SECRET SANTA 2011

[DrT999]

Nice haul from Santa (or should I say, Saint-a) there. Laissez les bontemps roulez!

I am v pleased with everything.

Hopefully more will show up soon to every one's door

 

[Puff Daddy]

I actually put my package together some time ago, but since it's a Christmas event I forced myself to wait a while before sending. This morning a knock on my door found me staring down at a couple of elves who were admonishing me to fork over the goods. "Santa gets kinda busy this time of year old man" they said to me, and with a rather gruff manner they snatched the box from me and flung it on to some federal division of the frozen north express sleigh (Teamsters local 150 sticker proudly displayed on it's bumper) and off it went, bound for parts east. There's no gator head in the box so I didn't have to file any fish and game declarations, and since elves are known to enjoy the occasional pipefull of the leaf they turned their heads with a wink and a smile at my refusal to answer the tobacco declaration for shipment across state lines. Looks like we're all set

 

[PipeLeisure]

WOW a gator head...first time I have ever seen one of those in a Secret Santa. NICE!! :santa:

 

[taharris]

Just got home from the Post Office.

My package is on it's way.

Todd

 

[PipeLeisure]

Just got home from the Post Office.

My package is on it's way.

Todd

Well played Todd...I need to get mine out this week also. :santa:

 

[DrT999]

Just got home from the Post Office.

My package is on it's way.

Todd

Well played Todd...I need to get mine out this week also. :santa:

Oh, that's right, I need to send stuff, too. . . .

 

[user 1862]

Santa made a visit today...

I noticed a package from a W.S. North Carolina Santa sitting at the front door. It's been a bit chilly today, so imagine my delight when I picked up the box and could smell the telltale scent of Latakia. Nothing quite like that to warm you.

As I opened the box, I noted my benefactor had been very thoughtful in providing me with very important necessities to survive the holidays. First, chocolate of the Lindt persuasion. This was placed in consideration of the non-smoking members of the household, but since they are all gone, it's mine all mine!

Two gift bags filled with some mighty fine treats. Santa took into consideration my appreciation of Latakia, providing a goodly portion of John Patton's Latakia Junction. This is my first time with this blend, and it seems to go quite well in the Lepeltier while I'm working on a Bell's Double Cream Stout. The cigar leaf is very well behaved and sitting in the background. Santa also gave me the opportunity to ponder the Revelation question. I have been provided with both C&D Epiphany (a favorite) and a tin of R-Blend from Sutliff (new for me).

My Latakia tooth satisfied, I discovered a tin of Erik Nordings Beagle. VaPer has been covered, and for now I hope to let it age until warm weather returns.

Next, I see death or ecstasy: a bag of Tambolaka! Over Christmas this will be compared to Brown Rope in the company of potential former acquaintances. I've yet to have this opportunity, and I really must thank Santa for trusting me with it.

What else, might one ask? A licorice pipe, a pair of humidifiers, a bundle of Long's pipe cleaners, and... A Savinelli Byron's Favorite, NIB! I see VaPers in its future. Also enclosed: a Christmas card, a thoughtful letter, and a history of the Revelation paradox. I'll do my very best to unravel it at my leisure.

Santa, thank you very much. I will enjoy the care package tremendously and I wish you well this Christmas and in the coming year.

 

[Milan]

Nice box! All that picture needs is some eggnog. :santa:

 

[user 1862]

Nice box! All that picture needs is some eggnog. :santa:

It's in the mug the Tambolaka is propped up against. Well, maybe not eggnog but a holiday spirit of sorts.

 

[Carlos]

Way to go Santa. Them Elves has been busy. :santa:

 

[DrT999]

Way to go Santa. Them Elves has been busy. :santa:

And gifts on St Nicholas Day worked out nicely! I hope everyone else is as pleased with their packages as I was. Again, thanks for organizing this

"T"

 

[jhuggett]

Now that is fricken cool! Seeing these packages is making me wonder if I've slacked off... Good thing I haven't sent anything yet. :lol:

 

[Kyle Weiss]

...wait, someone was giving away hurricane lamps! Dammit!




:lol:

 

[PipeLeisure]

Wow that's a really nice Santa package, I love the Hurricane lamp as well....I want one of those :lol!:

 

[Milan]

So I was finally informed today that my original order was sent out yesterday. Three (almost four) weeks after being told on the phone that it was going out the next day. Obviously, this means my person will probably not get my original gift and Santa is broke. I'm going to cross my fingers that maybe it gets here in time? I may push it to Monday or Tuesday before I mail out my package in hopes that it comes? The online retailer that ultimately took my phone order, told me he would mail it out the next day, and then forgot my order didn't even offer a free bag/tin/flake/pinch of tobacco for conducting bad business. Pretty much ends my relationship with this online retailer. Unfortunate.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Lame...well, now you know, move on and find something better. Maybe they'll come around? It's a crazy time of year for anyone who's selling stuff.

 

[Milan]

Lame...well, now you know, move on and find something better. Maybe they'll come around? It's a crazy time of year for anyone who's selling stuff.

Yeah... I had to move on days ago to ensure I had something to send. You would not believe the email correspondence I've had with this retailer. Just straight up bad business. He told me over the phone himself that he would mail it out the next day back in the middle of November and then forgot about my order completely and wouldn't have ever mailed it if I hadn't inquired about it. Then finally replies to my second inquire about the order, after failing to respond to the first one. All he wrote was that my order went out. That's it! No apology, no attempt to make it right. First and last time with this online retailer. Horrible experience. :santa:

 

[PipeLeisure]

That really sucks milan, dont sweat it though...if your guy gets his package a little late its no big deal, you did everything right on your end, you cant control what happens on the other end. Don't lose sleep over this buddy, we all know how this kind of stuff works and we all understand. :cheers: :santa:

 

[Milan]

The retailer just emailed me and took 50% off my charges. I'll let you know if they actually refund half my money or if it was just said to make me feel better about my bad experience. Nonetheless, I'm feeling better already. Thanks guys... for helping me realize that it's just an order. There's more to the holidays than worrying about ordering stuff, money, and mistakes. I'll be getting my box together this week and can't wait to send it out. Feeling more merry by the minute! :rendeer: :santa:

 

[Kyle Weiss]

The retailer just emailed me and took 50% off my charges. I'll let you know if they actually refund half my money or if it was just said to make me feel better about my bad experience. Nonetheless, I'm feeling better already. Thanks guys... for helping me realize that it's just an order. There's more to the holidays than worrying about ordering stuff, money, and mistakes. I'll be getting my box together this week and can't wait to send it out. Feeling more merry by the minute! :rendeer: :santa:

Not that I told you so but... *cough* :santa: :santa: :santa: I'm glad it's working out. Fingers crossed. 8)