(no subject)

[bookaddict88.livejournal.com]

Here's the feedback post, as promised. We'd really appreciate it if you'd help us out by responding!

[Poll #1123974][Poll #1123974]

Comments

[rain-oubliette.livejournal.com]

My only problem with this year were the amount of replies I got to the "Have a happy holiday season" wish. Many people posted on my LJ, "You, too!" and linked their wish list on my page. One person even asked me to check out her list and send her something. :-P I know that this was addressed in a Mod Post but I still got a few more, "Check out my list" replies. Tacky tacky tacky.

[scapegoat.livejournal.com]

I agree - I got more replies for that than anything. I got a LOT of cards though which really made my season, but it would have been nice to have been surprised with a little something, y'know?

[magicalspirit.livejournal.com]

I think their should be if your going to agree to send something or exchange with someone a seperate post or community for posting like shipping info/delivery confirmation and all. People need to post when they get their wish granted and granted someone else's wish.

Other ideas running in my mind are maybe listing more non-high price things (like Wiis) maybe trade offs or swaps for something you might have...or ask for things that maybe someone out there might have and they don't want they can pass on to you. But it can not be in bad condition. Loved and used but still in good to great condition. (random thought there)

Otherwise I loved it!

[gloriatrillo.livejournal.com]

yeah, I think I would have been able to fulfill more wishes if people asked for homemade brownies than if they asked for ipods and gift certificates.

[oshngirl.livejournal.com]

I found this by someone posting pictures of cards they had made for holiday wishes on scrapbookers. This was my first year and I really enjoyed hunting around and finding wishes I could grant for people. The one thing I wish was I had gotten more feedback from people about receiving the packages/cards mostly so I know that the people I asked for their address actually GOT the stuff and don't think I bailed on them! I sent out every single thing that I actually got replies for their addresses.

[hezmanagirl.livejournal.com]

I agree, I'd like to get more feedback from the person who's wish(es) I granted. Knowing what I sent is actually received is a good thing.

[hezmanagirl.livejournal.com]

I had fun sending things out to people but I got frustrated when people said they'd send things to my kids and didn't follow through.

I like that people's entries were tagged alphabetically by lj name, region they were in and the items they wished for. I tried to put the wish lists I wanted to fulfill in my memories to make it easier.

I don't mind people posting links to their wishlists if the original poster asked for it. For some reason, people posting paypal links and asking for money made me very frustrated.

Next year I'd like to do it again just for the fun of granting people's wishes. I don't plan on expecting anything in return though.

[cmleach.livejournal.com]

Last year (2006) went wonderfully for me. I received so many things/cards at random, people followed through on their promises, and took the time to say thanks. My biggest issues this year revolved around that.

People did not tell the sender that they received something... Looking at my spread sheet, of the 29 wishes I promised (actually told the person I was sending, didn't just "elf" them a surprise without their knowing), only 14 responded in some manner that they received the item.

Other people didn't send what they promised. If this was a swap community, these people all would have been tossed out. It just bothers me that people, particularly at that time of the year when people are trying to be hopeful, etc....that these people gave hope/promised things (and I don't mean just to me, but it happened to plenty of others) and then bailed out on it all.

Honestly, I probably will not return next year because of this. It wasn't really fun for these reasons.

[empressjad.livejournal.com]

My biggest problems this year were:
1) the lack of replies. I granted 56 wishes that were actual *material* things that I sent out, and less than 25% of those recipients even acknowledged the gift. A simple "yeah, I got it." would at least let me know I hadn't paid postage (many of them overseas) for nothing. A thank you would have been even nicer. I had more people respond with a thank you for non-material wishes granted, like donations made to the food pantries, Salvation Army kettles, animal shelters, etc. I've made a few friends that way this year...
2) I had four people who I promised things to, then found out they were the same person, each posting TWO different wishlists. One said she was posting her sister's list, and the other said it was for her mom. I sent the gifts out (and I should have known better because they said to send the presents to the same address, in care of them) One actually screwed up and thanked me for both people's gifts, hers and her sister's, telling me how she was going to use both of them. When I emailed and said I thought one of those was for someone else, shje said her sister decided she didn't want any of the gifts and that she could keep them. Yeah, okay.
3) The abundance of sad stories seemed really out there this year. I don't like being put in a position of deciding who's "worthy" of a gift, and I don't like feeling cynical, wondering how many of those stories were true. it seemed like a lot of people were trying to outdo others in how much worse their year had been in an effort to get more things.
4) I would estimate that of every five people who promised me something, one followed through. I find it more fulfilling to give things than receive, and I'm not in this community to be greedy and get things, but if you tell someone you'll send something, DO IT.
5) When people are contacted and asked for their mailing address, and don't bother to reply, I think that's just rude. I tried and tried to contact one girl who chose a book from me, and never got a reply, other than I'll send you address later. WTF? Why not send it in the email you're writing now? Do I have to chase someone to give them a gift?
6) There were a couple of people who saw that I offered something to one person and asked if they could have something too. And yeah, there were *a lot* of people who linked their list to pretty much anything.

Okay, done ranting. I still love this community and will be here next year. The mods did a great job, and were really responsive with issues, and I know they can't be responsible to monitor people's greediness and rudeness. I appreciate their time.

[spring90.livejournal.com]

6. I saw that too.. Personally I was shocked! I went "What.. did they actually DO that?" and I really think it's not in the spirit of the community...

[love--me-baby.livejournal.com]

This was my first year in the community and I think i went really well. I asked for simple things, such as get well cards for when I was having my teeth pulled, or just a simple christmas card. As well as 'material' items.

I sent thank you christmas cards to each person that sent me something through snail-mail, but I did not received the same treatment. It would of been nice to know that someone received something I sent them.

I am guilty of putting one of the 'paypal' donation links on my list, but I realized, it's not a good idea. Due to the fact that EVERYONE practically had one and I did not know who to believe and who did not, just like no one would know weither or not to please me or not. So, next time you all will not see that from me :-)

I think we should have a 'feedback' page for each person on here that has sent an item. Just a suggestion

♥ Thank you all for such a great time!

[spring90.livejournal.com]

The feedback pages sound like a good idea.. but... Maybe not one for every person, Just one user feedback page where you could report if you didn't get something. On another hand, if you did that it is possible that someone would come along and try and get people kicked out (I'm not saying anyone here would, But better safe than sorry)

[spring90.livejournal.com]

Alright *cracks knuckles* I've been waiting for this post. I'll do it in number format. Also, As a warning, I may get carried away.

1) Thanking. even though all I did this year was send out music downloads, Out of every about 10 people I sent links to, Only 3 would bother to reply to say thank you. even though it's not a material thing, I still worked to send almost every person that said they wanted music the download links, or offered to send them. It may not seem like a 'huge' thing, But if someone bothers to grant your wish? Say thanks.

2) People who don't send. the thing with this to me, Is I wouldn't even mind so much if they said "I'm sorry - Something came up and I can't send you this anymore." even if it's just an excuse, It's nice to have some kind of reason why you didn't get something someone said they would send you. Personally, For every three people that said they'd send me something, I got something from one. To me it's not about the getting stuff - I really don't mind if people can't send it. But just say you can't send it if you aren't going to.

3) Wishlist linking. This year that turned out rather unfortunate, But I still think it should be allowed next year, and if we run into any problems.. Put it up as a rule again, And make sure everyone knows that if they post their wishlist link on every list, They won't be able to anymore.. Because it really isn't fair.

4) People asking for things on other people's wishlists. What? It isn't in the rules because it's common sense not to do this.

I want to thank the mods so much for keeping it organized and just.. being awesome mods. You guys deserve cookies.

I also want to thank the people who actually sent me stuff, I had an enjoyable time this year and me and my youngest sister had a fun time finding where everything came from on the map. I do realize some of it might be late in the mail, and that's okay. My not sending rant was mostly for the ones I'm sure aren't going to come.

[spring90.livejournal.com]

On another note, I just thou8ght to check the tags. I'd guess that I granted about 330 wishes (Give or take a few, I'm estimating by how many entries were tagged with mixed CD's) and I got a total of 6 things myself.

I'm mostly just glad I might've made other people happy, personally. I'm glad I did get something but.. wow.. I granted a LOT of wishes.

[elvenmoon.livejournal.com]

2006 was a good year for me. It feels like there was a lot more activity, I got more items from people and they responded to my gifts to them.

This year, however, I just felt very disappointed. People who said they were going to send me letters (which was one of my wishes), and even contacted me for my address, never did. I also got one or two "I adopted an animal" comments, and that's good, but... I just felt very empty about the whole thing for 2007. It was frustrating :( I guess I didn't get what I *really* wanted, I'm not sure - it's like my hopes, even the pipe dream ones, were dashed into little unreadable shreds.

I may rethink participating this year, which is a shame, because this community was a wonderful idea.

[magicalspirit.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry people didn't write you :( I just looked at your LJ profile and was wondering if I could friend you?

I'm Debbie and we have things in common ^_^ I love that icon btw!

[nspd.livejournal.com]

This was my first year participating, and overall I think it went well. I am one of those people who loves to send and receive mail, so I had a pretty good time with it despite a few little things that frustrated me. Those things have already been mentioned by a couple of other people, so I guess they are pretty common concerns.

I went out and bought something on somebody's wishlist, then tried to contact them for their address and received no response, so I now have this item sitting around that I personally have no use for. Kind of a dumb move on my part, I suppose - in the future I will definitely not buy anything until I have the person's address. I also spent some money (I know, also my fault) on another person's gift and never heard from them that they'd received it. Which makes me wonder if they did at all, and I hate to think that there is a disappointed person out there who thinks I simply bailed on them, when in fact the package got lost in the mail or whatever.

Don't get me wrong, the people who did respond to me were wonderful, and their thanks and happy words made my day. I just wish everyone was like that!

[red-trillium.livejournal.com]

Aw shucks, was gonna reply here but think I'll send some feedback via email.

[sandy-oneill.livejournal.com]

1) Well, I had a health scare the day before I was set to send out the last group of packages, and now I'm in school again with almost no free time, so I still have 10 people waiting on packages from me. But they WILL get them. I am going to try to have them sent out by the end of this month.

2) To the 20+ people who I DID send out to, I heard back from less than half of them, and I also made sure to check the Holiday Thanks community, so I would know if someone thanked me there instead of e-mailing me.

3) I received from maybe half the people who'd said they'd send me something. I want to be hopeful that they're just very busy and running late like I am, but considering how many people completely flaked on me last year, I would not be surprised if I didn't receive anything from them.

4) There was one person who actually left me a recommendation that said basically- "I don't know, but there might be a chapter in this book on one of your interests..." (A book that she OWNED, and couldn't even be bothered to look ahead in before posting.) I am one of those who asked people who responded to my list to leave the link to theirs. I didn't realize it would make people try this hard to find such an abstract way to link me to their list. (Yes, this was the person who made a HUGE deal when the rule about not linking to your list was made.)

5) On a more positive note, there were a few generous people who sent to me, and I thank you here again. (You know who you are.)


A suggestion: I think that we should let people report those who didn't send out. This wouldn't be for those running late, but for those who you know had the intent to not send out, and were just saying they would so they could get you to look for their lists. That's why I think we should start it on Valentines Day, or around there. That would give people enough time after the holiday chaos and everything.

[pbfryingpan.livejournal.com]

My biggest problem this year was the lack of thank yous, or people even letting me know that they got what I sent out! I didn't have a lot of spare cash this year (and, for the record, my own wishlist only contained things that were free) so I only sent out a couple of material items... mostly mix CDs that I worked hard to put together with music I was really excited about... it really hurt not to even get a "Thanks, I got the CD." I even tried emailing these people several times asking if it got there okay, with no response...

I also wish that more people would post at least one or two items that are inexpensive, or ask for advice or other things that can be done for free or for the cost of a stamp. I had a really hard time finding wishes to grant this year because of that, and it made me really sad. I know you can't really force restrictions on what 10 things people wish for... but I think it would be smart of people as far as getting their own wishes granted if at least some of them were feasible!

Finally, I really had a problem with people screening/hiding/deleting comments on their wishlist so that it looked like no one had responded to them at all... That just really irked me.

[red-trillium.livejournal.com]

"Finally, I really had a problem with people screening/hiding/deleting comments on their wishlist so that it looked like no one had responded to them at all... That just really irked me." Wow, that was going on?? I didn't realise it. I try to keep an eye on posts that don't seem to get a lot of attention and if people are doing that it's just wrong. :*(

[charisma.livejournal.com]

I wound up not being able to send any of the things I wanted to due to having some crisis-type-situations around here- but next year I hope to participate more by actually filling wishes instead of just receiving.

A lot of the folks that sent some things to me (postcards and coins, yay!) didn't include LJ names, so I couldn't thank them personally.

I think it would be cool if we were allowed in addition to making one holiday wish list post, to make one THANK YOU post talking about what we received and thanking those responsible.

[bookaddict88.livejournal.com]

I think it would be cool if we were allowed in addition to making one holiday wish list post, to make one THANK YOU post talking about what we received and thanking those responsible.

Allowing one thank you post per person is just not feasible, due to the large number of wishlist posts we already get. That is why we created holiday_thanks as a place to post your thank yous. You may also post them in any open thread (http://community.livejournal.com/holiday_wishes/tag/open+thread). Hope that helped!

[thehippiepunk.livejournal.com]

The main thing I had a problem with was, like many, lack of acknowledgement or thank-yous. I sent out every single thing I promised (with the exception of one - and it's going out as soon as I'm done with it, as it's a long project XD) and except for a few, I didn't get an 'I got it' or a 'thank you.'

[memoryanddream.livejournal.com]

This year was a mixed bag for me as well. 2006 was my first year in the community. I didn't mail very many physical items out but I made hundreds of icons and other virtual gifts. I received a ton of physical items back which really blew me away. 2007 I sent out about 50 physical items and at least as many virtual wishes were granted. I went totally overboard in fact on what I shipped. I just totally got into it. And for the most part, I did receive a nice number of things in return, mainly cards. Though the ratio just seemed odder to me since 2006 I sent less, you know what I mean? (I'm really hoping this doesn't sound greedy. I don't mean it to be. I'm just trying to express my different experiences in both years good and bad.)

Though this year, I must agree that the level of "thank yous" were terribly low. Out of the 50 physical packages (cards, books, dvds, video games, bath items, etc.) I had maybe no more than a dozen people either post a thanks or email. Which stings. Because here I take the time to send someone an item, stress over having enough cash to mail things out and then I don't even get a simple thanks in reply? I mean, I don't even know that most of it was received. Oh and I had TWO things come back for incorrect address. People told me their address wrong. Which is frustrating as it's double postage at that point. I tried to make a point to post an individual thank you to every single item I received in holiday_thanks.

Now, I can't say whether or not everything someone promised to send was sent merely because I had a lot of people say, "I'll send something!" without being specific and I never organized a checklist or anything. But I would say the vast majority of people who said they'd send something did. And I was ever so grateful for people's kindness again. I once again ran out of space to hang cards. It was beautiful.

As for the idea of not having all big ticket items...well, I certainly understand that, though if someone wants to put that on their list, that's their right, non? I mean sure, it narrows down how many people can fulfill wishes, but....? *shrugs* Maybe require a 50/50 split or something? I'd still like people to be able to list what they like. I mean, I put "get a new(er) car" on my list. I never in a million years expected anyone to get me one but it was still something I wished for no matter how out there it was. Isn't that part of the point of a wishlist...? Not just to get things, but to daydream a little too? I don't know.

I have two final items that are FINALLY going to go out Tuesday. (PO is closed Monday.) I literally ran out of cash in the 2nd week of December and haven't had any since. We finally had more than pennies to our name as of Friday the 18th. But that means two people are still waiting on items from me which makes me feel like crap but I hope they'll forgive me. I did edit my post with an update to let people know what was and was not yet sent in an attempt to help.

Um...beyond that...? I don't know. I think that's it for now though I'm sure I'll come up with more to say later. Thanks to the mods for their work again this year.

[cmleach.livejournal.com]

I wanted to add and I think here is the best point to...

. I mean, I put "get a new(er) car" on my list. I never in a million years expected anyone to get me one but it was still something I wished for no matter how out there it was. Isn't that part of the point of a wishlist...? Not just to get things, but to daydream a little too?

This is a very valid point...and I remember in 2006 I put something about a new house (we were in the market to buy). Talk high dollar there! No, didn't get the physical item from someone, but there were people who gave me suggestions on where to look, what to look for, etc. And the same can come form any of our high-dollar wishes. So like memoryanddream, I wouln't tell someone they can't post the high dollar things. It's a chance we all take. Besides, I know some people did get big ticket things (plane tickets, etc.). Dreams do come true.

cont from poll

[dirrtydiesel.livejournal.com]

maybe getting people to say/email you when they send something off so you know that you will ... actually get a gift

[villalanka.livejournal.com]

I had the same experience than many seem to have had this year.

- First of all, only maybe a fifth of the people I sent gifts to actually told me that the gifts had gotten to them even though I wrote both my lj username and my e-mail address on each and every card. I also checked holiday thanks regularly so I noticed all the thank you's there.

- Like many, I'm here more for the giving than the receiving, but when I had twenty people telling me that they'll send me something and then receiving something from less than half of them, it really put me down. I don't mind not getting anything, I just dislike that I'm being promised things and then get squat. If you promise to send something to someone and your circumstances change or something, please tell the person that you aren't going to be able to send whatever it was that you promised. That way the person won't be expecting anything and getting their hopes up for nothing.

I think the feedback-system might be a good thing, if the mods think it through carefully. There are problems with that too, but it might be worth a try next year?

[happygolucky88.livejournal.com]

I hear you! A bunch of people said that they would send me dvds & scrapbooking stuff...but I hardly got anything :( Why say you'll send something & then don't?!?

[ventruechick.livejournal.com]

One thing that I found both useful and maddening was the first-letter-of-name tags. If we're talking USERNAMES, it was brilliant. However most people seemed to be tagging it to their REAL names, which is utterly stupid when you've got five billion Johns and Jennifers. Or unfair when some of the people who were asking for gifts for others had seven different name tags for themselves and their six kids/friends/pets. (Not to mention the posts in which people didn't even say their name, so you're trying to figure out why in Hades they've classified gorrillabreath under Z.)

I had issues with one of the wishlist-solicitors, too:
--Tried to "grant" something that wasn't on my wishlist.
--Tried to "grant" something that wasn't even an interest of mine. (WTF??)
--Still asked if they could show me their wishlist and their friends.
--Got all emo and suicidal when I thanked them, then pointed out the first two points. (Melodramatic, much? Yeesh, methinks it's time to up the medications.)
And no, I didn't save the comments, since I am quite sure I saw them already getting banned in another posting, along with comment deletions.

And I've sent my thank-yous directly to the all 3 people who gifted me, although I'm still waiting on the last package to arrive. I hope. *sigh* I'm trying to be optimistic and hope that it simply got lost in the shuffle of holiday mail. At the very least, I know that I did give them an initial thank you on my list page.

I agree with what another poster said about more 'realistic' wishlists. After all, the meme that this comm was based off of suggested posting one or two pipe dreams, a few medium-sized wishes, and then a few virtual/easy/online wishes, just to keep things in balance. It's nice to see the pipe dreams, but it kinda stinks when you're broke and still want to give, but all you see are a boatload of improbable wishes. :/

Maybe this year was leaner all around since there weren't radio stations advertising, like last year? Maybe folks can spread the word next holiday season, since there are always people looking for ways to show a little holiday generosity.

[cyprinella]

I agree with other people that my received to gifted ratio was lowlowlow but frankly? I don't *expect* to get anything. Yeah, it kinda sucks when someone says that they'll be sending something and it never shows but things come up. It happens. I guess I have more fun sending stuff than getting anything. And the stuff that does arrive means that much more. I don't think that the spirit of the comm is a strict quid pro quo. It's how can I make someone else's day? You know?

That said, omg thank you for putting the kabash on the list linkers. That was just rude and greedy. If really graphic sob stories could be added to the "Please don't post that" list or only under a cut, I would be grateful. There was one that was really disturbing and really made me not read the comm for a while.

Wow, I'm eloquent this afternoon

[acidquill.livejournal.com]

I know this has been talked about, but I'd really like some kind of 'feedback' sort of thing - I'm not even talking a thank you, email, or personal comment from the person who the material wish is sent to, but some kind of acknoweldgement that the package got there (Not sure about what kind of format - a poll sort of thing, an 'I got it' sticky post, etc...) As I've heard of quite a few packages this year either arriving already opened (shame on the mail stealers) or not getting there at all and I hate to think of anyone having a rotten Christmas and thinking their elves didn't send what they said, when something may have happened to the box in transit.

[sugarblue-sunny.livejournal.com]

I didn't get anything but it was likely because I was really late in getting my list in or something. I don't mind at all because I ended up not being in a position to give anyone else anything- I couldn't even afford shipping! It was my first time participating. The only thing I didn't like was that you weren't allowed to do multiple outside wishlists. I didn't understand this rule, because I would think giving someone more options to work with would make it easier for them to give something, even if it is technically making it more than 10 things. And many wishlists only allow you to do things from their site, like amazon, or are hard to manipulate. So I don't think multiple wishlists are a bad thing. But I think there should definitely be a rule against telling people your wishlist outside of your original comment. Also, a price limit rule might be good. Because I highly, highly doubt anyone is going to get someone on here a car or a house or an iPhone. So it kind of just wastes people's time? I dunno I'd rather see ten outside wishlists with 500 options under $50 than 10 items that are absolutely impossible to give.

[happygolucky88.livejournal.com]

A bunch of people said that they would send me something...and they never followed through:'( Not nice!

[princesamari.livejournal.com]

My experience this year wasn't that good. This was my third (fourth?) time participating on the project and I'm assuming because there are more and more people participating every year, the less chance you have of having some of your wishes granted. I only got one gift this year, but I really don't mind that part because it really does feels great when you do your best to grant wishes for others. My biggest disappointment this year was not getting thank yous for most of the gifts I sent out, even after e-mailing the persons letting know the package was on their way and then e-mailing them again asking if they got it. There was one package I was excited about sending that I never heard back from. ): I also had people offering things and never got them. I only granted about five wishes but everyone I promised things to I made sure they got them. People shouldn't be offering things if they are not sure they can commit to them.

[pikefish.livejournal.com]

my issues were pretty much all discussed above. I spent big bucks mailing stuff out and I don't know if most of the stuff got where it was supposed to.

on the positive side-- I really made a few people's days. they were really happy with their stuff! so happy that they sent me some stuff that I didn't wish for (my 1 material wish was granted by someone IRL who didn't even know about my list) so that was good. and I got a new friend out of it so that's a big bonus!

next year, I will be a little more cautious and do some back ground work before I send stuff. I did enjoy sending though!

great work mods-- thanks!

oh--- there are people I said I would send to and I plan to go back through the comments, find those people and send the stuff---- it may not be until November of this year but you'll get it :)