It's an honor to organize the DelliCarpini family's Secret Santa gift exchange for Christmas 2011. I've added some new features this year, which should make this more of a communal experience for a family that's spans from the Upper East Side to the East End.
First change, obviously, is this blog. Here's where everyone will post their "letters to Santa" in the comments to this blog entry, and where their Secret Santas can check out what folks want. Of course, we all can read this blog and see what everyone wants, even if we're not their Secret Santa. Many have said that one of their favorite parts of Secret Santa is seeing what everyone's into this Christmas season.
So here's how things will work:
Today I'll e-mail everyone who they're buying a gift for. Names were drawn at Carla and Martin's on Thanksgiving. I know that people within "houses" often share Secret Santa info, but I won't be divulging any secrets. If you don't have your Secret Santa info by Saturday 11/26, email me at chrisdc@mac.com.
No later than Sunday, December 4, post your wish list right here, as a comment to this blog entry. To do that, simply click on the link below this post that gives the number of comments. You'll then see all the comments thus far, and can add yours in the box at the bottom. Be sure to sign your letter to Santa, so everyone knows who wants what!
That will give everyone three weeks to purchase their gift. At Carla's the agreed-upon dollar limit was $75; glad to see the economy's improving. That's a limit, not a floor. And if you're worried about whether shipping counts, then just get the gift early with the slow-boat free shipping.
On Christmas Eve, bring your gift to Johnny and Mary's, clearly labeled for your recipient but without your name on it; this is Secret Santa, remember?
Santa will still make his annual appearance, with gifts of his own for all the good little boys and girls. Once St. Nick has gone on his merry way, we'll have our Secret Santa git exchange with the serenity and decorum that is the hallmark of a DelliCarpini family Christmas.
If there's any other news to share, I'll post to this blog. But make sure you add your wish list as a comment to this first post. And you can e-mail me with any questions.
