita/jfash only secret santa. If anyone will help me I would be willing to do one.

>>10682927
Please do this.

>>10682927
Please do

>>10682927
I'd be interested in participating in jfashion only as well.

I wonder if we have secret santa stats for how many grinches or bad gift givers from previous years are jfashion vs cosplay vs larp, handcraft, etc. the larp cgl peeps strike me as the most 'honorable' desu.

Omg why does this happen every year? Each year we have have organised we have requested assistance, out of those years we have had help and insider input from others ONCE. As I say every single year, if you have an issue with the way it's run, fucking volunteer to help so you can change it.

"Oh but you guys organise it every year" I had full intention of dropping it this year because of everyone saying we are 'incompetent' and I really can't be fucked with the constant bitching, but it got to October and there wasn't a single mention of SS nor had anyone contacted me for the info to pick it up and take over. Meaning if we were going to have one, we had to organise it again or there wouldn't be one as time would run out to get it going.

For all those complaining, PLZ, if you want to organise it instead EMAIL US!!! I am happy to pass all the info over, I am not holding it hostage..

>>10682974
> As I say every single year, if you have an issue with the way it's run, fucking volunteer to help so you can change it.
>REEEEE BE GRATEFUL FOR THE SHIT I TELL YOU TO EAT

Kek. Way to try and say your own incompetence is everyone elses fault. You should have dropped it you whiny incompetent retard. It would be better not to have SS than to have you morons in charge.

>>10682974
> Omg why does this happen every year?

Because you keep being shit and having other shit people help you.

>>10682974
>out of those years we have had help and insider input from others ONCE
We have constantly been telling you to ban Karl and Puvi, and you still went and put it to a vote like some kind of retard. You really saw multiple instances of picrel and thought “yeah, that seems fine!” Are you fucking stupid? Stop trying to act like it’s somehow our fault that YOU won’t listen.

>>10682976
>>10682978
Wow. the entitlement. This is why no one does shit for the lolita community.

>>10682983
Kek it literally looks like it was written and drawn by a retard. Partyshark must also be regarded to think this isn’t a bannable offense

>>10682985
Partyshark isn’t a lolita and he isn’t doing it for lolitas. If he was he wouldn’t let Karl do this shit again and again. And do you really want someone handing you a pile of shit even if it’s “for the lolita community”?

Just asking for clarity if you can or can not purchase items on the aftermarket for this?

I signed up for the first time last year after lurking for the previous ones and I got lucky on both ends with my SS. However, that Karl debacle is concerning and understandable as to why so many gulls are outright refusing to join this year (can’t remember what I answered on my survey, most likely ban or keep him in the card tier). I’m curious about volunteering but with the way the organizers are acting and how vicious some gulls can get, not sure if it’s worth the time or stress…

>>10682974
>do a shit job
>people say you do a shit job
>do nothing truly effective to do a not shit job
>people continue to complain
>Omg why does this happen every year?

I wonder why

>>10682985
Oh fuck off. That isn’t “entitlement”, it’s wanting basic modding. I would rather literally not have a SS than have you in charge. No one wants to be given garbage after they spend a lot of thought coming up with a nice gift.

>>10682987
This isn’t the first time either. He obviously just thinks it’s funny if he keeps referencing these prior shitty gifts with similarly shitty and minimal effort.

>>10682998
and minimal effort *cards.

>>10682985
I know right, every year I do this I pray I don't get a Lolita.

>>10682998
To be fair I'd use the scrunchies. Value though that's a disappointment.

>>10683008
That was the $120 tier. More than a “disappointment”.

Here’s the $30 tier. Anyone sensing a theme? Why would you even want a card from this asshole when he’s blatantly laughing about his low effort trash?

>>10682998
You could literally buy all of these off of AliExpress for like $10

>>10683006
No Lolita wants to have to gift some cosplayer either. These are totally different hobbies and I wouldn’t know where to start. Literally just let us gift each other, this isn’t fucking rocket science.

>>10683006
You should never get a "Lolita", you have to be 18 to post here. If you get matched with a lolita or jfashion wearer we aren't that hard to please, you just have to not send children's shit and read their interests/ask questions if you're in a gift tier and listen like a normal person for secret santa. If you're card tier and get a lolita it's so easy, just buy a Kira Imai postcard or BTSSB one, preferably Christmas themed and even if they're a gothic or classic lolita they'll be grateful you tried desu. Karl is just so low effort and intentionally mocking his giftees and is a creepy /fit/izen who just comes here to look for a gf and ruin ss every year.

>>10683011
The dipshit went to Nordstrom and blew $120

>>10683017
>going to a normie store for secret Santa with a lolita

Should have been banned just for that desu

>>10683015
Why is he even matched with lolitas year after year??

>>10683031
Because Partyshark is an incompetent faggot

>>10682983
I'm the recipient of this card tier gift. It feels weird to have it posted again. I still have that ridiculous texas bow for decoration, and I smile whenever I see it. It was a thoroughly enjoyable card to me. I guess Karl is awkwardly protected since other anons like me enjoy the same type of shitty humour?

I'm on the fence for joining this year, due to personal finances, meaning feeling broke and stupid. (I hope this will wear off before the signup deadline).

But I also want to raise the fact that I've never had any issues with the organisers and think they do a fantastic job. Merry Christmas to all anons who want to spread the Christmas cheer!

>>10683031
cause moids ruin everything that's why

>>10683034
You're either the organizers larping as the recipient or too nice. And for card tier when there's no real expectation for anything but a decent card sure this wasn't the worst, but a girl getting $120 worth of children's bows and cash (which is not exactly illegal but USPS and anyone with a brain STRONGLY recommends against sending cash in the mail) when she actually sent nice stuff to Karl is a slap in the face. And his tired joke and childlike handwriting just make it feel like the organizers literally perceive him as a low functioning autist with mental defects they only let participate so he won't feel bad.

Puvi deserved her ban though she didn't participate after 2 years ago when stuff went down but Karl should have been banned or forced to only shop for other cosplayers so he couldn't pretend his ignorance was an excuse. His cards were the same lame 'joke' and his presence is driving people away with actual good intentions from wanting to participate, especially since he was allowed to ruin a higher tier like $120 with his garbage.

>>10683034
Numerous other people were not happy with these low effort gifts, so “sense of humor” is not a valid excuse for why the fuck he keeps being paired with lolitas.

>>10682257
I just happened to be browsing the secret santa thread and am rolling on the floor laughing out of shock that you guys are still dealing with Karl. Don't know if this is information anyone is aware of or not

That first year he joined secret santa, he actually joined a discord I was once in, and asked for advice on the gift. A lot of gulls gave him some great solid help, but the incident still happened.

We ended up banning him down the road as a gull saw he posted his whatsapp contact information in a feels thread, soliciting some anon with medical issues. Asking if she would be his girlfriend in exchange for him paying medical bills.

There was a hilarious amount of other cringe things he did in the group.

He always came across to me as a guy that just wants "4chan kawaii jfash girlfriend uwu x3", but never bothering to put any effort.

Well, if people really do want Karl outright banned, we'd be fine with implementing this. Fuck it, he’s banned now.
>>10682998 was from the first year he participated, nobody knew what we were in for. Since his gifts did not improve as he promised they would, we’ll proceed to not allow him to participate in the event anymore.

The overall diplomacy of this event has evolved partially from participants complaining that cosplayers and non-J-fashion interests are being squeezed out/ have become second-tier.

Honestly, if someone wants to take over and run it, we'd be more than happy. I've been volunteering for years in various roles, and every year just gets more salty. Personally, I have better things to do than stick around for people who probably aren't even participating (Soup?) trying to stir up any drama they can.

I would like to participate this year but I dont trust people with irl info

Well, if people really do want Karl outright banned, we'd be fine with implementing this. Fuck it, he’s banned now.
>>10682998 was from the first year he participated, nobody knew what we were in for. Since his gifts did not improve as he promised they would, we’ll proceed to not allow him to participate in the event anymore.

The overall diplomacy of this event has evolved partially from participants complaining that cosplayers and non-J-fashion interests are being squeezed out/ have become second-tier.

Honestly, if someone wants to take over and run it, we'd be more than happy. I've been volunteering for years in various roles, and every year just gets more salty. Personally, I have better things to do than stick around for people who probably aren't even participating (Soup?) trying to stir up any drama they can.

>>10683041
This. It was even rehashed last year that Karl was only on cgl to creep around for a gf because he's fucking weird.

>>10683046
>(Soup?)

soup is just a namefag who likes to make silly posts. he's harmless desu unless newfags who don't know who he is take his replies seriously.

>>10683046
Thank you goddamn hallelujah

>>10683046
remember gulls if you want problems solved on this board you have to bully someone until it's fixed. not even being sarcastic.

>>10683034
Hi Karl

>>10682998
>>10683009
>>10683011
My favourite part is that you leave out the majority of the story, and quite literally yes, that was the first time he did it. The year with the cookie cutters was Uncle Trev who was then whitelisted by previous organisers.

Here is the Karl timeline for any dramu seekers
>Karl joins SS and get matched with a Lolita as they both had similar other interests.
>Karl freaks out and buys a fuckton of bows (from an overpriced store, but still within/ over the gift budget)
>Karl feels bad after being ripped apart by gulls and buys a new gift. Gift is good, has Lolita and gifts actually from the Anons interests.
>Karl is allowed to join again, but I pair him with MYSELF incase he freaks out again. Did not want him to ruin another gulls Christmas.
>Karl gets me a cool gift with stuff from my wishlist with zero help.
>Okay sweet, he can be released to the wild again.
>Karl buys weird gift for giftee 1, they end up being given a Grinch volunteer, Karl possibly sends another gift? (I will have to check emails)
>Karl's giftee 2 freaks out in thread regarding their partial gift despite being told numerous times it was coming in parts (due to them giving links to weird reseller websites that Karl bought from) half the shit doesn't show up, Karl buys replacement gifts, giftee freaks out again cos it's not what they wanted, original gifts arrive to Karl and he sends them to giftee anyways.
>Uncle Trev who was whitelisted by previous organisers Grinches Karl. (Redemption, for all you screeching gulls)

Karl is now banned anyways by popular demand, so can we plz have a nice festive event??

>>10683048
Nah I know who Soup is, I meant that I think it’s him doing most of the samefagging and replying to himself, as he usually does. He likes to shit up SS threads every year.

>>10683062
ayrt, and as a lolita trust me many of us are really offput by the karl scenario, so this situation is definitely not soup.

>>10683046
> I've been volunteering for years in various roles, and every year just gets more salty.

Because you are all incompetent retards who have dropped the ball every year.

>>10683062
>It’s some namefag, it’s totally not people upset at how badly we fuck up every year! Not our fault!

You are delusional

>>10683060
No, fuck off, I'm too nice like >>10683038 says. Since he's banned now there's no further problems, so could we all stop beating the dead horse already?

... I really am too nice for this board, aren't I?

>>10683066
> Since he's banned now there's no further problems

Karl was only one of the problems. And it took fucking years of complaining to get him banned even though he was a gross scrote trying to get a gf

>>10683066
>... I really am too nice for this board, aren't I?
nah we need nice people around so people who are unnecessarily rude and combative get reminded how angry they always are and tone their shit down. Don't waste your breath defending Karl though whether you're truly the giftee or not.

I personally think secret santa participants should just be organized based on interests and only get gifts in that interest maybe. Like anime/cosplay/itabaggers in one category, lolita and jfashion in another, and larp/traditional or crafty stuff in another.

>>10683061
Uh huh and which gift in that timeline was all this normie garbage?

Can you explain why he keeps being matched with lolitas?

>>10683070
That was mine.. things from my wishlist.. things I said I liked.. $50 tier if I remember correctly?

>>10683061
We can have a nice festive event when you and Salty Cum Guzzler hang up your hats

>>10683070
When you sign up you can ask for "people in my hobby" or "people with my interests" He had been matched with "people with my interests" who happened to be lolitas.

Bad gifts were fixed, or giftees given Grinch volunteers and now he is banned. So does it really matter anymore?

>>10683075
Yes, it matters that you have consistently fucked up every year.

>>10683075
>Bad gifts were fixed, or giftees given Grinch volunteers and now he is banned. So does it really matter anymore?

This started because he wasn't banned. Now that he's banned I agree it's no longer productive to complain since that was resolved.

>>10683062
>I meant that I think it’s him doing most of the samefagging and replying to himself
I'M NOT A GIRL I DONT START DRAMU.

I'M SUEING YOU FOR DEFAMING MY INTEGRITY ON THIS BOARD ABOUT DRESSING UP IN CARTOON AND DRESSES

poor soup can't even join in on the festivities because the people in power HATES on poor soup for no reasons. shame on (you). bad cop no donut.

>>10683082
>>10683062
aww poor soup how can you do him like that? you're really emphasizing the salty in your name saltysnowball. as a gull that participated in this event for many years already I am sadden. I will not be participating this year. *sigh* :(

>>10683085
Plot twist this post is actually salty LARPing as soup to defame him

>>10683088
kek probably. everyone knows the best reason to larp as soup is to make soup sperg out though

I don’t get it. Organizers are agreeing to go with majority result from participants via polls. The few people who are unhappy with the result, scream and cry. Do you guys even participate?

>>10683094
Hi Partyshark

IT WASSSSSS A JOKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

I'll never be able to join in on secret santa now because I'll get blamed for the bullying.

>>10683046
>>10683094
wtf was the point of me taking the time to vote and write thoughtful feedback if the organizers are just going to flip their decision based on the screeching of the loudest retard? this is 4chan, there are a lot of retards. if you roll over for each of them, you're going to be busy for a while.

>>10682909
>/cgl
fucking leddit

>>10683168
Who is disappointed except for you, Karl? No one wants low effort garbage that a young child could make.

>>10683184
>No one wants low effort garbage that a young child could make.
I think people would want it from an actual child, but not from a grown as creepy rando dude who was supposed to do better than that and is getting hundreds in gifts himself.

>>10682927
This please. I want to join a lolita/cgl only gift exchange with no karl, soup and puvi.

>>10683168
Fuck off Karl. Nobody wants you or your trash gifts

>>10683188
YOU ARE LYING I NEVER DONE SECRET SANTA BEFORE. YOU ARE TEARING ME APARTTTTTTT ANON

>>10683225
Poor Soup. I'd send you some split pea and some clam chowder, fren.

>>10683230
GOD DAMN IT I HATE CHRISTMAS. I NEVER GET WHAT I WANT

you guys know this thread isn’t just like the same 5 people, right.

hi im soup im gay and i want soup for christmas boiling hot in an envelope for ss pls

grrr you're making me very angry woof woof
>>10683246
>>10683253

>>10683258
WAIT FUCKER I MEANT AWOO AWOO
cause you know, I'm a STRAIGHT lone wolf sigma male

Fine, if you want to bitch and bitch, fuck y’all. Karl’s back.

Fine, if you want to bitch and bitch, fuck y’all. Karl’s back.

>>10683264
We know. You’ve brought him back year after year after year despite his enormous fuck-ups because you know him or something.

while we are on the topic of banning, let’s just go ahead and ban soup too!

>>10683264
don't want to have a reputation as a useless fuck, don't be a useless fuck.

>>10683264
>people complain about Karl
>you ban him
>people celebrate and thank you, shitting on Karl some more
>you reverse the ban
Makes perfect sense! What a great mod! Definitely joining this year!

>>10683290
>>10683286
>>10683267
not the right trip bakas
>>10683283
leaf me alone

>>10683264
Stop impersonating me.

>>10682974
Friendly reminder to read trip IDs and ignore Soup talking to himself.

If you do want to join and this absolute shitshow puts you off, please feel free to email us directly with any genuine concerns. Emails are listed in the above link in the rules and form.

I think I will more or less ignore the rest of the thread.

>>10683304
>ignoring valid complaints due to some shitposting

This isn’t even the first time you’ve done this. Last year you got pissy over someone shitposting as a helper too. You’d think you’d learn to just ignore that part and listen to the participants already. But you clearly don’t want to listen to participants since it took THIS long to kick Karl out

>>10683304
stop bullying me before I start my own secret santa and exclude you!

>>10683304
Just step down already. You don’t want to handle peoples complaints and now you don’t even want to read the thread? You are not cut out for this, and you’ve proven that by failing every year.

FFS if you don’t like the organizers, don’t participate and stfu. No one wants to hear your bitching. We want to have a festive Christmas exchange.

>>10683336
This. Put up and take over, or shut up and dont participate. If your concerns have been so ignored, then don’t sign up. If organizers are that incompetent, then shit you should be able to do a better job no problem

>>10683339
>>10683336
>REEEEE STOP POINTING OUT ISSUES REEEEEE

I didn’t know partyshark was a dude. Makes me appreciate men a tiny but more now, they helped me in a previous year. But I’ll still be participating, I look forward to card exchanges every year.

>>10683184
>>10683211
>there are 21 votes to keep ksrl in card tier, but he must be the only person posting
delusion

Damn I was interested, but I guess I'll join /a/'s Secret Santa.

>>10683344
You keep bitching about how awful and stupid the organizers are, what’s going to change that besides someone else taking over?

>>10683304
>ignore Soup talking to himself.
NICE PROJECTION

at least I'm self aware of my cringe holy shit

>>10683400
The complaining accomplished Karl being kicked out so you can’t act like it’s not doing anything

>>10683366
Again, no one actually wants him to be their SS, even for a card. See >>10682983 . A literal child could do better and put more thought and effort into it.

As to why he keeps being given lolitas, that’s the pure sheer incompetence of the organizers.

>>10683513
the organizers are clearly just guys from offboard. i still can't believe no one vetted them and just let them organize shit as if we can't do it.

>>10683513
It sounds like Karl is one of the organizers at this point desu

>>10683553
Hard agree. I’ve been suspecting this since last year

>>10683045
Same

>>10683562
If the organizers weren’t moids I would trust them more but like hell I’m gonna give my name and address to men off 4chan

>>10683045
>>10683562
>>10683563
I'm more afraid of doing a poor job and being called out on here by name than someone posting my address. I don't think anyone's been doxxed, even if they gave out shitty gifts.

>>10683567
Hi PartyShark

>>10683574
How the fuck does being afraid of participating make me Partyshark? He's in it every year. Why would he even be discouraging people from joining his SS? None of this makes sense.

>>10683567
that has fuck all to do with the shitty organizers. why would you trust any other stranger to organize it if this was your concern.

>>10683583
I never said it has to do with the organizers, retard. I'm just pointing out why I personally am afraid of joining in general. Same as the people scared of giving their addresses out to their SS.

>>10683581
Fine. Hi Karl

>>10683588
Why Karl even be afraid of those things? If he was so afraid of big bad lolitas calling him out by name, he would've stopped forcing himself on our community after the first year.

Honestly anon, use your brain please.

>>10683590
BECAUSE it happened to him, retard

>>10683591
So he kept coming back year after year and trying to be paired with lolitas BECAUSE he was so afraid? You’re truly a genius

So how many people participate each year?

>>10683594
Last year it was in the 50s, but some people gift more than 1 gift and more than 2 cards. So, about 70 gifts and 90 cards were sent last year.

I wonder how many people actually signed up this year kek

Man, what a shitshow. I was really looking forward to participating for the first time this year, but with the way this thread is looking, I don't know if there will be many lolitas left willing to take part in this. I just want to spoil someone ffs

>>10683878
IKR, don't worry about it too much.
Spoil your friends and family.

>>10683878
just came here to post this, after getting my first full time job i really wanted to give someone one of those “wow” types of gifts that exceeded the tier because i know times are shit and everyone needs a pick-me-up. but i guess i’m not gonna be a santa this year. like the other anon said, i guess i’ll just spoil the people i know a little extra but this is a bummer.

>>10683878

Non ironically /a/ secret santa is so much better than /cgl/, so if you are a weeb, go there instead friend.

>>10682203
Oh hey the cgl /ss/! Man I love these, they're a lot of fun every year. Geez I know last year was a rough one, my giftees never finished posting their updated gifts, but I'm sure this year will be better
>>10683046
oh

Well I can't really blame PartyShark or Snowball for this. Guess I should've got things right the first time around. It kind of sucks because I already bought some bows at Dallas Fan Expo (I was the guy in the Gengar shirt I got from last year's /ss/. Still my favorite shirt, right next to the shirt from year one!) picrel
Really I was only going to do cards anyway because God knows it would be a shitshow if my name was in the hat again.

I thought the "BITCHES LOVE BOWS" joke was really funny considering its origins, but I guess not a lot of folks from the original thread are still around? Either that or folks really hate it when you try to make light of your past mistakes by joking about how you fucked up.
I'm grateful for the time I had with you gulls. Everyone I talked to personally was pretty fantastic, and I wish everyone here a very early Merry Christmas, and a fun secret Santa. I'd volunteer to be a card Grinch, but I bet that wouldn't really fly either. Dunno what I'll do with the bows.

>>10683895

Karl, if you want to exchange cards, reach me. You were fun to have around and a nice person. Don’t let this take your Holiday’s fun spirit and Merry Christmas for you.

>>10683895
jesus christ thank god we nipped this in the bud.

please stop playing dumb and innocent. we can see the archives and we can see that you were told it was in poor taste multiple times. it's obvious you never learn from your mistakes so good riddance. no one wants cheap garbage from some moid who think he's funnier than he is. did you never bother to think that maybe new people wouldn't understand your dumbass joke and would just be left with disappointment? you are incredibly dense

>>10683899
you can shit on karl without pretending to care about newfags

>>10683902
He's already disappointed newfags.
> Back then I didn't want to come off as angry with my first gift, only let the organizers truly know how sad I was (it almost put me off from the ss, it was my first time and I thought receiving that was a sign I shouldn't have ever joined) and my happiness at his second gift wasn't fake, I truly meant it back then when I said it redeemed him. But it only made up for his first gift, and shouldn't have been a sign he was ok to join again, as it wasn't put together by himself and he has proven that if he does join and isn't helped his giftees end up with bad gifts. He should be banned, for everyone's sake, cause he's really had enough chances by now. The difference between his gifts for me was staggering, I have no idea how he truly can't have learned from that in terms of what makes a proper gift or not.

>>10683895
>>10683902
Let's look at some direct quotes from January.

> If people would like me to stop the bow meme, let me know.
> Yes stop the bow meme, it’s offensive and you’re mocking the people who you’re disappointing.
>My guess is there are some new people that don't know the history, but I suppose it's my own fault for coming off so crassly as well.
>Definitely stop the bow memeing imo.

And now you're right back to it. You really don't fucking learn. Serious question, do you have some kind of developmental disability?

>>10683899
If you read years 1 and 2 you'd see that it went over pretty great at the time. I didn't think cgl had much board churn, so I figured most participants lurked and saw history, and that come year 3 it would continue to do well.
I've never been cheap on my gifts, but I have had a poor eye for quality in the past yeah. I've never meant to play dumb, but I don't want to have a bad attitude, so maybe I come off that way, dunno.
Am I supposed to say that it eats me up a bit that I kept fucking up in one way or another and that now approx 70% of the board thinks I'm pants on head?

>>10683898
Hey thanks gull. If you know how to reach me, drop me a line.

>>10683904
Also from that time
>it's fine, limit it to card tier only though, as if you screw up the gift for some reason then it won't go over well
So yeah my plan for this year was to send bows in card tier with a card and maybe a gift or two. Everything over a card is considered extra, so that's what I was going with, yeah.

>>10683907
The card itself is supposed to be thoughtful, you mong. Not 3 words and elementary tier art you pulled out of your ass in 2 minutes. You did that last year and it pissed people off. How many fucking times do people have to tell you >>10683904 to get it through your thick skull. There are countless people expressing frustration with how little effort you’re putting into the cards, and you’re still planning to do it??

>>10683909
Oh ok you haven't actually seen the inside of the cards then.
Yeah people who only saw the front may have thought that I guess but I put more effort into those than you've seen

>>10683905

Unfortunately I don’t and guess I was stupid and forgot to put my burner email: blossomteatime@gmail.com

I’m still tempted to participate. Do a few cards and a gift. It’s been a shit year for me and a shit year for others so I want to bring joy to someone

>>10683905
Different anon but I’d also be happy to exchange cards (or gifts) with you separately if you’re still feeling up to it! Just let me me know where to reach out or I can drop an email.

>>10683911
Did you include proper stationery or was it more of the same marker scrawls?

>>10683930
It was a Christmas letter with a proper message.

>>10683942
Marker scrawls, got it. What a great card to receive after a lolita goes and puts time and effort into getting a nice Kira Imai card and decorating it with stickers and neat handwriting! Really shows your thoughtfulness in comparison, Karl

>>10683369
As someone who’s participated in both, I’ve had both great and poor gifts from both. But I’d say /a/ cards are more thought out and bring me more joy. One year I got the saddest card from a gull that said merry Christmas written so tiny in the center with a $.25 cent card bought at a wal-mart. It was clear whoever sent it was expecting to receive more than to give.

there’s always gulls screeching saying how they’re not going to join, the SS goes on just fine and festive like it always does. then after gifts are starting to get posted, they’re the same ones that whine on how they regret not joining, wah wah wah. just don’t even post. nobody cares, we’re going to have fun without you anyways.

>>10684005
If you don't care then just do the event and stfu

>>10683878
I'm still joining and for the highest tier, I'm doing gift exchange with one other lolita friend only so I enjoy the surprise of buying gifts for someone I don't know.

FRIENDLY REMINDER THE TRIPS ARE CROSSBOARDER MEN WHO DON'T EVEN USE 4CHAN.

>>10683895
It’s your own fault. Please stop trying to play the victim.

>>10683895
use them to choke yourself to death, obviously.

>>10684038
Fucking this.. Just because they can use spreadsheets doesn't mean you're safe giving out your personal information to men who aren't from the board(and possibly the site) I say we vet them. The organizers need to provide proof they either cosplay or wear jfash or they should fuck off.

>>10684052
or you could fuck off, that's also an option. no one is holding you at gunpoint to give up your info.

>>10684069
No one is holding you at gunpoint to get so assmad about thread replies either now are they?

>>10684052
i agree. the board is not the same as it was even just a few years ago. we need to know who the organizers are, where they fit in the board and why we should trust them. They don't even understand that brand is extremely important for the Lolita side, do you really think they are doing a good job for the board?

all i really want for my SS gift is for karl to off himself on stream. is that too much to ask?

>>10684078
No. Very reasonable imo

can i ask for a blumpkin?

what tier would that be considered? given the state of most of you bitches id say the $30 tier?

>>10684136
Hi Karl

>>10684136
i get 800 for 2 hours so no.

>>10684076
Holy shit lolitas really are this petty and cancer I keep forgetting that they're actually this bad
The ss should probably get split between cosplay and jfash+lolita. Too much of a different mindset between the two subgroups

Where are the organizers >:( stop running away after a few criticism and answer our feedbacks!! We know you’re hiding itt put your trips back on and face us like real men !!!
>>10683898
>bow top left corner
Nice try karl

>>10684203
I don't have THAT many bows soup

Fine, I am back, I am bad at ignoring the thread. >>10684203 you win for now.


>>10684052
Sure, how would you like me to dox myself? I'm actually pretty indifferent at this point, but happy to update the Rules/ FAQ form with whatever you deem appropriate. I'm not going to to dox Snowball.. but personally I have been using the board since around 2012, participating in the gift exchanges since 2016 or 2015 and worn lolita since 2010.

Please let me know how I can ~prove~ myself so all this nonsense about us being male crossboarders stops.


>>10683849
Last time I checked it was about 13 in 2 days, which is actually more for that same amount of time than the previous years.

>>10684235
Karl you never replied to my offer to exchange cards, my secret plan was to gift you some small assortment of lolita brand bows so you could up your bow game and now it's ruined! I even have a crappy punchline ready- bows before hoes.

>>10684246
I'm not one of the people making demands or accusations, I'm just here to throw some positivity in your direction for being open to some form of accountability. Expecting transparency and accountability on a mongolian basket weaving forum is comical in its own right, but hey, the people have spoken and they shall be heard.

On that note, I am interested in sponsoring some grinch squad duty but my work schedule can spiral from time to time and that makes communication spotty. Is the team cool with someone who wants to take on a passive role here? Or better, tell me where I can help you considering those limitations. I didn't want to email without knowing if it's even worth your time to discuss!

>>10684246
I love you. Take my love beam to power your batteries, and use it to stay out of the thread. These angry gulls are sounding more and more like trolls the longer this parade goes on. You've been nothing but kind to me as a participant, and I appreciate all that you've been doing. Let's starve out the trolls so that we can feast on Christmas cheer.

>inb4 hurr durr samefagging
I'M TOO KIND FOR THIS BOARD AND I WISH WE COULD ALL BE FRIENDS OKAY

>>10684254
You didn't have to spill the beans already. I just didn't send out emails yet.

>>10684269
I'm different from email anon, >>10683919 is me. No hard feelings! I interpreted your silence as disinterest so I thought I'd try to lighten the mood with (bad) humor at least.

I'm excited to get my match.

>>10684235
cosplay as gawr gura with a party hat on and timestamp otherwise you're a smelly malely crossboarder.
>I'm not going to to dox Snowball
I KNEW IT YOU HAVE DID AND CARL AND SNOW ARE JUST YOUR OTHER PERSONALITIES.
>>10684235
FUCK YOU CARL I KNOW YOU'RE THE ONE THAT CALLED ME A SPERG. I WILL NEVER EVER EVER FORGIVE YOU
>>10684255
>>10684283
>>10684254
WHO SIDE ARE YOU ON?! I SWEAR TO GOD IF I DONT GET INCLUDED IN ON THE SS MY FIRST EVER COSPLAY WILL BE THE GRINCH FROM THE MOVIE THE GRINCH

This is what we get for replying to soup.

>>10684255
>These angry gulls are sounding more and more like trolls the longer this parade goes on. You've been nothing but kind to me as a participant, and I appreciate all that you've been doing. Let's starve out the trolls so that we can feast on Christmas cheer.

Yes

>>10684515
sorry, I been replied starved for so long I forgot how to act like a normal poster.

quit acting like namefags are trips.

>>10684351
soup stop shitposting

>>10684246
ot but is there a particular reason why bootleg anime merch isn't banned? they've always been frowned upon in the itabag threads and they're not allowed at respectable con dealer's halls or myfigurecollection.

>>10684246
It should be obvious the organizers know about the board just from the fact that they're offering to help people who get really stuck on what to buy.
People are way too quick to assume they are crossboarders who know nothing, when there should already be signs that they know about /cgl/ stuff.

I am grateful you put in all this effort, and people are blowing a small mistake out of proportion, a mistake which actually follows what the majority of the board wants according to the surveys.


I hope I can fill out my signup soon, but it's so much effort and would need to do picture editing in paint soon too

>>10684601
Not off topic and totally valid! I believe this was decided a few years back as the rules list here is a collection of decisions from when the gift exchanges started and gets chopped and changed each year. But this hasn't been bought up since it was decided they were okay.

Some people in their forms state they like "funny bootlegs". And occasionally bootlegs get chucked in as filler, keychains, stickers etc. But for the most part, people who are wanting figures or merch state they don't want any bootlegs and in the case they receive one when specifically saying no would be considered a blacklist offense. And if someone were to send one knock-off shitty figurine/ merch with no effort this definitely gets you on the blacklist too.

Though if you think this rule should be revised we are of course open to your suggestions!

>>10684598
that’s not partyshark that’s just shark

The form asks me what size I wear but I'm fat and it'd be embarrassing to reveal :(
Maybe I should just assume I'm successful in losing weight the next weeks and months
Or my price tier is so low it's irrelevant anyway

>>10684957
If I were you I'd simply fill in "I'd rather not receive any clothes, thank you." People can throw curve balls in the lower tiers, but if your eventual santa really wants to they will probably ask for your size in the threads instead.

>>10684974
getting some fun kawaii clothes would be the absolute dream though, I wouldn't want to give up on the possibility, even if they'd have to be lucky with the price (or send something old they want to get rid of)
I'll just get over it and swallow my pride, and I ain't *that* fat, even if it's embarrassing

>>10683895
I know you've already been dragged for this, so I'm not gonna go too hard, but I seriously can't believe you thought it was going to be acceptable to continue this "joke" again this year. No one signs up for this to get someone who doesn't participate in their hobby mocking it. Please go back to your home board.

>>10683895
Those bows look like dollar store trash again. is that a bottlecap?

>>10684957
just say you want accessories as your gift because you already have a good amount of clothes and need accessories to round out your coords

>>10684246
Thanks for all y’all do! I’ve been doing the gift exchanges since 2016 as well and I’m really excited to sign up for this year.

No need to prove yourself, just take some deep breaths and get ready to make matches!

>>10685104
Rude, these were handmade by, uh, "WarehouseRoyGBiv" according to their business card

>>10685758
Oh for fuck sake, this is what I get for not checking out their website before buying them

>>10685758
This isn't about >WarehouseRoyGBiv either they look like cheap shit designed for a kid. I don't care you got scammed, you deserve it. You your fucking eyes next time before you buy something and just to help you understand those look like crap never give them to anyone above the age of 12

>>10685761
Karl is full on retarded. You can’t expect him to ever get it right.

>>10685761
I'll just go with my regular supplier assuming the anons that want a card from me actually want a bow.

the appeal of these exchanges is giving to people whose interests you actually understand and receiving from people who understand your interests. it’s making up for receiving hello kitty bottlecap bows from your great aunt tilly who thinks you’re into “that kayway jappynese schoolgirl stuff.” the bows aren’t even a funny joke, it’s like receiving extras when you buy something secondhand and the seller throws in shit they want to get rid of. it’s burdensome. it goes straight in the trash. it’s wasteful. i wouldn’t even want Karl in the card tier because he’s repeatedly sent low-effort ugly actual sped-tier cards. and i can’t think of a logical reason for him to even WANT to participate aside from inserting himself somewhere he doesn’t belong. i don’t care how earnestly he types. Karl you’re an actual retard, go back to /k/, you existing is the sole reason i don’t have it in me to join and spoil an actual gull.

>>10685786
I would say “I can’t believe Partyshark has defended Karl all these years” but who am I kidding, a scrote will always defend another scrote against women even if said scrote is clearly in the wrong.

>>10685786
this is exactly it. the organizers ruined the event for the board because they are crossboarders and don't understand THIS board. and honestly this even needs to be done on discord now anyway not on the board. using googledocs is a stupid idea.

I'm an artfag that enjoys doing portraits for lolitas especially. Could I ask my giftee for a favorite coord picture, or just stick to drawing waifus/husbandos?

This would be in addition to a gift I sent, btw - I am a professional, but not so egotistical to consider my work as part of the price.

this thread is making me sad. It’s my first year participating. Fuck man, I just wanted to send another lolita some cute Imai Kira cards and a few nice accessories…

>>10685849
I don't see anything wrong with asking. I've drawn my giftees in coords that they posted to their instas and they seem to have liked them!
>>10685887
No tears gull-friend. Every year there is some ick board dramu but the gift exchange is 95% good (the -5% bc of fucking grinches)

>>10685788
This.

As a crossboarding male I have an honest question:
I know someone at my workplace cosplays and there is a non-zero chance I may draw her as a secret Santa; is there an image folder or such somewhere of successful /cgl/ secret Santa gifts from the past that I may draw inspiration from? I see that bows, something I would have done, are a big no no now.

I offer this picture as tribute.

>>10685776
The previous stuff also looks like cheap children’s crap so I don’t know why you feel that you need to switch back.

>>10688306
Why would you give a cosplayer a bunch of bows? Don't be silly anon-kun.

>>10688306
Don't be a faggot anon. Just get her a 100$ giftcard for any website that sales dorky stuff, or high quality clothes. Great clothes, the kind that you can be proud several Vietnamese peasants bled their hands dry making it.

> I have am updating the photo album (link in rules) with all the gifts from 2020, so if anyone new this year is unsure what to expect, or what is expected.. please check the link out! The photos go back as far as 2016.

>>10688306
If you click the link to the rules, it has another link inside to all previous years gifts! So it will give you a pretty good idea of the sort of things they may like.


>>10685887
I have uploaded photos of 120 gifts and cards from last year! Out of all the gifts exchanged last year, maybe 3 were bad (and those people have now been banned)? Please don't let the thread discourage you!

Sign-up deadline is tomorrow! Hurry, hurry.

>>10688594
I'm working on it, but it's so high effort and hard to think of everything. I hope I'll have it finished by the time I go to bed though.
I hope actually buying the stuff is easier, but I'm worried about that too

>>10688594
By that do you mean tomorrow is the last day to sign up, or is tonight the cutoff? Sorry, first time participating.

>>10688785
the rules link says the sign-up deadline is the 19th. personally, I would interpret that as by the end of the 19th day.

>>10688594
Sliding in on the late here, but I'm happy I signed up after all my ifs and buts.

>>10688594
I submitted my form the other day, can you edit it though? Might be a few things I can add to help my gifter

>>10688909
Yes, you were emailed a copy after completion and you can edit it anytime.

I so want to participate and spread some holiday cheer, but I'm a coward

>>10688967
Awesome, thanks!

>>10688975
do card tier

>>10688356
I know it’s you doing what you’re doing. either you stop it or let me join the topest of the top tier present receiving >:(

excited to spoil my giftee

>>10689053
Yo saaaame

Joined this year. I feel a bit weird because I've stopped wearing lolita, but am still into J-fashion such as Listen Flavor and other punky gothy J-fashion brands. I didn't join the highest tier this year though! I hope whoever gets matched with me doesn't get overwhelmed by my other nerdy things I listen as interests.

>>10689064
That’s some of the fun of it because you get to research and find out about stuff that wasn’t even on your radar

Hopefully my first year doing this thing is fun. Really hoping that if I get a cosplayer they're specific about what they want since I would be out of my depth otherwise.

Joined! Hoping to get a gull with similar tastes so I can spoil them!

Hopefully im not too late in joining, but just signed up.

Any classic lolitas joining this year?

was on a work trip from 10/4 to 10/16 and only just now came online to see I've missed the whole announcement and sign up process :') rip. I've always had fun sending things the last couple years but this year I guess I'll maybe offer grinch cards, unless any other latecomer lolitas want to exchange some cards unofficially.

>>10689982
Was waiting for this

I keep checking my email every few hours to see if I've gotten a match yet, and I'm a bit nervous. I hope I get someone who isn't too difficult, and I am worried I made myself difficult with my unspecific form.

>>10690649
Aren’t matches being sent out the 26th?

>>10690653
oops, I thought it could be a deadline but now I see that the deadlines are specified as deadlines so I guess it is that exact date

Would it be in bad taste to spoil my match and go above the tier limit I picked? To the point where it crosses over into one tier higher. I chickened out because this was my first year participating and was really afraid of disappointing my giftee or not being able to find anything valuable that they would like.

>>10690713
It's never bad to do

>>10690727
I remember reading through either the previous year's threads or earlier, and there was a heated discussion about how Santas shouldn't be expected or encouraged to spend way above the tier limit, because it leaves giftees who get significantly less upset and people start having higher expectations to begin with

>>10690713
IMO the only case where it's acceptable is if you're barred from a higher tier. Otherwise, please don't choose a lower tier when you're actively planning on sending something of much greater value. If it happens accidentally then it's fine, but I think respecting the tier brackets is important so people don't feel like there's unspoken rules to the event.

>>10691023
I think if they can find their dream item for just a little over the maximum and it's the only high value item, then it's okay too.

>>10691023
>>10691038
Thanks for your input, I'll try to stay close to the tier limit! My mistake really, hopefully I can find some good deals and spoil my giftee that way.

I've got a really dumb question - do you get matched with Santas that picked the same tier as you did? Let's say I chose to send a $60 gift, would my Santa also be sending me a gift in the same tier?

>>10691107
I hope so, otherwise what's the point of tiers. If there's an odd number of people in a higher tier they'll get put into a lower tier. So, expect the same tier you sent out unless something went wrong.

>>10691107
Yes, that is how it works. If anyone needs to be bumped down like >>10691130 mentions it is always done with consent from the participants.

>>10690713
Personally I think it’s fine to go over the limit for the tier. There’s nothing wrong with spoiling your giftee, especially if shopping for gifts is fun for you, and anybody who gets the impression from one extravagant gift that they’re also entitled to something over the tier is being ridiculous.

>>10691157
Agree

>>10691157
This.

NZ Gull reporting in!!!

Maybe useful for other people who have to ship internationally?? I found out if you sign up for a business account with your postal service, you usually get a discount on shipping. For me personally as a regular customer I can only get International Courier which starts at $65 regardless of weight, but as a "business" customer they offer me standard international tracking which isn't available as a usual service and starts at $15 - so definitely worth looking into!

Just an update for everybody, we are working on sending out the matches, and you’ll see your match in the next day or so! Thank you for your patience with us, as we had lots of last-minute sign ups and requests to edit forms, as well as dealing with our own jobs and whatnot.

I'm so excited!!

>Arrived to the thread
>Late, again
Maybe one day my LARPing Australian ass will get here in time..

Has anyone gotten their matches yet? I’m so excited! I’ve been refreshing my email all day, I’m dying to get gift searching.

>>10691805
i haven't gotten mine yet, the organizers must be busy with last-minute challenges. looking forward to it still.

>>10692157
Same, I imagine they have work and unrelated stuff going on too. Good to know I’m not the only one and don’t need to worry now!

Ugh I'm so excited I can hardly wait! Totally understand that the organizers are busy, I'm just super eager to get my matches

>>10692242
You sure wish you were in my time zone. I'll just go to sleep, and get eight free hours of waiting with no charge. It will be like waking up on Christmas Day.

I got my matches!!!!!!

>>10692405
same!! let's goooooo

>>10692405
Lucky!! I haven’t yet, sooo excited

Got my matches too! This is the first time I’ve gotten someone with such a similar style to me so I’m looking forward to shopping for them!

My match is someone with complete opposite tastes to mine, but I'm going to do my best!

Also question: Would you rather receive one bigger item of a name brand you like with a bunch of off brand filler.

Or: a few off brand (but fitting your style/likes) bigger pieces plus a few smaller name brand accessories?

>>10692500
Personally, probably the first one.

>>10692578
same

I’ve been refreshing for two days. Still no matches for me. I shall be patient though. I just wish I could know what to look for already!

Hi #8451 (MN from Sweden)

Do you have a favorite animal?

>>10692692
Cats!!! <3 For lolita I also like bunny and bear motifs :)

Hi #7063, I'm your $150+ match! I don't know much about fairy kei but I'll do my best! You have a wide variety of taste so you're leaving me a lot to work with!

>>10692788
Oh hey, that’s me! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

I just got my match!! So excited.
#7734, whats your shoe size?

Hey speaking of shoe size! #2930 what shoe size are ya?

>>10692881
Hey! I’m a US 9/ 25cm. Please note that I can’t wear heels over 2 inches because I walk funny and tip over. Platforms are ok though. Thanks!

Ahh I got my matches! I'm gonna spoil you nonnies so hard <3

I just got my match and I'm already feeling so lost! We have zero things in common, like absolutely nothing. Lord help me, I'll try my best not to disappoint.

Hi, #4617!
What are your most/least favorite flavors or types of snacks?

>>10692948
Hi! I wear US 8.5 and Europe 39

Also general question: if I do a taobao/AliExpress order in the next week, will it arrive on time??? I’ve heard scary rumors about Chinese shipping times

>>10693067
Nayrt, but I'm begging to not to order from Aliexpress for SS

>>10693065
Hey anon are you #2418 by any chance lol?

All the matches have been sent out, if you haven’t received your form please check your spam folder or contact cglsaltysnowball@gmail.com

We are aware that some matches have less in common than others, this is due to accommodating shipping within the same continent or country, among other requests.

Please feel free to reach out to us via email or in the thread if you are feeling lost in terms of what to get.
If you feel a match is completely not workable, please feel free to email us too.

>>10693068
Do you have a better recommendations for stickers/notepads/pens for someone who doesn’t have a daiso nearby?

I mainly use ali for the cute add-ins. Not the main gift

>>10693070
No, sorry!

>>10693067
I find that if I pick standard shipping, it usually reaches me within a month. I'm going with Aliexpress for cute filler items as well, as I don't really have another option.

Trying to start shopping, but I keep second guessing everything.

I was smiling the whole time I was reading the info from my matches. I dunno, it just makes me happy to have a little window into the lives of other lolitas despite being so far apart. I have common interests with everyone on a lot of stuff I didn't even list, which is a fun bonus as well.

>>10693065
Is your match : #5838?

Sorry for guessing, I was just thinking I'd stump someone.

>>10693157
No anon, you're good

>>10693066
I would be happy to try new things, and part of the fun of having someone else buy is to try something different from what you buy yourself, so I don't really want to be too specific.
It'd be fine if you just bought your own favourites. Something from your country or region that isn't sold in every country would also be nice. Or Japanese stuff, as the (fake) weeaboo I am.
One critically important thing that I forgot to put on my form, however, is that you don't buy just a bunch of one thing. I want different types, variety.

Also, ultra hot chili stuff might be a failure. Regular hot stuff is fine, just the super hot might not be so good.

I hope you can use this, but if you really want to, I can try to be more specific.

>>10693181
Duly noted, thank you. My taste in snacks is a bit unusual, so I hope you'll at least enjoy the experience. Don't say I didn't warn you!

I found a perfect gift for my match and turns out the seller just forgot to mark it as sold

So do you gulls send out your gifts as soon as you have them ready, or try to wait until it's closer to Christmas?

Hey #2418 , it’s me, your match! You may think we’re total opposites, but our music taste is actually really similar. If you see this, do you like ACDC Rag’s Chandelier series or their Poison Cherry Sailor series? Or should I aim for more oversized?

I’m going to try really hard to make your gifts something you’ll like and I would love some more advice as this is my first year participating, I don’t wanna buy you junk you’ll never use or wear! <3

Hi #4639
You mentioned correcting Imai Kira postcards. Which ones do you already have? >>

Hi, #8391!
In your form you stated you don't want to receive makeup items or nail polish, but how do you feel about nail stickers? I found some really funky ones I'd like to send you. Also, you're very cool.

>>10693362
Hello, I think you have the wrong number. I'm #4639, and I don't collect postcards.

>>10693394
Checked the number and that’s the right one in my email and under things you collect it mentions IK postcards/pins…did numbers get messed up?

>>10693300
I send it as soon as it's ready! Make it clear on the box what it is, they can decide to open now or later

>>10693362
>>10693394
>>10693425
I also have #4639 as one of my matches, and it mentions collecting Imai Kira postcards and pins as well, so I'd like to know if there was a mix-up too.

>>10693181
I'm back with more questions! I'm a lolita, so we don't have a ton in common and I was left a little overwhelmed with all the new information I had to take in. It might not be specific enough to help me, but I want to make sure I get this right! Do you have favorite gen 1 Pokémon? I understood which ones you don't like, but not your personal favorites.

>>10693394
>>10693487
must be a mix-up. I'm A.K. from Colorado, signed up for 1 gift in the $150+ tier, and I only put on my form that I collect kumya stuff. would the real slim shady please stand up?

>>10693515
Looks like there was a mix up.. I'll email you the correct ID!

>>10693532
>>10693515
>>10693487
>>10693394
>>10693362
Okay sooooooo, I hate Google sheets. The generator, out of 9999 numbers, has decided to give 2 people the same number (I am sure it has done this in a previous year as well)!?!

AK, I will email you a new number and update your match so there wont be any further confusion!

>>10693362
>>10693487
The #4639 you both have, please keep using for that match!

Shopping for my giftee asap to try and avoid this

>>10693535
thank you for solving it!

Now that it's been sorted, #4639, you should be the one who collects Imai Kira postcards! I'd love to know what you already have and what you might be looking for?

>>10693369
Hello there! Absolutely, nail stickers are great! I actually love to do my nails, and always like to do something fun with them. I mostly just had to put those stipulations in because I like to buy nicer brands for makeup and nail polish, but if there’s something jumping out at you please feel free!
Also thank you so much, I’m sure you’re really cool too! I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

>>10693505
Oh, I'm really sorry about my lacking information, it was quite rushed and then I just felt done with working on it after I finished.
And sorry about my late response.

I don't have one Pokémon that I love more than all others, but I can try to mention some.
>Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur
the line just has a great design, and are iconic
>Charmander, but also Charmemelon
Charmander used to be my favourite pokémon when I was young, so I still feel some relationship with it
>Pikachu
I was way too harsh on Pikachu in my form, I've seen plenty of good Pikachu stuff, it's just the super yellow thing or spamming a million pikachu's that I'm not into. And maybe things that feel too "pikachu", it's hard to explain. I'll put it in the image.
>Paras
>Tentacruel is cool I guess
>Farfetch'd
Really cool, nice design, like the clearly separated feathers
>Gengar, maybe also Haunter
Maybe I just mention it because I saw some cool Gengar merch recently, but they are classics so.
>Cubone
Cute, interesting story
>Scyther
Just looks really cool
>Jolteon
>Snorlax
Saw some nice Snorlax merch, and Snorlax is just a likeable pokémon
But it's not really like these are way above other pokémon either, moat animal-like pokémon and some others are fine or the Abra line just avoid most fighting types+mr. mime+jynx and it should be fine.

I tried to explain a bit better what's the best pokémon items in this image
But you don't have to follow this image precisely, like it's okay with regular pokémon stuff too.
things that I'd regularly use in public should be tasteful or subtle though especially big things.


But Pokémon wasn't the only thing I didn't do properly, I didn't cover video games at all.
>The world Ends With You
prefer wearables from the game (pins, clothes and more) over the actual characters
>Blaze is the best Sonic character
>uh even though I haven't played Kingdom Hearts a keyblade keychain would be okay (or something else keyblade)

>>10693505
>>10693658
I didn't go a lot in depth with the anime either.

I'll just update my MAL to add comments to some anime there, in the "tags" section. Comments that have to do with secret santa will be marked with a $ first so you can search for them, so like:
$ no AO or movies
or if I just list characters then those are characters I like, like $ Osaka

And I know I said I didn't want anything Bakuman, but PCP would be fine.

Anyway, forgot to add picture to last post so here it is

Has anyone else not gotten a match yet? I'm a little worried because it's the 30th and I've heard nothing from organizers. I live in the US so I don't think it's for a lack of potential matches

>>10693677
All matches should have been sent out, please email me at cglsaltysnowball@gmail.com. It’s possible yours went to spam or something.

>>10693682
It was in my spam folder.... thank you anon. I can't wait to start shopping for my match

>Match #3005
You said you're on the hunt for RHS, how badly do you want them and does this mean bodyline ones or just the VW ones?
You did specifically say you don't really wear offwhite, but I own a pair of off-white bodyline RHS I bought in 2015 or 2014 in great condition and one size up from yours (25.5) if you're willing to accept a color you don't wear a lot and a size that's slightly too big.
I also would not count this towards your gift total since I already own them but haven't worn them in years and simply haven't been able to bring myself to part with them

>>10693332
Hi anon. It's my first year too. I appreciate the thought, but the chandelier series isn't for me. I like the over-sizedness of poison cherry, but the print isn't my thing.

>>10693717
Ahh, thank you for getting back to me!

I think I’ve found something from SPR that you might like, it looks like what I’m imagining you wearing with that advice taken into account, but I’m not sure whether you might own it or not? if you have any suggestions, I’d be happy to give you my alt email that I use for cgl dealings so that we can discuss further so I don’t unintentionally clog up the thread! Our style is so different that I’d rather you know what your gift is and love it than not know and hate it. plus you seem cool t-b-h

>>10693729
If you want to email me, my email is seagullfriend@protonmail.com

>>10693065
I feel like I have nothing in common with my match either but I really want to do well. I'm just disappointed that I seem to have gotten someone who doesn't share my hobbies at all when I know there are people on this board who do (but maybe they just aren't participating in SS?)

>>10693658
>>10693659
Thank you, this helps a lot! I'm a bit out of my element with the anime though (mostly watch random old school OVAs once in a blue moon), and sadly don't have a way to shop in Japan since shipping to my country is still restricted. I've seen that you've watched this series but didn't leave a rating, and won't count this towards your gift if you say yes, but do you want my FLCL DVD? I haven't had time to sell it yet, so it's sitting in my bookshelf

>>10693779
You're not alone in being out of your element, at least. I spent hours trying to figure out lolita yesterday, but in the end, even if I master looking it up and buying it, there's no way I can master taste in just a week so I can actually pick out something nice that fits my match, and anyway most nice things are too costly. Luckily they gave me some alternatives but a part of me also fears they'll be disappointed if I don't give them lolita but maybe I'm just paranoid.

As for the DVD, that was a very generous offer but I think you should sell it or give it to someone else who may enjoy it more than me. I don't have any equipment for playing DVDs,and there could zone restrictions too, and I don't feel a strong passion for FLCL anyway, it's more like it's just okay. And I worry that it'd just be too much.
Thank you though!

Feel free to ask more if there's more you need to know, (maybe I should be a bit ashamed), will throw in some other things I didn't mention, most not suitable as gifts though

Books:
almost stopped reading, but liked His Dark Materials when I read it (not the movie), already covered Harry Potter, maybe Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. Been trying to get through Lord of the Rings for the better part of my life.

I'm into constructed languages, especially for media. I'm interested in Tolkien's languages, already mentioned Baronh on my MAL, and somewhat Hymmnos and Na'vi as well. (No books about Tolkien languages please)

video games: already mentioned most, but used to be quite into Nintendo. Most nintendo merch, like Mario and Animal Crossing, doesn't look very exciting, but Zelda would be fine. Maybe the original DKC trilogy too.
I like Freedom Planet.

J-fashion:
Pictures like Fruits or other similar things can be nice. I'm usually not that into the lolita look (but with some exceptions)

I already spent $200+ on my match, and there are still things I want to buy...

>>10693842
I ordered most of your gifts, all that's left is to hunt down the main one I'm planning to get. I hope you like everything!
And I feel you, but you could always ask them for help itt or request specific wishlist items that are available. I have a big brain theory, what if we're each other's matches?

>>10693863
i want to spend a lot on my match, but then i remember what a pain in the ass declaring every little thing on customs forms is. next year i have to remember to sign up for within my country only. idk what i was thinking.

>>10693863
Same. Part of the reason I say I'll only ship within the US though is so that I can spend more. Obviously $150 is a given and shipping costs don't factor into that, but I can spend $300 on my match as opposed to $200 if I don't have to pay international shipping.

>>10693907
That's great to hear, I was worried you were still struggling with finding anything especially with shipping issues to your country, and was starting to wonder "maybe I should go to the grocery store or mall and look for ideas just from there"

I actually do have a suspicion about where you live, because the organizers emailed me asking if a match from a specific country was fine, but in the end gave me someone else, so I think you might be the person they originally intended to match me with

#1111 (AK), wondering if you like any Sanrio characters? And do you like usakumya/kumakumya jewelry?

>>10682983
Laughing at whatever retarded shit Karl sends out is a /cgl/ holiday tradition. I think he should be allowed with the stipulation that there be some kind of measures in place so that anyone who receives a karl shitgift also gets a legit nice gift, or perhaps people can knowingly sign up for “Karl tier”.

>>10694013
Hi, Santa! Out of Sanrio, my favorites are Cinnamoroll and Pompompurin. Also, it's not Sanrio, but I really love all the Rilakkuma characters! I do like the kumya jewelry, but I actually don't own any yet, unless you count the recent Captain Chris ring. If you have any more questions, I'll be glad to answer!

#8680, I'm still just looking into options, but I got some questions!

What artbooks do you already own? Would you be okay with damaged cover? Missing paper slip that was wrappped around when new? Would signed be a bad thing?
Also, maybe it'd be nice to know what EGL media you own as well, and your standards for condition for those items too.

As for lolita, I just don't know, would it be okay if I went radically different from what you showed you like (as long as I avoid what you didn't want), I simply can't find anything similar that doesn't have (what I assume is) a major flaw. Also, mostly been looking at the big, mainstream brands like BtSSB, Metamorphose, Innocent world and some Victorian Maiden and AatP, would indie brands, things sold as home made, lesser known brands etc. be okay? Also, I've gone by the assumption that for accessories etc., you'd be okay with something after the 2000s as well, is that assumption correct?

Hi 6850! The link to your wardrobe board isn’t working. I know you said it’s incomplete anyway, but I just want to make sure I’m not getting you something you already have as much as I can!

Haven't seen my number pop up, so hopefully that means I was easy to shop for!

My first order for my match arrived today, so I'm off to a good start!

>>10693711
Apologies for the late reply! I tried to reply earlier but was having problems with my IP range.

I would never dare ask for VW in Secret Santa, so Bodyline ones are perfectly fine! I think the colorway is called offwhite but they're basically white, right? I'd love to give them a try and I have these shoe inserts I can use to help them fit better. Thanks and I really appreciate it!

2279, what are your measurements? I can’t seem to find them anywhere on your form.

After searching on and off through depression and doubt I found the perfect accessory. I am smiling so widely, full of christmas cheer. When I am scrolling down my match's instagram feed I can almost picture her wearing it with every other coord. It had the perfect price too, so now I'm just stuffing that stocking!

Hello #2930! Just wondering if you play Magic in person or online more? Any archetype you love? What about format? happy Monday.

>>10694393
Same!

>>10694370
Hi Santa! I had it on private so sorry about that. I've made it public let me know if you can see it. I'm making some small changes to it throughout today so it's more organized for you.

I can't recall if I left this out on my form, the comments above just reminded me. I like Little Twin Stars a lot as well as anything by Imai Kira! And my shoe size is a L in AP/Baby, or 24.5cm and CN size 40 (41 if they run small)

>>10694367
Hi, Santa!
I only own two art books from the artists I chose to list in my form - Alice Addict by Mitsukazu Mihara and Maruo Graph Ex II by Suehiro Maruo. The rest are from artists I didn't list, so you'll be safe going for any of them. I don't mind any of the damages you mentioned, as long as the book is in overall good condition, and if it's signed, that would be a great bonus!
As for EGL media, I own both volumes of Escargot Skin, Alice Doll, GLB volumes 3, 5, 7 and 17, Kyoko Fukada in Shimotsuma Monogatari and one of the two DVD collections of short films by Mari Terashima. I prefer that magazines include patterns and stickers, but it's not a huge deal if they don't.

When it comes to lolita, I think I have my general style and aesthetic figured out, but I should've included more sweet items in that lineup because I do wear it quite a bit. I'm totally okay with indie and lesser known brands, and I hope I didn't forget to mention I even collect those! There are a few indie brand items within the tier's price range I've been eyeing that have been up for a while, so if you start feeling totally lost I could try and link those to you. I'm okay with more recent accessories as well, as long as they fit my style and have an older look to them, like Baby's classical series. I do however tend to stay away from AatP, I'm not sure why but I've always had an inexplicable dislike for the brand.

I think I also forgot to include in my form that I have a 3DS, which I mostly play Animal Crossing on, but would love to have more DS games for. I hope this helps and please feel free to ask more questions if you need to know something else!

>>10694367
>>10694529
Forgot to mention that I prefer to stay away from homemade lolita items as well, since they usually tend to look lesser quality to me - probably because of the materials. But I have made my own usakumya and a couple of crochet strawberry hair combs that I do wear, so it depends on the item! I would say no just to be safe though, since the majority of them don't look on par with brand to me.

NEW THREAD!
>>10694569

3157,

Your form doesn't mention sizing. I would guess based on your social media that you are free-size. But if there are multiple sizes of something available, like IW which has M and L sizes, would you prefer the more snug fit or more room for comfort?

>>10694529
Yeah you did mention you collect indie brands.

I'm really not sure about the difference between old/classic style and what's modern, I don't really know lolita at all. I think I might have noticed some patterns to what you like though.
You don't seem to like full bows, and strongly prefer tied ones? Even when they're not hairbows. You don't want the edges of the fabric in decorative cloth flowers to be open so you can see the frays. You seem to like lace. But even just putting it into words doesn't cover everything. Sometimes it's more of a feel. Like, I saw a skirt, but it felt like it was for energetic movement, which didn't fit the image I have of you. Sometimes I try to close my eyes and imagine an antique doll (helpful description!) with the item I'm looking at, and may reject based on how I feel like that would look. And Victorian Maiden just overall looked too soft and round, if that makes sense, at least on their store.

And for jewelry, I don't even get a feeling. For some AatP, I might get some sort of feeling that it's not quite right, but when it comes to jewelry I can't even pretend to myself that I got any sense.
Like why is this crown bad (aside from the gold) when it looks so similar to the ones you listed?
https://shop.baby-aatp.com/collections/alice-and-the-pirates/products/p17ac023-a-p-vine-rose-crown-pearl-necklace
Is it the "antique-ness"? In that case, doesn't this Baby crown fail for the same reason? You didn't wish it and maybe this is why, but then I don't see the difference between Baby and Alice jewelry anyway since I feel these are so similar.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/133921621763?hash=item1f2e59c703:g:XjEAAOSwJstgRp2C
Even some Moi Meme Moitie jewelry looks like it could be okay to me.

Are there any corrections to make to my assumptions and feelings?

cont. >>10694685

>>10694529
I feel like I shouldn't just leave all the work to you, but it's probably more important that you get something you like, so I think I should say yes to your offer, it would be helpful if you could link some pieces. Time isn't endless either. But even aside from that, just naming some less popular brands and some indie brands could be helpful too. There are some brands that pop up at Wunderwelt, but that might be limited and not your prefered brands.
I've kind of just assumed the defunct indie brands would be impossible to find anything of, but if they really are doable I can try to look a bit better, otherwise it would be helpful if you named some brands.

>I think I also forgot to include in my form that I have a 3DS, which I mostly play Animal Crossing on, but would love to have more DS games for.
DS games, not 3DS games?
And do you have any preferred types of games?

>>10694536
I kind of figured, if you wanted homemade items you'd already've made them yourself.

>>10694424
Hi~ I play in person MTG, I'm really lucky to have a weekly group that isn't stink-lords at the local game store.
I have been trying to get into Commander with some precons, but mainly I play Standard (Orzhov angels).
Archetypes I love are ANGELS (and Ashiok's whole mill dealio). I have an Aurelia angel playmat and RBW are my favorite colors.