OK, first of all, I do think it's better to give than receive. I try to buy thoughtful gifts. I used to pick names off those charity trees and buy a bunch of stuff for needy kids or kick in money for a family in need. I don't do that any more, but I buy a bunch of toys to fill up the Toys 4 Tots barrel. I love doing that. The Marines are very good about distributung toys to kids in need. I stopped pulling names off the trees because those charities often only include children from a certain area of nearby Omaha. I know there is need there, but I want to know that the toys may go to any child. Rural people need help sometimes too.
Anyway, my idea of what Secret Santa is that I am getting a gift for myself and having it be a surprise. It's not just about giving. It's a game meant to bring smiles to the participants. It's no different than having a potluck lunch and playing a board game with friends. Everybody is supposed to bring something and have fun. There are Scrooge's that mess that up. I hosted a Secret Santa Gifts From the Heart swap here on BYC. We had a lot of great people join. The guidelines were simple. The gifts needed to be from the heart, homemade if possible and costing no more than $15. I have been organizing and hosting swaps for years. There are always no-shows. There are two types. One type that just disappears off the face of the earth. The other type waits until the last minute and starts sending e-mails explaining how bad their life is and how they suffer from long term mental health problems that make it hard to meet their commitment. Unfortunately, we had one of each type in the BYC swap. Swaps are a blast when everybody plays nice. They are meant to combine the spirit of giving with a game. Signing up for a swap, receivng a gift and not giving one is cheating. I have to wonder how those people must behave in other areas of their lives. I'll bet those are the same people that go to potluck dinners and only bring their appetite. Most SS swaps are voluntary. You have to make the effort to put your name on the list. It's a commitment. If you can't do it, don't sign up. If you can't afford it, don't sign up. If you don't care enough to follow through, don't sign up. If your life is always spiraling out of control and you have trouble following through with things, don't sign up.