Secret Santa Soiree: Tell All

I have to admit, this was my very first swap to host and for the most part, I was pleased with how it turned out. I certainly learned a lot along the way that will hopefully make it a lot easier should I host this next season. I certainly learned much more than the logistics of how a swap operates. I have been inspired, encouraged and truly amazed at the generosity of others. I have enjoyed all the emails, and conversations throughout the swap.


I'd like to clear up how I paired each of the bloggers with one another. I debated on how to do this, and wanted it to be fair for all involved. I did not want to pick and choose, as I was afraid the idea would be lost if I picked a blogger for you. I hoped you would have someone you had never met before, and a new friendship would be formed. So....very technically.....I drew from a bowl. Yeppers.....I put all the numbers in a bowl, stared from the bottom of the list and picked and assigned that way, ending lastly with my own name. High Tech I tell you!!!

I hope you enjoyed yourselves this season. The real joy is in the giving, and that seems to be conveyed in most everyone who participated. I was amazed at all the lovely gifts being sent to new friends. I am still in hopes that the rest of the bloggers who have not blogged about their gifts will take the time to do so very soon. Please know, I have done all I can to get that message out there. Please know I have tried so no one's feelings would be hurt. As soon as I am notified, I will update the list to show the * * * beside the blogs.

Below is the list of your Secret Santa Person. Please refer to the original list HERE to match the number up with their blog. I know many of you are so excited to see who to thank personally!

Blog Number - Blog they sent to:

1 - 67
2 - 28
3 - 5
4 - 34
5 - 31
6 - 20
7 - 27
8 - 64
9 - 54
10 - 25
11 - 21
12 - 29
13 - 53
14 - 12
15 - 1
16 - 51
17 - 41
18 - 56
19 - 59
20 - 61
21 - 49
22 - 42
23 - 55
24 - 39
25 - 22
26 - 38
27 - 32
28 - 46
29 - 60
30 - 36
31 - 52
32 - 30
33 - 7
34 - 15
35 - 57
36 - 43
37 - 58
38 - 48
39 - 65
40 - 45
41 - 16
42 - 14
43 - 9
44 - 66
45 - 10
46 - 23
47 - 13
48 - 3
49 - 33
50 - 11
51 - 40
52 - 17
53 - 35
54 - 8
55 - 63
56 - 18
57 - 6
58 - 62
59 - 50
60 - 24
61 - 44
62 - 37
63 - 19
64 - 4
65 - 2
66 - 47
67 - 26
Elf  (thank you again)
47 - 3

I'd also like to thank some of our swap participants who sent cards and other surprises to me as well. I can tell you that this was certainly not expected, but oh, what fun I have had. Precious gifts from precious friends.....thank you so much! Between my SSS partner and you ladies, I felt very spoiled!  (click photo to enlarge)

Please notice the framed stitched dachshunds. This was a card, and the felt embroidery was quickly removed and framed.....this will stay out all year long....did you notice that it is Sophie, Dora and Bailey! Very precious to me!! And that sweet bag....Bailey wanted inside the minute I sat it down!! She thinks it is her personal carrier!! I am going to put the dachshund ornament in my curio cabinet with my other doxie treasures....can not bear the thought of packing these goodies away for a whole year.

My final thoughts, as we start into the new year, try and keep the spirit of the holiday in our hearts. Random acts of kindness go a long way, and you just never know how one small thing will make a huge difference for someone in a big way. Wishing you the very best for 2012! Thanks for taking part this year in the Secret Santa Soiree and putting up with my persistence in keeping things on track!