Se/k/ret Santa Overview

This is a detailed overview of what Se/k/ret Santa is and how it works. For a short summary of how to participate in the event, check out the Battle Plan tab.

Se/k/ret Santa is a yearly gift exchange event for 4chan's /k/ board that takes place near Christmas. 

Each participant will select a tier upon signup, and will be assigned to a batch. Participants will be assigned both a target to whom they will send a gift, and a santa from whom they will receive a gift. As the event name implies, you won't know who your santa is, and your target won't know who you are!

Signing Up:

To sign up for the event you must first create an account on the Secret Santa website. This will be the account you'll use for this and all future events.

After creating and logging into your account, visit the Se/k/ret Santa 2020 event detail page (the one you're currently on!) and click the Sign Up button.

On the Sign Up form you will enter your shipping information, information about the kind of gift you'd like to send and receive, agree to the rules and swear an oath to abide by them. Yes, we really mean it.

Fill out the form thoroughly and accurately! Providing good info will help us match you, help your santa get you a good gift, and overall will create a good experience.

Batches and Tiers:

Signups are accepted and matched in batches. In 2020 we have four batches. When you sign up, you will be auto-assigned into the currently active batch.

All signups in a batch will receive their matches at the same time, which is one day after the batch closes for signups. You then must ship your gift to your target by the batch shipping deadline.

Depending on which batch you sign up for, different rules may apply. For example, the second batch this year will only match internationally at the two lowest tiers, and the final batch will not last as long as the first three did.

Additionally, you will select a tier when you sign up. The tier determines the price bracket you are participating in, and you will be matched to another participant in the same tier. You must send a gift above the minimum price in your tier.

Tiers may also have certain special rules. For example, in 2020 the two highest tiers are restricted to previous participants.

Details about the batches and tiers can be found on the Se/k/ret Santa 2020 event detail page - just scroll up!

Receiving a Match:

You will your target match one day after the close of signups for your batch. You will be sent an email with your target details, and your Signup Dashboard will also contain this information.

Matching style in Se/k/ret Santa 2020 is round robin. Your target will not be the same person as your santa.

We may contact you to change your signup details (for example, changing your tier) if we have trouble finding a good match for you.

When you receive a match, feel free to post about it in the Se/k/ret Santa 2020 threads on 4chan! Make sure not to reveal any personal information, but it's fun for your target to see a post letting (for example) "BB in 85178" know that they have a santa.

Creating and Shipping a Gift:

Use the wishlist details provided in your target match to create a good gift for your target. Make it fun and put some effort into it! Decorate the box too.

You must create and ship your gift by your batch ship deadline. Sending on time is required!

When you send, make sure to get a tracking number. Use the tracking number to submit the Mark Shipped form on your Signup Dashboard. Filling out this form will notify your target that a gift is on the way! It will also help us keep track of who has shipped.

Failure to ship your gift within two weeks, or failure mark yourself as shipped, will result in you being marked as a grinch - so please send promptly!

While building and shipping the gift, feel free to make posts in the 4chan threads about it as well. Build some hype for your target!

Receiving Your Gift:

When your target ships your gift, you will receive an email notifying you that a gift is on its way. Get excited!

Upon receiving your gift, you should do two things:

First, take photos of the box and post in the 4chan thread! Nothing is more fun for a santa than seeing a photo of the box they worked so hard drawing penises on. 

Second, submit the Mark Received form on your Signup Dashboard. Doing this will let us know that you received your gift. It will also notify your santa that the gift made it there safely.

You can open your gift as soon as you receive it if you really want to, but we have a tradition of holding an unboxing thread on /k/ristmas day, so consider waiting and participating in that! Either way, when you do open your gift, make sure to post photos of that as well.

Grinch Relief:

Sometimes shit happens and you don't get a gift. This is uncommon, but when it does happen we ensure that you are taken care of, and this is called Grinch Relief.

Grinch Relief is powered each year by awesome participant volunteers. You will be able to volunteer to provide Grinch Relief during signup, and we encourage you to do so! If you are selected to provide grinch relief, we will match you with a kommando in need within your price tier.

If you end up needing grinch relief yourself, you will be eligible to apply for it one day after your batch ship deadline. We will be sending out information to applicable users at that time, so if this does apply to you, stand by for more information.

You can learn more about grinch relief on the Grinch Relief tab. Check out the benefits there for being a Grinch Relief volunteer!

Raffle:

For the last two years we have held a raffle event where you can win some pretty cool prizes!

You earn raffle entries by completing the steps described above. Specifics on earning raffle entries, and the prize list, can be found on the Raffle tab.

All prizes are donated by participants and community members. If you'd like to donate a prize, contact us and let us know! Thanks much comrade!

New Website / 2020 Questions

What’s new in 2020?

Obviously the biggest new item is this new website! 

Aside from that, we've tweaked several things to handle the unique circumstances of 2020. These primarily center around the fact that shipping is going to take longer this year. The main changes are:

• We now have four batches instead of five.
• The signup period and shipping period for each batch is a little shorter.
• International shipping allowed only for the first two batches. The first batch will allow international matches generally, but the second batch will only do international matches at Paper/k/lip and Torch tiers.
• The last batch this year ends a lot earlier. Previously we've tried to match right up to Christmas, but it's just not possible this year.
• All grinch relief volunteers this year will be asked to ship their purchase directly to their target (online direct shipping) instead of shipping to their own house, then repackaging and mailing it.

Finally, we've dropped the Overlord ($250+) tier this year. The highest tier is now Barbarossa.

Why did you create this website? What are its benefits?

The new website should produce several benefits this year. The primary benefit will be that participants will now have a single easy place to track their signup, view their target information, and most excitingly to see their tracking number as soon as the gift has been shipped!

This website should also automate a lot of the work the staff have to do each year. While matching will continue to be done manually, the process of sending target emails, reminder emails, and answering common questions like "where's my tracking number" will now be automated.

Finally, it is my hope that this website will grow into a solid platform to facilitate online gift exchanges, one that can expand beyond just the Se/k/ret Santa event, perhaps to other 4chan gift exchange events as well! If anyone participating this year is in contact with the facilitators of other 4chan gift exchanges, consider contacting Big Boss at [email protected] to facilitate an introduction.

Does this new website mean we’re not doing threads on /k/ any longer?

Definitely not. The primary place for the community to interact with Se/k/ret Santa will always be 4chan itself. We will still have threads running throughout the entire event - the website will not replace those. The website will only be used to facilitate the logistics of the event.

What should I post in the 4chan threads?

The best part of Se/k/ret Santa is shitposting in the threads. All participants should at least do the following:

• When you get a match, drop a post letting them know! Example: "Fire mission received for BB in 85178"
• Post photos of your gift once you've got it put together, especially if you've decorated the box in a cool or interesting way. Depending on what your gift is, consider posting pics of it coming together as well, but don't spoil the surprise too much.
• Most important: when you receive and open your gift, take photos of the box and gift so your santa can see their hard work being appreciated!

When posting in the threads be sure to keep opsec in mind. Don't reveal your target's personal info, or your own. Strip photo metadata and black out shipping labels. If you dox yourself you will be laughed at. If you dox your target or santa, we'll probably ban you.

How do I sign up?

Don't get confused here: in order to sign up for the event you need to both create an account on the sekretsanta.com website and you need to submit the signup form. If you only create an account, you won't get a match!

When you do submit your signup, you'll get a confirmation email indicating that you have successfully signed up. If you don't receive that email, you aren't signed up yet!

What are the “Mark Shipped” / “Marked Received” forms and why should I fill them out?

In previous years we've asked you to email us letting us know when you've shipped and received your gift. We now have forms that will accept this information instead.

You can find both forms on your Signup Dashboard. Use the Mark Shipped form to submit the tracking number when you've shipped your gift to your target, and use the Mark Received form to let us know when you've received your gift from your santa.

It's important to fill these out because they keep both your target / santa and Se/k/ret Santa staff informed. Submitting these will also earn you raffle entries!

I have an idea for a feature for the website!

We maintain a list of upcoming features on the website's About page. If you have a cool idea that isn't listed there yet, send it our way! Just email Big Boss at [email protected].

Where’s the /k/rypto challenge?

We had hoped to have a /k/rypto challenge 2020 set up this year but it took enough work to build the new website, so it probably won't happen unless I get inspired, or someone wants to help me build it. If you want to help with that, mail me!

General Questions

How long are the batches open?

This year the first three batches are open for signups for 10 days. The final batch is open for signups for 7 days. The last batch closes for signups on December 8th, 2020, so get your signup in before then!

How long do I have to ship?

For the first three batches you will have 10 days to assemble and ship your gift. The final batch has a 7 day ship time. Note that the final batch requires that you do online direct shipping to your target, so a week shipping time should be eminantly doable.

Do I have to provide my personal information to sign up?

You'll need to provide the following information when signing up:

• An email address that you regularly check. Don't use a throwaway address - if you do you won't be able to keep track of the event.
• You'll need to provide a name that we can refer to you by. If you are in the US and you don't want to be matched internationally, this doesn't need to be your real name. If you are either not in the US, or want to be matched internationally, you will need to enter your real name here. This is to reduce problems with shipping.
• You will need to provide an address where you can receive your gift. Make sure you'll actually be at this address when your package arrives! Don't use your dorm address if you'll be going home for Christmas, and if you know you'll be away from home in December, consider having the package shipped to where you'll be at that time.

Does the tier price bracket count shipping?

The tier price bracket refers to the price of assembling the gift, not of shipping it. Select your tier accordingly. 

Who will I get matched with?

You'll get matched with another person in the same tier or bracket. We'll take the gift / wishlist categories and any other instructions you care to provide into consideration when pairing a santa with a target such that the santa will be a good match for their target's wishes!

Make sure to let us know on the signup form if you have a friend participating, so we know not to match you guys (unless you want that.) 

Note that your match will be influenced by whether you already have something identified you want to send as a gift - see below.

I already own / have already purchased some stuff I'd like to send, how can I get matched with someone who wants my stuff?

We often get questions from people who either have a cool gift in mind, or who already have something they'd like to give away. Generally we prefer that you do not sign up with this mindset.

A Se/k/ret Santa gift should be assembled based on your target's wishlist and personality. It should be a personalized gift, not one that you planned ahead of time. It definitely should not be seen as a way for you to offload your old stuff.

This said, there are exceptions to this, and if you think you already have something that would make a really cool gift, there is a space on the signup form where you can let us know about this, and we will attempt to match you with someone who would like that gift. We do not guarantee a match in these circumstances, but we will try our best.

What happens when I get a match?

You will receive your match's information by email on the match release date for your batch. Your Signup Dashboard will also show this information on this date.

As soon as you receive your email, you should start planning and putting together your gift!

What should I send my target?

Your target should provide a good wishlist and set of ideas for you to work with. The best gifts are those that take these ideas and the personality of the signup, and puts them together into an awesome gift.

A great formula for a gift is described by the anonposter below:

A few other ideas (these are good if you end up getting a match that only says "surprise me")

• Find some cool and interesting milsurp gear.
• Patches and stickers are always fun - don't be a poorfag, get the velcro-backed kind.
• Common firearm accessories and battle gear - slings, pouches, barrel wraps.
• Throw in a fun card and some drawings.
• /k/ related books

What kind of stuff should I NOT send?

A few suggestions for gifts to avoid:

• Don't send anything illegal - see the Legal page for guidance
• Don't send a purely meme gift - it's okay and encouraged to send amusing stuff but make sure you pair it with a legitimate gift.
• Given the time crunch in 2020, you probably shouldn't order anything that will need to be custom made, or will otherwise take forever to even arrive.
  • Specific example of this: avoid custom made dragon dildos. Just buy a premade one like the rest of us.

Will I be sending and receiving from the same person?

Can I participate twice? I want to send two gifts and receive two in return.

What happens if I don’t receive my gift?

Your target failing to send you a gift is called getting grinched. We've gotten pretty good at reducing grinches over the years, but it does still happen. If it does, we'll probably know about it since we're tracking shipments, but you should still let us know.

If we determine that you were legitimately grinched, two things will happen:

1. We'll get a grinch relief volunteer on the case, who will quickly get supplies airdropped to you.
2. The grinch will be banned for life from all Se/k/ret Santa events, and any other events we are involved in.

We work hard to make sure you don't get grinched. Consider helping out by becoming a grinch relief volunteer! See the Grinch Relief tab for details.

What happens if I get a gift I don't like?

These are handled on a case by case basis. If you get a gift that is clearly, self-evidently a low effort or troll gift, we'll count that as getting grinched. On the other hand, simply disliking what you received is not sufficient. 

Overall, if you think you got screwed with a crap gift, contact us and we'll see what we can do.

What happens if I need to withdraw from the event?

You can withdraw at any time before you are matched. To do so, use the “Withdraw and Delete Signup” button on your Signup Dashboard.

Once you are matched, you must follow through and create a good gift for your match. If you choose to withdraw at this point, we may need to mark you as a grinch for doing so.

Please don't sign up for the event unless you are reasonably certain you can see it through!

Who are the se/k/ret santa staff?

We have two staff members running the event this year:

• Big Boss !!jq3a8iFwU/6 - event coordinator and organizer
• Santa'sLittleHelper !!P3upp74N0Cv - assistant with threads and matching

Keep an eye out for us in the threads!

Grinch Relief Information

If your santa does not ship your gift before your batch deadline, then you will be eligible to apply for grinch relief. /k/omrades are standing by to help you in your hour of need!

Participants will be eligible to apply for grinch relief as soon as your batch's shipping period closes.

We will mail all eligible participants the day following your batch's shipping deadline to ask whether you wish to sign up for relief. Keep an eye out for this email!

Relief Volunteers

Brave /k/omrades may volunteer to participate in grinch relief as part of the initial signup.

We may also send out a signup sheet sometime during the event to solicit more volunteers.

Relief volunteers may be asked to provide relief at or below the tier you signed for (for example, if you signed up for the $50- $99 tier, then you may be asked to provide relief for another $50- $99tier member, or for a tier beneath that. You will not be asked to provide relief at a tier higher than that which you signed up for.

All grinch relief volunteers who provide proof of sending a relief package will receive a large number of raffle entries! Volunteers will also receive a special patch, available only to our valued Grinch Relief /k/orps!

Grinch Relief Process

We will be emailing you as soon as your batch closes notifying you if you are eligible for relief.

If you are eligible and wish to receive relief, please respond to this email.

We will then match you with a relief volunteer, who will send you grinch relief ASAP.

Se/k/ret Santa 2020 Raffle

We will be holding a raffle on January 7th, 2020 for all participants!

All participants will earn one entry just for signing up. Additional entries can be earned by being involved in the event. Scroll down for details.

The Prizes

Prizes for the raffle are currently:

"Ave Nex Alea" Engraved AR-15 Lower + DD Prize Pack from Defense Distributed (US Only)

We are happy to once again partner with Defense Distributed / Ghost Gunner!

For the second year in a row they are offering an AR-15 lower engraved with the holy words and symbols of the /k/ube. This engraving will be performed on a Ghost Gunner using the Ghostwriter software!

They'll also include a DD prize pack, which will consist of a DD hat, two patches and a keychain! 

Major thanks to our friends at DD for continuing to support the /k/ommunity. To support them and the extraordinary work they do for American gun owners, considering joining their Second Amendment Fraternity LEGIO (ddlegio.com) or buying their products at ghostgunner.net.

Because this cannot be shipped internationally, this prize will go only to a US resident who is legally able to receive it. Sorry Euros, sorry NJ residents.

Beshtiya Custom Golden Tiger Stripe Knife (International Only)

The incredibly based Beshtiya.eu decided to go toe to toe with DD and offer an incredible raffle prize for our international comrades. That prize is a custom made golden tiger stripe knife!

This knife will be engraved (details to come!) and will go to a very lucky international participant. I think this will be one of our best prizes ever!

Beshtiya Prize Packs and Discount Codes

Gee Beshtie how come Big Boss lets you have two raffle prize listings? Because they're so damn generous, that's why.

In addition to the custom knife described above, Beshtiya has also donated the following to the raffle:

• Four prize packs, each consisting of one balaclava or neck gaiter of your choice, plus four patches of your choice. Four different kommandos will each get one of these prize packs!
• 25 discount codes: twenty-five different participants will each get one discount code for the Beshtiya.eu webstore!

Unlike the knife, these prizes are available to both US and international participants!

I can't thank our true comrade Beshtiya enough for donating all this to our raffle - make sure that you check out his store and show him how much he means to the Se/k/ret Santa community!

Sput's Patches and Stuff - Patch and Sticker Pack