The Deadline For Joining This Group Build Has Now Passed.
It's here!
Back from it's incredible world tour, it's the 4TH ANNUAL SECRET SANTA GROUP BUILD FOR AIRCRAFT!
This years title: "Secret Santa 4: Santa's New Sleigh"!
The remainder of this message, with the exception of my email address and a couple of date changes, has been directly stolen from Jon's info and rules from last year. No reason to mess with what worked so well in the past.
(And if you didn't finish last year's kit- that's OK! We want you to join for the fun, fellowship and giving!)
First, the rules are basically like last year. (Almost like I cut and pasted it....) But there are differences- please read them over thoroughly! If you have read the rules and still have a question about anything, please feel free to contact me. If you have NOT read the rules and have a question, please feel free to read the rules.
If you're not familiar with the GB, it works like a Secret Santa gift exchange held at many offices, etc. I match up everyone who signs up with their recipient, and we all exchange gifts of a kit.
First off.... and this is very important.... by joining the group build, you are committing to purchasing (or giving from the stash) and mailing a kit to a fellow GB member. Please examine your finances, time, etc., before committing. It's a lot of fun for everyone involved, but please don't commit if it will be a financial burden on you, or if you are not sure you can take time the time to mail the kit, keep up with a few deadlines, etc.
Second, and I cannot emphasize this enough... this group build is about the giving, not the receiving. Getting a gift is a lot of fun, but the giving, friendship and fellowship is a blessing- the folks who participated the last two years can attest to that.
Finally, I am a terrible, TERRIBLE artist. If someone would be willing to create a badge for this group build, that would be awesome.
All that aside, here's the rules:
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS OCTOBER 18TH.
Yes, that's two weeks earlier. Two previous incarnations of this GB showed me a bit more time was needed for international mailing.
To join the GB, you MUST PM or email me (jkelher@juno.com) your:
- Full name
- Address as it should be written on the package
- Email
- Forum name
- Scale and era preference (Ex., WWII Axis 1/48; Modern Jets 1/72)
- If you are willing to be a standby sender if someone drops out (Meaning you'd send out two kits, possibly)
- If mailing a package internationally not a problem
A note on the scale era preference. We tried that last year, and it worked well. The reason we don't specify a particular kit is that for one, it takes any surprise out of it, and two, some people's budget may not be able to afford that kit. Plus, it just adds to the fun and surprise for both the giver and receiver. So please keep the preference to something like "1/48 WWII Allied fighters" or "1/72 early Cold War jets" or whatever. Also- is this is an aircraft build. Not to shut out the armor/ship/figure/car folks, as I actually hope they can start one in their genre. It just helps us all stick to an area we are familiar with.
Keep in mind, if you normally build in 1/24 or 1/32 scale, that can be a cost factor for many folks. Not to say don't feel free to specify that preference, but be aware it may be a burden for your "Santa".
Once the sign-up deadline has passed (Oct. 18t), I'll send everyone their recipient's name, address, etc. Please don't tell anyone who your recipient or giver is- keep it a surprise until we open the gifts.
Once you've picked out the kit you'll send as a gift to the recipient, you'll need to wrap it up in wrapping paper, and it would be nice to include a card and other things about yourself. Last year some folks sent photos and such so they could get to know each other better. Part of the fun of this GB will be getting to know other forum members.
Once you've wrapped it up- mail it off! Obviously, the recipient will know who the sender is. But to keep things fun, let's not acknowledge who the senders or recipients are until Christmas.
Target date to have the package mailed to your recipient is no later than November 15th. If you are mailing internationally, take that into account, as that may add additional time and expense. You can always mail earlier than November 18th, of course.
Now, once they're all mailed out, we'll all have a nice kit, wrapped up and waiting under the tree. True, you'll have to stare at it for about a month as it screams "Open me! Build me!" but that's all part of the fun.
Starting at 12:01 AM UMT December 25th, folks can begin opening their kits and posting what it is, and who it's from. Pics would be fun! Folks who open presents before 12:01 AM UMT- it's OK if you cheat and open it a bit sooner. If you celebrate another tradition, please do so! But please wait until Dec 25th to post!
Once you've opened your gift from your Secret Santa- let the GB begin.
The rules for the actual build are simple. Build it between Dec 25th, 2009 and.... no end! It's open ended.... remember it's about the giving. Post pics of progress and upon completion. AM, resin, P/E are fine- have fun with your gift!
To summarize:
1. Deadline for sign-up is October 18th, 2009.
2. Email me (jkelher@juno.com) or PM me your complete info. I will list you as a participant only when I have all that info.
3. If you are 16 or under, please have a parent or guardian email me giving permission to join the build.
4. Kits can come from the stash, or can be purchased. I suggest a maximum price of $20-$25, but certainly don't feel obligated to spend that much. (Or spend more if you wish, certainly.) A nice kit can be had for less than $10 with a coupon at the right store!
5. Kit should be an injection molded kit, though some resin/PE is fine. If you're not sure if your recipient is used to working with that, keep it simple.
6. Wrap your kit in wrapping paper, include a card, and send to your recipient no later than November 15th, 2008.
7. Keep who your recipient and Santa is a secret until we all post here December 25th.
8. Beginning 12:01 AM UMT, December 25th, you can start posting who your Santa is, and what kit you received. Pics of you and your kit would be a bonus!
9. The actual build part of the GB can start on Dec. 25th, 2009, and there is no end date.
10. AM, resin, PE and any other add-on is fine- add whaever you want to your kit.
11. Post pics of progress and completion.
And finally, the official group build badge. May thanks to Avus for this year's badge design.
I'll use this first post in the thread for updating dates, participants and general news. Please post any questions or ideas. And if you need to contact me off forum, email me at jkelher@juno.com.
Please check this post to make sure I have your name. I will post names only when I have all their info, so if it's been a few days and you don't see your name, please check with me.
Participants:
Lofweir
firesmacker
kg4kpg
Aggieman
swingr1121
Bullet21
satch_ip
Ollie
SkullGundam
sidure
btp2k2
Avus
sub revolution
Paul E. Styrene
painklr
jeaton01
mph34
Discostu
carsanab
bondoman