We have a great influx of users and interest. Lots of people want to help and it is amazing to see all of this taking shape. Having done this in the past, there is one big problem that we have to overcome: people forgetting and/or losing interest.
This happens a lot on reddit because subreddits become more or less popular, people stop using reddit, etc.
To help this, I have created a substack so that we have another way to keep people informed and interested. I'm not a fan of newsletters really, and I'm not going to use it like a traditional newsletter, but it is the quickest way for me to get this started.
SO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SIGN UP AT THIS LINK RIGHT HERE
Note: I don't want to fragment conversations into discord and other platforms. People need to see the same information.
Thank you for doing this! I was so upset when I read that secret Santa is no more! I look forward to it all year long and I have started joining other exchanges as well. All Signed up!
I just had the biggest shock while on the bus! I had no idea at all that this was happening 😭😭
Me too, I actually missed a few Reddit Secret Santa's because I was busy with work or school. So I was not able to participate in the last exchange.
The last exchange I got nothing! I was so sad…. What a sad way to go out
So sorry to hear that. It happend to me too :(
That is so sad.
Well I have an old reddit gift that was sent back and the person never gave me their new address so I can always send it to you or anyone else. Just let me know. It happened a few times actually.
I’m so glad this is happening as well, it really sucks that they’re just ending the best thing on reddit
What other exchanges?
I was referring to things like the hometown exchange and some of the other offshoots of secret Santa like arbitrary day etc. The hometown exchange was my favorite !
Ohh, I really enjoyed those too!
Done! I subscribed, sent the link to my friend, and put it in my “notes to Santa”for my current exchanges.
Great Idea! I'm going to follow your lead.
Did the same.
What current exchanges do you have and how?
Could you please say me how to add it to notes to Santa? I am new here…
I threw a comment on one of u/thisisbillgates' posts to see if he can help spread the word.
I had the same thought. Get Gates on board!
Done and link sent.
Also, fuck reddit.
🧡 Ditto!
You know if they hadn’t gotten rid of you Dan u/kickme444 none of this shit would be happening. Reddit is not very smart.
What was the reason given. I am seriously, just finding out about this now and would like to avoid anything that would result similar sentencing of um ‘banishment’.
You're only finding this out now?
I said I'd be here if someone did it, and you did it, so I'm here as promised.
Signed up and looking forward to updates!
Done! RedditGifts made me create a username over a decade ago and gave some very crummy 20 something Christmases a bit of joy when I was shopping for someone else.
Done. Secret Santa is what got me on reddit. Lol
Same here!
Guilty!
Same! And funny to see how many people also joined for that reason!
Same!
Me too 😀
Same here!
I'm wondering if we'll need to band together and have a Kickstarter fundraiser if they decide to move the exchange to its own site. Getting an idea of overhead costs now would seem important to the future of the exchange.
I honestly wouldn't mind occasionally donating towards those costs over time.
YES, AND: I'm in too. Think a kickstarter in trustworthy hands could get us independent from reddit and onto our joyful exchanging. Also, like someone already say, Get Gates on board!
Me too
doing my part! i will NOT let this great community die because of some greedy devs
Done and sent link to my grandma!
Just a heads up substack subscribes you to random other crap. Make sure to unsubscribe to everything else or you'll get spammed.
yo u/kickme444 i'm a graphic designer (and a web dev aswell) and i'll gladly help work on this project for free.
Done and sent link to friends!
Signed up! Thank you for continuing this. I was upset when I heard the news of them shutting it down, this is an outlet for me to escape from my shitty life and focus on someone else, if only for a while.
Done-zo, thank you so much for doing this! I've always enjoyed the exchanges and in particular, they really helped me get through some of the darkness at the beginning of the pandemic. It meant the world to me to know that I was (hopefully) spreading some cheer during some of our darkest days.
I've been participating since Secret Santa 2014. signed up and will participate. Extremely angry at the cancellation by Reddit administration.
I kind of don’t want to participate in the remaining Reddit exchanges this year and just focus my efforts on this sub. I signed up for the Dear Diary exchange, but I may just leave it around that.
Subbed and signed up for emails!
Thank you for doing this. The last couple years secret Santa has been helping me cope with my family issues. Growing up my parents never got me gifts that I actually wanted. I would get clothes and girly things that i would never use. Even if I asked for something, I had to convince my parents later that I wanted it. Doing the exchanged always felt really good because people would go through so much effort to get the best gift they could. They would take everything they knew about me and get me something I loved. I didn't get to have that experience as a kid. It makes my sheet so much brighter to have this experience as an adult. I enjoy sending gifts to people too. I get to use all my craft skills. :)
So thank you everyone for participating and for all the work organizing. I'm on board.
Signed up! I hated reading that the secret Santa would end in 2021. This gift exchange has brought joy and happiness to so many around the world during a time when everyone could use an abundance of care & compassion. Everyone has been on edge with heightened stress levels for over a year now with the pandemic so ending the exchanges would also end what some may hold on to as a final glimmer of happiness in their lives. Let's not let it end at the close of 2021. Let's continue passing on kindness to others worldwide.
Done!!
Done!
Done! Thank you!
I put the sub link in the Santa notes for all of my upcoming exchanges.
Hello! I am ready to take a part of webhosting fees (if you are planning on getting a separate website)
Done!
Done!
Also done!
Done ✔️
Signed up!
Done!
Done! Thanks for your continued effort in keeping this tradition alive!
Done!😊
I am SO HAPPY to see you carrying this on! If you need help I will gladly try and assist! (Comp sci graduate)
Thanks again for setting this up again...But when will one actually take place? Has there been any since the initial shut down?
I'd love an update on what's going on with newsecretsanta.
Done.
Done!
Done.
✔️
Done!
Done!! Thank you!!
Done!
Done!
Done! And shared the link to everyone I know who might be interested.
Done!
✅
Sent. Thank you.
Done, thank you!!
Done!
Done.
Done and THANK YOU!!
I am also fearful that the gods at Reddit might close this sub, perhaps make a Slack?
Done! The Reddit Secret Santas have meant so much to me. I love giving presents and seeing the joy that is spread literally around the world has helped my anxiety and depression so much!
Pretty sure I was able to sign up! Should I have received a confirmation email? I haven’t used this service before
Thank you for doing this! I have been a secret Santa for a few years.....sometimes like it better than gifting to family!
Done!
Thank you! This is what a global community is all about.
Maybe pin this post as a sticky so everyone who visits the subreddit sees it?
Secret Santa brought me so much joy in 2020. I hope the legacy continues.
✔
Joining. I missed the letter exchange since I didn't see any notices about it until after the fact (not saying they weren't there just that they were lost in the stream of reddit stuff. I'm glad to see this!
If I’m willing to buy gifts for someone like 20 times in a year, I’d be willing to donate to keep that tradition going. Please let us know if there’s any sort of fundraiser or Kickstarter type thing! Those of us who are here wanna support. We WANT to, and we want to keep the concept of your original idea alive. So please let us know!
Can you make a getting started post because I see people have started trading but idk how to join
How do we report users that didn't send anything out so they're not able to participate in future exchanges?
This is all news to me. But if you check take a plant leave a plant sub this community regularly ships and receives things from other redditors. They have a system implemented to give reviews on trades. Maybe look there for inspiration.
Is there a physical gift exchange this year? Or will that begin next year? I missed the sign up on reddit gifts, so im pretty bummed out about that :(
Now that secret Santa is officially dead, what’s the news on this newsecretsanta? Where’s the sign up site? I’ve signed up for the substack blog but no latest update there?
They haven't launched their platform as yet. A few months ago the creator said he had been having some difficulties in his life but he still intended to get this up and running but no updates since. If you haven't as yet, you can sign up for r/givingifts they have exchanges open now that you can sign up for.
Okay thanks for the heads up. I have signed up for giving gifts.
Thank you for doing this! My family and I don’t celebrate much anymore, quite a few members passing away recently and a heightened sadness around holidays. I love shopping or creating something cool for others, however. So thank you!
If you're interested in doing exchanges you can also sign up for r/givingifts. They are another platform that started because of the closure of Reddit Gifts. They have new batches of exchanges every month and there is a batch that is open for signups right now if any of them interest you.
Done
Done! ✅
Done and thank you!
Done!
Done!
Done and told friends and thank you
Done. Thank you!
Done!
Done! Thanks so much for keeping this amazing thing going! Happy to help anytime!
Done. Happy to help :)
I've really enjoyed talking part of gift exchanges all year round. I'm thankful.
Thank you. ❤
Signed up!
Done and sent to friends
Never participated before, but eager to contribute to the community and give some gifts! Signed up!
Subscribed !!!
Done
Signed up!
Done :)
Done and thank you 🖤
Thanks! Maybe it will be better to have it out of Reddit’s hands.
Done! Thank you for keeping this going. It's something I enjoy doing so when I heard reddit was shutting it down I was sad.
Signed up!
Done and shared
Yes, I want this to happen!
Done!
Thank you so much for initiating this, there is some hope now to be had! Let’s bring our community together. Joined and shared!
Done!
Done!! Thanks for this, we can't let the good times end, it is so beneficial to so many people around the world!
Signed up!
I shared the link with my secret Santas =). I hope that helps.
Done and thank you!
Done!
Subbed and subbed.
Done!!
Dan! Great to see you back and involved in this. Been following you for a long time.
Just signed up!!! Hope this works (International folks where u at!!!)
Signed up 🎉
In fear of this page being shut down, why doesn't someone just create a Facebook page for it. Elfster is a great website to use for the gift exchanges, it even done the matching for the exchange. I have used it numerous times in the past for random gift exchanges. I would definitely join the Facebook group and sign up on Elfster for the exchanges. I feel like the exchanges mean so much to some people that may not get a gift or get the chance to shop for anyone outside these exchanges and to stop them just could be very upsetting for those individuals. So I really hope that someone figures it out for everyone. 🤷🤷
Why should you fear that this page would be shut down? u/kickme444 is the original creator of Redditgifts and is at this time doing tons of work on the planning and design of a similar site. We are not going anywhere.
Well, personally, I Cannot/Willnot have a Facebook account. So that should kill that.
I want to help
Whatever you need help with let me know and I'll do my best!
I would love to see like a " a wood unit "type of game. Like you can release clues on a weekly basis on a murder or crime mistery and we work to solve it!
Thank you! Signed up. I’m so happy that you’re trying to do this again, Reddit gifts has meant so much to me and my daughters (we often do the exchanges as a family), I’m absolutely devastated at the thought of it being gone and just having hope of rebuilding it is helping ease the pain. My daughters are so bummed and so am I, it seemed to come out of no where too! We especially have enjoyed some of the themed exchanges. We’re trying to make the most of the ones that are left. Thanks for giving us all hope.
SO so glad to see all this! I was an early exchange adopter and am so keen on the general and the specific. I can contribute to this.
Count me in! Don't let this great experience die!
Signed up!!!
I lovelovelove SS and I'm so happy that you are doing this!!!
Thank You!!! 🥰
Done and links sent.
Done! I signed up, Thank-You sooooo much, for doing this! I started Redditgifts, in 2016 and it has been the delight of my day, giving to complete strangers, from all over the world! I am looking for ward to this continuing and giving out more awesome gifts!
Thank you! I have been doing RG since 2016.. I have over 128 "trophies" and something like 90 credits. There is nothing that makes my world brighter than the experiences that RG brought to my life. I've been super depressed since it was announced.. and I've tried to go a little above for the matches/rematches I received.
Please reach out if there's anything I can do to help. I speak so highly of the whole SS process/experience.. so I'm at a loss as to what someone like me could even do to help.
signed up!
Heya!!I subscribed, but how to signup?
I was devastated when Reddit gifts decided to shutdown after this year having only found out about it in 2020 during the pandemic.
So the news of a newscretsanta being put together is welcome news and makes my hear happy. Thank you for doing this!
Have you tried setting up a Discord and having everyone communicate/exchange info there?
Dan to the rescue!
I just learned about this today when I went to check on signups for this year. Glad to see you're re-igniting the torch!
(TL;DR: I signed up for the newsletter, but lmk if there's anything more we can do to help you make this a reality.)
I work with cybersecurity and have a decent amount of experience in DNS and networking, more amateur experience with systems architecture / cloud systems. I can also translate things to and from English or Spanish into Japanese with decent accuracy.
LMK if there is anything you think I can help with OP, and good luck!
Signed up. What do we do now?
signed up, if you need anything lmk, I may be able to help
I loved Reddit secret Santa, I looked forward to it! I was so sad when I found out it would be the last year. Just came across the link to this new secret Santa movement and I can’t tell you how happy that made me.
Maybe this question is asked a lot, but what stops us from creating a new secret santa website, where we can continue using the concept that stood?
One has already been created at https://givingifts.org/about its the same concept as Reddit Secret Santa.
I really miss Reddit Secret Santa...The gift Giving and Box Design Part. I am sad to see it go. Please Let me know if you ever need any artwork done for Sectet Santa. And when can we expect to see the new and improved version's debut? Thanks for all you've done.
Apart from exchanges that are carried out by a moderator of this subreddit, they have not done any exchanges and there have been no updates as to when they will be up and running. If you miss doing exchanges you can join r/givingifts their website has been up and running and doing exchanges since September 2021.
Easiest signup of the day,
I always seen the pictures and wonderful stories of the Reddit Secret Santa but never remembered to take part myself, so I am excited to finally take part!
Thank you for your work on this.
I would suggest a discord. I can moderate if you like, I have experience moderating discords.
Is there a discord?
[deleted]
It is so.
signed!
done!! Keep Rocking
Just signed up!
Can you explain what reddit secret Santa is? Afaik redditors buy gifts for each other, but I know nothing else about it. I think it would be fun to participate.
I subscribed and just wanted to say thank you for doing all of this💚
Done!
I've only participated in one secret santa exchange, that being last years so the closure and the BS reasoning given certainly came as a shock.
Reddit moment
I'm wondering if there has been anything sent out yet? I've only gotten the welcome email, even after I checked spam
OMG u/kickme444 I have no words for thanking you for starting this in 2009 and being willing to do so again now. Can I send you a non secret santa gift? <3
Regardless, I'm here to help! <3
Thank you, signed up!
Hey there! We're you still planning to participate in the card exchange? Your Santa is attempting to get in touch with you!
Thank you for tagging me! I must not have my notifications turned on for messages.
I’m now signed up to both this and your mailing list! Thanks. 🎁
Happy to volunteer time however I can help!
How can I apply for help?
So I know that I filled out the form that was inna post but I feel like I didnt do it right? How is this working? I haven't gotten an exchange info since I filled out the form. Halp?
There aren’t any “official” exchanges being run yet. A few members of this sub have put together their own greeting card exchanges, but those are just being set up in posts on this sub.
I signed up but I don’t remember seeing anything to respond to or act on. I want to join in!
signing up now!!
I signed up but haven’t gotten any messages since the September 24 one?
Just signed up. So happy this is being continued and thanks for starting secret santa and continuing it.
Signed up and shared it with my friend. I’m excited for this. I wanted to do Secret Santa last year but showed up late to the party and missed out. I really hope to be a part of one this year! :)
So how does this work? I so missed the Halloween exchange. I signed up over the summer but just signed up up for the news letter.
What was the reasoning for shutting down the original?
It should have been my first year in secret Santa gifts exchange 🥺