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AHayesHorses · Oct 10, 2018 1:19 AM

I always LOVE secret santa! I am someone who just gets all giddy when saving gifts to give to another player :) I have so many plans and ideas that i am just so excited! I can't wait til it starts! I keep coming across new ideas and i'm just super impatient to know who i'm spoiling and what they actually like :D

FallenShadows714 · Oct 10, 2018 1:23 AM

How does Secret Santa work in the game? Could you give us newbies who haven’t experienced one yet an idea what to expect?

ChevalStables · Oct 10, 2018 1:27 AM

Very curious as to how this works. :)

RedDeeFarms · Oct 10, 2018 1:31 AM

I was just about to ask how it works here too. I love giving gifts.

MariaChapinFarm3 · Oct 10, 2018 1:33 AM

Same! Id also love to know. :D

cadieness · Oct 10, 2018 1:42 AM

Another newbie who’s interested! :))

Seaswell22 · Oct 10, 2018 1:42 AM

Someone tell us some details so we can start planning too.

AHayesHorses · Oct 10, 2018 1:52 AM

So basically for secret santa one or a couple of the most experienced players organizes it. There are typically 2 categories; Under 100k and over 100k (the over group being allowed to use real money as well). You fill out an "application" and send it to the player coordinating the pairs. You can do both groups and have two giftees/santas or just choose one. Then after a set amount of time, the coordinator will pm everyone involved their assigned giftee. Part of the application you fill out involves what you like/breed for and what you don't. Then there are a few players who act as Elves to be "go-betweens" so if the santas have questions for their giftees, they can ask while remaining anonymous. It's a lot of fun because you never know what you'll get. My first year i filled an entire barn full of ex pro foundation mares for my giftee and last year i was able to buy my giftee a closed gene (ice 14 i believe). It's so much fun! You never know what to expect from your Santa's!

ConfluenceFarms · Oct 10, 2018 2:06 AM

AHayes! You are worse than Wal-Mart! It isn't even HALLOWEEN yet, and you're putting up the Christmas decorations! :P =))

AHayesHorses · Oct 10, 2018 2:08 AM

lol i LOVE the Christmas season! (Snow, not so much lol) :D Its such a happy time and i am one who loves to give. My dad (who is a pastor) told me that "giving" is my love language. :) I just love making people smile and happy.

ConvivialityFarm · Oct 10, 2018 2:09 AM

I'm so excited to get to participate this year! We do have quite a while until it though :))

ConfluenceFarms · Oct 10, 2018 2:10 AM

Hey! I'm a PK, too! Or, as I prefer to call it, a TO.
Theologians Offspring!

ConfluenceFarms · Oct 10, 2018 2:11 AM

Announcements and the form usually go up on December 1st. I know I had some changes planned for this year though! Bwahahaha! (really must go see if I can find where I wrote down those changes!)

DevilsParadise · Oct 10, 2018 2:13 AM

Happy Hallothankschristmahaunaka!!!!!!!

DevilsParadise · Oct 10, 2018 2:13 AM

And yes, I've actually been thinking about it too :))

ChevalStables · Oct 10, 2018 2:34 AM

This sounds like a blast! I'm really excited and already planning (I love giving gifts!).

Lallyhop · Oct 10, 2018 3:58 AM

Ooooooh I've been bouncing about this one for months already! Christmas is too far away =))
Giving is my love language too, and my downfall, lol. I just know I'll end up spending way too much money this year! Between one surprise gift I'm already working on for someone here that's not even finished after het spm and het nx, and knowing I'll sign up for both categories of secret santa, and all the gifts I want to get for people I live near and with, and internet friends I want to send packages to, my Christmas bonus is toast! :))

Bandit1119 · Oct 10, 2018 4:15 AM

I’ve been waiting for SS since December 26th lol

Although last year one of the changes on one of the servers (hj1 Possibly) made was starting slightly earlier in the month of December which was awesome.

Ammit also had new sales or special herd helpers almost every day so it was somewhat more of an extravaganza of Extravagance.

horsey2 · Oct 10, 2018 6:18 AM

Im very excited to try it, last year I didnt know what it was,so I didnt try it but im going to do it this year :D

levesel2 · Oct 10, 2018 6:27 AM

Sounds exciting!!!

Crystal93 · Oct 10, 2018 7:17 AM

I’m looking forwards to it. Last year I had no idea and was so worried the person I got would be disappointed.
But this year I’m definently a bigger barn then I was and have lots more ideas on what to do :)

hiddenvfarm · Oct 10, 2018 9:40 AM

I feel just the same way you do. I keep thinking about it. I was so blessed last year. And I keep thinking of ideas:) I would absolutely love to buy a closed Gene for my SS but I am always too broke. I would just love love to be able to have a special genes or sale onto which you could ONLY buy with intent to give away. I think that would be so cool. Like maybe even a gene you can only get through receiving:)

SandycreekFarm · Oct 10, 2018 10:20 AM

I've been the elf for both versions (not in the same year, thank goodness), and it's so much fun to be sending gifts (especially horses) to folks with a cheery "Ho, ho, ho. It's the Elf here." messages.

DragonRun · Oct 10, 2018 10:26 AM

I am planning to pick up some closed genes for my SS. I have already started to plan. I am just not sure how to transfer the licences.

Bandit1119 · Oct 10, 2018 11:03 AM

You have to contact Ammit to ask with the recipients info

Maribo · Oct 10, 2018 11:21 AM

Thank you for reminding me! Last year I was broke AND had way to much to do. This year I am saving up, and we are celebrating at home, just me and the hubby. The kid has christmas eve at his dads this year (I'm in Norway, and we celebrate on the 24th). I'm pretty low on funds right now, so I'm gonna have to start stashing IVs.

I love the giving part of SS :x Yes, its fun to get presents too, but the most fun is stalking people to find out what they like, and asking around for all the good stuff. I spend hours and hours trying to find goodies. Most people are happy to share their shiniest ponies if it's for secret santa :)

hiddenvfarm · Oct 10, 2018 11:21 AM

I'm sure we have no idea who is going to be the head of this. But chances are fairly high that either somebody reading this will be or will know the person that is heading this. I would absolutely love to donate money to the under a hundred thousand group. Mainly to people that can't afford to have the gifts that they would like for their secret santa but really want to. So basically for I would donate two of them were so that they could buy their person gifts. And I would love to donate like a million or more

ConfluenceFarms · Oct 10, 2018 12:01 PM

:>

anothertangent · Oct 10, 2018 1:08 PM

This sounds like so much fun! I had no idea it was a thing. I'll have to start saving....

Bandit1119 · Oct 10, 2018 1:32 PM

100,000hbs sounds like a lot but it can be hard to spend that much with how generous this community is.

It’s not unusual to get special gened straws or eggs at pull costs or lower when they normal sell for closer to 100k on their own.

Painted Dreams · Oct 10, 2018 2:13 PM

I was just thinking about this! Last year I did the lower group and ended up over spending (oops!) This year I will be going for the higher group so I can go all out! I loved sending all of my gifts and my secret Santa was amazing! I got some really great gifts. I can't wait!

BlueValley · Oct 10, 2018 4:19 PM

I am so super pumped! I loved participating last year! I'm pretty sure I sent like 100 straws... And so many ponies! I loved collecting and the anticipation of gifting it all!

ConfluenceFarms · Oct 10, 2018 4:29 PM

Part of the plan is to do 100k and under, 100 to 250k, and then the 'GoCrazy' category. That is NOT official (yet). Just an idea.

Riata · Oct 10, 2018 6:41 PM

I've been thinking about it since May! As I used to tell my roommate when adding yet one more strand of fairy lights to our dorm room: "It's always Christmas somewhere!"

dark star · Oct 10, 2018 8:00 PM

I won’t be participating, I find people get intimidated, but I have been mulling over some of the things I might offer up for folks to give as gifts. I am thinking about digging into my straw bank and parceling out a few straws from DS Dark Sun Rising. Maybe pull my top ten mares out of the pasture next month and do egg flushes on all of them. That should give me at least 200 eggs to hand out.

What would you guys like to seem me do? Last year I dedicated all of my breedings for the month of November for folks to use as gifts, that won’t be practical this year, as I am moving to Korea in November, so I will need to do something fairly low maintenance.

HollowbetheInk · Oct 10, 2018 9:26 PM

Question: Can we participate on multiple accounts? Like I have goodies on both my basic accounts I'd like to access for gift giving.

jezmynespice1 · Oct 11, 2018 1:20 AM

@ahayes that was me you bought ice 14 for! and I’m very greatful for that too since I wasn’t able to buy it for myself at the time, if any of you get her as an SS this year...be prepared lol she will absolutely shower you with goodies! :))

AHayesHorses · Oct 11, 2018 1:49 AM

@jezmynespice1 Aww thanks lol I'm so glad you enjoyed all your goodies! And yes, i do love to spoil my giftee :D

@HollowbetheInk yes i believe you can enter with multiple accounts!

Maribo · Oct 11, 2018 6:12 AM

Yes, you can enter multiple account, but be prepared that it IS quite alot of work. I have done both the over and under 100K on both servers a couple of years, and it had me worn out :P Not to mention keeping up with wich and what going to who and where 8-}

Bandit1119 · Oct 11, 2018 8:35 AM

I usually participate in both categories on each server too and lists are your friends lmao

Using my notes app on my phone or iPad or an excel spreadsheet I started a list or tab for each recipient listing their likes and dislikes and then categories for eggs, straws, mares, stallions and show horses and extras. When I collected something new I’d add names and urls to the list and then spend any spare time Christmas Eve rechecking each list against my stockpile. Then if I have time Christmas Eve or Christmas morning I copy and paste the list into a PM so my recipient knows what they’re receiving, send the AI things and put their horses in a chat room for pick up.

I love trying to find the things closest to what the recipients breed for or request and typically gather dozens of outside horses and hundreds of straws.

Although one year I’d be absolutely thrilled if I could get assigned someone that actually breeds the same genes as me so I can really go hog wild using the mares and studs I already have stuffed into my barns and not just hand out pointed show horses lmao it can be hard to find colours that you don’t breed for. I found myself reviewing the genetics guide a few times to figure out which genes are needed when breeding for different colours so I knew what to look for.

Ammit · Oct 11, 2018 8:56 AM

"as I am moving to Korea in November, "

@darkstar WAAHHH! That's so cool!

Maribo · Oct 11, 2018 9:58 AM

@Bandit1119 I know what you mean about wanting to get someone who breeds for the same. Most of the time I can find something in my barns to add to the gifts, but I remember one year, I got someone who bred for the exact opposite in every way. Lightest bone, and loved champagne and cream, no DP, no brown and no fantasy genes. That was tough, as I love all things fantasy on dark and the heavier the better. But that was fun too, just a bit of a challenge. I normally don't take much note of the lighter boned ones, so I had to really search to know where to find them.

Bandit1119 · Oct 11, 2018 11:20 AM

Lol yep I breed grullos preferably EE aa DD with various white patterns except roan and appy. I got someone that bred livers no dun and bay snowflake appy’s I think. I managed to round up quite a few (while collecting about 50 grullos for my own herd just by scanning the hh posting) then I received a few chestnuts from my Ss.

But I look forward much more to the challenge of the scavenger hunt and what I give than what I receive.

dark star · Oct 11, 2018 6:15 PM

I am a Korean Linguist, year long moves to Korea are just part of the job. Not being able to bring my spouse for the duration makes them slightly less cool. H&J2 provides a nice distraction while I am over there.

strawroan · Oct 12, 2018 12:02 PM

I'm excited to participate for the first time!

WhiteMountain · Oct 12, 2018 5:29 PM

Looking forward to it!

MoonAcre Stables · Oct 13, 2018 1:25 AM

I love secret Santa every year. I've only done it the last two but I joined during secret santa the first year. My two secret santas were absolutely incredible! And I absolutely love being able to shop around and breed and create for someone else!

BlackWyld · Oct 13, 2018 2:39 AM

I am so intimidated by being a part of Secret Santa but I can't wait to try!

Bandit1119 · Oct 13, 2018 12:37 PM

Blackwyld I felt the same way when it first came out and people would post all the things they got from their ss’s and would think I can’t afford to get my SS that!

But then one year I took the plunge for the lower level and had a ball.

This community is soo giving throughout the year but when December comes along everyone turns into Oprah “you get a straw, you get a straw, you get a straw, Everyone is getting a straw!”

As soon as I had more than 100k in the bank I signed up for both categories and have ever since.

Although I really struggle to even spend 100k without paying my SS 50k or more since you can buy a whole lot of straws with 100k when they’re beeing sold for 1hb-500hbs a pop

DevilsParadise · Oct 15, 2018 3:36 AM

Last year was my first year and I was a little afraid that I wouldn't give good enough (or just enough period) gifts. My Santa was awesome. Gave me and ice 14 foundie :)

PaintsStables · Oct 16, 2018 2:08 PM

Yay! Can't wait! I did just get my Halloween decorations up though. =)) I was also intimidated the first year I did Secret Santa, but it was so much fun and I also love giving gifts to help my recipients bloodlines along.

I started in the Western version of this game, and Confluence was my first Secret Santa. She was fantastic with helping me out. Now SandyCreek is usually the elf. the elves are so helpful, and will get you settled right into your Secret Santa roll. It is great!

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