Secret Quonsar 2009 November 23, 2009 1:04 PM   Subscribe

Secret Quonsar (/snowflake /schmoopy) signups end in one week. Here's the signup link.

The drawing will be on December 1st, at which time you will receive an e-mail telling you the person you've drawn. Please mail your gifts out by Dec. 15th. The spending limit is $15.

If you are creating a new account, be sure to add your Metafilter username to your profile! The simplest way we have found, as well as the way to preserve your privacy and only reveal your real name to your Secret Quonsar, is this: Under Update Your Profile, put your Metafilter username in the First Name field, and leave the last name field blank. Then, put your real name in the Address 1 blank, and then your address in the Address 2 blank.

Elfster profiles offer the option to include your wishlists, either typed in by hand or links to an online wishlist (such as Amazon or Kaboodle wishlists). This can be helpful to your Secret Quonsar.

If you sign up but decide before Dec. 1st that you can't participate, please use the link on your Elfster profile to remove yourself from the exchange. If you come to this decision after the draw on Dec. 1st, please contact me or Julen. If you do not contact us and do not send a gift, you will not be allowed to participate next year.

Finally, we've had some controversy over the name of the exchange. Please go here and vote on the name you prefer.

Mods, can you please sidebar this so we don't get a whole lot of "I didn't know!" emails on Dec. 2nd?
posted by IndigoRain to MetaFilter-Related at 1:04 PM (112 comments total) 3 users marked this as a favorite

Tee hee. It was fun being the first person to vote.
posted by Kimberly at 1:09 PM on November 23, 2009


OK, so! Last year someone sent me a really nice jam which was great. I sent out trinkets from the company store (possibly cooler than it sounds). So, in the spirit of giving a optimal gift via crowdsourcing, would you rather have a) something from a well-known-interwebs company store? or b) home-made jam/marmalade? Because I already make a lot of jam and it's mostly good.
posted by GuyZero at 1:56 PM on November 23, 2009


Neat, I am in. Didn't see the first post about this.
posted by lholladay at 1:58 PM on November 23, 2009


Your poll is flawed. quonsar does not begin with a capital q.
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 2:19 PM on November 23, 2009


Can someone explain the Elf Score? Where did these points come from and what are their purpose?
posted by MuChao at 2:41 PM on November 23, 2009


So, in the spirit of giving a optimal gift via crowdsourcing, would you rather have a) something from a well-known-interwebs company store? or b) home-made jam/marmalade?

I almost always prefer hand-made stuff. Bonus points for quirky or weird, but marmalade is good too.
posted by Kimberly at 2:42 PM on November 23, 2009


Can someone explain the Elf Score? Where did these points come from and what are their purpose?
What does the Elf Score mean?

The Elf Score measures how good an elf has been at elfster. You earn points by being a good elf - participating in an exhange, asking and answering questions and more. A good Elf Score affords you bragging rights and advances you in your quest to find your inner elf.
In other words, an attempt to get you to use the site more.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:00 PM on November 23, 2009


Though he won't say so in so many words, my boyfriend thinks I'm a loser for signing up for this. So I'd better get something bitchin' is all I'm saying.
posted by phunniemee at 3:04 PM on November 23, 2009


("Bitchin'" includes but is not limited to anything other than my Secret Quonsar showing up at my door wielding an ax in the middle of the night.)
posted by phunniemee at 3:06 PM on November 23, 2009


GuyZero: "OK, so! Last year someone sent me a really nice jam which was great. I sent out trinkets from the company store (possibly cooler than it sounds). So, in the spirit of giving a optimal gift via crowdsourcing, would you rather have a) something from a well-known-interwebs company store? or b) home-made jam/marmalade? Because I already make a lot of jam and it's mostly good"

Personally... no offense, but I would be concerned about homemade food products which traveled who knows how long in the crowded postal system. My opinion is solely my own and does not reflect the opinion of other MeFites™, the mods™, nor Metafilter™ in general.
posted by IndigoRain at 3:20 PM on November 23, 2009


I didn't tell my boyfriend I was signing up, but he'd also think I'm a loser for doing so.
Too bad!
posted by d13t_p3ps1 at 3:21 PM on November 23, 2009 [1 favorite]


No, that's a fair concern. OTOH, the jam is actually a year or more old and from what I've opened recently, it's great. My jam will be sterile until the Eschaton. It might break in the mail or something though so that is a concern.
posted by GuyZero at 3:23 PM on November 23, 2009


It might break in the mail or something though so that is a concern.

That's why it's best to pack and send something soft. Like ham or a kitten.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 3:37 PM on November 23, 2009 [1 favorite]


I would only pack jam in a ham if there was a way to record audio-video footage of its travels through the postal system.
posted by GuyZero at 3:43 PM on November 23, 2009


Though he won't say so in so many words, my boyfriend thinks I'm a loser for signing up for this.

Next time, don't ask permission.
posted by cjorgensen at 3:51 PM on November 23, 2009


My husband thought I was a loser when I signed up last year too. "You're exchanging gifts with strangers on the internet?" He didn't get a super cute staple free stapler though.

Due to budget constraints I will not be able to participate this year, but don't let bah-humbug SO's that don't get "that blue/green/gray website you're always on" keep you from signing up!
posted by chiababe at 3:55 PM on November 23, 2009


"Jam In A Ham" is going to be the name of my non-kosher Jewish Grateful Dead and Phish cover band.

(not that I'm Jewish, but I'll be the manager)
posted by hippybear at 4:31 PM on November 23, 2009


Never did before, but sure, I'm in.
posted by fixedgear at 4:48 PM on November 23, 2009


I had a great exchange 2 years ago, got stiffed last year, but will play again!
posted by iamkimiam at 4:55 PM on November 23, 2009


Would you pack it in a fox? Would you stuff it in your socks?
posted by nebulawindphone at 5:32 PM on November 23, 2009


Count me in! I did an exchange on another website last year and it went swimmingly.
posted by biochemist at 5:40 PM on November 23, 2009


Elfster? Who thinks about fisting an elf at Christmas? That's really perverse, even for Metafilter.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 5:56 PM on November 23, 2009


Umm, the poll seemingly let me vote for Secret Snowflake twice. I'm ratting myself out because this seems like a significant glitch. (Also, as long as I'm complaining, is there a way to check how the vote is going without double or triple voting?)
posted by bearwife at 6:41 PM on November 23, 2009


If you don't select one of the options and just press the Vote button, it shows you the results (and doesn't seem to increment up the vote count).
posted by julen at 6:45 PM on November 23, 2009


Thanks Julen.
posted by bearwife at 7:02 PM on November 23, 2009


I am rather lacking in the income department this year, but I don't see why that should stop me. I may pilfer something from my international trinket collection.

Gotta say, some of y'all have some dull significant others.
posted by zennie at 7:42 PM on November 23, 2009


I put a link to my Mefi profile as a wishlist item to encourage people to internet-stalk me and figure out what I might like. I'm new to elfster - is there a space for me to write a quick paragraph and explain a bit about my interests and assure people that I'm not allergic to anything? Using the wishlist function to indicate these sorts of things seems weird.
posted by Mizu at 8:01 PM on November 23, 2009


I just used the "things I don't want" for allergies, Mizu, because "having an itchy mouth for the next 12 hours from kiwifruit" definitely counts as a "do not want."
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 9:30 PM on November 23, 2009


Yay! I've had good swaps the last two years so I'm really looking forward to this year.

I never look at wishlists, preferring instead to go through my swap partner's mefi history and figuring out something cool.
posted by sugarfish at 9:48 PM on November 23, 2009


Zennie, that would be totally awesome, if you were my Secret Santa. A fellow MeFite once sent me (outside of an exchange) a prayer talisman of sorts from a Buddhist temple all the way in the Philippines. I hope you will still participate.

Sugarfish, that's great of you. I still have no idea how annaramma, in the first SQ, figured out that I would absolutely adore a plush rainbow kitty.
posted by IndigoRain at 10:22 PM on November 23, 2009


Aw, man. I'm going to be traveling between now and the 15th, so it looks like I won't be able to participate this year.
posted by backseatpilot at 5:31 AM on November 24, 2009


Totally in. I'm a first timer though, please be gentle with me!
posted by WinnipegDragon at 6:53 AM on November 24, 2009


DId this last year, got awesome little figurines from Everybody Polka, so I'm in.
posted by The Whelk at 8:27 AM on November 24, 2009


I know the gift exchange has a long history here, but is there an Official Secret Quonsar Story?
posted by cgk at 8:38 AM on November 24, 2009


Based on the poll results so far, it looks like "Secret quonsar" is headed towards a majority of the popular vote and a landslide victory in the Electoral College.
posted by Vectorcon Systems at 8:48 AM on November 24, 2009


I'm in! And to anyone who was in my MeFi Music Swapset, your music package is not lost or forgotten, but rather slowly growing because of my shame at being a huge slacker (combined with being concerned about getting everything in order before shipping).

So: anyone who gets me as a Secret Quonsee will indeed receive their item in a timely fashion.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:19 AM on November 24, 2009


I know the gift exchange has a long history here, but is there an Official Secret Quonsar Story?

From the Secret quonsar page on Mefi Wiki: public suggested the Secret Santa get renamed as Secret quonsar, after quonsar's account had been disabled shortly beforehand.
posted by filthy light thief at 10:11 AM on November 24, 2009


Thanks light thief, can't wait until there is a kids book I can rady to my children.
posted by cgk at 10:47 AM on November 24, 2009


I'm in for my first SQ!
posted by schleppo at 11:59 AM on November 24, 2009


Signed up ... please be kind to the newbie, and I promise a lovely gift for my giftee!
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 2:05 PM on November 24, 2009


I like jam!
posted by HopperFan at 10:27 PM on November 24, 2009


Fun--I'm totally in. Looking forward to the intrigue and the gift-giving!
posted by Sublimity at 4:50 AM on November 25, 2009


Yay, signed up. I like giving gifts.
posted by KathyK at 9:42 AM on November 25, 2009


Forgive my hopeless ignorance (I'm the sort of person who checks to see if the hamsters are still running if I'm having computer problems), but when I fill out the Elfster profile to include my real name and address, does everyone get to see that? How does the whole "secret" aspect of this secret quonsar/snowflake endeavour get maintained? Oh, and I'm totally excited. I adore gift exchanges, almost as much as I love getting things in the mail.
posted by Go Banana at 10:00 AM on November 25, 2009


Go Banana, no. I have the group settings set so that only the person who draws you will see your real name* and address. (*Provided you follow my suggestion of putting your Mefi username in the Name field and your real name in the first address field.)

It's a secret because you won't know the person who draws you unless he/she chooses to reveal his/her Mefi name.
posted by IndigoRain at 12:43 PM on November 25, 2009


Any chance we can try and match up geological regions a bit. Shipping costs to the US from Canada are much higher than shipping within the country (plus customs pains, etc...)
posted by WinnipegDragon at 1:31 PM on November 25, 2009


I'm in! This will be a fun one.
posted by Lou Stuells at 3:09 PM on November 25, 2009


WinnipegDragon: "Any chance we can try and match up geological regions a bit. Shipping costs to the US from Canada are much higher than shipping within the country (plus customs pains, etc..."

We've discussed that before but it would be a real mess with multiple elfster groups, people not sure which one to sign up for, etc. And then there are the countries that only have 1 or 2 mefites. If you want to do a spinoff that's cool. It's not something I have in the works.
posted by IndigoRain at 1:08 AM on November 26, 2009


Yay! I'm in! I got a notebook and a necklace and a really cool card with a moustache brooch on it last year.

And I forgot to thank the person for them. Lingering guilt and sadness.
posted by tiny crocodile at 1:26 AM on November 26, 2009


It came upon a midnight clear. Ẕ̣̩̏͋̏̚͜Ă͙̹͇̓̈́̍L̰͎͉̙̻̖̪̈́͌͗͛̌̾ͮ̕Ǧ̮̣ͤ̾̎͢O̲̰͍̹̟̦͈̎̉̾ͫͬ͒͘
posted by sambosambo at 2:51 AM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]


Eh, got stiffed last year, but I'll play again.
posted by LN at 7:09 AM on November 26, 2009


Elfster profiles offer the option to include your wishlists, either typed in by hand or links to an online wishlist (such as Amazon or Kaboodle wishlists).

I may be having a brainpower lapse, but I didn't see how to add links to Amazon wishlists?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:58 AM on November 26, 2009


I may be having a brainpower lapse, but I didn't see how to add links to Amazon wishlists?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:58 AM on November 26 [+] [!]


You have to include the URL in the URL field and then a name in the item field, in my case 'Amazon Wishlist'.
posted by WinnipegDragon at 1:00 PM on November 26, 2009


I very much like the sound of this, but I have one question. I'm in the UK, so if, as seems likely, I get matched with someone in the U.S., how early will I have to post my item to have it arrive in time for Christmas? Am I right in assuming that December 15th will be way, way too late, and if so will early (1st-7th) December be early enough?
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 10:35 PM on November 26, 2009


Early December should be enough, but a gift that arrives after Christmas is still awesome. It's like extending the joy.
posted by julen at 6:20 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]


Cool beans. :)
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 9:28 AM on November 27, 2009


I got the friggin' greatest gift last year from the UK -- a BBC mug, a cute tea pot and a bag of British tea. And it arrived on time. So, you never know.

Really. You never know. Whoever gave it, thank you!
posted by Gucky at 10:27 AM on November 28, 2009


I'm in!
posted by sciurus at 12:39 PM on November 28, 2009


This should be fun :)

I observed that Elfster is not available in the "Social Apps" list in our profiles.
posted by crysflame at 2:52 AM on November 29, 2009


Excited for the 1st! Not sure I put my username in the correct spot though.
posted by biochemist at 5:26 PM on November 29, 2009


I am so in. I hope that whoever gets me likes handmade stuff, cause I'm all up in the handmade stuff.

*crosses fingers for orange swan*
posted by Jilder at 6:46 PM on November 29, 2009


I'm in. Got cool stuff last year. Took months but my stuff finally got to my person. It was fun.
posted by sandraregina at 1:52 PM on November 30, 2009


The day has arrived! Soon the button is pressed! Little Quonslings shall soon abound!
posted by Captain Cardanthian! at 10:34 PM on November 30, 2009


*taps foot* :D
posted by Kimberly at 7:48 AM on December 1, 2009


While that anticipation mounts, let's take a look at the poll results!

Secret Quonsar ... 57% ... 177 votes
Secret Snowflake ... 25% ... 75 votes
Secret Schmoopy ... 15% ... 44 votes
Other ... 1% ... 2 votes

Most States were 50% or more for Secret Quonsar, but Secret Snowflake took the states of Washington, Kansas, Iowa, Michigan and Indiana. The Secret Schmoopy strongholds were New Mexico, Nebraska, and South Carolina.
posted by julen at 8:47 AM on December 1, 2009


Oh, the anticipation! It's like I'm laying in bed Quonsmas morning, waiting for my brothers to wake up. Soon the three of us will get up and bring the mods coffee in bed, and then presents!
posted by mollymayhem at 9:27 AM on December 1, 2009


Whew; got in just under the wire.

I'm buying 15 one-dollar baby kittens for someone special.... can't wait to find out who it is!
posted by heyho at 10:12 AM on December 1, 2009 [1 favorite]


So, um...........

It's the day? How do I get notified of my pick?
posted by hippybear at 10:15 AM on December 1, 2009


Theoretically we're getting an email at some point.
posted by Kimberly at 11:39 AM on December 1, 2009


in theory.
posted by The Whelk at 12:33 PM on December 1, 2009


So no one else got an e-mail yet either? Just making sure.
posted by Go Banana at 1:20 PM on December 1, 2009


No email in my stocking yet.
posted by hecho de la basura at 1:25 PM on December 1, 2009


On the elfster site, it says the "sign-up deadline" is today. And:
Names are automatically drawn the day after the sign up deadline. If you have already gotten all of the responses from your exchange participants before the sign-up deadline, you can initiate the draw yourself by clicking on the "draw names" button at the top of the exchange home page
So, the drawing is tomorrow unless IndigoRain does it manually today.
posted by smackfu at 1:43 PM on December 1, 2009


Did this get done yet? Do we get notified somehow? It's Dec 2nd here already and the international post cutoff is past (Nov 30th), but the closer I can get my gift out to that date the more likely it is to arrive in time, or close to it.

I'm not trying to be impatient, just don't know if I'm supposed to be checking something somewhere.
posted by shelleycat at 2:52 PM on December 1, 2009


I hear evolution is also only a theory.

I am struggling not to draw parallels.
posted by hippybear at 3:06 PM on December 1, 2009


I'm assuming that it will do the auto-draw after the last time zone passes into December 2nd. It let me sign up at 3pm Dec. 1st Alaska time just a few moments ago.
posted by Foam Pants at 4:25 PM on December 1, 2009


Ooooh, so it's when it goes out of Dec 1st in whatever timezone not when it goes into Dec 1st. That makes sense.
posted by shelleycat at 4:30 PM on December 1, 2009


Came in to check and see you have all answered my question about not receiving any email yet.

Guess I don't get to flame out today .
posted by misha at 5:39 PM on December 1, 2009


Got this message from IndigoRain:

"I'm still getting last-minute signups, so in a couple of hours I'll press the button and make the draw."
posted by Kimberly at 5:56 PM on December 1, 2009


Got my email! Browsing my SQuonsee's comments, as we speak. Errr...type.
posted by mollymayhem at 7:09 PM on December 1, 2009


Okay, this is a silly question...

I have the name of my person.

How on earth do I see their address so I know where they live and such? All I have is an email address and a few wishlist listings!
posted by hippybear at 7:12 PM on December 1, 2009


Email! Hooray!
posted by lholladay at 7:12 PM on December 1, 2009


I got my email too!

Now to find out something about my person...hmm...
posted by SisterHavana at 7:13 PM on December 1, 2009


I don't see a physical address for my person either - just an email address.
posted by SisterHavana at 7:18 PM on December 1, 2009


How on earth do I see their address so I know where they live and such? All I have is an email address and a few wishlist listings!

I didn't realize it when I signed up for Elfster, but you have to edit your profile in order to add your mailing address. My recipient didn't edit their profile either as I can't see their address, so I'm guessing it's a common oversight for participants. It might be good to remind everyone to be sure to edit their profiles to add their mailing addresses.
posted by hecho de la basura at 7:25 PM on December 1, 2009


OK, Everyone...

If you have not entered your address in your profile, please do so now:

On Elfster: Click the big You in the navigation header, and then [edit profile] on the page that loads. If your Mefi name isn't obvious/same name as your user name, you can enter it on Address Line 1 and enter your street address/PO Box/Planet on Address Line 2.

There is an ask a question feature on Elfster that allows people to ask questions anonymously of the person they drew. You can use this to ask someone to add their address or reply with their address.

Finally, even though you've gotten your draw, please check Elfster 1ce or 2ce to make sure there aren't outstanding questions you've missed.

Happy stalki --- ah, investigating, everyone!
posted by julen at 7:27 PM on December 1, 2009


So... Anyone want to trade Secret Quonsar partners?

HAHAHA I'M JUST KIDDING!!! ISN'T THAT FUNNY?!?!

(Email's in my profile.)
posted by sambosambo at 8:20 PM on December 1, 2009


No email? No secret quonsar for me? Anyone else not get the email yet?
posted by misha at 9:24 PM on December 1, 2009


The email should come from santa@elfster.com and the Subject should be: We've drawn a name for you.

Even if you didn't get an email, you should be able to log into Elfster and see who you've drawn.
It's listed on this page.
posted by julen at 10:11 PM on December 1, 2009


If you don't have an email yet, make sure to check your spam folders. I was using a Yahoo mail account for mine and had to dig it out.
posted by sugarfish at 10:29 PM on December 1, 2009


I think I've come up with a pretty sweet-ass idea for my Secret Quonsar. Bad news: there was some hardcore internet stalking involved and I think I now know more about my SQ than their own mother does. But hey, 'tis the season, right?
posted by phunniemee at 9:59 AM on December 2, 2009


Woohoo! Got my email. Yay! I'm looking forward to the exchange.
posted by misha at 10:02 AM on December 2, 2009


Indeed, please do post your addresses in your profile, and don't worry, they're private except to the person who drew you.

You can always check the #mefi or #metafilter tags on Twitter which is where I was posting updates.
posted by IndigoRain at 12:16 AM on December 3, 2009


I have not yet gotten my e-mail? What am I doing wrong?
posted by The Whelk at 5:31 AM on December 3, 2009


NEVERMIND I FOUND IT WOO
posted by The Whelk at 5:34 AM on December 3, 2009


Still no invite. :(
posted by GuyZero at 9:49 AM on December 3, 2009


You don't need an email or anything. On the elfster side, it should say:

Upcoming Exchanges:
Metafilter's Secret Quonsar 2009
Your draw is: xxxxxxx

And then you can click on the draw's username to see their address.
posted by smackfu at 10:20 AM on December 3, 2009


Perfect! That worked.
posted by GuyZero at 10:34 AM on December 3, 2009


Hey, folks!

Please include your metafilter ID in your profile/address if it is not your login name.

Some of you have anonymous questions waiting for you on Elfster requesting that you provide that information; your secret Quonsar wants to find out more about you so they can increase the awesome quotient on your gift.
posted by julen at 4:28 PM on December 3, 2009


So as I'm new to secret quansar, I'm wondering...when I send the gift out later this month, should I include my mefi name, or is it supposed to stay anonymous?
posted by quinoa at 2:02 PM on December 4, 2009


I think that is really up to you, quinoa. I believe that you can choose to find out later in the year who your Secret Quonsar is through Elfster, but I think that once the gift is in the recipient's hand, it's fine for them to know who sent it!
posted by misha at 3:00 PM on December 4, 2009


So I was planning on being all secret-like, but then when I mailed the package today I had to fill out the custom form, and I had to include my return address and all. Guess U.S. customs doesn't trust anonymous packages. Happy Quonsmas, from your soon-not-to-be secret Mefi pal! (I'm creating suspense in lieu of secrecy)
posted by Go Banana at 5:26 PM on December 9, 2009


I sent my gift out yesterday. This will be the Quonsiest Quonsmas that ever Quonned!
posted by schleppo at 5:45 AM on December 11, 2009


Just mailed my gift. I am filled with a feeling joy and anticipation... could this be what Quonsmas is really all about?
posted by lholladay at 4:03 PM on December 14, 2009


Sent. Stood in line at my tiny local post office, home of the slowest clerks in the world.
posted by fixedgear at 4:50 PM on December 15, 2009


Sent just today as well. Sorry for the lateness, secret Quonsar-eee.
posted by GuyZero at 4:51 PM on December 15, 2009


Sent mine out today, sorry for the lateness! Quonsarian-not-to-be-named in Texas despair not, a gift cometh!
posted by Billegible at 11:00 AM on December 18, 2009


I got my SecretQuonsar gift, whee, and it's exactly what I wanted, owl puke!!!

(seriously, that was what I asked for.)

PLUS I got a cool Utili-Key 6-in-one tool.

Wait, I wasn't supposed to wait 'til Christmas to open it, right? As if.
posted by HopperFan at 12:55 PM on December 18, 2009


I'm glad you liked your puke. That sounds weird, but I am glad. :)
posted by sandraregina at 1:13 PM on December 18, 2009


Oh hell, I want Owl Puke now :(
posted by WinnipegDragon at 1:30 PM on December 18, 2009


Dear unnamed Californian, your gift was shipped on the 15th. Hope it gets there soon!
posted by futureisunwritten at 1:55 PM on December 18, 2009


To whomever sent me "The Greatest Show on Earth":

Thank you so very much! And good luck with your finals.
posted by lholladay at 2:40 PM on December 18, 2009


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