Quote:
Originally Posted by Dalloween
I just took a look at the Elfster thing, and don't think it would work.... it's intended for families or folks who work together... it randomly assigns the "secret reapers" and then e-mails them out... but only sends a name with an e-mail address. It doesn't provide a way to include mailing addresses with the reaper assignments. So, everyone would have to e-mail the person they were assigned to get their address... which kills the surprise. 
Jim |
No, actually you don't have to email the person to get their address! It is listed on Elfster's website but only accessible to the person who is getting your gift. If you want to you can make it all secret!
Basically it does all the work for you...
I used Elfster for an online group "secret santa" last year, for another website forum I belong to... The members did not know each other in person. It worked out perfectly!
The way Elfster works if I remember it correctly:
1) You sign up (the organizer) and create the exchange page on Elfster, then add the names and email addresses of everyone who wants to sign up for the exchange, and tell the site to send invitations.
2) Elfster emails everyone info about the exchange and how to sign up.
3) People involved with the exchange make an account on Elfster and give their mailing address (which is only used for the exchange and can only be viewed by people in your exchange group.)
4) You tell Elfster what date to draw names
5) Elfster randomly assigns all the "secret santas" from your group
6) Elfster emails everyone to let them know they have chosen a name, and gives a link to an Elfster page with info on who you are to buy a gift for (people can put whatever info they want on their page, even a wishlist...)
7) Elfster reminds people about the deadline for the exchange.
8) If the organizer chooses, Elfster can either keep the whole thing totally secret and never let anyone know who got their gift, or you can set a date after the exchange is over when Elfster will reveal the name of who bought for you.
Here is some more info, from the FAQ on the Elfster site:
Quote:
1. How do I get started organizing a new Secret Santa exchange?
Getting started is easy. Simply navigate to Elfster's home page (www.elfster.com). Click on the "Organize a Secret Santa Gift Exchange" button in the center of the home page. If you aren't already registered, you will be asked to register. You will then begin creating your first gift exchange! Anyone can use the site and it is available free of charge.
2. When are the invitations sent to people I invite?
As you add the names and email addresses of participants in your exchange, they will first appear in the category "Not Yet Invited" near the top left of the Exchange Home page. To send invitations to those that are Not Yet Invited, you must click on the "Send Invitations Now" button. The "Send Invitations Now" button is directly below the "Add a person" section of the Exchange Home page, on the right hand side. (Note that even after you have sent some invitations, you can continute to add more people and send more invitations up untill the names have been drawn).
3. When are the names drawn?
Names are drawn when the Sign-up Deadline Date arrives. If you have already gotten all of the responses from your exchange participants before the Sign-Up Deadline, you can initiate the draw by yourself by clicking on the "Draw Names Now" button on the Exchange Home page. Once names have been drawn, no more people can be added to the exchange.
4. Can I make it so that one person cannot draw another person?
Yes. To do this, first go to the Exchange Home page. Click on the name of the person you want to restrict. This will bring you to the Secret Santa Setup page for that Santa. On this page you will see a selection list of all the other people in the exchange. Choose the people you don't want the selected Santa to be able to draw and then click the "Save" button.
5. Can people participate that don't have an email address or web access?
Yes. To do this, enter their first and last name as usual in the Exchange Home page. For the email address, just use your own email address. Any email messages for this "offline" Santa will be directed to you. As the organizer, you can accept on behalf of the person without even viewing the email. From the Exchange Home click on the person's name. This will take you to the Secret Santa Setup page for that person. Click on the "Accept for this Person" button. You can then communicate the exchange details with the offline Santa in whatever way is most convenient for them.
6. What if I put in the wrong email address for one of the participants?
You must fix this before drawing names and before the sign-up deadline. To fix it, go to the Exchange Home Page. Click on the person you need to fix. Click on the button next to their email address which says "Change" (if you did not originally add this person to Elfster, the message will be a bit different). Enter the corrected email of the person, and click the "Change" button.
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