December 16, 2014

An IMPORTANT MESSAGE to all Vintage Secret Santa participants


First and foremost, thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking part in Chronically Vintage's first annual Vintage Secret Santa gift exchange. The number of participants that poured in far exceeded my initial expectations, with the final count, landing in the 260s. What an incredible way for so many of us to come together in the spirit of the winter holidays - whichever those may be for you personally - to celebrate not just this festive time of the year, but also our mutual passion for vintage.

I'm penning this quick post this morning to cover a couple of further points as well.

First and foremost, I want to ensure that everyone has opened their Vintage Secret Santa match email at this point. We quadruple checked that everyone was sent an email, so if you signed up and haven't received/seen yours yet, please check through your spam/junk mail, deleted messages, and achieves folders going back to November 25th, which was the first day we started sending VSS match emails out (and by "we", I mean Tony and I; he has been incredibly helpful throughout this whole process, even writing the script that allowed us to quickly assign random VSS partners to one another).

It's integral to the success and spirit of this Secret Santa exchange that if you signed up, you receive/view your email and please send out a gift to the person you were partnered with. If for any reason, especially with Christmas Day so near now, if you aren't able to carry through with sending a VSS gift, please email me immediately. Likewise, if you can and still want to take part but can't seem to find your match email, again, please email me right away.

I know that if you follow Chronically Vintage on Facebook and/or Twitter, I may sound like a bit of a broken record here, but again, I really, really want to make sure that everyone both sends and receives a VSS present.

And on that note...we all know what a three ring circus of (hopefully jolly!) activity and excitement this time of the year is, so I ask one and all who are taking part to please be patient with your Santa (the person who is sending a gift to you). I'm starting to get a flurry of messages from Santas informing me that they are just now sending their gifts out, which is totally okay (I didn't set any hard and fast "mail by" dates, simply suggesting, if possible, that folks do so by December 12th) - the important thing is that they get in the mail.




{The real St. Nick might live at the North Pole, but this year over 260 Vintage Secret Santas from around the world joined together to each make this season an even more joyful another member of our fabulous online circle and the outpouring of support for this fun holiday season project, which I truly plan to make an annual event here on Chronically Vintage, has been nothing short of overwhelmingly positive. Vintage image source.}


If you're taking part in the Vintage Secret Santa and haven't received your gift by Christmas Day, please try not to worry. On top of how early or late your Santa may have sent their gift to you, most postal systems slow to the speed of molasses on ice at this time of the year and there's a very good chance that it will reach you in the last few days of December or early January.

Should you, however, have not received your gift by January 15, 2015, then by all means feel free to contact me and I'll get in touch with your Santa to ensure that they did in fact mail out your gift. Over the years I've had parcels I sent via Air Mail in early December not arrive to international locations until early February, so if you haven't received your VSS gift by then, I wouldn't give up hope entirely.

If, ultimately, your present fails to arrive for whatever reason, and we are working on the honour system here of course, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you are sent a belated gift. A few incredibly kind and generous Vintage Secret Santas have informed me that they can send out a second gift (to a second "match", that is), if need be, and I want to truly thank those folks for this kindhearted offer. Ideally, I won't need to take them up on it, but if needed, I certainly will.

Thanks to the power of social media and the handy-dandy #vintagesecretsanta hashtag, we're already starting to see some people's gifts arrive and be shared on social media (chiefly Instagram and Twitter so far). If you opt to share a photo (or photos) of the gifts you're sending and/or have received, please don't forget to use that hashtag so we can all delight in viewing what we've each received as part of this awesomely fun holiday gift exchange.

Once more and with an endless amount of joy, thank you to each and every person who took part in this first Vintage Secret Santa present swap. I've (very touchingly) had several people tell me that the VSS has been the highlight of their holiday season and I know that for all of who joined in, it is undoubtedly a bright spot in our wintertime festivities this year.

32 comments:

  1. I'm headed to the post office to mail my receipient's package this morning! I should have done it earlier, but the holidays have been hectic! :). Merry Christmas everyone!

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    1. That's wonderful, dear gal, thank you for letting me know. Don't worry in the slightest, I know a lot of participants are mailing their's out this week, it's totally okay. As I said in the post, the important thing is just that our parcels all get in the mail. After that, it's in the postal system's hands to hopefully not take an age and a half to deliver.

      Wishing you the very merriest of holiday seasons!
      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Sent mine last week, keeping fingers and toes crossed that customs does not hold it till 2016 lol! I'm not sure I should joke about that because that could seriously happen :)

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    1. Goodness, could it ever. Fingers, toes and Christmas stockings all crossed that it does though for anyone involved with the VSS (both Tony and I received matches with folks outside of Canada, too, so I can relate to your concerns there).

      Huge thanks again for taking part, lovely Liz!
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. I sent my gifts to my match around 10 days ago, so hopefully she has them in her eager hands by now! I received my gifts around-about the same time, but I opened them by mistake (not realising they were my Secret Santa gifts) as I was intending to place them under the tree & open on Dec 25th. So, I am waiting until after Christmas day to blog/instagram my gifts, as that is what I originally intended to do. I LOVE my gifts though! My match did a stellar job at sussing me out! I hope everyone has as much joy & delight in taking part as I have!
    Merry Christmas Jessica & everyone taking part in the Secret Santa xxx

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    1. That's a really lovely idea. I wonder if others are intentionally holding off to share their gifts (if they've arrived, I mean), until Christmas Day, too? That's a really sweet thing to do, I think.

      Many thanks again for taking part in this exciting first VSS, dear gal. I'm delighted that you did and am happy to hear that you've both sent out and received your VSS gifts already.

      Endless happy holiday season wishes to you and your loved ones!
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. I'll be shipping my gift this week! It's going to a gal here in the States so shipping shouldn't take too long. :)
    -Emily

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    1. It's awesome how speedy USPS is at a national level! (Hey, Canada Post, hint, hint! :D) I appreciate you letting me know and am so happy that you took part, my lovely friend.

      Have a marvelous merry and very joyful holiday season,
      ♥ Jessica

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  5. I'm still waiting for part of my match's gift to arrive through the mail so I can wrap everything up and post it out to her, I thought I had everything then saw the perfect extra online I just had to add to it. I've been assured it will arrive by Thursday at the latest so I can zoom out and post it again that very day after wrapping it. My match doesn't live too far from me so I'm completely confident it'll arrive well within time. I do hope she likes it! I received my own gift already, but haven't opened it yet as I like to wait until the day.
    Thank you so much for putting all of this together Jessica, I can't imagine how much stress and headaches trying to organise something on such a scale must be, particularly with the holidays being such a hectic time of year as they always inevitably are. It's truly appreciated!

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    1. Hello dear Faye, thank you very much for sharing that thoughtful update here and for putting so much time, care and detail into the gifts you're sending to your VSS match. I'm sure they will absolutely love them to bits.

      Though there have been a few minor hiccups and oodles of emails involved, overall this experience has been a a true pleasure and I'm already planning next years, including implementing a few minor changes that should help things run even more smoothly. The response has been so positive and it's really shown me that there was a need and longing, even if we didn't know it per se, in the online vintage community for an event like this which is able to bring to many of us - scattered all around the world, as we are - together in the spirit of the holiday season.

      Tons of hugs & the very merriest of holiday season wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  6. I have popped mine in the post and am crossing my fingers that it will arrive in time for Christmas. If not, it is something nice to look forward to in early Jan. if I receive my gift before Christmas I am going to save it until the big day to open it. Thanks for organising this, it is so amazing to think of all those vintage gifts cris crossing the world!

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    1. That's how I like to look at things, too. In fact, I'm actually quite partial to having Christmas and birthday gifts (that I'm receiving) arrive after the fact. It helps to keep the spirit of the festive day(s) going that much longer.

      I'm so happy that you joined this exciting first VSS, my dear friend. Thank you again for doing so! I hope your own gift reaches you soon and that it helps brighten your holiday season all the more.


      Tons of hugs & merry Christmas wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  7. I've JUST received my Secret Santa's present! :D
    I'm so excited. It is DREAM, and (surely, I'll post about it) I feel the need to give a massive THANKS to my Secret Santa (her name shall not be revealed) .
    Huge hug to her.

    Now, I've shipped mine last Monday - so HOPEFULLY it will reach it's destination any day now. :D This is a hing time to trust our mailing systems, ladies and gents.

    Holiday-hug to you, Jess.. for giving me the opportunity to give a gift to a stranger (there's no greater act of kindness than that).

    Marija

    P.S.
    A lot is gong on - will send you a mail soon. :)

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    1. Yay!!! That's wonderful news, dear Marija, thank you very much for letting me know that your VSS gift reached you safe and sound. I'm excited to know what you received and hope that it helped brighten your holiday season all the more.

      I hear you loud and clear there, Canada Post comes to a near standstill at this time of the year, so it's not uncommon for us to continue to receive Christmas presents well into January (and by the same token, for those we send out to take extra long to arrive - even when posted well in advance of the big day).

      That is sincerely touching, honey. You're immensely welcome. Thank you for taking part and helping to make this exciting first VSS such a roaring success. I hope that it's just the first of many to come and that you'll be a part of all those that follow, too.

      Happiest holiday season wishes & much love to you,
      ♥ Jessica

      *PS* Very exciting! I look forward to hearing more!

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  8. here i am, chiming in with the other comments, having sent my gift last week. however, mine is going to the UK and not only that but shipping seems to be going slow here compared to normal, so i hope my recipient doesn't worry!
    and thanks again for this wonderful opportunity.
    merry christmas!!

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    1. Thank you very much for sharing that update here, sweet gal. Hopefully, not. I really wanted to post this as way of reminding folks that postal systems can be uber slow this time of year and not to worry if their gift hasn't shown up by the 25th. The overwhelming likelihood (assuming their assigned Santa did indeed mail one out) is that it still will. Neither Tony nor I have received our gifts yet, but I'm not worried. Canada Post slows to a near standstill this time of year, so I'm quite used to getting Christmas presents well into early January.

      Many thanks again for taking part! From the bottom of my heart, I wish you and your loved ones a marvelous and very merry Christmas season!

      ♥ Jessica

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  9. Thanks again for hosting this! I sent my package out last week. I hope they've received it! :-D

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    1. It's my sincere pleasure, dear Shannon. Huge thanks for taking part! I love how big this grew and how many folks are eager to participate again in future years. This is going to be such a splendid annual tradition to look forward to from here on out!

      Big hugs & the oodles of happy holiday wishes to you and your loved ones!
      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Thank you again so much for hosting this, Jessica. I posted mine on Monday, and I stupidly forgot tracking, but I think my person has received it! I keep checking my mail box, I'm just so excited! =D

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    1. Sweet Carla, it has truly been a pleasure every step of the way. Even the few small hiccups that have occurred so far are miniscule in comparison to the joy of this festive holiday season swap and the knowledge that so many have enjoyed taking part in it.

      I'm thrilled that you did and hope that your gift arrives soon. Tony and I are both still waiting on ours to get here, too - but as Canada Post slows to, no joke, a near standstill regarding delivers from mid-December until the New Year, I'm not worried yet at all. Chances are they'll arrive any day now, just as yours will.

      Big hugs & countless happy holiday season wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. What a wonderful idea, Jessica. I would've liked to be involved, but fell in a financial rough spot when I had to take some unpaid sick time with a wrist injury. But the good news, is I'm on the mend now. It's a Christmas miracle! I hope everyone enjoys the big gift exchange. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, everybody!

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    1. Dear Jackie, I'm sincerely sorry to hear about your wrist injury. What a challenging, stressful note to wrap the year up on. I'm touched that you would have liked to have participated and home that circumstances will be such that you can in future years.

      Thinking of you and sending my very merriest holiday season and New Year wishes your way!
      ♥ Jessica

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  12. You know I sent my gifts (from Denmark to Australia) two weeks ago and I check her on Instagram every day, but she still haven't received them, so I am getting a bit worried by now. Should I wait till 25 December or so and ask her? I love this idea and received my gift a week ago. I truly hope you will host this again next year, it is such a charming idea. lots of e-hugs from rainy Denmark

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    1. Hello dear Sanne, thank you for your VSS question. I would give it a bit more time. I'm not sure how quickly the postal system works in Denmark, but I know that here in Canada, it's quite normal for air mail sent to Australia to take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to arrive.

      It's possible that she may have received your parcel and is waiting to open the gifts until Christmas Day itself or that she isn't going to share on Instagram (there's no obligation for participants to do so). If around January she hasn't done so (posted) and you're concerned that perhaps something happened to your gift en route, you can certainly always contact her or I can do so on your behalf, if you'd like to keep your VSS identity a secret.

      All things willing, I do indeed plan to make this a fun annual event and already have some ideas on how we're going to tweak and improve things further in subsequent VSS's. I love that you took part in this exciting inaugural one - thank you again for doing so.

      Happiest holiday wishes, my sweet friend!
      ♥ Jessica

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    2. Just in case you haven't checked the vintagesecretsanta hashtag, I wanted to let you know that she has finally received my gift, right before Christmas. It has taken the parcel almost a month to go to Australia, so I am glad I sent it so early. And she was VERY happy for her gift (vintage stockings and a petticoat), she said it was perfect and that I had spoiled her. It really made my day. :)

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    3. Thank you very much for the thoughtful update, dear Sanne. In the midst of the uber busy holiday season, I haven't been checking the VSS hashtag everyday (though I plan to set aside a day or even weekend, if needed, to catch up on all such photos/posts in the very near future) and really appreciate you letting me know that she did indeed receive her gift safe and sound. That's wonderful news!

      Thank you again immensely for taking part in this first ever Vintage Secret Santa, my beautiful friend. It really means a lot to me that you did!

      ♥ Jessica

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  13. I have a question. I just got my package today. Are poeple opening them upon arrival or are they waiting for Christmas? And BTW I sent my overseas package about two weeks ago.

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    1. Hello my dear, first and foremost, thank you very much for taking part in this exciting first ever Vintage Secret Santa here at Chronically Vintage. I really appreciate that you did and hope you've been enjoying the experience immensely.

      The choice to open your VSS gift now or on Christmas (or whenever you'd prefer) is entirely up to you. I've had some folks share with me that they're waiting and know many others are opening them the minute I arrive (if you search for the hashtag #vintagesecretsanta) on Instagram and Twitter, you can see some of the gifts that people have received, opened and shared publicly already). Do what feels right to you and have a blast opening your surprise holiday gift.


      Big hugs & the very happiest of holiday season wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. I sent out my gift on Monday morning. It's hard to get anything done until the semester is done. I do want to thank you for organizing this event. It sounds like a big undertaking and I hope it all goes well. Thanks again for putting this together.

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    1. Hello dear Akram, thank you very much for the lovely update. I hear you there! This season - really, this whole year - has been one of my busiest in a very long time and it often feels like there aren't anywhere near enough hours in the day. I'm touched that even with such a jam packed schedule, you wanted, and were able, to take part in the VSS. Thank you again soooo much for doing so, honey. I really appreciate it and am sure your VSS match will adore the thoughtful gifts that you're sending them.

      It was, and is, but for the most part things have been running smoothly so far and - knock wood - there haven't been any major hitches yet. As with most things in life, I'm sure each subsequent annual VSS gift exchange will become even easier and that we'll figure out ways to fine tune it and make the experience even more enjoyable for everyone involved.

      Thank you again & have a truly beautiful holiday season,
      ♥ Jessica

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  15. SS gift both sent out to my person, and received by me. :) It was an absolute delight!

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    1. Yay!!! How wonderful that you're own VSS present has arrived already, dear Hannah. Thank you for the thoughtful update. Tony and I are both still waiting on ours, but Canada Post slows to a near standstill here come December, so I'm certainly not worried yet.

      I hope that you love your VSS gift(s) and you have a thoroughly marvelous holiday season from start to finish!

      ♥ Jessica

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