Secret quonsar 2012: Signups Are Open. Let the quonsing begin! November 12, 2012 6:54 AM   Subscribe

It's secret quonsar time again! The randomized draw will be on American Thanksgiving, November 22, and the send by date is Monday, December 3. Please sign up by 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, November 20. The spending guideline: $10-20.

secret quonsar is the MeFi holiday-adjacent gift swap. Each participant sends a gift to an awesome Mefite; each participant receives a gift from an awesome Mefite. Awesomeness and gifts abound.

Signing Up

There will be a link at the end of this post. Follow it. We need a MeFi handle, an email address you check, your mailing address, and some good guidance for the person who draws your name.

You will get a confirmation email within 12 hours of signing up that will show you the information you submitted. If you do not get this confirmation within 24 hours, send me a memail. If you have not gotten a confirmation email, you may not be signed up or you entered the wrong email address. We can fix that. Fun Fact: Every year, several people accidentally typo their own email addresses, which leads to confusion and consternation, and sometimes no gift for someone until late in the season.

You will get your draw via email. It will contain key information about the person you will be gifting: MeFi name, real name, mailing address, and hopefully helpful guidance from the person you drew. It should allow you get off to a running start.

We will not share, abuse, sell, or spindle your email address. The person who draws your name will not get your email address. I will delete all emails sent and received at the end of the sq season.

The Rules

If you failed to send your giftee a gift last year without ensuring they got a gift, don't even bother signing up. You've been banned from this year's festivities. If you do try to sign up, your name will be yoinked from the swap. You can try again next year, but two strikes and you will be out. If you don't send a gift this year, you will be banned next year. You will get only one second chance. If you sign up anyway, you will be removed from the list and you will hear from me.

If you find that you can't participate after signing up but before the draw, after all, then send me a MeMail or an email to the address below. I'll remove your entry.

If you find that you can't participate after all after the draw, please send an email to that same gmail account as soon as possible so we can contact the folks who drew you and whom you drew and redirect or reassign as appropriate.

If you do not think you can mail a gift in a reasonable amount of time, please do not participate. It's not OK to plan now on finding and sending your gift after your life calms down in January or late December or on Valentines Day.

The Swap

You will be notified which mefite you have drawn on American Thanksgiving.

Hey! You have a question!

Do you have a burning question for the person whose name you drew? Do you need more information? We're here to help! Send us an email and we will follow up! Phunniemee will be helping me during this anonymizer phase. If you draw my name and need answers from/about me, contact her directly; if you draw her's, contact me. We'll do our best to get folks the answers they need.

After the gift giving frenzy has begun, We are happy to follow up on your behalf after a suitable period has passed - to check in with a giftee to see if a gift has arrived, or to check in with a sender to see what the status is. During this time, we will also reassign folks who are getting stiffed to our fine band of second chancers - folks who have volunteered to step in and make sure every gets a gift. If you want to be a second chancer drop me a memail or an email.

If you know your gift will be arriving late (for instance, if you are making it or the manufacturer has a backlog), we would be happy to let your quonsee know they have not been forgotten and it is on the way.

A Note About the Swap Groups

The list has changed slightly from last year. If we do not get enough people to do a swap in a group, I will contact folks in the underpopulated swap groups to see what can be done in the week before Thanksgiving. I will take suggestions, so if you want to suggest an alternate swap group (e.g. Mars only), those can be added .

A Note about International Swapping

I STRONGLY recommend mailing as early as possible if you are going to send anything internationally, especially if the US is involved. Customs holds up lots of packages for varying amounts of time (with some, it seems forever.) If you sign up for the International/Anywhere option, please be aware that shipping times may stretch out longer than you'd prefer.

Communicating with us

Unless you need to contact us specifically about one of the organizers, please use our gmail account secretquonsarswap. This will help us make sure we don't overlook anything and can be as efficient as possible. This year, I'm pleased to be joined by PhunnieMee, arcticseal, and lampshade on the organizing crew.

The signup link

Sign up for Secret Quonsar 2012

Please note: we've set up a once-a-year mailing list to notify people when sq signups go live. You can sign up to be notified in future years. (This year's notification has already gone out) Please note: signing up for the notification list does not mean you are automatically signed up to participate in sq every year. You still have to fill out the sq sign-up form every year.
posted by julen to MetaFilter-Related at 6:54 AM (485 comments total) 30 users marked this as a favorite

Woohoo! SQ! Woohoo! SQ!
posted by schleppo at 7:02 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


IT'S THE MOST QUONSICAL TIME OF THE YEAR.
posted by deezil at 7:03 AM on November 12, 2012 [9 favorites]


I am signed up!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:04 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


A beautiful sight

We're happy tonight

Walkin' 'round in Quonsar's wonderland
posted by griphus at 7:05 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Signing up! Yay surprises!
posted by Miko at 7:05 AM on November 12, 2012


I'MMA ANONYMIZE THE SHIT OUTTA YOU PEOPLE. GET READY.
posted by phunniemee at 7:07 AM on November 12, 2012 [5 favorites]


YES YES YES OH GOD YES

(and stuff)
posted by Madamina at 7:08 AM on November 12, 2012


Hooray! I signed up for the first time last year, and it was a terrific experience. Got neat stuff, obsessed over finding just the right things to send...it was great, and I can't wait to see who I get to send to this year!
posted by xingcat at 7:08 AM on November 12, 2012


Im signing up and getting stuck on what I want...its harder then I thought it would be
posted by ShawnString at 7:09 AM on November 12, 2012


Oh, I'm sorry for those of you who got notified twice (or 3 times in one unfortunate case) in the email I sent out to folks who signed up to be notified when signups went live.

I made a last minute half-a-change in the notification script and thought I made a last minute full-change. Whoops.
posted by julen at 7:11 AM on November 12, 2012


BEST DAY!!!! Thank you again for doing this, it's one of my favorite things every year!!
posted by bibliogrrl at 7:12 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Secret Quonsar is a GO!
posted by seanmpuckett at 7:14 AM on November 12, 2012


Woohoo! Thanks for doing this, folks!

I hope I get a million dollars from my secret Quansar. I've always wanted to have a million dollars.
posted by bondcliff at 7:21 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


bondcliff...damn i knew i forgot to add something
posted by ShawnString at 7:23 AM on November 12, 2012


I am signed up and excited about it!
And equally paranoid about the intense psychoanalysis my quonsar will feel obligated to perform on my posting history before selecting my gift!
But excited! Also!
posted by mochapickle at 7:35 AM on November 12, 2012 [2 favorites]


I've signed up for this for the first time ever, and I am already getting anxious about finding the perfect gift! The holidays have truly begun!
posted by Rock Steady at 7:38 AM on November 12, 2012


Yay I signed up! Yayyy
posted by Monster_Zero at 7:39 AM on November 12, 2012


It's the most Quonsarful time of the year.

Also, I'm glad I drew bondcliff last year, and not this year.
posted by owtytrof at 7:41 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Actually, I suppose fate could slap me with a million-dollar Quonsee. Are there mechanisms in place to prevent duplicate pair ups?
posted by owtytrof at 7:49 AM on November 12, 2012


In!
posted by chococat at 7:52 AM on November 12, 2012


Oh good, now I get to spend the entire day obsessing about how to fill in the "guidance for your recipient" section! It is my first Quonsar ever and I am excited and and also trying not to freak out too hard about doing it wrong!
posted by jessypie at 7:59 AM on November 12, 2012 [4 favorites]


Have yourself a merry little Quonsar
Now mere weeks to wait
From now on we'll post our gifts before too late

Have yourself a merry little Quonsar
Wonder who mine's from
I spent longer choosing this than for my mom

Through the years our gifts keep getting better
Risk bad taste, but vow
To find the coolest thing that twenty bucks allows
And have yourself a merry little Quonsar now
posted by greenish at 8:10 AM on November 12, 2012 [11 favorites]


owtytrof: "Are there mechanisms in place to prevent duplicate pair ups?"

It is possible that you could draw the person who drew you.

It is possible - and has happened - that if you have a spouse and that spouse is signed up for sq, you could draw your spouse (or your spouse could draw you.

People will only be drawn once.

People can only be drawn by people in the swap group they have chosen. If you choose Mars Only (not a real option), you will send a gift to someone on Mars, and someone on Mars will send a gift to you.

I will do a quick sanity check on entries to make sure the address maps the group. Folks who, for instance, choose Canada Only but who submit a mailing address in the UK will hear from me.

jessypie: "It is my first Quonsar ever and I am excited and and also trying not to freak out too hard about doing it wrong!"

There are very few ways of doing sq wrong, and a billion ways to do it right. You either have to be a collossal jerk or work hard at specifically doing it wrong to be doing sq wrong.
posted by julen at 8:13 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Hooray!
posted by ChuraChura at 8:16 AM on November 12, 2012


I'm gonna Quonse you. I'm gonna Quonse you so hard.
posted by Lou Stuells at 8:20 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Last Quonsmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears,
I'll try to draw someone who doesn't have "human heart" on their wish list, and if they do I'll probably get them something from Fred Flare instead
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:21 AM on November 12, 2012 [15 favorites]


At long last, my obsessive desire to internet stalk people in order to give them perfect gifts will finally be useful.
posted by corb at 8:24 AM on November 12, 2012 [6 favorites]


Woohoo, I'm signed up! Thanks for doing all of the work to keep this going!
posted by wiskunde at 8:25 AM on November 12, 2012


And there won't be gifts on Reddit during Quonsmastime
Their pub quiz team's still crying in their beer
Their beans go underthought
Their 5 bucks -- all for naught
DO THEY KNOW IT'S QUONSMASTIME AT ALL?
posted by Madamina at 8:38 AM on November 12, 2012 [11 favorites]


Time to prune and update my Amazon wish list..

Whoever was my secret quonsar last year: I am sad things didn't work out, but I am not angry at you! I know sometimes Life Happens. I hope your holidays this year are less stressful and you have a beautiful December.
posted by royalsong at 8:40 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Since I have zero ability to re-purpose old holiday pop songs into quonsar themed goodness, I will simply say:

YAY!
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 8:41 AM on November 12, 2012


YAY I SIGNED UP

It's my first secret quonsar!
posted by insectosaurus at 8:43 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Done.

In.
posted by lampshade at 8:45 AM on November 12, 2012


Yay quonsar!
posted by spitefulcrow at 8:46 AM on November 12, 2012


I signed up, yay!
posted by gaspode at 8:47 AM on November 12, 2012


I was having trouble composing my guidance section (it's always impossible to answer gift questions when asked directly!) so I came up with a list of questions to ask myself. I am sharing them here in case anyone else finds them useful:
  • Do you like tchotchkes, geegaws, or knickknacks, or do you prefer things that are primarily functional?
  • Do you like to cook? Bake?
  • Favorite alcoholic beverage, coffee, tea, or other special beverage?
  • What are your hobbies?
  • Do you collect anything?
  • Do you have any habits or hobbies that you constantly purchase supplies for? What habit and what supplies?
  • Do you like nifty office/school supplies? If not, is there some other category of small useful items you just can't get enough of?
  • Are you a member of a particular fandom?
  • When you travel, is there an item you always make sure to pick up (local coffee or tea, shot glass, local snack, postcard, magnet)? What is it?
  • What is your favorite store-bought treat? What is your favorite homemade treat?
  • What kind of books (or other reading material) do you like to read?
  • What kind of movies, TV, or video do you like to watch?
  • Do you prefer scented or unscented things? If you like scented things, what scents are your favorites?
  • Do you like games or puzzles? What kind?
  • What are your favorite colors? Any colors that you hate?
  • What size t-shirt do you wear?
  • If you have pets, would you like to receive any pet-related things?
  • What is the worst gift swap present (or holiday present) you ever received?
  • What foods do you not eat?
  • Any absolute dislikes your secret quonsar should know about?
posted by ocherdraco at 8:49 AM on November 12, 2012 [105 favorites]


theBigRedKittyPurrs: "Since I have zero ability to re-purpose old holiday pop songs into quonsar themed goodness,"

QUONS QUONS QUONS, QUONS QUONS QUONS, QUONSAR ALL THE WAAAAAAAAY.....
posted by IndigoRain at 8:51 AM on November 12, 2012 [6 favorites]


Oh, I'm sorry for those of you who got notified twice (or 3 times in one unfortunate case)

Hey that one unfortunate case was me! Finally I'm the special one for once. Eat your hearts out, single and double-notified people.
posted by burnmp3s at 8:52 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Another question I just thought of: Do you have a long commute? What do you do to make your commute more enjoyable (listen to podcasts, do crossword puzzles, etc.)?
posted by ocherdraco at 8:57 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


This is seriously one of my top 3 favorite things about this time of year. Quonse me, baby!
posted by rhiannonstone at 9:00 AM on November 12, 2012 [3 favorites]


SIGNED UP! International shipping-style. The nicest and sweetest thank-you note I got from anybody last year was from my SQ. You people are a joy to gift.
posted by rumposinc at 9:02 AM on November 12, 2012


Oh, I'm so excited to do this again! Yay!! :)

Thanks again for putting this together. It really is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season.
posted by k8lin at 9:03 AM on November 12, 2012


Yet another Secret Quonsar Virgin here. I can't wait!

Is there a consensus on whether handmade gifts are better, worse, or a wash?

And also, what's the system and etiquette for thank-you notes? Will there be enough info on the wrappings to send one or do some senders preserve their anonymity?

So excited!
posted by wenestvedt at 9:18 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


I specifically said I like handmade things. That might be a good thing to include in the text box if you do like them.
posted by Miko at 9:24 AM on November 12, 2012 [3 favorites]


Signed up! Very excited for this, and thanks again for putting this together.
posted by MustardTent at 9:39 AM on November 12, 2012


And also, what's the system and etiquette for thank-you notes? Will there be enough info on the wrappings to send one or do some senders preserve their anonymity?

Some people like to stay anonymous, some don't!

julen and I are happy to pass on any thank yous you want to send, and some folks send private memails, but I think the standard thing to do is post your thank you in the inevitable schmoopy MeTa that opens up shortly after the swap.

If you'd like to schmoop in multiple locations, that is also perfectly delightful. We're equal-opportunity schmoopers here.
posted by phunniemee at 9:51 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


SQueee! I loved it last year, signed up international style.

*canters around room*
posted by arcticseal at 9:56 AM on November 12, 2012 [2 favorites]


I got these instructions from my quansee last year and thought they were pretty great:

"Introduce me to something you love and tell me why you love it!"

I stole and modified it for my own guidance this time around.
posted by Vectorcon Systems at 9:58 AM on November 12, 2012 [12 favorites]


Is there a consensus on whether handmade gifts are better, worse, or a wash?

I made my gift for my Quonsee last year and I was moved to tears by her overwhelmingly sweet response, even though I sent it way late and the seams were crooked and and and. I secretly hope I pick her name again just because she was such a pleasure to connect with. If whoever I pick seems open to handmade, I'd do that again. I'd love a homemade gift, myself, but I know they take a lot of time!
posted by mochapickle at 10:04 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


And also, what's the system and etiquette for thank-you notes? Will there be enough info on the wrappings to send one or do some senders preserve their anonymity?

Please do thank your Quonsar *somewhere* - if they're anon, say something on the schmoop-and-squee thread or through julen and her SQ elves. It's a bit of a let-down to spend time selecting a gift for your Quonsee and then never hearing their squee over what they got when everyone else is being all squeeful. That's part of the excitement and fun!
posted by flex at 10:15 AM on November 12, 2012 [11 favorites]


My SQ last year sent me two handmade gifts, one consumable and one not. I was delighted by both, and the non-consumable gift still occupies a place on my bar. It was actually on my mantle for a while.
posted by owtytrof at 10:16 AM on November 12, 2012


Signing up in the hopes that being horribly late last year will not disqualify me. This year's gift will probably not be alpaca-themed for no particularly good reason - unless a random cameline theme is requested.
posted by maryr at 10:21 AM on November 12, 2012


It was actually on my mantle for a while.

This is not even remotely meant to be pedantic, but I literally just found out yesterday that mantle isn't spelled mantle, it's spelled mantel. Blew my mind. I had no idea.
posted by phunniemee at 10:32 AM on November 12, 2012 [2 favorites]


Ocherdraco's list of questions makes me want to edit my SQ signup. Is there a way I can do that?
posted by shiny blue object at 10:34 AM on November 12, 2012 [3 favorites]


Everyone who uses ocherdraco's questionnaire is awesome. Especially for folks who are sorta lurky, and/or don't have a lot of link stuff to nose around in their profile.

Maybe if you forgot some stuff and already signed up, it'd be good to amend your details in-thread? As for me... I read horror, and wear XL t-shirts and hate onions. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ONIONS
posted by Lou Stuells at 10:35 AM on November 12, 2012 [6 favorites]


I literally just found out yesterday that mantle isn't spelled mantle, it's spelled mantel.

How do you know he wasn't displaying it on his cloak, or on the layer of the earth just above the core?
posted by Vectorcon Systems at 10:36 AM on November 12, 2012 [11 favorites]


Oh, duh, I am lactose intolerant and can't eat spicy things. I forgot if I mentioned that or not.
posted by griphus at 10:36 AM on November 12, 2012


I, however, would not be offended by tasty onions!
posted by HFSH at 10:37 AM on November 12, 2012 [2 favorites]


SO A LOAF OF PEPPER JACK PLEASE THX
posted by griphus at 10:37 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Also, anything is fun with googly eyes stuck to it.
posted by HFSH at 10:39 AM on November 12, 2012 [4 favorites]


/sews a T-shirt out of onions for Lou Stuells.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:40 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


I am awful at writing thank-you notes, but my seekrit Quonsars have been very, very good to me.
posted by theora55 at 10:42 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


I listed CHEESE in my signup, but since Lou Stuells mentioned onions, YES ONIONS! Or onion flavored things... they are my favorite vegetable. And yes to googly eyes too!

So what this really comes down to is I would like onion cheese with googly eyes. kthanksbai
posted by youngergirl44 at 10:43 AM on November 12, 2012 [3 favorites]


Mmm, cheese.
posted by Miko at 10:43 AM on November 12, 2012


oh see I can just forward any onions (or garments made therefrom) to other happy recipients. Quonsmas is the perfect onion ring of joy.
posted by Lou Stuells at 10:45 AM on November 12, 2012


Updating your entry

If you would like to make additions to your guidance section, send it in an email to our gmail account, secretquonsarswap.

The first batch of confirmations (100+!) just went out. It will take a while to filter out through you guys. I recommend you wait to see your confirmation and so you can make all necessary changes to info submitted.

If you signed up before 2:30 pm and have not gotten your confirmation by tomorrow morning, drop me a memail, and we'll figure out what went wrong! It's usually a typo in the email field, but it could be a problem with your spam catcher or something more nefarious. I'm hoping to get email-related snafus fixed BEFORE the swap.
posted by julen at 10:45 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Signed up! Thanks for putting this together, I am super-excited!
posted by Fig at 10:51 AM on November 12, 2012


bell quonsar rock
quonsar rock rock bell
bell rock quonsar rock bell
bell rock quonsar rock bell bell bell!
posted by vespabelle at 11:32 AM on November 12, 2012 [8 favorites]


Julen & the rest of y'all - thank you for doing all the work.
posted by theora55 at 11:42 AM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


woo-hoo !! I'm in !! :)
posted by seawallrunner at 11:46 AM on November 12, 2012


Signed up, thanks!
posted by dragonplayer at 11:50 AM on November 12, 2012


This will be my fourth Quonsmas, and they just keep getting better, Thank you so very, very much julen, PhunnieMee, arcticseal, and lampshade.
posted by angiep at 12:00 PM on November 12, 2012 [2 favorites]


So I'm doing this. Yep.
posted by graymouser at 12:06 PM on November 12, 2012


This is not even remotely meant to be pedantic, but I literally just found out yesterday that mantle isn't spelled mantle, it's spelled mantel. Blew my mind. I had no idea.

Yeah, this isn't really my thread. I'm three for three on dumb mistakes in comments. I wouldn't be surprised if this comment somehow pushes me to four for four.

double-checks "four for four", probably overlooks something else
posted by owtytrof at 12:17 PM on November 12, 2012


Whee! I'm in.
posted by schnee at 12:26 PM on November 12, 2012


I was all excited and told my fiancé "it's almost secret quonsar time!" And then I saw this thread! Yay!

Thanks so much for putting all this together again, and thanks everyone for participating!

You guys, please put some clues about what you like in your entry form! Otherwise you will get something completely random from me. I have a bottle of ChocoVine just begging to be regifted.
posted by zennie at 12:44 PM on November 12, 2012


zennie: I have a bottle of ChocoVine just begging to be regifted.

Oh, yeah. I probably should have said that I don't drink alcohol in my entry. Oops! Well, I'm going to update it based on ocherdraco's list anyway.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:56 PM on November 12, 2012


Well, that's some chocolate I wouldn't be sharing with the wife.
posted by theichibun at 12:58 PM on November 12, 2012


I'm in - thanks again guys for putting this together!
posted by amelliferae at 1:38 PM on November 12, 2012


Yay! I think I just bought an exciting local treat part of someone's gift, if they don't exclude it...
posted by vegartanipla at 1:39 PM on November 12, 2012


I'd like to thank you, Julen, and your merry little helpers for all the work you put into this. It's once of my favourite aspects of the site and really gives me a sense of fraternity and community.
posted by smoke at 1:46 PM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


I am SO EXCITED.
posted by VioletU at 1:50 PM on November 12, 2012


Yay! Signed up again this year! I think I have done SQ every year since it started? Maybe skipped one year? Dunno.

Hey, if you're new to SQ and you can't figure out what to put in the "Info for recipient" area, you can always make up an Amazon wish list of stuff <$20 and put the link in there. Folks did that last year, and I thought it was a great idea, so I'm doing it as well.
posted by misha at 1:55 PM on November 12, 2012


I'm in, I'm in! I hear the bells on Quonsar day!

But..... I signed up 'US only', but I'm willing to ship to either the US or Canada: if you need, please (and most quonsarly respectfully) toss my name into both sender-pools. Also, maybe I'm blind, but I didn't see a way to sign up as a second-chance sender?
posted by easily confused at 3:21 PM on November 12, 2012


Oh, yes! What about the second-chance senders? I can do that, too!
posted by misha at 3:28 PM on November 12, 2012


Yes, I'm in for second chancing too.
posted by arcticseal at 3:35 PM on November 12, 2012


I'm in! Merry Quonsar to all!
posted by sheprime at 3:47 PM on November 12, 2012


Yay! I'm ready to Quonse and be Quonsed!
posted by JoanArkham at 4:26 PM on November 12, 2012 [2 favorites]


I wasn't going to do it but then I couldn't resist. :)

I joined a later attempt at continued gift-giving and got a bit shafted.
Secret Quonsar is, of course, untainted by this small event.

posted by Glinn at 4:49 PM on November 12, 2012


Since I'll probably think of more and more things to add, I'm going to put ocherdraco's list in my profile, rather than pester the Quonsmas elves repeatedly. So excited!
posted by bethnull at 4:53 PM on November 12, 2012 [3 favorites]


I'm getting scattered reports that confirmation messages are being put in spam or potential spam folders by gmail, so check your junk/spam boxes and whitelist our email address if that happened to you.

(If you signed up before 1:30 Eastern US Time, you should have a confirmation email; next batch of confirmation emails will probably go out at Midnight Eastern time (about 4 hours from now) for everyone who signed up after 1:30 and before Midnight).
posted by julen at 4:53 PM on November 12, 2012


Man, if it weren't for julen's excellent Secret Quonsar Email Notification Services I would've missed this thread. Thanks, julen, for being excellent as always.
posted by Phire at 6:30 PM on November 12, 2012 [3 favorites]


Oh, shoot, I forgot to mention that handmade things are awesome and lovely. The knit TARDIS my SQ made me two years ago is still one of the coolest things I own.
posted by Phire at 6:49 PM on November 12, 2012 [2 favorites]


In!! Terribly excited. Ready to find that onion cheese with googley eyes. Whatever It Takes.

And thanks again to all my SQs, including awesome 2nd chancer SQ last year.
posted by bearwife at 7:26 PM on November 12, 2012 [2 favorites]


I've recently visited the island of Niijima, which is considered a part of Tokyo, even though it is an overnight trip by ferry from the city. It's a nice enough island, though there is very little there (no convenience stores, only a couple supermarkets, and very few restaurants), and nearly everything closes by 7. In fact, there's little to recommend it as a destination: one side of the island has a beach with fantastic waves, but there is almost no sand, and the shore is giant rocks; the other side of the island has beaches with breakwaters, the water is cold, but all kinds of garbage gets caught there by the tide.

The thing that Niijima is famous for? Kusaya, or literally, Shit-Fish. Fish that are so heavily fermented that they smell like feces. I know this because the group next to ours on the return trip was eating it, and had to be asked repeatedly to close the damn container. Truly, truly foul stench.

So what I mean to say is, someone is getting a very, very special Quansarmus gift. Enjoy!
posted by Ghidorah at 7:51 PM on November 12, 2012 [10 favorites]


Well, I guess they needed something to take away the taste of the natto?
posted by maryr at 7:57 PM on November 12, 2012


Having completed my transition from the-internet-community-that-shall-not-be-named to Metafilter a couple of months ago, I'm as pleased as punch to be throwing my time and money at a MeFite this year. :D
posted by brieche at 8:24 PM on November 12, 2012


I signed up!

I FEEL NERVOUS YOU GUYS
posted by mynameisluka at 8:36 PM on November 12, 2012 [4 favorites]


Hi folks!

If you signed up this afternoon or evening or in the wee hours of the morning, your signup confirmations will be sent late tomorrow morning (about 10.5 hours from now). That account has sen a lot of mail today, and I fear I am close to the sending limit, so I want to wait until 24 hours after the Signups Are Open email notification went out so they don't count against the daily limit.

I will also send confirmations to folks who want to update their entry and respond to second chancer volunteers at his time.

Your guidance instructions are almost all really interesting and frequently delightful.
posted by julen at 9:21 PM on November 12, 2012


Woo hoo! I'm in and ready for Quonsmus again!
posted by SisterHavana at 9:41 PM on November 12, 2012


I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for mailing out my swap gift so late.
posted by The Man from Lardfork at 9:56 PM on November 12, 2012 [1 favorite]


Yay, I'm all signed up!

It's my first time, please be gentle.
posted by Defying Gravity at 5:14 AM on November 13, 2012 [1 favorite]


AWWWWWW YEAH!

It is hard to believe this will be my fourth Secret Quonsar. Definitely highlight of the season! A humble request to all Quonsees: Use ocherdraco's questionnaire if you have a minimal profile and/or posting history (or even if you don't!) It's way more fun to try and find something personal than to guess and hope for the best. I promise I won't sell your marketing profile to anyone!
posted by usonian at 5:36 AM on November 13, 2012


My confirmation email got caught in my Gmail spam filter, FYI.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:45 AM on November 13, 2012


Latest bunch of signup confirmation emails just went out; if you have signed up by this very moment, you should have or will shortly receive a confirmation email.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR SPAM FILTERS and if necessary whitelist our email address.
posted by julen at 8:07 AM on November 13, 2012


Just got my confirmation! So excited for my first quonsmas!

I may have gone a little overboard in describing my specific interests and wants in my e-mail, but it was fun and useful to write about what I actually need and want totally shamelessly, without fear of my family judging me, or my mom telling me "grandma would never go for that, give me another idea please."
posted by ActionPopulated at 8:25 AM on November 13, 2012 [4 favorites]


Thanks for the great list of prompts, ocherdraco. That was very helpful.

SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by jeoc at 9:05 AM on November 13, 2012


I'm so excited to be participating for the first time. I love trying to get people the perfect present. And getting presents is cool too! And I love MeFites!

I'm all verklempt.
posted by chatongriffes at 11:00 AM on November 13, 2012



Thanks this, everyone. It's SO FUN. The anticipation is well over 50% of the fun for me, and then the actual package makes it like 130% fun, and then when the gifts are spot-on, it's like 1000% fun.

I am only little sad that I'll need to stay within the boundaries of Canadia, because the Post was completely unreliable about getting my package overseas last year (I even re-purchased everything, intending to send it again!); and the timing when I'll be in the US this year means is too far the schedule off to choose that location.

Otherwise, I am happy! I had fun filling out ocherdraco's questionnaire, and put them in my profile. Those were essay questions, right?
posted by peagood at 11:11 AM on November 13, 2012


In.
WooHOO!
Thanks Quonsar organizers!
posted by in the methow at 1:55 PM on November 13, 2012


After two years with my nose pressed against the window, I can do Secret Quonsar this year! So I am very happy. (And, oh! Secret Quonsar, if you love me at all, Bring me a big, red, india-rubber ball!)
posted by you must supply a verb at 3:19 PM on November 13, 2012 [4 favorites]


I already know what I got for secret quonsar: a time machine! I know this because I am using it right now!! Or will be using it... right now... or then... ? Wait, I hear a knock on the door. IT'S ME! SHHH, HIDE!
posted by not_on_display at 3:39 PM on November 13, 2012 [1 favorite]


So, um, how do we feel about sockpuppets signing up?
posted by maryr at 3:49 PM on November 13, 2012


Signed up, despite getting burned by MeRAGE. Or maybe not, is that still going on?
posted by Gygesringtone at 3:55 PM on November 13, 2012


I am requesting that people sign up once and only once. I know some people would prefer to share in the joy multiple times, but it adds a variety of administrative headaches that are best avoided. Also, if your luck is anything like mine, you'd draw your own self.
posted by julen at 4:59 PM on November 13, 2012 [1 favorite]


My confirmation email got stuck in my Gmail spam filter so I punched my computer screen and now everything's good.
posted by jeoc at 5:41 PM on November 13, 2012 [1 favorite]


I just remembered the only bad part of secret-quonsar-ing: when I wake up all excited on the date of Thanksgiving and rush to check my email to find out who I have drawn and start plotting and planning what to send... and then I remember that it's still the day before Thanksgiving for the civilised world and I have to wait a bit longer. Grmph.

Only 9 sleeps to go 'til the day AFTER Thanksgiving. Yay!
posted by malibustacey9999 at 5:57 PM on November 13, 2012


And I'd just like to thank all the Quonsar songwriters above. I have just one favourite Christmas song, and now it's become the earworm from hell even though it's the exact opposite to how I feel about Secret Quonsaring.

(Blink 182... I know, I know.)

It's Quonsar time, again,
Time to be nice to the people you can't stand all year.
I'm growing tired of all this Quonsar cheer.

You people scare me.
Stay away from my home,
If you don't wanna bring me down,
Just leave the presents and then leave me alone.

Just be thankful my brain is blocking out the bit about my cellmate Bubba unwrapping my package.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 6:25 PM on November 13, 2012 [1 favorite]


Signed up! Yay!

That questionnaire was a ton of help and a lot of fun to fill out. Can't wait!
posted by cozenedindigo at 6:51 PM on November 13, 2012


I picked the right time to get bored and read all the Metatalk threads today. Woo! Quonsar! Quonsing! I quonse, you quonse, he/she/it quonses...
posted by nat at 7:22 PM on November 13, 2012 [1 favorite]


Not 110% related, but will the mefi shop be updated again this year?
posted by addelburgh at 7:24 PM on November 13, 2012


I love the quonser time of year. :)
posted by patheral at 9:53 PM on November 13, 2012


I'm scared because I've never done this before, and I wonder if this is going to clash with the next mix CD swap, but I think I want in. It's the most quonsical time of the year~~
posted by koucha at 4:50 AM on November 14, 2012


Awesome! Thanks for doing this!
posted by Runes at 8:29 AM on November 14, 2012


Yay! I just signed up!
posted by aaanastasia at 9:08 AM on November 14, 2012


Signed up--excited for this year's SQ!
posted by mlle valentine at 10:59 AM on November 14, 2012


Oh, are we doing Quonsmas songs? Hang on I got something:

[FIVE MINUTES OF DIAMANDA GALAS SCREAMING 'QUONSAR' AT INHUMAN PITCHES]

I love the holidays.
posted by griphus at 11:05 AM on November 14, 2012 [3 favorites]


I'm in. Noob, but I have lurkdeded for a goood long while. I can't wait to quonse you. Yeah you. Maybe you too.

Ick wish I had seen that list of suggested answers before I hit submit on the survey. If the person who gets me wants me to answer them I totally will....
posted by tkappleton at 12:14 PM on November 14, 2012 [1 favorite]


Yay, Quonsmas! My first sign of holiday cheer (I'm not permitted to let loose with the seasonal decorating--of which I am a huge fan--until December 1st). I was going to ask my quonsar for copious quantities of booze but I figured that wouldn't ship so well.
posted by Go Banana at 4:23 PM on November 14, 2012


Quonstastic!

I wish my brain was working well enough to wittily recast a favorite carol quonsar-style, but alas, such is not the way. Bring the lulz, y'all!
posted by katya.lysander at 4:39 PM on November 14, 2012


I can't commit to Quonsmas this year, BUT...

...if there are Little Quonsarlings that will not get a gift (their gift-giver backs out) I wouldn't mind being asked to step in. I might be able to help out later in the season.
posted by Elly Vortex at 5:21 PM on November 14, 2012


Woo hoo - First time I'm doing this, and I can't wait!

And of course I see the recommendations after the fact - But I think I have enough to make it interesting. If I don't, it's my own damned fault. :)
posted by MysticMCJ at 5:57 PM on November 14, 2012


Gygesringtone, I think meRAGE really only happened the one time (like one go-around) before it mysteriously disappeared.
posted by topoisomerase at 6:09 PM on November 14, 2012 [1 favorite]


I am registered! let the most quonsical time of the year begin. (Hey, is there a quonsar Santa Claus figure?)
posted by lyra4 at 7:09 PM on November 14, 2012


I registered. Yay! I am in for 2nd chance swaps if needed.
posted by entropyiswinning at 7:53 PM on November 14, 2012


I signed up again, even though after not getting a first-round gift, I told myself I wouldn't do it again.

But whoever my 2nd chance quonsar was: You're responsible for renewing my faith. So here I am again!
posted by yellowcandy at 9:08 PM on November 14, 2012 [1 favorite]


My first Secret Quonsar! Big thanks to the organizers - I love this sort of thing.
posted by meggan at 9:09 PM on November 14, 2012


Gygesringtone, I think meRAGE really only happened the one time (like one go-around) before it mysteriously disappeared.

Yeah, I sort of figured that was the case. Just in case my comment may have come across like more of a complaint then I intended, I want to say that I'm really not the broken up about it. The way I look at it, is there was probably a net gain of happiness in the world, so it was a success, even if I never got anything. It was a big project, I wouldn't blame anyone for running out of steam organizing it.

Anyway, here's hoping everyone's quonsar dreams come true.
posted by Gygesringtone at 8:25 AM on November 15, 2012


Everyone who has signed up so far (275 people!) should have received a confirmation message that repeats back the information they signed up with. So far we've been able to fix some incomplete addresses, region mis-selections, incomplete guidances, and a few email address typos. I am really excited because this means that we avoid some issues further down the line.

So, people, Please Review Your Confirmation for accuracy. If it's all good, proceed about your day or evening. If there's something that should be fixed (like say a wrong zip code on your work address), reply to the message and let us know what to fix.

If you have not received your confirmation message:

1. Check your spam/junk folders, particularly for gmail users.

2a. If confirmation is there, check it and make sure the info is correct. Add our email address to your white list.

2b. If confirmation is not there, drop me a memail and we'll figure out why it didn't arrive.
posted by julen at 5:45 PM on November 15, 2012


I have not received my confirmation and I signed up like four minutes ago!!!!1!

HERE COMES QUONSAR CLAUSE
HERE COMES QUONSAR CLAUSE
RIGHT DOWN QUONSAR CLAUSE LANE.
posted by eriko at 7:49 PM on November 15, 2012 [1 favorite]


I missed this last year due to school shenanigans; excited to give it a go this time around!
posted by smirkette at 10:58 PM on November 15, 2012


Signing up for the first time; I'm excited!
posted by Xany at 3:02 AM on November 16, 2012



The Australia Only swap group needs more swappers. So if you are in Australia and want to participate but don't want to ship internationally, I heartily encourage you to sign up for Australia only!
posted by julen at 7:49 AM on November 16, 2012


I SIGNED UP

I HOPE I GET SOMEONE FROM A FARAWAY LAND
posted by The Whelk at 8:32 AM on November 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


Is it okay if I just ask here, faraway land international quonsar participants, how do you send anything for a reasonable amount of money? Singapore Post seems extortionist; $40 for a 0.5 kg parcel to the US, $30 to Australia and everywhere else. Or is it just us?
posted by undue influence at 9:05 AM on November 16, 2012


I got a great collection from my SQ last year AND great stuff from my giftee. It was all kinds of awesome. So looking forward to this again.
posted by nightwood at 9:48 AM on November 16, 2012


faraway land international quonsar participants, how do you send anything for a reasonable amount of money?

I must admit to using internet shopping in my SQ's country of residence as then I could spend the money on the present and not stamps.
posted by arcticseal at 10:56 AM on November 16, 2012 [1 favorite]


and this year I wouldn't have to explain to my husband why I got a gift from the Internet!
posted by ejaned8 at 2:18 PM on November 16, 2012


I can't seem to figure out how to shop on Faraway Land sites that are non-English, plus there have been times I've wanted to send Exactly The Thing YES. So historically I've just ponied up the postage.
posted by zennie at 10:47 AM on November 17, 2012


Gmail thinks Theora Fifty-Five is not a real name. It also thinks SeekritQuonsarMas mail is spam. Fie on you, gmail, however, your plot to keep me from my Seekrit Quonsar Swap confirmation has been FOILED. Hah.
posted by theora55 at 11:15 AM on November 17, 2012 [3 favorites]


Hoorah!
posted by machine at 6:42 PM on November 17, 2012


New, New, New to just about everything around here - and excited. First Quonsar here I come.
posted by PistachioRoux at 2:31 AM on November 18, 2012


I just signed up. I should probably get to work on on my artisan knots.
posted by Dr. Zira at 5:16 PM on November 18, 2012


wahoo wahoo I signed up! First QUONSAR!
posted by mittenedsex at 10:39 PM on November 18, 2012


I am in for QUONSARing!
posted by rmd1023 at 7:13 AM on November 19, 2012


Just signed up for my first Secret Quonsar!
posted by kimberussell at 10:04 AM on November 19, 2012


Hi everyone! I am pretty sure I just sent out another round of confirmations. Will someone who signed up this morning confirm they got a confirmation?

We still need more folks for Australia only!
posted by julen at 11:26 AM on November 19, 2012


This year I will send things on time and it will be glorious.
posted by SMPA at 11:29 AM on November 19, 2012


My first Secret Quonsar! I hope I get to give something fun!
posted by JMOZ at 12:36 PM on November 19, 2012 [1 favorite]


There are 30 hours left for folks to sign up. I will not be nice this year and let people in after the deadline.

If you have not gotten a confirmation message and it didn't get caught in your spam filter drop me a MeMail.

I will post here on Thursday when the sq swap: here is your draw emails go out. It will almost certainly be in the very late afternoon, or early evening, or mid-late evening (but never at dusk!) for Americans (middle of the night for Europeans, and Friday Morning for folks in Australia, NZ, and Asia) at the earliest.
posted by julen at 3:39 PM on November 19, 2012


I'm in. So psyched to buy something for someone and have it be what they want - I have too many "the person who needs/wants nothing" people in my life!
posted by Currer Belfry at 5:15 PM on November 19, 2012 [1 favorite]


Got my QUONSARMATION. (And yup, it was flagged as spam by gmail, so be sure you're checking your spam boxes).
posted by mittenedsex at 5:29 PM on November 19, 2012


So excited to participate in my first Secret Quonsar! I'm hoping that I can get creative, since most of the gifts I normally buy are straight from wishlists.
posted by MsVader at 9:42 PM on November 19, 2012


Thanks, julen, for organizing this again!
posted by LuckySeven~ at 3:25 PM on November 20, 2012


I'm so glad I thought of looking for this today! I'm all signed up.
posted by Nolechick11 at 5:41 PM on November 20, 2012


Oh my god I signed up! And incidentally, despite being a Metafilter member for years and years, this is the FIRST time I've actually participated in a "real-life" thing on this site. WOOO! Very excited.
posted by silverstatue at 6:45 PM on November 20, 2012


I'm in! Almost forgot to sign up - it would have made for a very empty quonsar season.
posted by dorey_oh at 7:34 PM on November 20, 2012


Signed up!
posted by Orinda at 8:15 PM on November 20, 2012


Signups are now closed.

359 people signed up.

The swap groups are International, Canada Only, UK only, and USA only.

If I haven't heard from you, I am assuming you have gotten your confirmation (I just sent out the final batch), even if you had to rescue it from your spam folder.

If you haven't added our email address to your whitelist , you may have to do the same thing with your swap announcement/draw on Thursday.

Whew.
posted by julen at 9:32 PM on November 20, 2012 [7 favorites]


359! Wow! How does that compare to previous years?
posted by ocherdraco at 5:57 AM on November 21, 2012


How do we manage an odd number?
posted by Rock Steady at 7:26 AM on November 21, 2012


It's also a prime number whose digits add up to a prime number.
posted by griphus at 7:27 AM on November 21, 2012 [3 favorites]


Last year we had 315 participants, which was the first time we broke the 300 person barrier. We actually had more swap groups last year (we couldn't quite rustle up enough people for Australia only and Europe only groups this year)

Since it is not a 1:1 swap (you do not send a gift to the same person who drew your name, necessarily, but to someone random in the group), odd numbers are no problem!
posted by julen at 7:32 AM on November 21, 2012


received my confirmation email! excited! it's been a long time since i secret quonsared.
posted by NikitaNikita at 9:58 AM on November 21, 2012


oh good grief. How did I not see this until the 21st?
posted by GuyZero at 1:34 PM on November 21, 2012


I am chomping at the bit for my quonsee info tomorrow. Squirming and chomping. I lurk a lot but I LOVE you guys. I want to send the perfect gift. Hurry!
posted by bebrave! at 9:53 PM on November 21, 2012 [1 favorite]


The swaps have just gone out.

If you do not get your assignment in the next 12 hours:

1. Check your spam or junk mail folders to see if it got sorted there.
2. Celebrate and/or grumble
3. If it is not in your email anywhere, please send an email to our gmail account secretquonsarswap, and we will help you out.

People gave better guidance in advance in general this year (thanks to otherdraco and her questionaire!), but I am 100% positive that people will still need us to anonymize questions and queries and updates for their recipients and we are here to do that.

Thank you everyone, and have fun getting to sorta-know a fellow mefite!
posted by julen at 2:46 PM on November 22, 2012


I got mine! SUPER EXCITED.
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:02 PM on November 22, 2012 [1 favorite]


Got my quonsee, bought items, sent items, can now go home though I never left it. Booyas all round. I love Quonsmas.
posted by smoke at 4:28 PM on November 22, 2012


I GOT SOMEONE ABOUT AS FAR AWAY FROM ME AS YOU CAN GET WITHOUT GOING INTO SPACE SO THIS IS JUST AWESOME
posted by The Whelk at 4:51 PM on November 22, 2012 [2 favorites]


Got my Quonseeeeeeee! I'm VERY happy, because it's going to be fun to choose/make/find things! Thanks for permission, Quonsee!

(julen:) Alright you MeFites, Ready to sing your song?
(peagood:) I'd say we are
(MeFites:) Yeah, Lets sing it now!
(Julen:) Okay, ocherdraco ?
(ocherdraco:) OK
(julen:) Okay, Mefites?
(Theodore:) OK
(Julen:) Okay MeFites?...MeFites?...MEFITES!!!
(MeFites:) OKAY!!

(MeFites:)
Quonsar, Quonsar time is near,
Time for things and time for cheer.
We've been good, but we can't last,
Hurry Quonsar, Hurry fast.
Want a plane that loops the loop,
(peagood:) Me, I want a Hula-Hoop.*
(MeFites:)
We can hardly stand the wait,
Please Quonsars don't be late...



*I do not necessarily want a hula hoop, but I would not be unhappy with a hula hoop -- though I suspect my Quonsar might be unhappy trying to mail a hula hoop.

posted by peagood at 4:52 PM on November 22, 2012 [7 favorites]


Got mine and I'm plotting what to send already!
posted by Cuke at 5:58 PM on November 22, 2012


That's funny, so am I.
posted by seanmpuckett at 6:37 PM on November 22, 2012


julien: I did get the confirmation of sign-up email, but I have not (yet) gotten the actual swap email. Normally I would be patient and wait the 12 hours, but last year was such a mess that I just wanted to check in with you now. If I need to be more patient, that's ok too.
posted by anastasiav at 6:47 PM on November 22, 2012


Woot - I'm all recipient-ed up!

P.S. Sorry everyone, but I am the best at finding the perfect gift for people, so I'm totally going to win this quonsar.
posted by Defying Gravity at 6:55 PM on November 22, 2012 [1 favorite]


I think I got myself from the future. Or hopefully parallel universe Mr since I'll be mailing to a place with consistent snow.
posted by theichibun at 7:38 PM on November 22, 2012


Anastasiav - I sent you a MeMail and a email with your draw.

Weirdly, there are 2-3 email addresses that gmail sometimes does not like sending automated emails to, but direct emails are just fine. Technology! Bah!

Also, we have our first "I got the same person last year!" draw that I know of.
posted by julen at 9:02 PM on November 22, 2012


Yay! Got my Quonsee's gift all ordered and sent. Hope he/she likes it. Thanks again SQuelves; you all are the best.
posted by angiep at 10:02 PM on November 22, 2012


I think/hope my Quonsee will like the gift I've ordered. Thanks to julen and phunnimee for making this happen!
posted by JMOZ at 6:50 AM on November 23, 2012


Oh my goodness, you people are unbelievably fast at choosing! I'm agonizing and brainstorming feverishly!

..teach me your secrets.
posted by corb at 8:44 AM on November 23, 2012 [1 favorite]


Oh my goodness, you people are unbelievably fast at choosing! I'm agonizing and brainstorming feverishly!

..teach me your secrets.
posted by corb at 10:44 AM on November 23 [+] [!]


I know, I have so little to go on that I'm shooting in the dark. My strategy will be that I'm just going to pick randomly and *hope* I hit something that they will like.
posted by patheral at 8:48 AM on November 23, 2012


OMG I got Quonsed with someone I know IRL!!! THIS IS AWESOME!!! WHEEEEEEE!
posted by jph at 9:38 AM on November 23, 2012 [3 favorites]


What is the cheapest way to send small things internationally to Europe from the US?
posted by ocherdraco at 10:24 AM on November 23, 2012


(Other than ordering from a site local to my quonsee, I mean.)
posted by ocherdraco at 10:26 AM on November 23, 2012


ocherdraco - the flat rate priority mail boxes have been good for me in the past for that sort of thing.
posted by you must supply a verb at 11:18 AM on November 23, 2012


Got my Quonsar today, and already figured out what to get them! Happy Quonsarmas, y'all!
posted by easily confused at 12:08 PM on November 23, 2012


Do people spend more than the recommended amount or is that frowned on? I have a gift in mind, but don't want to commit a faux-pas by over spending.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 12:19 PM on November 23, 2012


I don't think anyone is going to check how much the thing you got them cost.
posted by griphus at 12:23 PM on November 23, 2012


google has to be so confused by me today.
posted by clearly at 12:35 PM on November 23, 2012


My quonsee basically requested things I like to shop for. This should be *fun*.
posted by maryr at 12:57 PM on November 23, 2012


I am SUPER excited about who I got!!!

That is all.
posted by mollymayhem at 1:30 PM on November 23, 2012


I'm feeling kind of creepy, from stalking my Quonsee.

But I have to find the right thing.
posted by neversummer at 2:44 PM on November 23, 2012 [4 favorites]


I love how happy swap day makes everyone. If you have not gotten your swap info yet, please drop us an mail or a MeMail and we will both tell you who you got and figure out what went wrong.
posted by julen at 2:56 PM on November 23, 2012 [1 favorite]


Oh, to whoever gets me: I know it is the "hip" thing to give this season (especially after Katie Holmes was seen with one, and that whole Zac Efron thing) but please do not get me a pig's heart. I already got one as an early gift from both my aunt and my boss and if you really want to get someone a pig's heart, you can MeMail me for the names of a few charities. Thank you!
posted by griphus at 2:57 PM on November 23, 2012 [1 favorite]


(I will gladly accept a live pig, heart intact, however. HINT HINT.)
posted by griphus at 2:58 PM on November 23, 2012


A pig's heart??? You're joking, right? I'd flip out if someone got me that (and not in a good way).
posted by patheral at 3:27 PM on November 23, 2012


Oh man I want to grill some chicken hearts right now.
posted by The Whelk at 3:29 PM on November 23, 2012


Last night we cooked Cornish game hens, which came with a little bag with the offal and I regret not looking up a recipe for it.
posted by griphus at 3:31 PM on November 23, 2012


Did you save the bones and scraps? Game hens make an excellent stock.
posted by The Whelk at 3:42 PM on November 23, 2012


As does some of the offal really, stock! It's how you turn garbage into food.
posted by The Whelk at 3:42 PM on November 23, 2012


We had a hen each so there's enough beside the bones/scrap left over to make chicken soup, even. I threw out the offal bags, sadly.

I need to learn to cook offal because I grew up eating it, and it was terrible (everything was boiled) but after eating Central/South American recipes I realized it could be so, so good.
posted by griphus at 3:46 PM on November 23, 2012


One hen each plus the leftovers made from making stuffing could lend to a nice veggie/chicken stock, but I'm the kind of crazy person who saves a weeks worth of random animal bones to make Super Stock over the course of a weekend.
posted by The Whelk at 3:49 PM on November 23, 2012


Actually roast hen stock is really good in beef stews for some reason.
posted by The Whelk at 3:51 PM on November 23, 2012


If you do choose to purchase a pig's heart for your Quonsee, I'd like to point out that Target has Justin Bieber wrapping paper you can purchase to wrap it in.
posted by maryr at 9:27 PM on November 23, 2012 [3 favorites]


My Quonsee's gift has been ordered! I think this is the soonest I've ever gotten that done. : ) I hope my Quonsee likes it.
posted by SisterHavana at 10:37 PM on November 23, 2012


Okay, my quonsee has hours of fun being delivered unto them as we speak!
posted by ShawnStruck at 7:25 AM on November 24, 2012


Oh man I want to grill some chicken hearts right now.

I currently have assorted hearts and livers from no less then four species in my freezer. I'm not sure what that says about me.

My favorite way to have heart (from deer and pronghorn antelope) is to smoke it and then cut it into to little bits and soak those in olive oil for a couple hours. Then you sear the heart bits in a pan, and use the olive oil to coat some baked potatoes. When the potatoes are done, you sprinkle the heart on instead of bacon bits.

Which just inspired the idea of what I'm going to do that's what I'll do with my pig's heart (sorry quonsee, no pig heart for you): heart confit.

Oh and I think the reason fowl stock works in beef stew is because it adds all the goodness of stock without getting in an arm-wrestling contest with the meat.

Now if you'll excuse, me I've got to go figure out what to give my quonsee now that a pig-heart is out.
posted by Gygesringtone at 7:25 AM on November 24, 2012


Thanks to the mefimall, I found something for my quonsar. Thanks, mefimall!
posted by patheral at 8:56 AM on November 24, 2012


Oh no:( Stupid illness meant I missed quonsar this year.
posted by eleanna at 10:16 PM on November 24, 2012


Wheeee - my gift was wrapped and mailed yesterday ... julen and gang, thank you so much for doing this.
Also, let me know if you need second chancers - happy to do
posted by darsh at 6:38 AM on November 25, 2012


Just ordered my quonsar's gift. Mwahahahahaahaha!
posted by smirkette at 12:52 PM on November 25, 2012


Wow, should have looked up online shipping costs before getting in the "international" group. Still psyched but I hope my Quonsee likes light and easily packed items!
posted by JoanArkham at 3:28 PM on November 25, 2012


Wow! I am assuming that our lower flow of anonymizin' than last year is due to improved guidance from folks and that folks had a chance to fix stuff (like addresses) before the swap.

However since I am paranoid, if you signed up and didn't get a confirmation email or a giftee, check your spam folders! If there isn't anything from secretquonsarswap there, drop me or a MeMail. You are probably signed up, and gmail and/or your mail server is being a jerk!
posted by julen at 4:14 PM on November 25, 2012


My gift is perfect and none of you will be able to top it.

EVER.
posted by The Whelk at 4:24 PM on November 25, 2012 [1 favorite]


Gah! The pressure to find the perfect gift is stressing me out. Still shopping...
posted by MsVader at 5:34 PM on November 25, 2012


I'd like to just say that probably my favorite part of Secret Quonsar is the chance to get to know a new MeFite. For my 3rd time I've drawn someone I didn't know all that well, and it's so fun to peek through their history and learn a little bit about them. I've got 3 good ideas and will sleep on 'em and make a choice tomorrow. Thanks Quonsers, Quonsees and Quons-onizers!
posted by Miko at 8:12 PM on November 25, 2012 [2 favorites]


My gift is perfect and none of you will be able to top it.

Oh I don't know; I'm thinking bacon bits and caramelized onions can pretty much go on top of anything.
posted by angiep at 3:31 AM on November 26, 2012 [2 favorites]


My SQ gift is on its way to my recipient! And oddly enough, I met my SQ a few years ago, while at a meetup in neither of our home states!
posted by not_on_display at 4:53 AM on November 26, 2012


Doggone. Missed it this year.
posted by Altomentis at 9:22 AM on November 26, 2012


One part of the perfect gift is assembled. When the others combine, they will either destroy the world...or totally rock it.

Mwahahah!

*now if only the people shipping to me will only go faster so I can ship to my Quonsee!*
posted by corb at 1:10 PM on November 26, 2012


My Quonsee was not only eerily in tune with my tastes and deepest, most secret desires, but she was ruthlessly efficient too!

BUGBOTS! One for work, and one for harassing the dog. I could not love them more, not without a note from my doctor vouching it's safe for my heart.
posted by Freyja at 3:04 PM on November 26, 2012


I am caressing my gift lovingly, wondering how I managed to live my life to this point without these shiny 1904 World's Fair employee button replicas. They are gorgeous and perfect and one of them is getting converted into a necklace immediately.

There are some Gollum-y times being had in my apartment at the moment w/r/t this particular Precious; THANK YOU SECRET QUONSAR!
posted by ausdemfenster at 3:42 PM on November 26, 2012 [1 favorite]


OK, I just googled those buttons, and they. are. awesome.
posted by julen at 4:24 PM on November 26, 2012 [1 favorite]


Gift sent! Sadly my first idea didn't pan out... nosebleed seats for the [quonsee's city] [baseball team name] don't go on sale for three more months. Hope you like [the thing I sent] anyways, [quonsee username]!
posted by rouftop at 4:51 PM on November 26, 2012


ShawnStruck: "Okay, my quonsee has hours of fun being delivered unto them as we speak!"

And this arrived today! I will indeed have hours of fun with it. Thanks, ShawnStruck! : )
posted by SisterHavana at 8:56 PM on November 26, 2012


If you sent someone a jar of pig-heart strips pickled in ChocoVine, would that constitute some kind of misdemeanor?

Asking for a friend. thx
posted by zennie at 9:54 PM on November 26, 2012 [5 favorites]


All right. Made the tough decision and went for the consumable artisanal type thing for my quonsee. Hope s/he likes it!
posted by Miko at 9:58 PM on November 26, 2012


Are we supposed to reveal who we are to our recipients?
Is mefi not in the habit of posting photos of their gifts?
I like pretty pictures...

Not that my quonsaree knows who she is, but Part I of your gift is out!
(Remaining part actually requires some time off work, so I'll have to see how to make this happen).
posted by mittenedsex at 11:41 PM on November 26, 2012


You can be anonymous or not. It's your choice. As a recipient, I personally prefer to know who to thank for my awesome gift (because both times I have participated my gifts have been awesome and also because I like sending Christmas cards as a thank you notes) but I understand the concept of Santa Is Magic as well.
posted by maryr at 7:44 AM on November 27, 2012 [1 favorite]


I finally found the perfect gift, but was outbid in the last 3 seconds of the auction. Oh, the obscenities that spewed from my mouth at 1:00 am the other night...

So, I did manage to find another gift that's not quite as perfect, but is still pretty awesome. I hope it gets shipped soon so I can send it out by the deadline.
posted by MsVader at 7:50 AM on November 27, 2012


I have devised the perfect gift, but now I apparently have to invent it, because nobody sells the bloody thing.

At least that means it probably won't be something my quonsee already has.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 7:52 AM on November 27, 2012 [2 favorites]


I also wasn't sure about whether it was supposed to remain anonymous or not. In that case, I guess I'll out myself if the gift is well-liked and remain anonymous if my Quonsee seems unexcited/unimpressed.
posted by JMOZ at 8:31 AM on November 27, 2012 [3 favorites]


Re: anonymity. I opted to include a signed card in an envelope; that way I could let my Quonsee decide whether or not it would be Secret Quonsar or Unsecret Quonsar.
posted by Dr. Zira at 8:49 AM on November 27, 2012 [1 favorite]


All packed up and ready to ship!
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:12 AM on November 27, 2012


If you happen to be my Quonsar, I will want to know who you are! Last year I got a really sweet gift (and the Quonsar was doubly awesome to re-mail it to me after a jerky mail carrier was jerky) and I still don't know who it was....
posted by mochapickle at 9:12 AM on November 27, 2012


You can be anonymous as you like.

We also strongly encourage people to thank their quonsars. You can do that publicly on MeTa or we can anonymously pass on your thanks via email if you do not know who your giftor is.
posted by julen at 9:48 AM on November 27, 2012


SisterHavana: "ShawnStruck: "Okay, my quonsee has hours of fun being delivered unto them as we speak!"

And this arrived today! I will indeed have hours of fun with it. Thanks, ShawnStruck! : )
"

Hmm. Expect another shipment soon, because you should have gotten more than just that (though I am totes happy you will enjoy that book). :D
posted by ShawnStruck at 11:29 AM on November 27, 2012


Okay, my quonsee's gifts should now be rocketing/ballooning/steamboating their way to their final destination. Hopefully I didn't botch the address and they'll arrive more or less intact, but I don't really know where they're going, so...hopefully they get there in a timely fashion?
posted by Diagonalize at 4:44 PM on November 27, 2012 [1 favorite]


Somehow I got myself. Not literally, some future version of myself with kids. So I'll be getting something for me then crying when I have to send it away.
posted by theichibun at 5:36 PM on November 27, 2012 [2 favorites]


I am at home sick today, so I thought I should make sure my quonsmas gift goes out! And then when my bf checked the mail, I had received my gift as well! Thanks to my gifter (whose real name I have but no MeFi name)! I LOVE dead trees. I should have probably put that in my signup info.

Anyway, The Forever War is the second copy to enter our household - however, as I said earlier when it was mentioned by my sweetie, "but this is MY copy." :D I can't wait to read it.
posted by tkappleton at 6:28 PM on November 27, 2012


BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! A second box arrived today, containing a giant book of Sudoku, a crossword puzzle book, and this book, which I have been dying to read.

Thanks so much ShawnStruck! : )
posted by SisterHavana at 6:59 PM on November 27, 2012


I sent mine today. Felt good. Felt right.
posted by The Whelk at 7:23 PM on November 27, 2012


Somehow I got myself. Not literally, some future version of myself with kids. So I'll be getting something for me then crying when I have to send it away.

Weirdly, me too, sort of! I read my Quonsee's preferences, and was pleasantly shocked at how much they would have been similar to mine if I wrote better instructions. It really made me feel closer in a strange sort of way.
posted by corb at 5:18 AM on November 28, 2012


Yeah, I didn't provide much in the way of directions, which I hope will work out ok. I like all sorts of things (gadgety stuff or silly toys are cool, and I have to admit to being ever-so-slightly covetous of Freyja's bugbots), so I'm sure I'll love whatever I get, but I realized providing more info would have made life easier for my Secret Quonsar. Sorry about that!
posted by JMOZ at 6:10 AM on November 28, 2012


SisterHavana: "BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE! A second box arrived today, containing a giant book of Sudoku, a crossword puzzle book, and this book, which I have been dying to read.

Thanks so much ShawnStruck! : )
"

Awesome, you're quite welcome! I am glad you are so happy with your gifts, and hope they bring hours of distraction and fun in the future. :D
posted by ShawnStruck at 6:18 AM on November 28, 2012


I am really, really, really happy with mine.

really!!!!!!!!

Thank you SQ!!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:37 AM on November 28, 2012 [3 favorites]


Is that a TARDIS notebook?
posted by maryr at 12:54 PM on November 28, 2012


Shipped! Now I'm nervous.
posted by seanmpuckett at 1:02 PM on November 28, 2012


Is that a TARDIS notebook?

Not just any TARDIS notebook, but River Song's notebook and I've been (slowly) putting together a River cosplay and it's unlined unlike the official version and sooooo perfect!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 1:21 PM on November 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


That is an excellent gift.
posted by ocherdraco at 1:39 PM on November 28, 2012


I took mine to the Canada Post office where 5 beavers promised they would make swift delivery across the border. Darnit I forgot to sign my card with my mefi name.
posted by caroo at 2:07 PM on November 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


of course, you'd have to fill the notebook with a detailed outline of the next season.
posted by The Whelk at 2:09 PM on November 28, 2012 [2 favorites]


Every page is watermarked "Spoilers!"
posted by maryr at 2:14 PM on November 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


Ordered for my quonsee today. Should ship by 12/3. Hope they like it.
posted by schleppo at 2:26 PM on November 28, 2012


I am DELIGHTED with my OTAMATONE! One of my dogs... less so... Thank you IndigoRain!
posted by merocet at 3:07 PM on November 28, 2012


Man, I wish I could have sent out something as cool as a TARDIS notebook, but my quonsee didn't give me much to go on (they said they were open to pretty much anything) so I went with something neutral and tasteful. I hope that they like it!
posted by patheral at 3:09 PM on November 28, 2012


... so I went with something neutral and tasteful.

I was in a similar position and did the exact opposite.
posted by griphus at 3:11 PM on November 28, 2012 [8 favorites]


My quonsee also had eerily a lot in common with me. Are we like Cylons, where there are only a few models, repeated over and over?

Made shopping for really fun and easy, though! Her gift should be delivered 12/3. I hope she likes it!

Happy Quonsar to all!
posted by chatongriffes at 3:25 PM on November 28, 2012


Phoebe- Aww, excellent. I'm glad you like it! I thought- what else to get for a Whovian who's a writer and generally just kinda awesome?

(Etsy's always ever-so-slightly scary, since you have to judge based on a photo, but the official version looked kinda cheesy.)
posted by JMOZ at 6:30 PM on November 28, 2012 [1 favorite]


Shipped part of my SQ's present today, more to follow. Hope she likes it.
posted by arcticseal at 6:48 PM on November 28, 2012


My quonsee also had eerily a lot in common with me.

My quonsee was pretty much my polar opposite in terms of interests.

I found myself wandering in to a small yarn store met by the gazes of seven old ladies burning right through me. Not knowing a damned thing about yarn, knitting, weaving, or spinning, and wanting to avoid having to explain to the nice lady at the counter that I was participating in a gift exchange with people from the internet, I pretty much grandpa simpson'ed it out of there.

While I'm sure they were sweet old ladies, I'm grateful that my quonsee gave me enough cues to be able to eshop together a nice little gift package without having to return to the intimidating confines of another craft store.

I shipped the package this afternoon, where did this irrational anxiety of approval come from?
posted by clearly at 8:54 PM on November 28, 2012 [6 favorites]


I sent mine out today. International quonsees, don't look at the customs slips or you'll ruin the surprise!
posted by hydrophonic at 9:39 PM on November 28, 2012


I am having a surprisingly difficult time choosing a present for my quonsee. I have a bunch of ideas, but none of them feel quite right.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:44 PM on November 28, 2012


My quonsee had her gift sent yesterday. Like JoanArkham, I need to send it across the globe, so it is flat and lightweight (otherwise I would totally have sent something huge and outlandish) but, happily, we share interests, so I am quietly confident I haven't made a Quonsmas enemy.
My ambition is to live in the USA for a Quonsmas and take advantage of media mail rates to one day ship a whole set of encyclopedias or something.
And I didn't gift wrap, because in my opinion Quonsmas is the day you receive the parcel, no need to place it under the tree for later!
posted by bystander at 4:19 AM on November 29, 2012


I am quietly confident I haven't made a Quonsmas enemy.

Don't worry, if you did, we can handle that during the Airing of Grievances.
posted by Miko at 5:53 AM on November 29, 2012 [3 favorites]


Quonsmastime is the best. Today my Quonsar unmasked herself because she'd forgotten to include a note. I haven't gotten my thing yet, so I MeMailed her back.

Madamina: No worries, and thank you so much! Eagerly awaiting my inflatable moose head and/or pooping piglet magnet set. (That's what you got me, right?)

Quonsar: That's DELUXE inflatable moose head/pooping piglet magnet set.
posted by Madamina at 10:54 AM on November 29, 2012


Clearly: I've been knitting for over a decade, and I still Grandpa Simpson out of unfamiliar yarn stores.

I'm still working on assembling my quonsee's gift. I couldn't find the One Perfect Gift, so I am going with the Couple of Hopefully Pretty Good Gifts approach.
posted by Metroid Baby at 11:05 AM on November 29, 2012


I am attempting to make a gift for my quansee and there is about an 87% chance when I start the very finishing touches the whole thing will self destruct and I'll end up sending him/her a bag of decorative soaps from the Marriott in Burlington, MA.
posted by bondcliff at 11:11 AM on November 29, 2012 [1 favorite]


Man, y'all diligent folk are making me feel bad about not having sent out my gift yet, and I'm not even late! I've had a few crazy weeks at work and at home, but there's a cool local arts fair this weekend so hopefully I'll be able to scope something out there.
posted by Phire at 11:52 AM on November 29, 2012 [1 favorite]


wanting to avoid having to explain ... that I was participating in a gift exchange with people from the internet

Huh. I've been using this as a conversation starter all week.

But then, I am an old lady and therefore oblivious to social awkwardness.

(My gift went out today)
posted by caryatid at 12:06 PM on November 29, 2012


I haven't sent mine yet either. I needed to have it shipped to me first for dressing up. So don't worry, you aren't alone; I intend to milk this to the 11th hour.
posted by Miko at 12:06 PM on November 29, 2012


Yeah, I'm still waiting on that sweet, sweet Amazon shipping for one portion of the gift.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:30 PM on November 29, 2012


Hmm, both my gifts were shipped a week ago to Quonsee... I hope they've arrived.
posted by smoke at 12:56 PM on November 29, 2012


Oh, no way I'd be ahead of the game if I wasn't worried about overseas shipping. I'm going to be vaguely anxious until I hear it arrived...
posted by JoanArkham at 1:49 PM on November 29, 2012


Quonsee, you haven't posted a comment on this thread yet, but I'm telling you here. Your gifties come from 3 different senders and two of them have shipped today. I really hope you like and enjoy them. I just know that as more folks post what they have received, I am inevitably going to say "OH that one would have been a much better idea to send!" but in this crowd what can one do.
posted by Lou Stuells at 1:58 PM on November 29, 2012


I sent out mine earlier this week. I believe it's due to arrive on Saturday. I hope you enjoy the goodies, Quonsee!
posted by wiskunde at 4:02 PM on November 29, 2012


hydrophonic: "International quonsees, don't look at the customs slips or you'll ruin the surprise!"

Two words: Candied yams.
posted by Dr. Zira at 6:37 PM on November 29, 2012


I got the amazon thingie finally; am about to stuff with a coupla souveniers and send. There is an acorn squash, a few magazines, a special colorado goodie in there. Just what you asked for!
posted by bebrave! at 8:45 PM on November 29, 2012


Two words: Candied yams.

Yes, I know, but it was supposed to be a surprise.
posted by hydrophonic at 9:37 PM on November 29, 2012


I put my quonsee's gift in the post on Tuesday; hopefully it'll be with you soon, but it's international, so maybe not within the week timeframe I was quoted? I didn't put my username on it, but if you post here saying you liked it, I'll out myself.
posted by catch as catch can at 1:50 AM on November 30, 2012


Quonsar package mailed! Yay! I'm not the dork who didn't send her package! (That's always my Quonsar fear.)
posted by rmd1023 at 9:47 AM on November 30, 2012 [1 favorite]


Gift sent! Hope my quons loves it.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 10:32 AM on November 30, 2012


I priority mailed my package on Tuesday afternoon and stupidly did not request delivery confirmation. I hope it reaches you, dear Quonsee!
posted by elsietheeel at 12:49 PM on November 30, 2012


Thank you thank you thank you, SQ! I know who you are, and you are awesome. I love my Soft Kitty mug! Post with image to follow.
posted by misha at 1:04 PM on November 30, 2012


I, too, join the ranks of those who Quonsed on time! Shipped yesterday.
posted by illenion at 1:22 PM on November 30, 2012


Ordered today. It's now out of my hands. And wishing the present was in mine. I'll let y'all know if I get the same thing I gave. That would be pretty awesome.
posted by theichibun at 1:49 PM on November 30, 2012


I just received the most perfect -- MOST PERFECT -- gift from my Quonsar. But it was shipped directly from Amazon and shows their real name, not their username. How can I thank him/her?!?
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:10 PM on November 30, 2012


We are always happy to send thank yous for people who do not know the identity of their quonsar - drop us an email and we will pass it on. Or, of course, you could post on meTa
posted by julen at 2:30 PM on November 30, 2012


Sent!
posted by chococat at 2:43 PM on November 30, 2012


I dragged my ass home from work yesterday evening with two grumpy kids in tow and no dinner in sight. Imagine my joy when I realized that the package in the mailbox was all for me! And that my secret Quonsar was the very talented and generous seanmpuckett (seriously, check out his website holiday shoppers). And that he had gifted me with not one but two gorgeous images, one full of colour, one black and white, both matted up and ready to get up on my walls.

seanmpuckett, I thank you and my children thank you for miraculously turnning me from cranky tired mom into Quonsar-rocks-the-world mom.
posted by Cuke at 2:57 PM on November 30, 2012 [5 favorites]


My day has been a roller coaster, with Quonsmas being the two highest points. I woke up to a very kind memail from my gift recipient, had a shit day at work, then came home to my Quonsmas gift (a giftcard to Native Foods, an amazing vegan restaurant) waiting for me. Awesome. Thanks to Rhaomi and Rouftop, respectively. And to the team who is making Quonsmas happen!
posted by Fig at 6:41 PM on November 30, 2012


I finally got my items Today to ship out to my Quonsee. I plan on wrapping with cool fun tape. I hope it will only add fun and be too difficult to open. I will ship my gift this weekend. I am excited for this whole quonsar exchange. It is my first time participating and it is so fun. I just hope I picked out good gifts!
posted by Jaelma24 at 7:11 PM on November 30, 2012


Sent mine today!
posted by Nolechick11 at 7:43 PM on November 30, 2012



I believe we have a few emails out awaiting answers from folks. Please check your email!
posted by julen at 8:38 PM on November 30, 2012


Just sent mine! My giftee wanted exciting foreign gifts but since Canadaland isn't so excitingly foreign to the US (and they are from across the pond!) I decided to dig through their comments, didn't have to look too hard - the most recent one led me to something I think will be perfect!
posted by addelburgh at 8:47 PM on November 30, 2012


But you could have sent them a Smarties Advent calendar!!!

(I saw one in an international shop here in Boston the other day. It looks awesome and ridiculous and Canadian, but I don't pay Cardullos prices, thankyouverymuch.)
posted by maryr at 8:52 PM on November 30, 2012 [2 favorites]


Okay! Gift ordered! This time I found it much harder to choose a gift than I previously had.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:49 PM on November 30, 2012


Sent mine out yesterday. I hope my Quonsee enjoys my picks!
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 4:04 AM on December 1, 2012


Quonsar keeps on giving. One of the benefits of last year's Quonsmas was that I chose a present from Zabar's, and now I'm on their holiday catalog list! Which is pretty awesome if you're me.
posted by Miko at 5:40 AM on December 1, 2012


Got the last part of my Quansee's gift, and it is a sight to behold. I can confidently say that they will either love it or think it's really weird. Which, since they said they wanted weird, I'm o.k. with. Also, I'm sure they'll enjoy the home-made portion of the gift.

It would be sent already, but somehow or another I deleted the e-mail with the address, Julen was good enough to respond quickly and with no shaming, so consider this just one more testament to the shear awesomeness of the organizers. Thanks!
posted by Gygesringtone at 7:16 AM on December 1, 2012


Dear Quonsee: I just finished packing up your gift: I used lots and lots of packing tape, but that's just because I'm weird and have deep-seated worries about boxes coming open in the mail.... I'll be shipping it out to you bright and early Monday morning; I hope you like it!

love, your Quonsar
posted by easily confused at 9:48 AM on December 1, 2012


Awaiting the last part of my quonsee's gift so I can assemble and mail everything at once. Heard the doorbell this morning, ran down the steps eagerly expecting either that quonsee gift or my own quonsmas package. Alas, Jehovah's Witnesses instead. So much for my exciting morning. Sorry for the wait quonsee, I'm almost there!
posted by ActionPopulated at 9:48 AM on December 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


My gift shipped yesterday to my Quonsee! I think this is my fourth year participating, but the first time the present is being sent by the retailer. I asked for a gift receipt but I don't know who they will tell you it's from. Sorry for the confusion, I thought there'd be a place to mention my username so super mystery gift of fun heading your way!
posted by sweetmarie at 10:16 AM on December 1, 2012


Sent mine earlier - now anxiously awaiting confirmation that I didn't screw it up.
posted by nightwood at 11:37 AM on December 1, 2012


Still finishing up my gift to send to a Certain Person. I hope he can be patient!!

Also, my Secret Quonsar already sent what appears to be part one of two, so I am eagerly watching the mailbox very day. Thank you so far, S.Q.!
posted by wenestvedt at 11:42 AM on December 1, 2012


If you know you will be sending your gift out late - for whatever reason (e.g., you are making it, it is back-ordered and the jerks at the company waited 10 days to tell you that it isn't in stock even though they've been feathering their nest with your payment and act aggrieved when you want your money back as if it's unreasonable to expect that your credit card wouldn't be charged for an item that might be in by January 15, but they can make no promises, y'know?, or you accidentally left it someplace you can't get to for a few days) - we'll be happy to drop your sq a line saying that it will be late but it is coming!

Obviously, we'd rather everyone send it out on or before Monday, but if you think your gift will arrive later than is optimal, communication is beautiful.
posted by julen at 1:55 PM on December 1, 2012


Sent mine out this morning and managed to misspell my real (and four letter) name on the note.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 2:21 PM on December 1, 2012 [3 favorites]


if my SO intercepts the package he will hide it until Christmas Day the bastard.
posted by The Whelk at 2:26 PM on December 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


I sent mine out today!

SOMEONE IS GETTING A REAL LIVE PONY!
posted by insectosaurus at 3:05 PM on December 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


if my SO intercepts the package he will hide it until Christmas Day the bastard.
I'm almost certain the North American tradition is that quonsmas falls on the day you receive the package. Feel free to use this as a citation.
Pity us in Australia, where we have the 72 days of Quonsmas with the attendant koala dreidel, TNT crackers and VB nog. Still, it's the tradition, you know?
posted by bystander at 3:36 PM on December 1, 2012 [4 favorites]


Pity us in Australia, where we have the 72 days of Quonsmas...

God, who has the stamina for that? Or enough good gift ideas?
posted by wenestvedt at 3:46 PM on December 1, 2012


YAy, got my gift for my quonsee in the mail today, now to get acoutrements.
posted by Miko at 3:49 PM on December 1, 2012


Obviously, we'd rather everyone send it out on or before Monday, but if you think your gift will arrive later than is optimal, communication is beautiful.

I know that international shipping is a thing, but I wish the shipping deadline wasn't so early. The really BIG indy craft fair in my neck of the woods won't happen until next weekend. We don't even have our tree up. I'm not really complaining, I just wonder if next year we can consider a mailing deadline that is a little closer to the end of the month.

(I've made do and my package will go in the mail Monday. I might end up sending a supplemental package later in the month, though.)
posted by anastasiav at 4:12 PM on December 1, 2012


For what it's worth I like post Christmas presents as much as pre.

But I'm basically a 5 year old so I just like presents.
posted by theichibun at 4:22 PM on December 1, 2012 [7 favorites]


I know that international shipping is a thing, but I wish the shipping deadline wasn't so early.

You are not alone! This is an issue for quite a few people, for a variety of reasons. The timing is super tricky once international shipping (even regional shipping!) gets into play. Lots of folks feel this way. Having staggered ship by dates adds layers of complexity, and creates weird hierarchies of experience. Of course, in years past, we were still following up on gifts well into January (and February), so maybe it's not such a big change if we just moved the shipping deadline later in future years.

On a similar note, I've even gotten a few suggestions that we should do this in March or July or even January instead of now.

These are all things we can discuss in some sort of post-mortem (or almost post-mortem) in late January-ish. (Other things to talk about: how can we improve our process? did the confirmation emails help? what are the big issues not yet resolved? )
posted by julen at 4:36 PM on December 1, 2012


I have shipped my quonsar gift! I hope I chose well.
posted by spitefulcrow at 5:26 PM on December 1, 2012


A real live pony?!? Oh, I hope insectosaurus is my quonsar! I could ride my pony in circles around our parking lot, and I'm sure he'd love riding in the elevator!

Then again, this place has a 25-pound limit for pets, darn it.
posted by easily confused at 6:07 PM on December 1, 2012 [2 favorites]


You are not alone! This is an issue for quite a few people, for a variety of reasons.

I feel like it's one of those don't ask/don't tell sorts of things. Mine will probably be late for various reasons. I figure if I do my best and it gets in the mail in a decent amount of time, that's hitting the spirit of the law which is better than missing both the letter and the spirit. Do your best, is the way I interpret a lot of this stuff, and if it means a late ship date and a perfect gift, that is probably fine.

I have no official standing with this project of course; I'm just so incredibly stoked at the job julen & co are doing
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:37 PM on December 1, 2012


Shipped! With no tracking and no insurance though, so hopefully people will continue to let us know here when they get their packages.
I'm waiting to end of exams at least to open mine, I hope it isn't the pony.
posted by sgrass at 8:07 PM on December 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


I'm on pins and needles because I don't know if my quonsee has gotten their gift yet. I sent it directly from the vendor with a note (hopefully they attached the note), so I just don't know! Argh!
posted by patheral at 8:24 PM on December 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


Me too, Patheral.
posted by smoke at 10:13 PM on December 1, 2012


Better late than never. My SQ present arrived in February due to it getting bounced by China Post, through no fault of my SQ. Getting a present out of season was brilliant and made it really special.

Also, very chuffed my SQ this year loved their present, phew!
posted by arcticseal at 10:43 PM on December 1, 2012


My SQ should get her package by the end of the week. This is exciting!!
posted by shortyJBot at 7:03 AM on December 2, 2012


While we're wating for more pictures of people's fabulous presents (hint hint), I thought people might enjoy some numbers:

359 Participants
4 Swap Groups
    181 International Participants (50%)
    161 USA Only Participants (45%)
    6 UK Only Participants (2%)
    11 Canada Only Participants (3%)
16 People (that we know about!) have already gotten their gift *
34 Guidance Entries include the phrase "go nuts"
4 Guidance Entries that only say "go nuts" **
15 Different Countries of Destination, plus:
    1 military address, which could be going any number of places.
40 different US state destinations
5 different Canadian province destinations
8 mailing addresses will receive multiple quonsar gifts (roommates and couples)
629 times my ipad auto-capitalized quonsar in correspondence.
5 different states (so far!) that secret quonsar has been administered in ***


*If we see you have posted that you've gotten your present in MeTa, on Twitter, or have mentioned it in mail conversations, we mark you down on our spreadsheet as a Yes. This means you won't get an email from us at the end of the month nagging you like a four year old (Did you get it? Did you get it? Are we there yet? Didyougetit? Didyougetit?).

** that doesn't include one person who added a thank you, and two other people people qualified the go nuts somewhat and within 3 words/acronyms.

*** phunniemee may increment this number up; 4 of the states are mine.

posted by julen at 3:18 PM on December 2, 2012 [7 favorites]


My box to my SQ will be going out tomorrow! I just finished packing it all up :).
posted by Annabelle74 at 4:48 PM on December 2, 2012


For once I actually made the shipping deadline! I did it during my Singapore transit, so extra exotic too.
posted by AnnaRat at 5:02 PM on December 2, 2012


I'll be sending mine out tomorrow too! :)
posted by topoisomerase at 5:42 PM on December 2, 2012


Hey, easily confused, maybe it's one 'a them emotional support ponies I heard about -- they're prolly under 25 pounds!
posted by wenestvedt at 6:36 PM on December 2, 2012


Do you really think so, wenestvedt? But then I couldn't ride him! Oh well, maybe we could go to the local dog park to play.

I wonder how hard it is to litterbox train a pony....
posted by easily confused at 7:37 PM on December 2, 2012


I'm kinda surprised we're only hitting 15 countries, 3 of which are US/UK/Canada (and another one of which is Australia, presumably). I always thought we'd be a bit more spread out.
posted by Phire at 7:45 PM on December 2, 2012


I hope my quonsee like the gift(s). I think I did pretty well! Said quonsee will likely think I'm insane for the amount of money* i paid for shipping a mostly empty box... I was THAT LADY at the post office with the oddly sized thing, holding up the line. I just took what the clerk offered to get the heck out of there.

If anyone has a recommended one-stop website to come up with packaging price estimates, by the way, for the future, much obliged.


(*said quonsee may think im insane for other reasons as well)
posted by NikitaNikita at 7:53 PM on December 2, 2012


I have sent my super-secret quonsarmassnuka gift. It seemed to be old people day at the post office, which took some time. I hope it is well-received.*

If possible, could we get a breakdown of the countries involved? Numbers of swapsarmassers in the different countries?
posted by Ghidorah at 8:11 PM on December 2, 2012


I am sending tomorrow, I promise!
(it's been a helluva week)
But I will let julen et al know as soon as sent, for sure!
posted by bebrave! at 8:11 PM on December 2, 2012


I can do a country breakdown later in the week. I have to sort through it by hand, so it is possible my country count (which I did in my head) is off by one. I may not do specific counts (privacy concerns are magnified by one and two participant countries) but I can order them by frequency groups.

I did notice that at least 4 countries that were represented last year aren't this year (2 European, 1 Asian, 1 Pacific).
posted by julen at 8:31 PM on December 2, 2012


I just sent my gift! I'm really bad at guestimating how big of an envelope I'll need so my quonsee is getting their gift in an oversized one.
posted by astapasta24 at 11:08 PM on December 2, 2012


I'm not going to make the deadline to send out my gift. I might even be up to a week late. I'm shipping domestically though and I will maybe ship it priority if it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. In any event is should arrive by Dec. 25th, which of course is an arbitrary date I've picked out that has nothing to do with any sort of religious or commercial event.

My reasons are good. It takes a while to gather up this much awesome.
posted by bondcliff at 6:00 AM on December 3, 2012


I am feeling a disproportionate sense of accomplishment at meeting the deadline this year. Order placed, with the gift to be shipped directly from the vendor. If nothing else, I hope it will be novelly random for my quonsee.

Nothing to do now but sit by the window and look skyward for Quonsar's sleigh.
posted by usonian at 6:30 AM on December 3, 2012


I shipped priority this morning, yay.
posted by tangaroo at 6:39 AM on December 3, 2012


Now I'm bummed. I ordered my quonsee's gift over a week ago off of Etsy, and I checked on it last night, but it's still listed as not shipped. I sent them an email, so hopefully we'll get it figured out.
posted by patheral at 7:21 AM on December 3, 2012


Mailed out my package today, as planned. It's a whopping heavy box, but I managed to just-barely fit everything into a Large Flat Rate Priority box, so the shipping wasn't as high as it might have otherwise been.

It was so much fun finding things to send!

Oh -- and the box from my Quonsar "sender" arrived a couple of days ago! I love everything she sent; the fuzzy socks are delightful, I can't wait to use the bath fizzie ball, the ornament is already on my tree, the red lipsticks are AWESOME, and the Ouija board mints are just so cool! Anyway, dear person who Quonsar-ed me, you did a fantastic job and I send you a heartfelt thank you!
posted by Annabelle74 at 7:52 AM on December 3, 2012


Delivery confirmation is a wondrous thing. The package didn't arrive Saturday, but dear Quonsee, your goodies should arrive today!
posted by wiskunde at 8:00 AM on December 3, 2012


Just got back from the post office - I hope you like it, Quonsee!!

I got my gift a few days ago - so perfect! I think MeFites are subconsciously connected on a universal level - how else can you explain that I was online shopping for the exact thing my Quons'er' got me (but I never mentioned)?
posted by PorcineWithMe at 8:01 AM on December 3, 2012


My Quonsar has chosen to remain anonymous, so I will express my gratitude here.

Thank you Secret Quonsar; they are absolutely delightful and my coffee table is very appreciative as well! :)
posted by elsietheeel at 8:23 AM on December 3, 2012


The hollow coconut packed with surprises that Great Quonsar dropped on my beach delighted me!

The gifts include a couple of items that finally drove me to try something that I have long been curious about (using wire for decorative knots in the same way that I am used to using cord). I didn't have perfect success on my first attempt, but that's largely because my work was interrupted when my kids started fighting. :7) And I can't wait to try again.

Thanks, Secret Quonsar!!!!
posted by wenestvedt at 9:17 AM on December 3, 2012


Also, I went over to the local U.S. Postal Service branch this morning and gave Undead Ken The Zombie Postal Clerk my Quonsee's package. Go, Post Office letter carriers, go!!!
posted by wenestvedt at 9:20 AM on December 3, 2012


Hmm, I mailed mine on November 22nd, but stupidly didnt include delivery confirmation or the tracking thingy. It's going across the country (US) though, so perhaps it's a little early to start worrying....
posted by darsh at 9:30 AM on December 3, 2012


What bondcliff said.
posted by probably not that Karen Blair at 10:08 AM on December 3, 2012


I thanked him already via MeMail, but villanelles at dawn sent me two wonderfully scented soaps to add to my collection of scented things. They're from an art museum I've never visited and have scents that are distinct and wonderful!

Thank you!!
posted by xingcat at 10:27 AM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


I know I've been flogging the deadline pretty hard, but I do want to say this: If you are making your best effort to get it in the mail, you are fabulous. We can't control what vendors and sellers and delivery people and life throws at us, we can only do the best job we can with what we've got, and that is generally true of the quonsing masses in general. You guys have been generally awesome.

People generally shouldn't start worrying about their gift not arriving until Dec. 21. Then, feel free to inundate us with requests to mail your quonsar with a friendly status request. Between now and then, we will be happy to: provide status updates from senders, continue to gather more information from the recipients, and deal with any other issues that arise.
posted by julen at 10:53 AM on December 3, 2012


oh, and pass on thank you!s and it arrived!s and the like, too.
posted by julen at 11:06 AM on December 3, 2012


The very nice lady in my post office looked at the "from" address and said, quizzically, "secret kwansar?" and laughed when I tried to explain... Beat the deadline by a hair, yay!
posted by gemmy at 11:19 AM on December 3, 2012


When I shipped my SQ gift at the local UPS office on Friday, the dude inputting the information wrote "Secret Quonsar" into the address field, checking to make sure the spelling of "Quonsar" was accurate. Hee.
posted by msali at 11:22 AM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


As sorta requested (I'm not providing more detail than this; Also, please note that I compiled these numbers while on hold with the company who is trying to ruin my secret quonsee's quonsmas, so any mistakes are totally their fault, the non-sending jerks):

Mailing Address Breakdown of Recipients by Country
There are 14 (not 15! My mind failed me again!) destination countries.

Top 5 Countries
  1. USA (8x as many participants as the next group)
  2. UK
  3. Canada
  4. Australia
  5. Japan

We also have participants (in varying numbers) in:
  Denmark
  Germany
  Hong Kong
  Italy
  The Netherlands
  New Zealand
  Singapore
  Sweden
  Switzerland

We have one participant who offered up 2 different usable addresses: one in the US and one in the UK.

We have one participant with a US military/government address which means it's initially delivered to the US and then sent on to his or her location somewhere else in the world.

More Canadians and Britons opted to go international than to go [home country] only. So did Australians - we didn't have enough folks this year opt to go Australia only, so they all went International.

More (United States of) Americans opted to go for US Only than International.

People from the US make up a very significant majority of all participants.

We do have fewer countries represented this year. This is partially due to life changes amongst some folks, and a rash of illnesses. I would not be surprised if the excessive customs hold-ups at both ends of shipping process for certain countries also impacted people's decision not to participate.

At least 10 people missed the swap this year due to work, illness, stress, and etc.
posted by julen at 12:04 PM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


I sent mine off today priority!
posted by invitapriore at 12:08 PM on December 3, 2012


At least 10 people missed the swap this year due to work, illness, stress, and etc.

:(

I hope they get to participate again next year! SQ is one of the best parts of the holiday season.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:09 PM on December 3, 2012


I think most of them did sign up for the notification email list. We've almost doubled the number of signups since this year's quonsing began than were there when I sent out this year's notifications. So that's good.

When I say miss, I don't mean banned. I mean they realized it was quonsin' time after the signups were closed.

The banned folks from last year were good enough not to sign up this year, so I didn't have to politely kick them out. They are all eligible to try again next year with the understanding that if they screw up a second time, they are out permanently. It has been explained to them how not to get banned again, and each seemed to accept it and embrace it.

We have have not yet banned anyone permanently.
posted by julen at 12:17 PM on December 3, 2012


Could there ever be a Summer Quonsar observance?
posted by wenestvedt at 12:28 PM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Well, the December Quonsar observances are "Summer Quonsar" in the southern hemisphere. Perhaps a Quonsarian celebration of the Australian Winter?
posted by rmd1023 at 12:44 PM on December 3, 2012 [5 favorites]


The Fourth of Quonsar? Indequonsar Day?
posted by maryr at 12:46 PM on December 3, 2012


Only seems fair, at this point...
posted by wenestvedt at 12:48 PM on December 3, 2012


We got some mysterious stuff in the mail today. But it wasn't quonsmas magic, it was this.

A completely different kind of magic altogether.
posted by Lou Stuells at 12:48 PM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Thank god it wasn't eponysterical.
posted by maryr at 12:53 PM on December 3, 2012 [4 favorites]


Jumping jesus, maryr, I had never read Lou Stuells name like that until this very minute.
posted by msali at 12:59 PM on December 3, 2012 [11 favorites]


Amanda Hugginkis, I'm looking for Amanda Hugginkis? Oh, why can't I just find Amanda Hugginkis?
posted by maryr at 1:17 PM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Maybe your standards are too high.
posted by bondcliff at 1:34 PM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


PorcineWithMe: ...how else can you explain that I was online shopping for the exact thing my Quons'er' got me (but I never mentioned)?

(While I totally love the idea of a mefite collective unconscious and probably it really does exist because examples-other-than-this-one, I must regretfully point out that in this case actually yes you mentioned the thing that you were shopping for in your guidance notes. But I am so very happy it was a good choice!)

Happy Quonsmas!
posted by you must supply a verb at 1:57 PM on December 3, 2012


Mailed! Apologies in advance for my terrible wrapping job.
posted by ActionPopulated at 1:59 PM on December 3, 2012


I'm pretty sure mine is sitting in ybe apartment office. I must have missed them by <5 minutes. That sucks.
posted by theichibun at 2:14 PM on December 3, 2012


Today was a great day for me and quonsing. I sent my Quonsmas gift out, and upon arriving back at my place I was greeted by two separate gifts from MY Quonsar: a beautiful ball of Japanese wool yarn from Noro (based, I think, on my recent AskMe - I have already knit a hat, and am excited to start my next project with this real fancy yarn) and some Bach sheet music. I unfortunately don't have a username, but thanks, Karl! You really, truly made my day.
posted by k8lin at 3:31 PM on December 3, 2012


Oh my! I think I was visited by Quonsar today! I am not sure, but a lovely French cookbook showed up for me today but there was no note! Thank you mysterious MeFite!!
posted by jph at 3:36 PM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Quonsar in July!
posted by elsietheeel at 3:38 PM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Sent!
Excited and a little nervous. Hope my quonsee likes it.
posted by bebrave! at 3:39 PM on December 3, 2012


Ordered! I didn't exactly follow instructions but I did trawl through posting activity to find inspiration, so I hope my SQ likes it.
posted by Phire at 3:47 PM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Sent mine today! Hope you like it, sq! Eagerly awaiting my present :)
posted by cozenedindigo at 4:04 PM on December 3, 2012


My quonsar rules! I got tea from a company that is new to me (and it has cocoa nibs! and orange peels! and cardamom! and pink peppercorns! and I don't know how she knew that all of those were things that would make me excited!) AND a pack of note cards so I can write people Real Mail. Here is photographic evidence (with bonus cat in background). Thank you so much, saraindc!

I mailed out my quonsee's gift today and I hope she likes it as much as I liked mine!
posted by jessypie at 4:05 PM on December 3, 2012 [1 favorite]


Sent today. It was really hard for me to find stuff this year.
posted by zennie at 4:26 PM on December 3, 2012


Dear Seekrit Quonsar,
Is it you? Did you send the box of coffee and awesome chocolate-covered things? If so, I love it, it's awesome, and thank you! (There was no gift note or a username in the package, only a real name, so if you are my gifter, show yourself!)
posted by honeybee413 at 4:43 PM on December 3, 2012


Oh man, I wish I'd read julen's words an hour or so ago! The Gift Part 1got to my office just under deadline, so I hurriedly went galumphing off to send it rather than waiting to mate it with Gift part 2(and fancy wrapping) that was at home. Don't worry, Quonsee! That will come too. (Though probably Wednesday, I have all-day-work-meeting tomorrow.)
posted by corb at 5:01 PM on December 3, 2012


I keep forgetting to mention it, but the annual gift drive for children is going on. Toys for the kids have all been taken care of, but there is also arts and crafts supplies still to be bought for rhe organization. If you are still in the giving mood pop over to that metatalk to learn more,
posted by julen at 6:08 PM on December 3, 2012


Oooh, oooh, I just got the most awesome quonsar present in the mail! So excited to wear my perfectly soft baby blue (dare I say Tar Heel blue?!) jersey scarf, just right for the amount of coolness we have here in NC in the winter. And with such cute birdies on it! And the chocolate was very speedily hidden away in my secret stash hiding spot away from the non-quonsaring members of my household. The chocolate is mine, MINE I say, bwa-ha-ha-ha ha!

OK, I'm not usually so maniacal, but how fun is it to get surprise goodies in the mail?! Thank you so much librarianamy! :)
posted by msbubbaclees at 6:49 PM on December 3, 2012 [2 favorites]


I mailed my Quonsee's gift today! It should be there by next Monday. In retrospect, I wish I'd shipped it priority.

In the meantime, I'm keeping an eye on this thread to guess which one of you is my Quonsar.

(Also, I should mention that, true to my word, I have kept the Quonsmas card Phire drew for me on my fridge, at eye level, for the entire year. It's like Quonsmas every day here!)
posted by Metroid Baby at 7:27 PM on December 3, 2012


The Etsy vendor says they shipped my Quonsee's gift last Thursday, so it should be arriving in the next couple of days.
posted by shiny blue object at 7:45 PM on December 3, 2012


I sent mine out... well, I hope I did. Mine is being sent out. Mine ought to be being sent out. something like that.
posted by nat at 8:57 PM on December 3, 2012


I'm making my gift by hand and unfortunately I probably won't be finished until later this week; my sincerest apologies, dear Quonsee! (I got the deadline mixed up with another gift swap's, cringe.)
posted by brieche at 9:24 PM on December 3, 2012


My secret quonsar gift came in the mail today. I'm so pleased with it :) Very exotic gifts from Oklahoma, with a lovely handwritten note too.

Bizarrely, my colleagues are most enchanted by the carrier bag that the presents came in!

Thank you anonymous MeFite!
posted by SuckPoppet at 2:30 AM on December 4, 2012


Mine's arrived but I won't be on the same coast as it for another couple weeks. All atingle with anticipation.
posted by villanelles at dawn at 5:27 AM on December 4, 2012


My secret quonsar gift came in the mail last night - thank you, chatongriffes! I will try to post a picture tonight.

I did not manage to mail my gift out yesterday, but did pop it in the mail this morning, and it's being sent priority, and domestic US, so they should have it Thurs/Fri of this week! I only hope my person likes what I got them as much as I love what chatongriffes got me!
posted by needlegrrl at 6:03 AM on December 4, 2012 [1 favorite]


I went to get my present from the office today. They looked curious so I opened it there.

My inner 5 year old screamed "Sweet! Dinosaur!"

My inner old man screamed "Sweet! Supporting education! And I got a dinosaur!"

My food loving self screamed "Sweet! Now I have to go to Chicago! With my dinosaur!"

I hope it doesn't eat the kitties. But it is just a baby and doesn't have all of its teeth yet.
posted by theichibun at 6:27 AM on December 4, 2012


Random question: is there anything that you're supposed to do after you've sent your gift? Like say, PM the recipient to let them know that it's coming?

This is my first time, so I just sent the gift (with delivery confirmation) and went on about my business. I hope that's okay.........
posted by Shouraku at 7:05 AM on December 4, 2012


I did that. My person didn't do it for me. It's only my second year but I don't think it really matters.
posted by theichibun at 7:09 AM on December 4, 2012


Shouraku: "Random question: is there anything that you're supposed to do after you've sent your gift? Like say, PM the recipient to let them know that it's coming?"

Nope! Once you send the gift, you should sit back with the beverage of your choice and while away the time until you hear the gift was received. That's not to say you shouldn't contact your quonsee if you want to. You can communicate with your quonsee as much or as little as you want.

Now, when your gift arrives, you should thank the person who sent it - either via email/memail, metatalk, or via a message the quonsar organizers send on for you.
posted by julen at 7:20 AM on December 4, 2012


I shall do just as you say! Thank you :)
posted by Shouraku at 7:21 AM on December 4, 2012


Mine was picked up by FedEx today! I believe the store is very close to my quonsors home so I'm betting they'll get it todayish!!!

Hopefully they'll have a piece of ID to prove they're over 21, heh heh.
posted by addelburgh at 8:39 AM on December 4, 2012


I've never known who my personal Quonsar was, and I have to say it is a little bit of a bummer to have all this gratitude and nowhere to send it.
posted by jph at 9:03 AM on December 4, 2012 [2 favorites]


I really like knowing my Quonsar.
posted by Miko at 9:18 AM on December 4, 2012


Thank you so much mlle valentine for the great book! I started reading it immediately. You did an excellent job finding a book that I would enjoy and it introduces me to a new author!

Merry Quonsmas to all!
posted by MustardTent at 9:28 AM on December 4, 2012 [1 favorite]


My quonsee's gift is in the mail ... heading off to Far Australia ... and, I've been told, might not get there until after Christmas. I'm very sorry!
posted by ChuraChura at 9:56 AM on December 4, 2012


It's not going to get there until July? That's crazy.

Wait how does Australian Christmas work again?
posted by griphus at 10:01 AM on December 4, 2012 [1 favorite]


My gift is officially on its way to my Quonsee in the Great White North!

I'll explain about the address thing later.
posted by MsVader at 10:23 AM on December 4, 2012


Oh yeah and my gift went out on Saturday to the land of the old dominion
posted by MustardTent at 10:29 AM on December 4, 2012


I also prefer to know who gave me my gift (haven't received this year's yet, though, so quonsar, don't out yourself yet!). To me, part of the point of SQ is to get to know mefites you might not have noticed otherwise.
posted by ocherdraco at 11:01 AM on December 4, 2012 [6 favorites]


Mailed it!

It should be arriving by the end of the week, with exactly the right number of little chocolates I bought to throw in the box and not one less. NOT ONE.

Maybe two.
posted by Room 641-A at 11:05 AM on December 4, 2012 [2 favorites]


Mine was sent off yesterday! Yay! Go Etsy vendor... Now I am once again on pins and needles hoping my quonsee likes their present.
posted by patheral at 11:42 AM on December 4, 2012


I got excited about the package in my mailbox, but it was just the new battery for my computer. Oh well, it just heightened my antici--
posted by book 'em dano at 12:15 PM on December 4, 2012 [2 favorites]


SAY IT!
posted by Rock Steady at 12:53 PM on December 4, 2012 [7 favorites]


Today, a package was in the mailbox. An unrecognizable address. A name I don't know. What could it be? "It must be from my Secret Quonsar!" I thought. And then I realized the construction workers were staring at me, wiggling with excitement saying "OOOOOH!" on my porch in my pajama bottoms at 1:30 in the afternoon, and scooted inside to check. And there, inside the bubble envelope, were two (TWO!) packages wrapped in tissue of my favourite colours. And then I ran to the sink and barfed, because I have the flu.

And so I was compelled to tidy up my house and create a nice ambiance to unwrap it in, with no dust bunnies and me wearing actual clothes and feeling more together. And so then I opened it, and LO, there it was: Fancier tea than I would ever by myself and some freaking gorgeous chocolate. The tea is steeping in this picture, and I am going to have some as soon as I am done typing. The chocolate, as soon as I can hold anything down, is going to be the first thing I enjoy. It's Dark Chocolate Chipotle Almond Bark from a really cool-sounding company. And I am probably not going to share it with anyone, I'll like it so much.

Secret Quonsar, thank you. You distilled the eleventy-thousand words I wrote, which now I hope weren't too picky, (and they weren't supposed to be essay questions?) into two great things that are not just perfect gifts, but perfect gifts at a time when I'm really feeling them. Thank you so much.
posted by peagood at 12:59 PM on December 4, 2012 [10 favorites]


--pation.
posted by mochapickle at 12:59 PM on December 4, 2012 [4 favorites]


Present totally ready but was stymied in getting out of work before the PO closed, darnit. First thing tomorrow!
posted by Miko at 2:14 PM on December 4, 2012


So there I was, staggering home after a rough day at work followed by picking up my car from the repair guys (hint: if your mechanic offers you a FREE two-day loaner car while yours is in the shop? You're screwed..... better empty out the piggy bank.) when what to my wondering eyes should appear?!? A package! A QUONSMAS package! A Quonsmas package filled with a gorgeous, wonderous assortment of chocolate!

All I can say is, if any of you are really, really, REALLY good little boys and girls, maybe someday you too can get a Quonsmas box from tipsy Bumblebee, because tipsy Bumblebee ROCKS!
posted by easily confused at 3:14 PM on December 4, 2012 [1 favorite]


I have received a package from dragonplayer. Everything is awesome, but the awesomest thing of all is the sleepy time tea which apparently works like catnip with my cat. She is presently pushing the tin around the bed and loving it while grabbing at various pieces of wrapping paper.

Thank you. Cat insanity is the best gift ever.
posted by sciencegeek at 3:24 PM on December 4, 2012 [5 favorites]


Thank you, Secret Quonsar, for the amazing art print! So, so cool.

Did you also give me a Hark! A Vagrant! calendar? One arrived with no explanation and I don't know who would have sent it unless I bought it myself and forgot. Which goes to show that if it was you, it was an excellent choice of gift!

(and mine is in the mail as well!)
posted by exceptinsects at 3:42 PM on December 4, 2012


I got Quonsed! Thank you Amanda for this awesome unconventional cookbook full of FOOD and SCIENCE!
posted by lholladay at 4:47 PM on December 4, 2012


I am going to be a wee bit late in sending mine out. Did not realize the send-out date was so early. My secret quonsaree is also an East coaster too so I am sure it will arrive on time...
posted by Deathalicious at 4:56 PM on December 4, 2012


Glad your cat is enjoying the Sleepytime tin, sciencegeek. It was the last item into the package! I will have to see how my cats react to our own tin.
posted by dragonplayer at 5:28 PM on December 4, 2012 [1 favorite]


Phew. My Quonsar gift shipped today. It's going from San Francisco to Philly first class USPS, so I hope it gets there in a few days. Hang in there, Philly Quonsee, it's coming!
posted by kimberussell at 7:26 PM on December 4, 2012


I've been Quonsed! Awesomely. With a container of my favorite treat that I miss from the Czech Republic, and some badass ninja socks.

Thank you Secret Quonsar! Whoever you are!
posted by davidjmcgee at 10:31 PM on December 4, 2012


Now I'm kicking myself for not getting delivery confirmation. It should have been there last Friday.
posted by elsietheeel at 9:17 AM on December 5, 2012


I'm a little late getting my Quonsmas gift out but it is now in the capable hands of the USQS and my quonsee should have it by Saturday.
posted by maurice at 9:36 AM on December 5, 2012


I mailed my little package to California yesterday, and I'm checking my mailbox daily with bated breath! So exciting!
posted by bonheur at 11:28 AM on December 5, 2012


I'm getting nervous. My quonsee should have received my gift on Monday, tracking says it was delivered yesterday, and there has been no word.

I hope it's not because my quonsee didn't like it.
posted by caryatid at 12:19 PM on December 5, 2012


If you think your package has been delivered, but you have not heard anything, we will do a status check for you now. (Email us at the secretquonsarswap account).

However, please give it a few days before you start panicking! There are many good reasons why your sq has not yet responded to your gift. Here are some of them:

1. Life is busy. They could have an exam or a deadline at work. They could be sick or someone close to them is sick. There's been a major life upheaval that has to be dealt with (premature labor; getting laid off; relationship ending, death in the family).

2. It was delivered to a mailroom or an apartment building office or a neighbor signed for it, and they don't actually have the gift in their hot little hands yet.

3. They forgot to hit send on the email thank you message and will discover it next time they cruise by that computer.

4. They are too busy enjoying your gift to leap to the computer.

5. Their spouse or roommate forgot to tell them it arrived and it's sitting someplace not particularly obvious to the present-seeking-quonsee.

6. They could be traveling and aren't there to open it right now, or they are saving it to open at the end of the week or at Christmas (if you are doing this, let your quonsar know it arrived and that you will open it at Christmas - having to wait 20 days to hear if it arrived is nerve-wracking)

There are a number of lousy reasons why people don't get a response to their package (postal services misdelivering, claiming something is delivered when it's still on the truck, theft, it is being sent back because the address wasn't correct), but it is rarely because they hated the gift. I can only think of 2 really unfortunate presents that I know of over the past few years and at least one of them was acknowledged.
posted by julen at 12:56 PM on December 5, 2012


and now I want to know ALL ABOUT The Unfortunate Presents (which should be an Edward Gorey book title)
posted by Lou Stuells at 12:59 PM on December 5, 2012 [11 favorites]


zennie, I would like to thank for from the bottom of my (pig) heart for these delicious-looking preserves and the wonderful card full of recipes.

It is a Merry Quonsmas, indeed!
posted by griphus at 1:50 PM on December 5, 2012 [1 favorite]


(I am entirely sure they are delicious-tasting as well, but the Government doesn't like it when you mail them paperwork covered in jam, so I will have to wait to get home to taste them.)

ADDENDUM:

My boss' kid just came by to ask if I had any boxes I do not need and I almost handed him the one my present came in when I noticed this.

My day is made twice over.

(Also my boss keeps kosher and it looks like I just dodged a hilarious conversation.)
posted by griphus at 1:53 PM on December 5, 2012 [8 favorites]


I'm not going to be near my post office address for the next five days or so...so if you're my quonsor, that's why I can't reply until next week to let you know your package has come.
posted by yellowcandy at 2:00 PM on December 5, 2012


I have quonsed!
posted by Miko at 2:29 PM on December 5, 2012


Sent! That was fun!

Should be there in 2-3 days. Hint: My quonsee is someone who has not commented in this thread...
posted by mochapickle at 2:46 PM on December 5, 2012


that lets ME out.....
posted by easily confused at 4:49 PM on December 5, 2012


THANK YOU MustardTent! I received my package today and was thrilled to find a beautiful edition of IQ84. I started reading it from the library and was really engaged, but I only finished about 20 pages of it because it was a new lease book, only available to check out for a week at a time, and it's been checked out since. How did you know??

I will enjoy sharing the eye stickers with my students, and I'm interested to try the pencil shaving jelly bean flavor.

Thank you! May your Quonsmas be merry and bright!
posted by shortyJBot at 5:37 PM on December 5, 2012


Did you know that the "Mystery Flavor" Dum-Dums are created when the Dum-Dums lollipop factory switches out the batches of flavors they're making? I do, because my Secret QuonsClaus -- aka gracedissolved -- sent me a GIANT box of Dum-Dums, along with a note sharing this bit of trivia. :) I'm sharing the Dum-Dums with my office -- but I'm keeping the Pecan Snappers and Maple Cremes for myself. Thank you, gracedissolved!
posted by parilous at 6:13 PM on December 5, 2012 [3 favorites]


I'm getting nervous. My quonsee should have received my gift on Monday, tracking says it was delivered yesterday, and there has been no word.

I hope it's not because my quonsee didn't like it.


It's me! I sent a MeMail this morning, not seeing that this was the main place for thank yous, so I'll just repost what I wrote there:
Hi caryatid,

Thank you so much for the coffee stout. I got it yesterday, but I wanted to wait until I could try it to write you a note. I love coffee and I love beer and I love Colorado, too, so this pretty much hit every sweet spot I have. I know it's a little risky putting booze in the mail, so it's doubly appreciated. Happy quonsmas!
posted by invitapriore at 7:17 PM on December 5, 2012


Yay!!!! Drink it in good health!
posted by caryatid at 9:19 PM on December 5, 2012


Uh oh. My Quonsee's package should have been delivered today, but the tracking info page says it's spent the last two days in Opa Locka, FL. On the upside, maybe (if it gets to its destination) my Quonsee will consider Opa Locka a far off land.....
posted by PorcineWithMe at 11:02 PM on December 5, 2012


My package arrived today from JoanArkham! Thank you so much for the postcards, cyanotype (so cool!), and fancy chocolate chips. I will make some cookies in honour of you this weekend!
posted by catch as catch can at 4:04 AM on December 6, 2012 [1 favorite]


GAH! I need to mail my package today. late, late, late
posted by bibliogrrl at 5:32 AM on December 6, 2012


Now I wish I had thought of tracking confirmation, but I was so eager to get it out by the deadline! Mail elves, do not steal or lose my Quonsee's present! My curse will fall upon you!
posted by corb at 6:19 AM on December 6, 2012 [1 favorite]


I have had the worst luck with online retailers and things being back-ordered this year, but I finally got my gift into the mail. It's the best feeling. Fa la la la, la la la la.
posted by donajo at 7:48 AM on December 6, 2012


Ah, looks like there's a new thank you thread here.
posted by mochapickle at 8:42 AM on December 6, 2012


Thanks to delivery confirmation and google maps, I know that my Quonsee's package is sitting in a sorting facility one and a half hours and one state line to their north. So, delivery tomorrow or Sat. I'm guessing.
posted by Gygesringtone at 9:06 AM on December 6, 2012


So glad you like it, Catch! I was so disappointed when I found out how much shipping was, I did want to send more.
posted by JoanArkham at 11:28 AM on December 6, 2012


Oh I feel terrible. Packages always get lost when delivered to my apt in nyc, so I put my parents address upstate, knowing I'd be going there soon.... So here's the story....my parents said there is a box for me there so I THINK thats it, but am not 100% sure. But Im going up tonight so will know for sure in just a few hours, and will post on here immediately. Sorry to worry you, Quonsee!
posted by silverstatue at 12:03 PM on December 6, 2012


Mailed! Whew! Oh, quonsee, I did my best at quonsing you but I am a n00b. Please be kind...
posted by probably not that Karen Blair at 12:39 PM on December 6, 2012 [1 favorite]


And quonsed! Two excellent high-quality pens in my favorite colors, a new notebook (how did you know that my old all-purpose notebook is nearly full and falling apart?), and one cute little bonus piece of strawberry candy. Thanks again kimberussell!
posted by ActionPopulated at 2:58 PM on December 6, 2012


I am late getting my thing from the place where such things are procured and mailed, so I am also late sending my thing out. I am on the ball but these things take time.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 3:25 PM on December 6, 2012


I am also recording here for posterity that my thing will not be mailed until this weekend. Life happened.
posted by lholladay at 4:52 PM on December 6, 2012


As of this moment in time, 1 in 7 participants have received their gifts. This number is based on mentions in MeTa, Twitter, MeMail, and eMail, and so it is probably a conservative number.
posted by julen at 4:54 PM on December 6, 2012


I think I'm finished with my gift and should be able to ship it this weekend. I wonder if I'm the first person who ever bled for my recipient.
posted by bondcliff at 5:55 PM on December 6, 2012


Posted in other thread, I have been quonsed with a spingerele cookie mold. I will be quonsing tomorrow. I do not know the handle of my sender, but lo, he will be getting a package from me during the cookie swap.
posted by jadepearl at 6:02 PM on December 6, 2012


My package to my Quonsee was delivered today. Hopefully I'll hear from him soon!
posted by Annabelle74 at 6:43 PM on December 6, 2012


I returned home after my physics exam this evening to find a post office package slip waiting for me. Are you my quonsar?
posted by ocherdraco at 6:55 PM on December 6, 2012


(It should be noted that my question was rhetorical; I look forward to finding out who the actual sender is once the package has been retrieved.)
posted by ocherdraco at 6:57 PM on December 6, 2012


griphus! I'm so glad you liked the gift! And that you didn't have awkward explaining to do about the packaging!
posted by zennie at 7:15 PM on December 6, 2012 [1 favorite]


I too, am late, getting my gift out, as my orginal idea fell through. But it has been ordered and will be sent from east coast to west.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 8:16 PM on December 6, 2012


I just arrived upstate to find the most beautiful collection of gifts from my new quonser friend! I am....honestly a little emotional right now. Elsie the Eel, you made such a effort to send me such wonderful gifts that suit me so perfectly! Thank you so much for the soft, lovely, knit ear warmer which I am wearing as I type this. Thank you for the tea which I will brew tonight and the cool chicken egg that I will keep on my desk. And most of all, thank you for the dry pak for my cell phone to use when I go kayaking! What a brilliant idea! You have managed to represent so many of my loves and I am absolutely thrilled! Hooray for Quonsmas! Hooray for everyone!
posted by silverstatue at 8:35 PM on December 6, 2012 [1 favorite]


Oh yay! I'm so glad you liked it, silverstatue! Putting everything together was a lot of fun and I'm relieved it didn't get lost in the post. Happy Quonsmas to all, and to all a good night!
posted by elsietheeel at 4:48 AM on December 7, 2012


Finally sent, I apologize for the delay!
posted by HFSH at 7:56 AM on December 7, 2012 [1 favorite]


Dispatched, also apologising for delay! +1 HFSH
posted by davemee at 4:45 AM on December 8, 2012


Jessypie, I'm glad you liked the gift :)

Griphus- thank you so much! I guess I didn't give you much to go off of but I wouldn't call what you sent the opposite of "neutral and tasteful"- it was perfect! now I can go up to Russians and ask to interpret their tattoos as my new hobby- hoping that goes over well.

Happy Quonsmas everyone!
posted by saraindc at 8:39 AM on December 8, 2012


My mail spies tell me my quonsmas gift was delivered Thursday. I hope my Quonsee thinks its silly and fun, I keep watching these threads like a hawk - so fun to hear what everyone's gifting!
posted by sweetmarie at 10:22 AM on December 8, 2012




I got three vegan caviars from someone in the mail, and they look amazing and I can't wait to try them! I am PRETTY SURE that it was my quonsmas present and I want to thank whoever sent it because this looks awesome! I love both caviar and vegan things :)
posted by aaanastasia at 1:41 PM on December 8, 2012


Oooops, never mind! That was from a different friend. Still waiting for quonsmas present!
posted by aaanastasia at 1:55 PM on December 8, 2012


My package to my Quonsee was delivered today. Hopefully I'll hear from him soon!
posted by Annabelle74 at 19:43 on December 6 [+] [!]


Ack, you mean that package was sitting there for 2 days!?!. Seems my mailman left it by the side door, which I rarely use. No worries, it's safely inside now, and not even a little bothered by all that cold.

Now it's off to the market to get me a pork roast for use with my newly acquired Hog Wild Pork Rub.

Thanks Annabelle.
posted by zinon at 3:16 PM on December 8, 2012


I have been quonsed, and quonsed righteously! Thank you kreestar, for the apron and the variety of cooking salts. From now, I will no longer need to wipe my hands on my pants or shirt while cooking!
posted by Ghidorah at 5:20 PM on December 8, 2012


Thank you, SQ.
I am SO EXCITED to try the MIRACLE FRUIT TABLETS from the ThinkGeek Store.
Hee hee this is fun and funny!
You kick ass, SQ.
posted by bebrave! at 6:27 PM on December 8, 2012 [1 favorite]


I didn't realize until today that there is a dedicated tread for thanking people for your SQ gifts. Posting here for others who didn't see it.
posted by gemmy at 6:44 PM on December 8, 2012


Quonsee, USPS says it's stuck at a sorting facility in your town! Boo, but should be there soon!
posted by mochapickle at 10:32 PM on December 8, 2012


Nothing in the mail yet. I hope my Quonsee is careful when opening the container of used syringes.
posted by Nomyte at 4:38 PM on December 9, 2012 [2 favorites]


I'm not sure what's going on with your package, dear Quonsee. It's been sitting at the same processing location in NY since December 5th. I think it got stuck. :(
posted by MsVader at 9:44 AM on December 10, 2012


Please take a moment to see if you have an email from secretquonsarswap lurking about in the murky corners of your email account (spam, junk, accidentally sorted someplace odd) -- we have quite a few outstanding questions out to folks that we (and their sqs!)'d like answers to.
posted by julen at 1:04 PM on December 10, 2012


Finally got out my Quonsmas gift a few days late, dear Quonsee. It should be there soon!
posted by ejaned8 at 6:37 AM on December 11, 2012


I have a package from Barnes & Noble waiting at home that may or may not be Quonsish. I guess there's nothing for it but to open it and see!
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 10:00 AM on December 11, 2012


FINALLY got my SQ gift off my workbench and to the post office today. Yes, I am a big fat slacker. It's gotta go from SF to Mass, but I think it'll make it before Xmas.
posted by mollymayhem at 1:49 PM on December 11, 2012


My gift arrived from my Quonsee to my relatives house (because mail delivery at my place is horrible). Just letting Quonsmas Master Control know.
posted by Shouraku at 3:30 PM on December 11, 2012


I have both been quonsed and quonsed myself - I'll follow up on that in the thank you thread.
posted by maryr at 9:30 PM on December 11, 2012


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