Thread 283269758

It's that time of the year for signups again! We have just a bit over a week left before signups close, so if you haven't signed up yet now is the time! We will be going though a large list of signups this evening in our backlog, so if you haven't not received a response yet don't fret!

copy pasta begins next post.

Fill out the form below to join up! You’ll need to send it to sweetsecretsanta@santasquad.moe

Here’s a link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13uzJbSk7UmM9SLFcO_1vzjr5cP2cWo8wCKCm7QJM0NQ/edit?usp=sharing
///Form FAQs///

>Santa, I can’t edit the form!
Select “File”, “Download as”, “Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)” and save a copy for yourself. Fill it out and send it to us as an attachment
>But Santa, I don’t have Excel!
If you have a Google account, you can also create a copy on your Google Drive.
Just click “File”, “Make a copy” and send us a link sharing the document with us in your email.
If you choose to use Google Drive, set the spreadsheet to allow anyone with the link to edit. This speeds up the processing time on our end.
>Santa! I’m /g/ as fuck and I don’t want to use Excel or the Google Botnet!
k

///General FAQs///

>What is Secret S/a/nta?
A chance to give, receive and post gifts and be a part of an experience with other /a/nons locally, nationally, or even globally with a bit of X-mas spirit!
>Who is hosting this event?
Your friendly hosts and helpers are now Santa Loli, Santafaggot, SpoonSanta, Santa’s Elf, SantaBucket, SantaTrap, and also yours truly, Initiated santa
>How do I join the gift exchange?
Correctly fill out the signup form and email it to us as an attachment or link before the deadline. Once we process it, you’ll receive a confirmation sometime later.
>Deadline to join?
November 1st 12:01 AM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME!!!
Dōshite!? Because we need time to match you all, and give everyone enough time to procrastinate until Thanksgiving and then draw cards, buy gifts, and ship them both in time for Christmas.as.

>Why should I trust this?
It's up to you. We’ve had multiple successful SS events hosted by us for the past few years.
Although the average amount of people not receiving gifts is low, the risk still exists. Please be aware that your mileage will vary. However, we do provide a grinched protection program which allows people to send gifts to those who didn't receive anything at all... even after X-mas!
>Can I give you guys stuff?
Please send us your Christmas cheer only!
>I ALREADY JOINED, HOW DO I FIX SOMETHING?
If you need to make changes to your wishlist or address, or anything else:
please RE-SEND the application with the changes made as a REPLY to your first e-mail!
Having the email thread history allows us to keep track and provide a timely response!
Let us know what specific changes were made.

///More FAQ///

>Is the price of shipping included in the price tier?
No shipping costs are NOT included in the tier. Make sure to budget in not only shipping/hidden handling costs but the time and effort it takes to create cards and package the gift.
>What tier should I join?
Pick whichever tier you feel most comfortable with, however please be aware that we may switch it depending on our ability to match you.
>When are the threads going to be?
Threads are created only on Fridays/weekends until we get closer to X-mas. The Santas will create them.
>What’s a handmade gift?
Take a look around in the threads. You’ll see plenty of examples of knitting, laser cut wood, horrifying waifu masks, and much much more. People bake cookies/brownies or buy snacks and supply booze local to their country. You may not get out what you put in, but remember that giving is the most important part.

Cute Lina

also, please make sure to use a normal email address to send your sign up. if you're sending from some autistic /g/ domain or mail service there is a chance outlook is just going to defer or reject your mail.

we're also trying to match handmade with handmade if requested, so if you're planning to make actual crafts and other homemade items for your gift and also want to receive them, please let us know and we can try to match you with somebody also making something

>>283269758 (OP)
The time has come once more.

>>283269810
Damnit, I forgot to mention her on my list. Next year for sure.

>>283269978
anon you can just update your list. we don't mind.

>>283270136
I know, and I'll probably send an updated version before the deadline hits me like a train. Give me a few more days to think about which other characters I forgot about.

Only one week left for homocards sign-ups. Don't procrastinate.

>What's homocards?
A smaller X-mas cards exchange that runs parallel to Secret S/a/nta, featuring MALE anime/manga characters only.
To participate, simply copy-paste and fill out the form below, then send it to homocards.santa.mugen@gmail.com.
Signups are open until November 1st, 9 PM PST. If you have any special requests, let me know in your email.

---
Name:

Country:

FULL Address (check https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Address for the correct format to use):

How many cards do you want to exchange (0-10):

I want to send my cards (choose ONE):
a) anywhere
b) to my continent only
c) to my country only (please note that depending on your country, I may not be able to match you)

Card Wishlist (this is what will be sent to anyone who gets assigned to send a card to you. Describe here what you'd like to see in your card, e.g. you're husbando, OTP, favorite shows/manga...):

Lewd is okay? (Y/N):

>>283270683
>Don't procrastinate
I will join at the last possible minute and you can't stop me!

reminder to drink heavily before making your list

I must go now, my bed needs me. I'm sure more characters that I forgot to include on my list will be revealed to me in my dreams. Good night everyone.

>haven't written any wishlists or emailed anyone yet
I'm just too sleepy!

>>283272268
This but before writing anon's letter.

>>283272338
>too sleepy
WAKE TF UP.

>>283272375
I am JUST
WAY TOOOOOOO
SLEEEEEEEEEEEPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>>283272542
Take a nap

>>283272375
NO

>>283272882
Time for my forever sleep

>>283272338
Same, gotta try to throw my wishlist together by the end of the weekend and email one of my old santas that I was gonna send a card to.

Would it be going too far to ask my Santa out for coffee?

>>283275246
Yes.
Tea is better.

>>283275246
>Getting coffee
>Not going on an all night rager with your Santa before they give you your gift at 3am and run off into the night.

USanons, how much are we budgeting for tariffs and shipping? Last year I had around $120 in charges in the $150+ tier, but it's been a minute since I bought from Nihon and want to have realistic expectations.

>>283275246
Depends on your Santa, but if they're close, couldn't hurt to ask I guess.
I'm not gonna let someone I don't really know into my house, but I don't think I'd have a problem meeting up with an anon somewhere. I've had kinda close anons a couple times though and no one really asked.

>>283276310
Why didn’t you?

>>283275246
yes

A REMINDER THAT THIS IS THE LAST /SS/ IN EUROPE BEFORE THE MUSLIM INVADERS OUTLAW IT.

>>283275246
I already told you one week ago, I don't like coffee. Give me carbonated drinks.

>>283275246
Only if we both agree to cosplay as our favorite animu characters

Here is your gift bro

>>283278259
You also aren’t coming to any meetings between Santa’s so what does it matter?

>>283279652
You'd have to be crazy and/or Canadian to assist to a meeting filled with /a/utists. That's exactly the kind of meeting that would end with someone dying.

Do you guys have all of your art supplies acquired already?

>>283281248
standing by for the lastest moment

>>283281248
I moved not too long ago and while I know where most of the supplies are, I'm fairly certain I have lost stuff like my scissors.

>>283269758 (OP)
This weekend I will send my form, for sure this time!

>>283281248
I bought all of mine one month ago.

There was a bloody Naruto advent calendar at the store. If anyone of you has shit taste, I will send you one as soon as the assingments are out

>>283281300
I hope you can find your scissors soon. Those are a very important part of cheer-making.

>>283282903
What counts as shit taste?

>>283284712
Anything that isn't what 1:1 what I like.

>>283284712
Your taste can officially be declared as shit if your list contains any anime or manga produced after 1974.

>>283284774
>>283285064
Should be easy enough to get that advent calendar if I get assigned to anon, then.

>>283281300
I know how you feel, I just moved over the last two months myself. Luckily my card cutting board and stamp stuff are accounted for, but I can't find my tools at fucking all. Shit's a pain.

This year I am making my wishlist much longer, with explanations for what I like. I am sorry.

>4 days with no reply from santa
looks like my taste was too shit

>>283285208
I don't care about reasons for liking things

>>283285607
I already said I'm sorry man

>>283285208
I care about reasons for liking things

>>283285208
I will ENJOY reading your long list and there's nothing anyone can do to stop me.

>on /a/ for over a decade (certified newfag)
>first time participating
This is gonna be... fun?

>>283286057
No, it will be awful

>>283286057
Yes, it will be funful.

>>283285064
>my favourite show is from 1972
We're all gonna make it

>hot cocoa ordered
>just bought some eggnog and art supplies
>going to local Japanese grocery this weekend to get candy for cards ahead of time

I am so ready for assignments in a few weeks

>>283289398
>favourite show is from 1972
I perceive you are an individual of elevated tastes.
https://youtu.be/XRmzkAT3bLI?si=fCMwlSeNEGEFL2fY

>>283289988
You were very close but also slightly off

>>283289988
You were very close but also slightly off

>no one wanted a char card
honestly i'm a little disappointed

>>283289449
I need to hit my local asian market come the end of the month, I'll definitely have some goodies for my card anons.

>>283290223
Oh, dammit. I knew it was going to be something from Go Nagai, had a 50% chance of choosing the correct answer.

>>283290268
Huh? Signups aren't even closed/assignments not out, what do you mean?
Did you ask people who wants one outside of the official card exchange?

>>283290444
Better luck next year, Chinese Satan.
>>283290268
I forskin forgot to email you but I most assuredly will do it eventually

>>283290505
I think it's that anon from last week that was wanting to make people char cards separately

>>283280292
>I don’t want friends with the same hobbies
Your losz

>>283291623
I had friends once. They all died in a terrible accident and now I'm one of those anime villains who don't believe in friendship. And yet, I joined this event because part of me believes that the protagonist of this story will use the power of Christmas to make me believe in the magic of friendship again while this plays on the background:
https://youtu.be/mW61VTLhNjQ?si=2T0X88Btcg-DBvk_

>>283292127
Vtubers are forbidden

>>283290506
my disappointment was immense this past week. I truly felt like i agreed with him on his views of humanity and earth
kek but just please do so soon-ish so i have time to mail and make them!

>>283292127
>faggot that spends his time listening to e-whores has a shit opinion
In other news water is wet

>>283292535
>my disappointment was immense this past week. I truly felt like i agreed with him on his views of humanity and earth
Ok well I'd prefer to have seasons other than just winter, so I'll try to get on it soon, before this thread dies at least!
>still have to pick a favourite Char
It's like asking me which anime character could be a mother to me

I forgot to tell the Santas that my postal service is unable to ship packages to America this year but cards are even exempt.
I'm sure it'll be fine...

>>283293032
>being allergic to sending them an update
Why are anons like this? They've come forward saying it's fine.
Just send them a mail.

>>283293032
Maybe you should update your form and mention that in the "anything else on your mind" section. Because if you clicked on "anywhere" for gifts, there's a high chance that you will be assigned to someone from the US.

>>283292992
>Ok well I'd prefer to have seasons other than just winter,
there is nothing stopping anyone for sending mail at other parts of the year!

is canada's post still fucked this year?

>>283293201
Yeah but a nuclear winter would make me too morose to make or send cards

>>283293889
not still fucked, fucked again

>>283270794
No do better, send it in the last possible second with email scheduling and truly be the last person to sign up.

>>283293948
Oh I meant like first day of summer or Valentine's day not nuclear winter.

>>283294221
I will consider this, thanks for the idea.

>>283294433
No, I meant that regarding anon agreeing with Char's views on humanity, the latter tried to drop a colony on earth, which would cause a nuclear winter + genocide and render the earth uninhabitable. So if anon became too jaded, it would be hard to send any cards!
>tfw you'll never get a Valentine's day card from anon

>>283293889
Are you a Canadian?

>>283294660
I'll send you a Valentine's day card.

I haven't bought card supplies yet

>>283298153
Get out of the bed and go right now, you lazy little girl.

>>283298153
You still got a week, go back to sleep

>>283297594
It can't be helped, I suppose. Looks like I'll have to stay alive until then. That is, of course, assuming that anon isn't a big stinky fibber.

even if it's just a few episodes, I'm going to try to watch some of the shows each of my card anons mention this year before I make their card

>>283299840
I thought it was a common courtesy to do so.

>>283293032
what country doesn't ship to America? Tariff issues I'm guessing?

>>283301759
My country also put up a notice about not sending anything above simple mail to the USA since August. It boils down to "Those new terms are pretty troublesome and many shipping companies across Europe have also halted operations with USA clients. We're cutting packages off until we can all figure out a new working process for this".

I normally do 10 cards, so busy this year I'm caught between doing less or losing sleep making all of them. something very fun about making so many cards I don't know if I want to let go of this year though.

>>283303049
Do less and put in more effort.
This may be an unpopular opinion but people who do 13 cards usually just mass produce low effort cards.

>>283298153
I've been using the same supplies for 5 years. The only thing I've replaced in that whole time is a tube of pritt stick

>>283301759
>>283302127
The only other way to send mail in America is through companys that accepts it. Even Mexico with Canada just stop sending through normal ways. You can send it in Mexico and Canada the package will arrive as expected but anything being sent to USA postmail will be rejected.

Since this (probably) is the last thread before assignments it's about time I post this. After the threads ended another package sent by VA from France arrived. I'm not sure whether the Santa's were still checking their mail, but I hope my message was passed on and that you're participating this year too. It was very much appreciated, so thank you!

Danbo and Yotsuba ended up accompanying the physical Yotsubato manga set that I have, they ended up fitting quite nicely on that bookshelf. And I'd actually been eyeing the Onsa for a while, so I was happy to finally get it. At some point I'll have to grab the Hane too and maybe just create a full display cabinet for baiku and /o/ figgies in general -- that stuff is great. The chocolate was way better than any chocolate I normally eat, and of course you already knew that I liked your liquor. Did you do anything with your brewing plans for this year or did it end up just being a one time thing?

Does the address from your 2023 gift list still work? I'd like to send you another card this year.

>>283303946
Even some of the private couriers are rejecting packages to the US now, or they were a few weeks ago. UPS has a horrendous backlog of things waiting to clear customs at the moment.

I'm going to win the holy grail war so I can wish for global postal services being normal for one holiday season

I thought I'd get the motivation to sign up with less than week to go, but looks like it's not happening this year. Have fun anontachi.

>>283304192
anon it takes like 5 minutes to do
ganbare

I tried rewriting my wishlist and it ended up coming out almost the exact same as previous years. I spent 2 weeks on this damnit.

>>283304267
How are the word counts between the last one and this one?

>>283303967
Link to that doujin?

>>283304560
How fucking lazy and retarded are you? There's only 60 results total on sadpanda for that character and it comes up within the first 10.

>>283304771
Anon wanted me to answer on his behalf, saying that he is very, very lazy.

>>283304494
I have a little bit higher word count this year because of some word changes and the section I have for some recent shows that I liked (I change the shows in that section every year).

>>283304789
You can convey the message that he should kill himself next.

>>283304837
>an increase in autism words for the wishlist essay
If I get it, I'm going to read it at least TWICE

>>283303097
I do 13 cards every year and I always put maximum effort into all of them. It's not like I have anything better to do with my life, all my effort and energy goes into card making.

60 days.

>>283303967
Damn, I'm jealous. I need anons to gift me doujins.

>>283305708
Mentioning that you collect them and having good taste should help.

>>283305949
That would be too much prompting, in my opinion. I think it's more hilarious if my Santa goes out of his way to get me a doujin.

>>283305949
That would be too much prompting, in my opinion. I think the surprise of my Santa going out of his way to get me a doujin is more hilarious.

>>283306059
For what's it worth, I include doujins more or less every year because they're cheap

>>283286057
same, I want to go simple and just make a card but I'm scared of ruining the xmas of the other anon

>>283306093
Anon, please check the archives. Simple cards are usually the most loved ones. It's less about the quality and more about the effort. You spent some of your time to make something special for someone, that alone is worth it

>>283293889
Currently quasi fucked, rotating strikes, some offices are striking well others are working.
I honestly expect them to go full fucker again on us before Christmas.
As much as I'd like to join in on this myself, I don't want to screw someone over because our postal system sucks.

>>283305708
I asked for a doujin specifically one year, for the hell of it. I'm a bit too self-conscious to do it again though.

>>283306093
You will not ruin anyone's Christmas. Everything will be okay, daijoubou even.

>>283306059
I kind of get it, but off-handedly mentioning you collect or don't mind (SFW/NSFW) doujinshi shouldn't be too much.
If you just mention series you like followed by an "oh, I collect doujinshi by the way", that makes it suspiciously sound like a nudge in that direction. But people like to include what stuff they do or do not collect, e.g. "I don't have the space for figures" or something along those lines, too.
>>283306093
Receiving a card doesn't ruin anyone's Christmas. Not receiving one might.
So go for it, it's fun.