MetaTalk

Back in August, I made a post about how we were going to tackle Secret Quonsar in 2020 -- and we wound up talking about the name of the swap itself, as well. If you participated in the swap this year, you should have received an email this morning with a link to a Google poll with some options. I wanted to make a MetaTalk as space to discuss pros/cons of various options. [more inside]
posted by curious nu on Jan 4, 2021 - 50 comments

Yes, I know -- it's not even spooky season yet! But we're in some difficult times, and I'd like to get a head start on figuring out if we need to do anything different this year. [more inside]
posted by curious nu on Aug 13, 2020 - 66 comments

Thrilled and honored to be the first to post a THANK YOU to -- I don't know who specifically, but the kind and generous soul who honored my request to be sent "anything made of dark chocolate that comes from their corner of the universe." I am now the very, very happy recipient of 6 glorious bars of superior dark chocolate from Toronto. I shall savor every bite. [more inside]
posted by pjsky on Nov 15, 2019 - 427 comments

It's secret quonsar time again! Participants will find out who they have drawn on Monday, November 11, and the gift send by (or on) date is Monday, December 2*. Please sign up by 11:59 PM EST on Saturday, November 9. The spending guideline: $10-20. [more inside]
posted by curious nu on Nov 2, 2019 - 145 comments

I apologize for the late notice on this, but we need someone to take over running secret quonsar if it is to happen this year. secret quonsar - which is our holiday-adjacent gift exchange - is a lot of work, but it makes the community happy. [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 19, 2019 - 40 comments

I received this lovely ornament for my Christmas tree from my Secret Quonsar. I believe it may have been 2009 or thereabouts. I'm making an album of my ornaments and there origins, and I'd like to give credit where credit is due. Did you send me this? I believe it was just signed Secret Quonsar at the time but I'd love to know who it was.
posted by If only I had a penguin... on Dec 20, 2018 - 6 comments

Let the happiness and niceness continue! (This is the official 2018 Secret Quonsar Thank You Thread.)
posted by theappleonatree on Nov 17, 2018 - 640 comments

It's secret quonsar time again! Participants will find out who they have drawn on Sunday, November 11, and the gift send by (or on) date is Saturday, December 1*. Please sign up by 11:59 PM EST on Friday, November 9. The spending guideline: $10-20. [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 31, 2018 - 210 comments

Friends! It is October and it's time to plan for this year's secret quonsar swap! The swap is - for the uninitiated - our holiday-adjacent wintery gift exchange (Read About it on the Wiki). [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 17, 2018 - 97 comments

This is the official Secret Quonsar thank you thread.
posted by epj on Nov 16, 2017 - 635 comments

It's secret quonsar time again! Participants will find out who they have drawn on Saturday, November 11, and the gift send by (or on) date is Friday, December 1*. Please sign up by 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, November 9. The spending guideline: $10-20. [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 31, 2017 - 277 comments

Oh look! It's October and it's time to plan for this year's secret quonsar swap! The secret quonsar swap is - for the uninitiated - our holiday-adjacent wintery gift exchange (Read About it on the Wiki). Let's talk details! [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 11, 2017 - 61 comments

I got my amazing, delightful, thoughtful gift package from miratime way back at the end of November...while I was in the middle of a combination of post-election freakout and literally the biggest project of my entire career. So I didn't say thank you properly, and now it's almost April! I especially want to show off these socks that I made with the yarn she gave me. This project has been fun and emotionally soothing and the socks look amazing. :) Thanks again! [more inside]
posted by epersonae on Mar 31, 2017 - 17 comments

I can't believe I'm starting this thread. I can't believe that I came home tonight to the most gloriously Metafiltery of Secret Quonsar gifts! [more inside]
posted by apartment dweller on Nov 14, 2016 - 713 comments

It's secret quonsar time again! Participants will find out who they have drawn on Friday, November 11, and the gift send by (or on) date is Friday, December 2*. Please sign up by 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, November 9. The spending guideline: $10-20. [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 31, 2016 - 336 comments

If it's October, it's time to plan for this year's secret quonsar swap! The secret quonsar swap is - for the uninitiated - our holiday-adjacent wintery gift exchange (Read About it on the Wiki). Let's talk details! [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 18, 2016 - 105 comments

A mysterious package arrived in the mail this morning. My first thoughts was, "My Quonsar gift?!", followed quickly by "Who on earth would be that on-the-ball to get out their gift this early?!?!" The answer? My Quonsarer, that's who!! Thank you so much for the yummy vegan creme-filled cupcakes, the Japanese "knowledge cards", and the fun maps of San Francisco. Happy Quonsar, everyone!
posted by ochenk on Nov 14, 2015 - 941 comments

It's secret quonsar time again! Participants will find out who they have drawn on Thursday, November 12, and the gift send by (or on) date is Tuesday, December 1*. Please sign up by 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, November 10. The spending guideline: $10-20. [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 31, 2015 - 323 comments

If it's October, it's time to plan for this year's secret quonsar swap! The secret quonsar swap is - for the uninitiated - our holiday-adjacent wintery gift exchange (Read About it on the Wiki). Let's talk details! [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 14, 2015 - 153 comments

I received an incredibly moving package from my secret quonsar Anitanola this past weekend, and I wanted to share its story here. When I opened the box full of beautiful presents wrapped in ribbon, organza, and silvery tissue paper, it also contained a notecard with “read this last” written on its envelope. I set that aside, and instead read the note on top, which you can see here. It reads:

This is lagniappe! I’m downsizing my stashes and this is a share of the notecards. Maybe you’ll write a note or just pass them on or pitch ‘em! Anita

The package contained an amazing variety of handcrafted and locally-made stationery samples, as well as some charming magnets and art beads. Once I had oohed and ahhed over it all, I obediently opened the sealed envelope last. You can see it here: [front] [back], and here is what it said:

Dear [a fiendish thingy], I’m sorry that this was sent late. Sadly, my mother, Anita Cage, who drew your name in the metafilter “secret santa,” passed away on Monday, Dec 1st, after a long illness. She so appreciated her community of online friends, as she was housebound with considerable mobility issues. Even as she was worsening, however, she was concerned that this reach you, and that I “round out” the package with some locally made artcraft magnets. So I send this as she wished, and on her behalf wish you a fond hello and happy holiday season. [Her son]

I was deeply touched that she had made sending these beautiful gifts such a priority under the circumstances, and I emailed her son immediately to tell him so. In our communications, I asked him if he would like for me to post about Anitanola’s passing on metafilter, and he was relieved that I had offered so that he would not have to figure it out himself. He also sent a link to her obituary (found here), for those of you who wish to read it. She lived a long and inspiring life. Given her extraordinary kindness in helping to make my holiday beautiful even as her health was diminishing, I not only wanted to post to let everyone else know about her passing and her generosity, but I wanted to act on the inspiration of her own note to me. I definitely do NOT want to pitch the lovely notecards she sent, and instead I’d like to offer to send them on to any of you who would like to remember her in a tangible way. You can memail me your address, and that way her stash can wend its way around the world to other mefites in Anitanola’s honor. (This offer is open to anyone who wants one, of course, even if you didn’t know her well— I think she would enjoy the idea of these missives going to as many mefites as possible!) I will also be sending this MeTa post to her son at his request, so if you have any stories about her to share, he will see them here. If any of you want to send a message to him directly, let me know and I will be happy to pass it on. Her passion, humor, and wisdom will be missed.
posted by a fiendish thingy on Dec 9, 2014 - 274 comments

My dog just started barking at the UPS man, but I wasn't expecting anything. Or was I? Thank you, Matt Haughey, for the t-shirt (and baby gift to come, squee!!)! I spent several work hours contemplating my own quonsar's gift so I was totally thrilled to be quonsed while in the spirit of things! Secret Quonsar Thank You Thread 2014!
posted by aabbbiee on Nov 14, 2014 - 731 comments

It's secret quonsar time again! Participants will find out who they have drawn on Wednesday, November 12, and the send by (or on) date is Monday, December 1*. Please sign up by 11:59 PM EST on Monday, November 10. The spending guideline: $10-20. [more inside]
posted by julen on Nov 1, 2014 - 245 comments

Presents are fun... so let's plan for this year's secret quonsar swap! The secret quonsar swap is - for the uninitiated - our holiday-adjacent wintery gift exchange. Read About it on the Wiki. We need to settle one key question before we start to swapping. [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 9, 2014 - 114 comments

We've had the announcement threads, the planning thread, and the "thank you for the stuff" threads, but I think we all need to take a moment to thank the organizers of the Secret Quonsar swap. [more inside]
posted by bondcliff on Jan 23, 2014 - 55 comments

A mysterious box arrived in the mail today... [more inside]
posted by ApathyGirl on Nov 27, 2013 - 699 comments

It's secret quonsar time again! The randomized draw will be on Friday, November 22, and the send by (or on) date is Saturday, December 7. Please sign up by 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, November 20. The spending guideline: $10-20. [more inside]
posted by julen on Nov 9, 2013 - 311 comments

It's November. It's Metafilter. Presents are fun. Let's plan for this year's secret quonsar swap! The secret quonsar swap is - for the uninitiated - our holiday-adjacent wintery gift exchange. Read About it on the Wiki. Questions/Suggestions beneath the fold. [more inside]
posted by julen on Nov 1, 2013 - 82 comments

As the previous Secret Quonsar threads have been closed, I thought I'd share the weird coincidence our giftenating hath wrought. (Anyone else have odd MetaFilter connections to share?) [more inside]
posted by Madamina on Feb 22, 2013 - 43 comments

Word on the street is that there are a number of people still waiting to give public thank yous, but with nowhere to post them. So, without further ado, I would like to say OH MAN SO COOL, THANK YOU!!! to Snarl Furillo for the two very, very awesome pairs of earrings! [more inside]
posted by phunniemee on Jan 8, 2013 - 43 comments

A tiny Quonsmas pony for all! Could we get some sort of "Quonsed" option for the relationships list when we're adding contacts? [more inside]
posted by Fui Non Sum on Dec 23, 2012 - 10 comments

Yay for secretquonsar! Got my gift today! Hoping mine wings its way on time.
posted by infini on Dec 15, 2012 - 3 comments

Secret Quonsar thank-you thread! [more inside]
posted by IndigoRain on Dec 6, 2012 - 352 comments

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. [more inside]
posted by julen on Nov 12, 2012 - 485 comments

secret quonsar swap time is fast approaching! Last year, we had hundreds of participants from locations around the world. It was fun. But before we can get to swapping this year, we have a few preliminary things to resolve. Fa la la la la. La. [more inside]
posted by julen on Nov 5, 2012 - 63 comments

It's Secret quonsar Roundup Time! We're trying to make sure everyone gets their gift this year. Please check your email and respond if you have an email from us. If you have any questions talk to us Meanwhile, we thought we'd share some fun statistics and next steps. [more inside]
posted by julen on Dec 29, 2011 - 49 comments

THNK U, QUONSAR!!!! [more inside]
posted by sonika on Dec 1, 2011 - 267 comments

Secret quonsor wtf? So, in the Secret Quonsar swap I seem to have drawn someone who turns out to have done their PhD (last year) in my husband's department. Is there something in the algorithm that makes that more likely than the absolutely bizarre unlikelihood I would have thought it had?
posted by lollusc on Nov 24, 2011 - 76 comments

It's secret quonsar time again! The randomized draw will be on American Thanksgiving, November 24, and the send by date is Monday, December 5. Please sign up by 11:59 PM EST on Tuesday, November 22. Spending Limit: $15. Note: We are doing things a bit differently this year. [more inside]
posted by julen on Nov 11, 2011 - 181 comments

It's getting to be time for Secret Quonsar (a gift swap that happens in December among a subset of Mefites. Anyone can join if he or she wants to) again. I'm willing to do it again, having learned a lot from last year's events. If people would rather I not do it, send me an memail (or call me out here!) and if I get a critical mass, I'll step down. I want to talk about the two big issues we had last year. [more inside]
posted by julen on Oct 25, 2011 - 174 comments

I would like to thank my Secret Quonsar and invite others to as well and bask in the schmoopy. [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin on Dec 1, 2010 - 142 comments

In a new world record, I've already received my Secret Quonsar gift, 10 minutes after the final draw. [more inside]
posted by Gucky on Nov 26, 2010 - 45 comments

It's secret quonsar time again, but this year we're doing it in two flavors: Anyone/Anywhere and [My Country Only]. The randomized draw will be on American Thanksgiving, November 25, and the send by date is Tuesday, December 6. Please sign up by 11:59 PM EST on November 24. Spending Limit: $15. [more inside]
posted by julen on Nov 15, 2010 - 251 comments

It's that time of year again! For the past several years, we've enjoyed swapping gifts in a secret Quonsar swap. I'll be organizing it this year (with the help of Indigo Rain, last year's organizer) My goal is to open signups on November 15, and do the ceremonial giftee random draw on (American) Thanksgiving Day, which is November 25th. Before we open the floodgates to this year's Secret Quonsar, there is one outstanding issue we need to resolve. [more inside]
posted by julen on Nov 3, 2010 - 78 comments

Latest chapter of the secret quonsar miracles. [more inside]
posted by piratebowling on Jan 18, 2010 - 40 comments

ZOMG! QUONSMUS!!!! ZOMG, THANK YOU!!! [more inside]
posted by grapefruitmoon on Dec 11, 2009 - 226 comments

Mysterious package arrives...thank you secret quonsar! [more inside]
posted by quinoa on Dec 4, 2009 - 65 comments

Secret Quonsar (/snowflake /schmoopy) signups end in one week. Here's the signup link. [more inside]
posted by IndigoRain on Nov 23, 2009 - 107 comments

Everybody needs a little schmoopy right about now. Let's talk about doing Secret Quonsar again this year. [more inside]
posted by julen on Nov 12, 2009 - 151 comments

Secret Quonsar Thank You Thread! [more inside]
posted by sugarfish on Dec 17, 2008 - 95 comments

Last year's Secret Quonsar was lots of fun, and I think we should do it again. [more inside]
posted by IndigoRain on Nov 20, 2008 - 264 comments